- Legacy Overland fully restored a rusted 1971 Toyota FJ40 into a modern classic.
- The original engine was replaced with a powerful GM 350 Vortec small-block V8.
- Inside, the cabin features distressed chestnut full-grain leather and wood accents.
What looks like just another classic Toyota FJ40 is actually a ground-up restoration hiding a surprising number of modern upgrades beneath its iconic bodywork. Except for its flamboyant Midnight Emerald Green paint, this 1971 Land Cruiser blends vintage style with contemporary performance, making it one of the more complete FJ40 builds out there.
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Built by Legacy Overland, this FJ40 was delivered as a rusted-out shell that could have easily been sent to a scrapyard. Large parts of the original chassis had rusted away, it had no interior, and a completely unusable engine. Legacy then removed all the original body panels and started the restoration by welding in new chassis rails and removing any areas of rust on the chassis.
Modern Muscle Meets Classic Utility
From there, the team removed the original engine and replaced it with a GM 350ci Vortec small-block V8 that produces 315 horsepower. It’s paired with a five-speed manual transmission and a rebuilt transfer case, giving the FJ40 both power and drivability. Legacy also installed a custom stainless steel exhaust system and designed a bespoke wiring harness to tie everything together.
Legacy Overland then fitted Old Man Emu suspension with a 2.5-inch lift and new 16-inch steel wheels with 265/75 General Grabber M/T tires. A 12,000 lb winch has also been installed, as has a modern power steering system and disc brakes at both the front and rear. There’s also an uprated aluminum radiator with twin electric fans.
A Cabin To Die For
After perfecting the Toyota’s underpinnings and its exterior, the company then set about transforming the interior. It features new seats wrapped in distressed chestnut full-grain leather, which look fantastic. The same leather is also used on the door panels and the rear bench seats.
There’s fresh carpeting, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, air conditioning, a four-speaker audio setup, and a custom wooden shift knob with a laser-engraved pattern, subtle touches that bring a sense of craftsmanship to the rugged interior.
We hate to think about how much this project cost, but anyone willing to pay to have a rusted-out FJ40 turned into a marvel like this deserves applause. This sure beats scrapping the original and buying a new Land Cruiser.
