1978 Toyota FJ40

Location: Austin, Texas

Why It's Curated: This 1978 Toyota FJ40 is for sale in Austin, TX. Few vintage Land Cruisers arrive with this level of thoughtful, documented stewardship. The most significant structural upgrade is an Aqualu aluminum replacement tub -- installed by a previous owner prior to 2014 -- which eliminates the rust vulnerability that quietly destroys most FJ40s of this vintage. Paired with a full exterior repaint in Volvo beige and no structural rust present, the body situation here is genuinely resolved, not managed. A 4" Ironman suspension lift, rebuilt steering knuckles, and a disc brake conversion bring the chassis meaningfully closer to modern usability, while BFG KO2 285/75R16 tires on powder-coated black zero-offset wagon wheels give it an appropriately purposeful stance. Recent mechanical work -- rebuilt carburetor, rebuilt alternator, new radiator, new gas tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, and fresh fluids throughout -- was performed by Land Cruiser specialty mechanics in Austin. Inside, CCOT rear bench and center console, black leather, and a Fusion/JL Audio marine audio system round out a truck that's been maintained rather than neglected. The odometer reads 61,398 miles but has been inoperative since at least 2014 -- total mileage is unknown. This suits a buyer who wants a sorted, honest FJ40 ready to drive and enjoy without a restoration project waiting underneath.

Check out the pictures in the gallery & use the contact form to get in touch with us and the seller to ask questions and/or make an offer for this vehicle.

Vehicle Details:
Year: 1978
Make: Toyota
Model: FJ40
Drive: 4X4
Miles: 61,398
Mileage Verification: True Miles Unknown
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual (3 Pedals)
Number of Forward Gears: 4
Engine: I6
Exterior Color: Tan
Interior Color: Black
State of Registration: Texas
Vehicle Location: Austin, TX
VIN: Available Upon Request
Title: Clean

Details:

Engine & Transmission:
Engine Modifications: No
Transmission Modifications: No

Drivetrain, Suspension, Tires & Brakes:
Drivetrain Modifications: No
Suspension Modifications: Yes
4" Ironman suspension lift. Disc brake conversion. Steering knuckles rebuilt. BFG All-Terrain KO2 tires (285/75R16) on powder-coated black wagon wheels (zero offset).
Wheel Size and Offset: 16x6 +0
Wheel Brand and Model: Wagon Wheels
Tire Brand, Model, and Size: BFG KO2 285/75R16
Type of Brakes: Disc

Exterior & Interior: 

Aqualu aluminum replacement tub installed by previous owner (prior to 2014). Full exterior repaint in Volvo beige by previous owner (prior to 2014). Fiberglass hardtop. No structural rust. Minor surface oxidation on some original steel components consistent with age.
Exterior: New OEM front turn signals, new tail lights, new exterior door handles, new rear door lock, rock guards installed, new weather stripping on doors and roof. Roof rack included (removed for garage storage). Bestop bikini top included. Extra CCOT tailgate included. Interior: Rear bench and center console from Cool Cruisers of Texas (CCOT). New pull handles, rearview mirror, sun visors, shift knob, and floor boots. New interior door handles. New battery tray and hold-down. Marine audio system: Fusion head unit (AM/FM/Bluetooth/SiriusXM), JL Audio amplifier, JL Audio wake tower speakers and tweeters. All gauges functional except odometer, which was inoperative at time of purchase in 2014 and total mileage is unknown.
Interior Material: Leather 
Interior Modifications: Yes
Working Heat: Yes
Working Air Conditioning: No

Other Notable Features or Functions:

Third owner since 2014. All mechanical and suspension work performed by Land Cruiser specialty mechanics in Austin, TX. Truck starts immediately, idles smoothly, and drives well. Have had it to 75 mph on the highway. Local inspection welcome. Happy to provide cold start video, driving video, and additional photos including underside and frame on request. Clean Texas title in hand.

Recent Maintenance:
Rebuilt carburetor. Rebuilt alternator. New radiator. New gas tank, fuel pump, and fuel filter. New oil pan. Valve cover gasket replaced. Intake system refurbished. New spark plugs, air filter, and oil filter. Fresh fluids throughout. All work performed by Land Cruiser specialty mechanics in Austin, TX.

Mechanical, Rust, Cosmetic Known Flaws:
No air conditioning. No power steering. Odometer inoperative — non-functional at time of purchase in 2014, total mileage unknown. Minor surface oxidation on some original steel components consistent with age.

Model History: The FJ40 Land Cruiser stands as one of Toyota's most enduring and mechanically honest 4x4 designs, and the 1978 model year represents a mature expression of a platform refined over nearly two decades. By this point in the FJ40's production life, the 2F inline-six had replaced the earlier F engine, bringing improved torque delivery and long-term reliability to the platform -- qualities that define the 2F-era FJ40's reputation among collectors. The short-wheelbase body-on-frame architecture, cast-iron drivetrain components, and straightforward mechanicals made these trucks capable off-road tools without electronic complexity, and they remain highly rebuildable today. Period rivals included the Jeep CJ series, though the FJ40 occupied a distinct niche built around drivetrain durability and Toyota's growing reputation for mechanical longevity. The 1978 model sits in a particularly desirable window of the FJ40's North American run -- seasoned enough to reflect accumulated engineering refinement, yet retaining the essential character that has made the FJ40 one of the most collected and actively used 4x4s of its era.