LSA-Powered 1972 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

Description

As a Japanese copy of the famed WWII era jeep and with origins dating to the Korean War era, Toyota launched the FJ40 series utility vehicle in 1960. Official importation to the U.S. began in 1963, and within two years the FJ40 Land Cruiser was hands down the best-selling Toyota in America.

Cosmetically, the FJ was essentially the same truck until it went out of production in 1983, barring minor trim tweaks; however, it saw a gradual progression of functional improvements and upgrades over the years, shifting from being a bare-bones rock hopper to a commensurately equipped modern SUV 30 years ahead of the curve. The FJ40 was available as an open-bodied or fully enclosed two-door wagon, or the longer wheelbase FJ45 could be had as a two-door or four-door wagon, in addition to a two-door pickup.

As FJ40s reached the secondary market, it became very common for owners to take on engine swaps, most notably by replacing the FJ’s stock six with a small-block Chevy V-8. This stunning 1972 model underwent a recent full “nuts and bolts” restoration that included a new GM Performance LS 6.2 Supercharged LSA V8 rated at 556 horsepower and multiple mechanical and cosmetic upgrades. 

Highlights 

• This 1972 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser underwent a full restoration (completed in 2020), which included: 

  • Chassis stripped down to bare metal and restored to like-new condition 

  • Belly pan stripped, undercoated, and refinished 

  • All chassis gaps reset to meet factory spec and tolerances 

  • Exterior masked, resealed, and covered with two wet coats of polyester primer 

  • Vehicle color sanded and buffed to ensure best possible high-gloss paint finish before car was assembled 

  • Undercarriage and floors received urethane coating 

  • Engine compartment fully disassembled and refinished  

  • Original engine swapped for new GM Performance LS 6.2 Supercharged LSA V8 rated at 556 horsepower 

  • New ARB Air Locker differential 

  • New ARB on-board air compressor 

  • New custom wiring harness 

  • New stainless-steel fuel/brake lines 

  • New stainless steel engine accessories 

  • New Fox 2.0 Performance air suspension with Eibach coils 

  • New advanced power steering 

  • New low temperature radiator and intercooler 

  • New Momo Indy Black mahogany steering wheel 

  • New LED Dakota Digital gauges (120 mph speedometer, odometer, oil pressure, fuel level, coolant temperature, and battery amps) 

  • New Alpine infotainment system 

  • New heated seats 

  • New Currie Enterprises Ford 9-inch axles 

  • New 17-inch Method Race Wheels 

  • New BFGoodrich All-Terrain 34X10.5R17LT tires 

  • New Warn M8274 Quadratec winch 

  • New rear-mounted 4 Plus storage rack with Yeti Cooler 

  • New black canvas top 

  • Sport roll cage  

  • Fuel tank removed, stripped, and refit 

  • Replaced electrical connectors, wiring, battery straps, and grounds 

  • New Milwaukee battery, vapor collection hoses, and fuel lines 

  • Mounting hardware reconditioned and replaced 

  • Relay boards, fuse blocks, and covers replaced  

  • Chrome trim and moldings removed, repaired, and anodized to factory specs 

  • Front and rear windshield moldings replaced with new parts 

Features 

• Five-speed manual transmission 

• Dual range transfer case 

• Center-facing folding rear bench seats 

• Locking fuel door 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint is scraped on luggage rack center latch 

• Light rust on the leaf springs 

Included 

• Matching rear-mounted wheel and tire 

Ownership History 

This 1972 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser was purchased by its current owner in July 2020.