Some trucks are projects. This one was personal. This 1966 FJ40 belonged to Monica’s father, and when he passed, it came to us not as a job but as a trust: bring his Land Cruiser back to life, and do it right. We treated every step that way. What went home to Monica is a truck that honors where it came from, a classic FJ40 with its original character intact and a modern heart that will keep it running for the next generation.

Monica hand-picked the color herself, a deep dark green that suits the FJ40’s lines and gives the truck a timeless, understated presence. We laid it down in a two-stage base coat and clear coat process over a body brought back to where it should be. The original doors were kept, the way Monica wanted, preserving the character her father knew, and we finished the open-air look with a new bikini top in place of the old hardtop.

Under the hood, we gave it the reliability a truck this meaningful deserves. A fuel-injected Chevy 5.3 V8 backed by a 4L60E automatic transmission replaces the tired original drivetrain, giving the FJ40 smooth, dependable power it never had from the factory. Both driveshafts were custom cut and balanced, the exhaust is all new, and a new shifter ties the driveline together. We installed a heater box and lines, filled every hole in the firewall, and chased down the numerous electrical gremlins these trucks collect over half a century.

Because an FJ40 is meant to be driven hard, we built it to handle it. A custom 6-point roll cage adds strength and safety, the front Birfield knuckles were rebuilt, the entire brake system was gone through and replaced or upgraded as needed, and inner fender splash guards were installed to keep things clean underneath. It rides on new wheels and tires, with an 8000 lb Warn winch mounted to a custom front bumper with LED lights and a new rear bumper to match.

Inside, the cabin was finished to be used and enjoyed. The seats were reupholstered in auto-grade vinyl, the rear jump seats kept and covered to match, and the entire floor was Rhino-lined so it can take mud, water, and years of adventure without complaint. For the road, a new stereo system with a subwoofer and a 7-inch flip-out head unit with Bluetooth brings modern sound into a vintage cab.

Every detail on this restoration was handled in our shop in Belle Plaine, Kansas, then road tested before it went home. This FJ40 carries its history forward, a father’s truck, restored for his daughter, ready for the next chapter. Watch the full build come together in the video below.

Complete Build Sheet

Drivetrain and Performance

• Fuel-injected Chevy 5.3 V8 with 4L60E automatic transmission
• All new exhaust throughout
• Both driveshafts custom cut and balanced
• New shifter
• Heater box and lines installed
• Numerous electrical issues diagnosed and repaired
• All holes in the firewall filled

Chassis, Brakes, and Wheels

• Custom 6-point roll cage
• Both front Birfield knuckles rebuilt
• Full brake system gone through and replaced or upgraded as needed
• Inner fender splash guards installed
• New wheels and tires
• 8000 lb Warn winch

Body and Exterior

• Body work and paint in a two-stage base coat/clear coat process, dark green hand-picked by Monica
• Original doors retained
• Hardtop removed, new bikini top installed
• Custom front bumper with LED lights
• New rear bumper
• Wipers and wiper motor repaired

Interior and Electronics

• Seats reupholstered in auto-grade vinyl
• Rear jump seats retained and covered in matching auto-grade vinyl
• Entire floor Rhino-lined
• New stereo system with subwoofer
• 7-inch flip-out head unit with Bluetooth

Have a Land Cruiser With a Story?

Monica’s FJ40 was more than a restoration, it was a way to keep a piece of her father with her. We understand what these trucks mean, and we treat every one that way. Whether you have a family Land Cruiser that needs to come back to life or you want us to build one for you from the ground up, we handle the whole process and ship nationwide with free transport in both directions. See our FJ40 restoration page for more, or contact us to start your build. Call or text us at 316-633-9902.