Classic Toyota FJ40 and FJ43 Restored with Heavy Modern Influence

FJ40 and FJ43 Land Cruisers restored by the FJ Company features a modern engine, suspension, brakes and more.

The Toyota FJ40 and FJ43 Land Cruisers are, without question, among the most recognizable sport utility vehicles ever sold anywhere in the world. Offered from 1970 through 1983, the classic FJ models were some of the toughest all-terrain vehicles to have public roads and even by modern standards, these classic Toyotas are rugged off-road machines.

The key problem with the classic Land Cruisers is that they are obviously chock full of old school equipment, so they are too antiquated to serve as a daily driver for many people. In fact, at almost 50 years old, the FJ40 and FJ43 won’t cover any type of ground as well as newer models, whether you are driving it on the road or through the wilderness. As a result, some owners have added modern features, but not everyone has the capabilities to get into a project like that.

That is where the FJ Company comes into play, as they convert the classic Toyota FJ40 and FJ43 Land Cruiser with modern power and conveniences without compromising the old school look. While looking through the company website, one particular SUV caught our eye so today, we bring you a look at the G43-S by the FJ Company.

The Classic FJ40 Look

The first step taking by the FJ Company after acquiring the classic Toyota FJ40 or FJ43 is a full frame-off restoration. Roughly 40% of the original panels are restored and reused while the other 60% of the body is made new out of galvanized steel. While the vehicle is dissembled, the factory frame is restored, reinforced and “hot dip galvanized” for long-term durability against the elements. The buyer can also pick the hard top or a soft top.

It should be noted that the FJ Company acquires classic FJs on their own to build G40 and G43 units, but they can also accept a vehicle that a customer already owns. If you are buying one of the vehicles that the company purchased and built, pricing starts at $180,000 and tops out at $244,450. The vehicle shown here is a premium Signature model with an array of options including the longer wheelbase and a custom hard top, leading to a selling price of $244,200.

Modern Performance

The heart of the JF Company G43-S is a modern Toyota 1GRE-FE V6 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, offering 228 horsepower in stock form, but this package includes a Magnuson supercharger. The package also adds front coil suspension with King shocks, anti-lock brakes all around, stability control, traction control, automatic locking hubs, modern power steering, front and rear locking differentials with in-cab push-button control.

We don’t know the output of the G43-S with the supercharged V6, but we have no doubt that it is considerably higher than any stock classic Land Cruiser engine. When coupled with the steering, suspension, braking and electrical gadgetry, the chassis of the F40 or F43 lends itself to creating an awesome off-road with a classic look.

Premium Cabin

Finally, in addition to the modern drivetrain and chassis components that make the G43-S a far better driver on the road or off, the interior is upgraded to look and feel more like a modern luxury machine. After all, we are talking about a vehicle that costs more than $244,000, so of course it should have some premium luxury features.

The interior build starts with leather-wrapped Recaro seats, a Vintage Air air conditioning system with in-dash controls, LED interior lighting, a custom digital gauge cluster and a Bluetooth enabled sound system that is controlled by the touchscreen mounted in the armrest console. In the end, the look and feel of the FJ Land Cruiser is preserved even with the heavy dose of modern, premium amenities.

So, if you love the look of the classic Toyota FJ40 or FJ43 Land Cruiser, but you want a vehicle with premium interior comfort and modern drivetrain bits, the G43-S from the FJ Company is only $244,000 away.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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