Project Texan: Built to Run, Built to Last

This 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 came to us out of Texas, worn but worthy. The mission: preserve its rugged exterior charm while rewriting everything underneath. We kept the Raptor-coated green shell as is — the scars of a working truck still visible — but underneath, everything changed.

We pulled the original driveline and installed a brand-new Chevy 350 small block V8 and TR4050 5-speed gearbox with all the right adapters, crossmember, and clutch setup. The axles were rebuilt, steering knuckles restored, and tie rods replaced. We added power steering for drivability, rebuilt the brakes, swapped in new driveshafts, and rebuilt the rear diff and bearings. Cooling got an overhaul with a new radiator, fan, water pump fittings, and thermostat. The engine was stripped, rebuilt, and mated to a full custom exhaust system.

Every bolt that mattered was touched. Every hose that aged was replaced.

Heritage Outside, Comfort Inside

Inside, we started fresh — top to bottom. New wiring throughout. New gauges. Radio, speakers, antenna, signal flashers — all modernized and installed with care. Sound deadening, undercoating, and a fresh loom of wire ensured a clean, quiet cabin.

Then came the leather. Beige, classic, and stitched with purpose — covering jump seats, the steering column, roll bar, center console, shifter boots, and great carpet with black edge trim. Even the small things mattered: knobs, handles, emblems, seals, and gaskets all replaced or restored. The truck still wears its history on the outside, but inside, it’s comfort without compromise.

Highlights of the build:

  • Finished in jungle green with black accent paint scheme

  • Chevy 350 small block V8 with EFI and March chrome pulley kit

  • TR4050 5-speed manual transmission with all adapters, crossmember, clutch kit

  • Complete driveline rebuild: new driveshafts, differentials rebuilt, pinion seal, bearings, installation of power steering

  • Cooling system refresh: radiator, fan, thermostat, water pump connectors

  • Custom exhaust system, upgraded starter, and fuel system

  • ARB/OME suspension with Bilstein heavy-duty shocks, power steering conversion, steering knuckle rebuild

  • Brake system overhaul: brake booster, cylinders, hoses, line tubing kit

  • Full interior reupholstery in beige leather with black piping and diamond stitching, including roll bar, jump seats, console, shifter boots, gray carpet with black edge trim

  • Dash and electrical upgrades: wire harness completely replaced, new gauges, radio, antenna, LED lighting, signal flasher, wiring loom, air conditioning

  • Body refinements: bed coating, undercoating, door seals, stops, emblems, glass weatherstrip

  • Hardware and mounting upgrades: body mounts, hubcentric spacers, fuel and brake line fittings

  • Premium sound system with Rockford Fosgate barrel speakers mounted on roll-bar and fronts speakers in doors

  • Micky Tompson alloy wheels with Good Year Wrangler tires

  • ARB front winch bumper with winch set up with jerry can rear carrier tray and bumper

  • Split-style LED headlights and LED rear lamps

  • Custom fabrication for mounts, brackets, shrouds, and underbody prep and paint

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