1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 | Professionally Built Vortec V8 | Vintage Air | California Truck

Platt Motors is proud to offer this exceptional 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, a beautifully restored and thoughtfully upgraded California example that combines the timeless appeal of Toyota s legendary off-roader with the reliability, comfort, and drivability of a modern fuel-injected V8.

This isn t a hastily assembled engine swap or an overbuilt trail rig. It is the product of years of careful ownership by a longtime California Land Cruiser enthusiast who has owned more than twenty FJ40s over the years. Her vision was simple: build a dependable, comfortable Land Cruiser she could enjoy driving every day while preserving everything that makes an FJ40 iconic. She affectionately refers to it as her pavement queen, and according to the owner, it has never been taken off-road during her ownership.

Finished in its original factory Green (Code 621) with the classic white roof, this Land Cruiser presents beautifully. The body is exceptionally straight, the paint has excellent depth and gloss, and panel fit is impressive throughout. The engine compartment has been refinished to the same high standard and immediately reflects the quality of the build.

Power comes from a professionally installed 5.7-liter GM Vortec fuel-injected V8 paired with the original Toyota four-speed manual transmission. The combination delivers outstanding low-end torque, modern reliability, effortless highway cruising, and easy cold starts while retaining the engaging feel of rowing through the original gearbox.

Open the hood and it s obvious this conversion wasn t rushed. The Vortec installation is clean and organized, featuring an aluminum radiator with full fan shroud, professionally integrated Vintage Air air conditioning, clean wiring, modern fuse panel, and thoughtful routing throughout the engine bay. It looks like a vehicle built to be driven and serviced "not simply displayed.

Equipment & Features

* Professionally installed 5.7L GM Vortec fuel-injected V8
* Original Toyota 4-speed manual transmission
* Vintage Air air conditioning (blows ice cold)
* PSC power steering
* PSC front disc brakes
* Old Man Emu suspension
* 2-inch suspension lift
* Rear differential locker
* Warn locking front hubs
* Warn winch
* Aluminum radiator
* 30-gallon fuel tank
* Factory roll bar
* Dynamat insulation
* LED lighting
* Fuel 17-inch alloy wheels
* 33x12.50R17 tires
* Subaru power front seats
* Original Toyota VIN and identification plates intact
* Refinished in its original factory color

Inside, the Land Cruiser remains true to its utilitarian roots while benefiting from carefully selected comfort upgrades. The Subaru power seats provide far greater comfort for long drives, while Dynamat insulation and Vintage Air make the cabin noticeably more enjoyable in warm weather. The dashboard was intentionally left largely original and shows more age than the freshly restored exterior, remaining fully functional and preserving some of the truck s authentic character.

The odometer currently reads 58,547 miles. Due to the restoration and drivetrain conversion, mileage should be considered TMU (True Mileage Unknown).

This FJ40 wasn t built to spend its life hidden away in a climate-controlled collection. According to the owner, she drove it regularly "including commuting to work "where it consistently attracted attention and compliments. It has been enjoyed exactly as Toyota intended: driven.

One small cosmetic disclosure: there is evidence of two previously mounted accessories on one interior door panel. The mounting holes have been covered, and we believe complete transparency is important when representing collector vehicles.

Finding a professionally sorted FJ40 like this has become increasingly difficult. Many examples have been heavily modified for extreme off-road use or restored without regard for long-term reliability. This Land Cruiser strikes an outstanding balance between originality and modernization, offering vintage Toyota styling with dependable mechanical upgrades that make it genuinely enjoyable to own.

Perhaps the best part is that someone else has already invested the time, effort, and considerable expense into building it correctly. The heavy lifting has been done. The next owner simply gets to turn the key and enjoy one of the most iconic four-wheel drives ever built.

If you ve been searching for a classic Toyota Land Cruiser that s equally at home on scenic backroads, weekend adventures, local shows, or simply parked in your garage waiting for the next drive, this FJ40 deserves your attention.

Over 100 detailed photographs, walk-around video, undercarriage photos, and additional documentation are available upon request.

Nationwide shipping assistance is available.

For additional information or to schedule a personal inspection, contact Platt Motors in historic Weaverville, California. Since 1931, the Platt family has specialized in representing quality collector automobiles, and we re proud to offer this outstanding Land Cruiser to its next caretaker.