Eighties-era FJ45 Land Cruiser is Totally Awesome
Go anywhere and haul anything in this frame-off restored 1986 FJ45 with matching-numbers 4.2-liter under the hood.
Toyota has built many dream machines over the decades, but few come close to the FJ40 era of the storied Land Cruiser. From 1960 to 1984, the Japanese Jeep was the go-to for Toyota fans who wanted style and ruggedness in spades. Those who wanted more room and/or utility could opt for the FJ45, which could be had as cab with short or long beds, or a wagon for hauling support crews through the roughest of terrain.
Though the FJ40 era ended in the United States in 1984, production of this iconic Land Cruiser continued in South America through the turn of the millennium. Such as the case with this 1986 FJ45 long bed, a frame-off restored beauty that happens to be one of 600 lots up for auction when Mecum Auctions returns to Monterey, California August 23 through 25.
According to Miami-based importer Prestige Imports (which brought in this classic in 2017), this FJ45 came up from Argentina, having had only two owners from the time it left the factory to the time it left the country for the United States last year. As it was restored, that means the gray vinyl interior is as fresh as it gets, and the AC will keep you cool as you shift the four-speed manual and set the transfer case to low for maximum grip.
Power for the FJ45 comes from the 4.2-liter 2F inline-six, laying down 135 horses and 200 lb-ft of torque to whatever is underneath the 16-inch BF Goodrich K02 all-terrains wrapped around the stock steelies and hubcaps. It’s enough power to drive on most streets, but more than enough to show those new Jeep Wranglers how it’s done.
On the outside, the fresh white paint shows off every line on the FJ45, while the bold black lettering on the tailgate lets the world know who made this classic. And since there’s plenty of aftermarket support for the FJ40, we see no reason for the winning bidder to keep this Land Cruiser from living up to its name.
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