There’s rare and then there’s rare. A customer in Montana shipped us this 1965 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 Wagon (LV) and we’re prepping to do a full frame-off stage 3 restoration. Soup to nuts…nut & bolt type restoration. Oh baby, this thing is going to be saaaa-weeet when it’s done. Check back for more pics through the restoration process.
If you’re looking to restore your vintage Land Cruiser, look to the professionals at Red Line Land Cruisers. For more information and pricing, please fill out this form.
To inquire about this Land Cruiser please fill out the webform below. If you cannot see the webform, you can use the simple webform link here.
Overview
This Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40 is mostly original and in good running condition. The previous owner had it garaged for three years and drove it a handful of times on the weekends throughout the year (he had about 10 other toys in his series of garages and sold this one because he was clearing out for something new). He put brand new BFG tires on it, had the brakes completely redone, and had it tuned.
Prior to that, the previous owner from Denver had it and performed extensive work on the vehicle by mitigating slight rust and applying a very “so-so” paint job where the body work was done. There does not appear to be any rust bubbling up or surfacing from the work that was done. A walk around the vehicle banging on the metal from both sides revealed no weak areas. The previous owner said that all the work done involved replacing it with new metal. I’ve taken a magnet to the vehicle and that appears to be the case. Filler was used after the new metal was installed, and the work done there again, is just so-so.
The previous owner from Colorado Springs said that the original owner put in new metal where there were issues and had a new rear sill put in, as well. Even though the work done was “so-so” it does appear to have kept this FJ40’s body and metal in very good condition, thus making it an excellent candidate for a full restoration. The best part is that it is quite original and includes hard-to-find items such as the owner’s manual, tool roll, original trouble light and more. The old-school roof rack appears to be either hand-made or quite vintage and is probably period-specific to 1971.
Highlights
-79k miles (unsure if these are original or not, but based on the vehicle condition it could possibly be original miles…there’s simply no way to know)
-Clear Colorado title
-Slow and steady and runs strong (but really won’t do more than about 55mph)
-Seats recently recovered
-Old school roof rack
-3 speed manual transmission on the tree
-4WD works perfect
-Brand new BFG M/T Tires (all five)
-Brakes completely redone (shoes, brake master, drums turned, new wheel cylinders)
-Includes original owners manual, trouble light (with rare original trouble light pouch), bottle jack, and tool roll
-New shocks
-All glass in excellent condition; front windshield has no cracks or chips
-Window regulators work perfect; windows crank up and down with ease
-Rear hatch stays work perfect and are in excellent shape
-All doors open and close perfectly; new weatherstrip all around
-Underbody coated in protective coating
-New muffler
Known Issues:
-Left rear corner was dented in a bit (corner metal or full quarter panel replacements available)
-Some minor rust on front fenders (aftermarket fenders available for around $400)
-Blinker has to be held down, but works (needs new switch, which is still available from Toyota)
-Rear heater not hooked up but diverter part included for hooking back up
-Carb needs a bit of an adjustment even though it looks like it was recently rebuilt
-Dome light there but not hooked up
-Needs new speedo cable (part is about $70); speedo cable stopped working about 300 miles ago.
-Top dash pad missing (new one from Toyota still available for around $550)
-Roof rack mounting arms/clips work, but need to be reconfigured or repaired to be trail worthy
Red Line Land Cruisers just finished work on this FJ45. Features include a V8 conversion, 5 speed manual transmission, custom swing out tire carrier, and more.
Tons more info and details coming soon. For now, enjoy the pics!
Details on this awesome project include the following;
Red Line Big brake kit
Rear Disc brake kit
OME 45 series 2.5″ lift
Dual fuel tanks, dual Bosch 044 fuel pump fuel set up
ARB front bumper
Red Line custom rear dual swing out with rear 1/4 protection
Red Line custom rock sliders
ARB full size roof rack
ARB Intensity LED lights
Warn 8274 winch
17″ aluminum wheels
Goodyear duratrack tires
Custom interior with Dynadeck flooring
Dynamat sound insulation in doors and floor
Sound system
Corbeau baja rs seats with tuffy console
Red Line custom billet knobs for ARB switches and all of the dash switches
Custom snorkel
RAM JET 350
NV4500 5 speed trans
Toyota Split T-Case with disc brake e-brake set up
We recently finished a meticulous frame-off restoration on this stunning 1970 Spring Green Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. Our team of FJ experts went through every nut, bolt, wire, gasket, bearing…everything…to ensure this FJ will be solid and beautiful for our customer for another four decades. It’s quite original with just a few exceptions including power steering, custom Red Line factory Toyota OEM replica Air Conditioning system, and a 5 speed manual transmission mounted on the original F engine.
A T206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card. A 1787 Chateau Lafite. The Guarneri del Gesù Violin A 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40.
The holy grail of FJ40s (and it sold…man did it sell quick!)
With less than 300 brought into the United States, this 1983 FJ40 is a rare bird (see pics below). We just took ownership of this FJ40 and we haven’t even dusted it off or washed it.
Highlights:
2-owners (really more like a 1-owner, though…more on that later)
Originally a Texas FJ
Garage stored in Colorado (and not driven) since 2nd owner purchased in 1995
If you’re looking to repair, install or troubleshoot your original Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, FJ45, or FJ55 AM Radio, below is a document you can either print out or view online that provides directions for any Panasonic, Fujitsu 10 (Ten Audio), or Matsushita radio. The manual says it’s for a Toyota Carina, but we’re almost positive this is the exact same radio that goes in an FJ40.
TIP: use the “full screen” button in the bottom right corner for better viewing and printing.
Colorado-based FJ (always buy FJs from dry states like Colorado!)
The current presentation is a bit rough, but this is a great candidate for a full-blown restoration as it is completely original! An aluminum 3/4 tub from Aqualu (Part #4005 – $3,300+$800 shipping from Canada) and a better hard top ($1,000)
Original F engine (straight six) runs strong
Recently tuned up
New brake master cylinder
All original
Odometer reads 92,000 miles (not sure if this is original or not)
1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 For Sale – Meticulous Resto-Mod Restoration and more than $100k spent with receipts to prove it!
SOLD at Barrett Jackson auction!
This stunning 1977 FJ40 was originally purchased at a Barrett-Jackson auction and the new owner had Red Line Land Cruisers of Colorado Springs work to restore and tastefully modify this FJ. A frame-off restoration was performed BEFORE the added modifications/new restoration was completed, so this Cruiser has been restored twice-over to meet the exacting specifications of the new owner.
If you’re looking for a dependable, completely restored, show-quality, rugged and dependable Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 that can conquer any trail or terrain, this is the one! No sacrifices were made during the restoration and crafting of this beautiful, head-turning rig!
Some of the key features of this FJ40 include the completely rebuilt 2F engine with electronic fuel injection and a brand new Toyota 5-speed manual transmission (H55). This go-anywhere, do-anything, classic FJ40 has tasteful upgrades while remaining very original. For those of you in humid climates concerned about rust, this is a perfect choice for you for two reasons: 1) The body was in pristine, rust-free condition before the restoration was started and 2) The LineX paint job, both inside and out, ensures an air-tight bond against the metal, which will give you confidence that your Land Cruiser will remain rust-free for decades to come, no matter what you throw at it or how humid the climate!
57,000 miles (it is unknown if these were original miles or not. Either way, the engine was completely rebuilt and it has a brand new transfer case and transmission…so it’s like new!)
EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) on the original 2F Toyota straight six engine
2f H55 5-speed transmission
New split transfer case allows you to drive in 4-Low, 4-High, 2-Low, or 2-High (unlimited options for facing any variety of trails or circumstances)
Custom fiberglass sound system mounted to family roll cage with alpine marine waterproof controller and focal speakers installed by the pros at Car Toys (you can literally run this rig in the water and drench the speakers, subwoofer, and radio and it can take the water just like any boat stereo system can)
Waterproof Tuffy center console with built-in subwoofer keeps all your valuables protected and dry, even if fully submerged in water during a river or lake crossing
This FJ was crafted to basically go into any river, allow for water to fill the cabin and then quickly drain and dry out
Line-X paint job interior and exterior – tastefully painted yet rough, rugged, and resilient
Vintage Air A/C blows extremely cold
Custom VisionX LED lights front and back provide unparalleled light on the road and allow for maximum visibility
VisionX LED rock lights provide lighting of the trail at night and allow your spotters to see the trails clearly at night
Warn M8274 winch is time-period correct and is a complete winching freak of nature. This winch will pull at 7 feet per second and is the most reliable and time-tested winch of all time.
Frame was prepped and finished with POR15 paint, which is the best choice for the frame as it’s easy to touch up for years to come and provides the best level of protection against rust
KMC Beadlock wheels
Upgraded brakes with larger pads to ensure firm braking on larger wheels. Disc brakes both front and rear.
Custom rear bumper by Red Line Land Cruisers
ARB front bumper
ARB on-board air compressor allows for airing up or down your tires from the comfort of the cabin
ARB front and rear air lockers give you ridiculous grip and torque. You’ll be confident hitting any trail, mudhole, or stream with this set up!
Custom family roll cage from Red Line Land Cruisers keeps your entire family safe and secure on the trails
Factory rear “long” jump seats professionally reupholstered and fold up for storage
Best Top reclining front bucket seats are super comfy and provide plenty of leg room for those extended trips
Seat belts for six people (2 in the front, 4 in the back)
Extended range 26-gallon aluminum gas tank from Man-a-Fre let’s you get deep into the back country
Custom rock sliders from Red Line Land Cruisers protect the undercarriage and body from damage on tough trails
Led control switch panel
Fj40dash.com indestructible dash
CO2 Air Tank (located on the tire swing out) acts as a backup in case the on-board air compressor fails (you Doomsday Preppers looking for a bug-out vehicle will appreciate this one!)
Jerry can holder for carrying extra fuel or water
Swing-able spare tire rack swings smooth and easy and provides quick access for passengers to enter through the LandCruiser ambulance doors
Removable Marine carpet with sound insulation throughout cabin means you can actually enjoy a conversation while driving and your Cruiser will remain cool or warm with the added insulation. Marine carpet ensures those river crossings won’t be an issue as it dries fast and provides quick drainage and easy clean-up.
3-row aluminum radiator
New RV camshaft with new lifters and valve springs
Has not been offroaded – this rig was restored and has been babied and garaged ever since (take a look at the other vintage cars in the owner’s garage and you’ll get a sense of the quality and investment in this rig). It’s ready to rock the trails by a new owner!
Iron Man 2″ lift and 33×12.50×17 Toyo mud tires gives you plenty of clearance and traction for the toughest trails out there!
Greasable shackles and pins provide a smooth ride
LineX spray in headliner – never have a sagging headliner again!
Floor pans were completely taken down and reinforced to ensure a solid floorpan for decades to come (see restoration pics below)
Long story short: This FJ-40 lacks nothing and needs nothing…except a new owner to appreciate it and hit the trails anywhere on the Earth!
PICTURES OF THE FJ IN ITS CURRENT, COMPLETELY RESTORED CONDITION
(more pics of the restoration process and how it looked after being purchased from Barrett-Jackson below)
Dubed Project “Cobb’s Pig” is a 1978 Resto Mod Toyota Landcruiser that is in the process of getting “Red Line Resto Modded”. This little FJ-55 was in died need of some TLC. We have used 3 FJ-55’s to get this Pig in a final Resto quality stage. As most cruiser heads know the 1978 and 1979 FJ-55’s are very hard to find. Red Line Performed A 350 H.P. 5.3L LS series V8 mated to a 4L60E, Conversion. The Toyota 4 speed transfer case was stripped down bead blasted and clear coated before we rebuilt the unit! Red line is keeping open Diff’s and 4:10 gears in the axles. All components including the frame, axles and other items have been powder coated for longevity! All new window gaskets and weatherstripping has been installed for the doors, tailgate and windows.
For the interior we line-x’d the underside and inside of the cab for extra rust and noise protection. On top of the Line-x we installed Dynamat extreme. This ensures a better noise reduction inside during operation, not only did the floor get this treatment, but we installed dynamite extreme inside all the doors, tailgate, firewall, rear 1/4 panels and even the roof! She is sure to be nice and quiet! A new headliner, custom carpet, custom door panels and refurbished factory bench seats will keep this FJ55 Resto Mod in an original feel!
For the heat and A/C conversion we used a unit we have not tried yet. So far we think its perfect for the FJ-55 series. It tucked really nice into the inner firewall are under the glove box. We then used electric controls set into a custom vent panel we crafted to keep an original feel inside, both visual and functional! So far Red Line has refurbished all the gauges, and dash components to a factory setting as well as a very rare FJ-55 AM TEN dealer installed Radio!
For the exterior we chose Factory Cygnus white and Sky Blue for the paint. We know the white is supposed to be Lilly White, but we just can’t help ourselves with the classy Cygnus White.
The wheels are Factory OEM Disc brake wheels painted in Cygnus White. Again We can’t help ourselves, we had to mix it up and we think it adds a little class and style to the truck. Factory hub caps finish the wheels and the tires are going to be 33 x 10.50 x 15″ At tires!
This FJ-55 Resto Mod will be cruisen the streets of Chicago very soon!
Red Line has acquired a very rare 1959 FJ-25. Its Titled as a 1960 FJ-25. So “Mildred’s” story begins with its Original owner buying this beast for his ranch in Colorado in 1960. It then served his ranch until 1975. It was parked in 1975 outside in the weather, taking a beating from wind, rain, snow, high mountain sun, ice storms, and the heat. We were very curios as to why it was parked in 1975. Upon us toying around with getting her to run for the first time since 1975, we had to clean out the fuel tank, find a rare OEM Big window 1bbl carb, witch we did! We bought all new Toyota wires, plugs, cap, rotor, fuel filter and oil filter. As we have had time we have replaced the oil, un sized the motor, cleaned the OEM green painted DIZZY, resetting the timing, adding zinc oil additive and re-priming the numbers matching motor, we fired it up!
Acorns, mouse droppings and Colorado ranch field debris flew out of the old rusty tail pipe, smoke filled the room in a hurry! With excitement running in my veins I know knew why she was parked…A slight rod knock. That noise filled my ears with the answer I was looking for, with a little disappointment. As I had these two different feelings going threw my blood, I knew I was lucky. Luck that without that rod knock I may not even have had the chance to stumble upon this rare, early 25 Series. Yep, I said I’m happy, happy to even have the chance to slowly restore this old girl to it’s original glory. FJ-25 series are the first land cruisers brought into the USA and are the predecessors to the well known popular 40 Series.
These Pics below are from when we first got her to replacing the carb! More to come as time goes on. I do know that finding this truck might also help other FJ-25 owners with part locations and pieces!. I am also working on a video of us getting her to run! Enjoy
This 1974 FJ-40 dubbed “Ol’ Blue was a project that needed a new heart! We received Ol’ Blue and she was so tired she would not go faster than 60MPH. So the plan was set, She need some help with the brakes and engine. We wanted to keep it toyota and not do V8 conversion, so our Freaky H.O. 2F was installed with our TBI fuel injection conversion. Making a 150 H.P. to the rear wheels was exciting, 75 MPH was no problem in a 2 block distance. Ol’ Blue then received a full front axle rebuild, disc brake conversion front and rear, bilstien 5100 series shocks, greasable pins and shackles, Pro Comp Lift 2.5”. To keep her cool in the heat she received an Vintage Air A/C conversion and a 3 row aluminum radiator. We added factory wheels, factory hub caps and Toyo 33 x 15.50 x 15 MT Open Country tires! We polished the paint and put in a few new window weatherstripping gaskets to keep the whistling down! Ol’ Blue was and still is one of our favorite customer projects!
This custom crafted truck is an all aluminum FJ-45 Extra Cab!This meant another 8″ of cab space. As we all know The FJ-45′ Pick ups lack interior leg room! With all the modern components you can think of while keeping a Classy/Hot Rod/Classic theme, A healthy V8 engine, 5 Speed trans”NV4500″ , A/C and Navagation was installed. This truck was top shelf all the way! A custom aluminum body was crafted with the custom removable hard top. 350 H.P. V8 conversion. 5 speed transmission. Orion Transfercase. Old Man Emu (OME) 2.5″ suspension lift, Powers this hand crafted Cruiser with ease and comfort. Red Line Installed ARB air lockers both front and rear, disc brakes front and rear and a large capacity fuel tank allowing this truck to handle and drive in the safest way. A Power steering conversion was also fitted . Custom leather interior with red stitching, Custom rear mounted Hurricane A/C – Heat conversion was built to keep the inner passenger floor and dash area clean. Red Line installed a Custom Kenwood nav/stereo providing tunes and modern bluetooth/ navigation. Power seats from a 2006 Toyota 4 runner provide comfort and electric adjustments while re wrapped Katskin Leather with red stitching, trims out and matches the custom tan interior. A Custom removable rear bed soft top was Crafted to mimic the early factory Toyota FJ-40 soft tops. We then did the exterior paint with factory Toyota Landcruiser Red Color ” Free born” red paint. The trim color “Cygnus White” was used in contrast with the red to blend the Classy Hot Rod Retro theme. Red Line snag’d up some reproduction early Landcruiser hub caps for the Factory steel wheels. Wrapping the wheels with Toyo MT Open Country 33×10.50×15″ was a perfect choice for us to blend in the Retro feel.
“The Dog’s Bollocks” 1977 FJ-40 was crafted with the avid wheeler in mind! The customer wanted his FJ-40 Off Road capable as well as street legal. Red Line devised a 102″ Wheel base set up with Spring over axle. Custom front 69″ WMS toyota axle was built to widen the front to add a ton of stability. For the rear axle we went with a FJ-80 rear axle. Red Line converted the engine bay to hold a Mercedes OM617 diesel engine. We mated this OM617 to a Toyota Landcruiser H42 4 speed transmission then a Advance Adapters Rock box and Factory 4 speed transfer case. On the front axle Red Line utilized -High steer arms and chromo axle shafts ! So we tested “The Dog’s Bollocks” and with our steering and SOA set up we achieved a whopping 42″ worth of flex in front and 35″ in rear! Not bad for Toyota leaf springs! “The Dog’s Bollocks” needed some armor after the custom SOA and drivetrain was installed. This was achieved with our Now Avaiable Red line tube fender Kit and FJ-40 Family roll cage kit. This beautiful one of a kind FJ-40 was seen in 4WTO Magazine in 2010! Below are items and conversions that Red Line performed on this Resto Rock Rod! “The Dog’s Bollocks” 1977 FJ-40
Beaker is a 1981 BJ44 from Japan. The owner has turboed the 2B diesel engine and is ready to begin his build of this rare truck into the perfect expedition platform. Driving and living in a truck means that you need to be comfortable. The additional 14 inches of tray length and 7 inches of wheel base make a dent, but just are not enough for the mileage he is planning.
This is where Red Line comes in. We are building a custom 3Link and Coilover front, and Triangulated 4Link rear suspension for this rig. To up the ante, we are also custom fabbing all brackets and mounts to be desert racing style fabrication, and TIG welding it all together. No one wants custom stuff to break while on a trail, and it is even worse when that trail is 15000 miles away from home. Check out the build thread below to follow our work from start to finish-line. Read more »
We restored this beautiful FJ55 to it’s original condition. A stunning example of a rare, pure, untarnished FJ55. This project was refurbished with all original toyota parts. We revived the 2F and added fuel injection. Other that new interior we only changed it form OEM blue to Oem green! We miss this old girl. She was a very fun project. You just don’t get to restore these old FJ55’s all the time! Read more »
Project Rowdy is a 1977 Land Cruiser FJ40. It was completely restored inside and out with some modern values essential to keeping this truck useable, reliable and stylish for very day use This truck includes a rebuilt 2F with TBI fuel injection, headers and a brand new toyota 5 speed transmission for highway speeds and fuel economy. Added was an Iron Man 2 lift with Bilstein 5100 series shocks, for a very smooth ride, on and off road An ARB front bumper with a Warn 8274 winch for recovery Keeping dark texas nights safe, we added 2 Vision X transporter series LED lights. these lights are a whopping 8800 lumens each Keeping the night not so dark in the rear we added a 12 Vision X LED light bar off the custom Red Line rear bumper/ Tire carrier To keep this rig rolling, we custom paint matched the KMC enduro wheels Red For security of the passengers we put in a modified version of our 40 Series Family Cage. We then added long L/C jump seats for the kids Rowdy is a 40 that will turn heads no matter the time or place. Read more »
Red Line power steering conversions are top quality from start to finish. We install these kits with quality steering pumps and boxes, collapsible steering shafts, and race type u-joints. We add Power Steering Coolers to our P.S. Conversions to help ensure longevity to your new Steering set up. Even the pitman arms are custom billet pitman arms, with fj-80 and 1 ton tie rod end tapers! We cut and tap our own steering rods ” In House” for a perfect fit! Our components are backed with a 1 year warranty. Pricing Starts at 1900$ for most FJ-40’s.
If you’re looking to restore your classic FJ40, FJ45, FJ55, FJ60 or other vintage Toyota truck, SUV, or 4WD , talk to the pros at Red Line Land Cruisers. We’re FJ freaks of nature interested in helping build your dream Land Cruiser. While every project is unique, we typically see three different types of restoration projects come through our garage bays here in Colorado Springs, including:
Classic Restorations:
Keeping your Vintage Cruiser…well…vintage is a long, tedious process. One can only dream of a brand new cruiser. Every component is sourced new, or rebuilt in-house with exacting precision to make your truck just like the day it rolled off the lot. If you’re looking for a group of anal-retentive and meticulous mechanics, electricians, body shop experts and FJ historians to rebuild your Cruiser, then look no further. Red Line Land Cruisers has been trusted by hundreds of clients who demand precise, detailed work, and we’d love to partner with you on your project.
Resto-Mods:
Red Line will craft you your perfect balance of classic restoration with modern day technology and comfort into your dream truck. We will restore your cruiser, upgrade the drive train, suspension, steering components, customize body armor and interior, creating a new clean and classy way to set your Land Cruiser apart. Here are some examples of some of our favorite resto mod projects:
Trail Trucks (Sky’s the Limit):
Have you ever mixed business with pleasure? Well now is your chance! We create what ever you can dream up, from full bodied hardcore crawlers, to Cruiser Truggies, this is your chance to have what you have dreamed about. Anything goes in this category. 44’s, 1 tons, superchargers, baja trim suspension. You name it and you get it.
Looking to start your restoration but have questions? Give us a shout! Fill out the form below. If you can’t see the form, you can also access it here.
