There’s something special about a clean, classic Toyota that has been well-cared for by several generations of vehicle lovers. This Sky Blue 1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser has been in this owner’s family for nearly 30 years but is aging gracefully. The vintage Washington State license plate is indeed from the same year, as are the front rubber floor mats.
With only 94,000 miles, this four-speed FJ40 is powered by the venerable 2F inline-six engine. The addition of 31-inch BFGoodrich K02 All-Terrain tires, Old Man Emu medium-duty suspension, a 12V socket for charging electronics, and power steering offer a modern twist. Prepared for adventure, this charming blue beast is also equipped with a Warn 9.5ti winch (mounted to a Cool Cruisers of Texas HFS bumper), National Luna dual battery voltage monitor, and an ARB compressor.
From Chad:
“Ten years ago, when we took ownership of this Land Cruiser from my wife’s side of the family, it opened a world of backroads and experiences we didn’t know existed. On our inaugural trip, we took the roads less traveled from San Diego to Seattle as we became acquainted with our new-to-us vintage adventure mobile.
From the Rim of the World mountain highway in the San Bernardino Mountains to the oceanfront turns of Highway 1 through Big Sur and Monterey to the evergreen passes of the Pacific Northwest, we kept it to 55 mph, rolled the windows down, and experienced the world around us in a way not typically afforded by today’s hurried society.
We meandered toward whichever coastline, ridgeline, or mountaintop captured our whimsy, took dirt roads to wherever they might lead, and camped nightly on public lands in our rooftop tent. It was a magical experience, truly, for two suburban-turned-urban dwellers who had decided to go all-in on adventure with an FJ40. We had just become the caretakers of this rugged, classic 4×4, and we wanted to make the most of it in the days and years ahead.
Since that trip a decade ago, we’ve traversed the remote deserts of Eastern Oregon, crawled over 100-year-old mining trails to camp at alpine lakes, and discovered wild vistas at the end of distant dirt roads. The memories this truck has given us have shaped our family for the better and have lifted our eyes to always look beyond the horizon with curiosity. We hope it gives you the same eagerness to explore.
I’m sad to see it go, but we’re now in a different chapter of life with more children than can fit in this four-seater; we’re in the market for a less capable but more spacious camper van. After nearly 30 years in our family, this heirloom is ready for its new caretaker.”
Features:
Original Toyota 2F inline-6 engine and four-speed transmission
31-inch BFGoodrich K02 All-Terrain tires
Old Man Emu medium-duty suspension system
Warn 9.5ti winch
Cool Cruisers of Texas HFS bumper
ARB air compressor
Original Toyota canvas tool bag with a complement of Toyota tools
National Luna dual-battery voltage monitor
Optional: DiamondRax roof rack configured for a roof top tent, new tire chains, and a Bestop Fold-N’-Tumble 2-person forward-facing bench seat
