Some builds begin with a clear path. Sherwood didn’t.
What arrived was a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 in form, but not in structure. Years of modifications had left it fragmented—non-standard components, improvised systems, and a body that no longer followed factory logic. At the center of it all was an aluminum tub that didn’t belong. It didn’t align with the doors. It didn’t match the mounting points. It didn’t respect the geometry that makes an FJ40 work. That’s where this build began.
Foundation Brought Back
Before restoration, before upgrades, before anything that could be called progress—the truck had to be corrected. Systems were stripped back. Non-OEM electrical work was removed. Mechanical shortcuts were undone. What remained was a foundation that could be trusted.
The body took the longest to resolve. Nothing fit the way it should. Door gaps were inconsistent. Hinges fought their mounting points. Latches refused clean engagement. Each adjustment revealed another issue. The solution wasn’t a single fix—it was a process. Trial, correction, fabrication, repeat. Over and over until the lines came back. Until the truck made sense again. Only then could Sherwood become what it was meant to be.
The build centers around a Chevrolet 350 V8—an intentional departure from original spec, but one that transforms the driving experience. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, the result is direct, mechanical, and immediate. This isn’t a modernized truck in the abstract—it’s a classic Land Cruiser with real power, usable torque, and reliability built in.
The integration is where the work lives. Fuel delivery, cooling, wiring, drivetrain geometry—everything had to be re-engineered to support the V8 conversion cleanly. No compromises. No loose ends. The goal was simple: make it feel as if it had always been built this way.
Underneath, the truck was reset completely. Suspension, steering, braking, axles—rebuilt and upgraded across the board. The chassis was repaired, sealed, and protected. This is not a surface-level restoration. It’s a structural one.
Finished in Coronado Beige with a white roof, Sherwood returns visually to where it belongs. Classic, restrained, unmistakably FJ40. No excess. Just proportion, stance, and presence.
Inside, the approach is the same. European Nappa leather in a rich Bourbon tone. Clean surfaces. No clutter. Modern touches—air conditioning, discreet audio—are integrated quietly. They exist to support the drive, not define it.
This is what a proper FJ40 restoration should be. Not just rebuilt, but corrected. Not just upgraded, but resolved. Sherwood doesn’t try to be something new. It simply becomes what it should have been all along.
Feature Highlights :
Chevrolet 350 V8 engine conversion with EFI integration
AX15 5-speed manual transmission with adapter system
Rebuilt transfer case and fully integrated driveline
Complete fuel system redesign (tank, pump, lines, filtration)
Upgraded cooling system with aluminum radiator and electric fan
Custom exhaust system fabrication
Full brake system overhaul with rear disc brake conversion
Rebuilt steering system and linkages
Old Man Emu / ARB suspension system with new bushings and components
Axle, differential, and bearing rebuilds throughout
Body-off FJ40 restoration with full chassis access
Chassis repair, rust remediation, and epoxy coating
Full repaint in Coronado Beige with contrasting white roof
Extensive correction of non-standard aluminum tub fitment
Custom fabrication to restore door alignment, gaps, and mounting geometry
Replacement of all seals, weatherstripping, and exterior trim
Complete new wiring harness throughout vehicle
EFI electrical integration and system management
Upgraded lighting system and electrical components
Battery, relay, and fuse system installation
RetroSound audio system integration
Full interior reupholstery in European Nappa leather (Bourbon tone)
Matching upholstery across seats, door panels, and trim
Headliner replacement in traditional off-white finish
Interior simplified to a clean OEM+ aesthetic
Under-dash air conditioning system installation and integration
