The Toyota FJ40 Is a Rugged Companion 

My father has owned a bj40 for the last 18 years (for my entire life) and I practically grew up in that car. Every morning my father would drive me to school with it, every family trip was made in that car. I remember how I used to bump head on the ceiling in the backseat.... but now that same bj40 is rusty and in bad shape, the engine works, but the body of the car is getting corroded away... But the best thing about fj40- and bj40- toyotas is, that when ever i see that kind of vehicle, I don't see a car... I see my father

This kind of quality, reliability, and simplicity is no longer sold at a dealership.

The off-road vehicles on this channel are among the best, if you ask me. Makes for lots of interesting scenery and stories to be told.

"It's not the most comfortable vehicle,but it will always get you home"-Richard Hammond

That car looks so happy going through those rivers, lovely.

A nice, honest, ordinary man talking about his beloved truck... For me at least, this is the most real and pure video in the series. Especially because he kept it stock and simple. It doesn't need a V8 or jacked up suspension, it's perfect as it is. Cheers

"You're turning the same screw you turned 20 years ago." That's a beautiful sentence.

My most favorite episode yet. Very well done. I understand where Josh is coming from when it comes to older vehicles of that caliber. No plastic covering up things, just bare bones utility and raw reliability. I give this one a standing ovation.

My folks bought a 2011FJ cruiser base model new. It was our only car until last year, when it was passed down to me at 200,000 miles. I feel the same connection to our FJ as he does here. I do the maintenance to keep it going, which is minimal, and I don’t plan to make any extraneous mods. It has see lots of off-roading, since I work for a museum crew that keeps track of bison herds/ other things. It also drives me around the city every day to uni and back. It was the only vehicle that moved my family across the country multiple times. No big fixes have been necessary, it’s incredible how reliable it has been. It’s also one of the only 2011 FJs that didn’t get irradiated from the tsunami that year. It’s a special car. I’m never going to sell it. It’s been a canvas for all the stories i’ve been through. Just thought I would share how special these cars are. Even if some don’t consider the new FJs to be true FJs, trust me, as years go on, this generation of cruisers will prove to be as special as the originals were.

The history of the Land Cruiser began in 1950, shortly after the Second world War. Japanese automakers were asked to produce a prototype compact 4 x 4 truck which they did in January of 1951. The prototype was a truck with a B-Type gasoline powered water cooled in line 6 cylinder engine installed on a SB- type 1-ton truck chassis. The Toyota Land Cruiser Model BJ (1951-1955) was the first mass produced Toyota compact 4 x 4. Ultimately, this model developed into the Land Cruiser 20-30 series and then the FJ40. Small refinements to the body and longer leaf springs made the ride more comfortable for the FJ40, but the "bones" that made the BJ a truck remained in the FJ40. Those truck "bones" were as follows: The engine: The willis Jeep had a 2.2 liter compact in-line 4 cylinder. By contrast, the Toyota BJ vehicle has a 3.4 liter larger sized in-line 6 cylinder engine. At the time it was considered unusual to match a 4 ton truck engine to a compact truck chassis. The powertrain: From the BJ-type to the subsequent 20-series there was not LO gear in the transfer. The 3.4 had strong torque from the start so there was no reason for a LO gear but when the 4 speed transmission came with a low gear, the 1st gear having a low gear ratio of 5.53 compared to the final gear ratio of 4.11, a result of its being based on truck specifications. The chassis: The ladder type frame of the BJ and ultimately the FJ40 was built for towing 3,000 lbs. The body: Back in the 1950's the American Army contacted the Toyota Motor Corporation with a request for a 4WD vehicle to be used by the soldiers and military police stationed in Japan. Toyota took the request seriously. The result: the Land Cruiser, a literally bulletproof vehicle. This history was taken from several different sources including a book published by Toyota called The Land Cruiser Story 1951- 2003. Personally, I used to call the FJ40 a car until I was corrected several times by my mechanic. The reason it feels so much like a car to me is because the steering is extremely nimble especially when compared to a Land Rover. But you can't let the steering fool you. The "bones" are based on a truck. You can really feel the torque and power from the engine, powertrain and chassis when you take off in 1st gear. Maybe most importantly, no car can go the places a Land Cruiser can when it goes for a drive off the road.

thank you for not putting a damn v8 in that!

i think the reason i like this Chanel is that its not about the car, its about the owner and the car.

This is the vehicle type that virtually put LandRover out of business in Australia. We have an early three speed. Very common in Oz, where they sold thousands.

I own a 1978. It was purchased by my parents in 1992 and I learned to drive in it that same year (age 13). I also owned the matchbox car but mine was tan (just like my 78). We drove it to go snowboarding in the winter and rock crawled it in the summer in Big Bear Lake, CA throughout my childhood. About a decade ago I bought it from my parents and added the Downey fuel injection, mini-truck power steering and Vintage Air conditioning. When I met my wife she named it Elsie and we drove away from the chapel in it when we got married. This video perfectly conveys my thoughts and emotions of the FJ40....my FJ40.

Finally, after the recent batch of over-achievers, we get a normal guy with his car. Thanks Petrolicious :-D

Magnificent. Everything about this video is just magnificent.

how is it possible that this channel does not have a million+ subscribers? Love the short films you create

MY father bought a 1972 FJ new, off the lot, is all original & the damn thing still drives, is mostly original and is currently being restored. We used that cruiser for deer hunting for 30+ years, and there really weren't any places this vehicle was not capable taking you. People who put V8s in these are ruining the vehicle!

This is hands down the best automotive channel on RU-vid and authentic stories like this one are the reason why. These people really love their machines and their passion for them really comes through the videos. Don't ever stop making this stuff. I really love the ethos behind those old Cruisers: they're rugged, practical and 100% the right tool for the job in certain situations. They're also absolutely bullet proof. When I was a kid living in the NW of Western Australia in the 70's so many of my Dad's friends had these vehicles (Dad had a Series IIA LWB Land Rover -- also very tough) and they just went everywhere.

Im a Jeep guy, but i must admit, that thing is sweet. Love the color, love the simplicity of it. Great video!

That is a great video. My son shared it on Facebook. I bought him his 1979 FJ40 when he was 18 years old. It is the same color as yours. He says he loves it and will never sell it. He is in college studying to be an archeologist. Wish I could share a pic on here of him and his. Do you do Facebook?

6:43 thats gonna make one hell of a wallpaper

I had a 76FJ40 from age 16 to age 40. (along with parts vehicles etc). The pure utility, the form coming from the function... that is what makes them so beautiful. The lot I had had to go. They had been sitting for several years by the time I was 40. In bad repair. It was just time for them to go. Sold the entire lot and agreed to a discount price as long as they had everything gone within 3 days. I cried like a baby when the last one left. It hurt. A lot. And watching this I am crying now even though I am pushing 50. Thank you for the video.

This video really rings true to me. I bought a 75 FJ40 in 1996, still own and would never sell it. My three kids grew up riding around the mountains of Colorado in it, priceless stuff. I haven't upgraded a lot because I really like the pure utility of it just as Josh mentioned. My wife and I went on dates in this before we were married, I figured if she liked the FJ even if with its noisy and rough ride then I hit the jackpot with her, we still go on dates on it.

This video is a real gem, far above average. It is apparent that someone or everyone involved at every level(camera, editing, audio, music selection, narrative composition, continuity,etc.) applied skill taking professional pride in their work and the quality shows.

My dad had one of these back in the day, and its the first vehicle that i've ever driven. Hard times forced him to sell it. I made a promise that I will own one someday..

LOVE your FJ40 mate. I got a blue 2-door Wrangler and this reminds me so much of it, the way you feel towards your car, exactly how my Wrangler makes me feel. You know you've found the right car when you park it and can't take your eyes off it or still keep dreaming you drive that car, not some supercar you see on TV.

It is such a good feeling to see it drive through the rivers and up the rocky hills, doing what it was made to do.. What a beautiful car.. Good job my friend, good job..

4 Old School FJ40s: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iNvTJrYy7mo.html

6:42 what a gorgeous shot! Absolutely gorgeous

Everything about this vid is exceptional; including your FJ as well. I remember back in 1972, my uncle had one and I loved it then. I was only 8 at the time and I can also relate to the certain smell you mentioned. A distinctive steel/metal smell that just conveyed how tough and cool these vehicles are.

Nice car, nice scenery and a nice owner. Nailed it!

Hi, mate. I love to see the passion when you talk about the car, this is definitely a lasting and reliable off road machine. I don't have a full size FJ40, but I have a 1/6 scale one that I use to make my RU-vid videos and it is just the same colour as yours. It is funny when you name the video "...Rugged Companion" because on my last post on Instagram I wrote "your best off road companion for the last 63 years" and that was before watching this video. My father also told me that my grandfather had a blue one as well, but it got totaled when his (my grandfather's) brother fell off a bridge with the car. Anyway, your words and the way you talk about the car is truly inspiring. If you don't mind, I would like to use some of your words on my next videos about the car. Let me know if that is okay for you. Cheers and good job on keeping automobile history alive for the next generations.

This dude is gonna owe me close to a $100k by the time I get my Landcruiser done. LOL This was one of the first videos I found when I first started looking about 5 years ago. Something about the way he portrayed the 40 Series, and my already growing interest, really set the hook. Now I'm a Landcruiser nut.

Great video! After 25 years I still own my 82 CJ5 and now share the jeep experience with my two kids around town and in the mountains. A family heirloom for sure!

Stunning video. Where was this filmed? The nature is beautiful.The only thing missing in this video is a loyal dog :)

The 1 minute bgm from 5:35 to 6:35 is simply joy! I wish I can get it stand alone. Great video!

This is my dads dream car of all time , I will buy him one some day !

I rescued and re built a 1973 that was a twin to this. I left Lil ' blue stock, added a brush guard and Warn 9000i to the front. I drove her daily for about 7 years. I still regret my decision to sell her. Truly my favorite vehicle ever! Never let me down, always started on the first turn of the key. This video is touching, and brings back memories of my travels all over Oregon.

Te felicito x tu video amigo saludos desde Chile soy venezolano vivo aquí x el problema que hay allá pero sabes tú Toyota es lo máximo felicidades

you were three years old when that truck was built, and there you are ! together again. i have one too. love mine.

Imagine this and a land rover defender taking on breath-taking landscape, moving in tandem and challenging each other...

Great vid - brought back nice memories of my father, who was a great Dad. His job was teaching instructors who taught linesmen in what was then the Commonwealth telecommunications provider, Telecom. One course he taught was the use of explosives in regional line laying works, so they gave him a government registered Land Cruiser - with explosives inside, to be stored overnight in the family garage. The course was taught at a nearby Army base, and at the end of each course he had to dispose (blow up) left over cordite and explosives - so he and the other instructors took their kids out to blow stuff up. I was the oldest, and got to drive the Landcruiser with ex[plosives through virgin Australian bushland on the Army base, blow stuff up and even do so gelignite fishing. Different times, but the fun of driving that Landcruiser has never left me. One day I will get one and restore it, albeit with some modernisation

Epic video. All that is missing is smell a vision...stunning.

My Father has had his 1984 Toyota Diesel Bj42 Since 85' and he keeps it looking like the day it rolled off out of the factory.. It's been in the family for a long time. Most of my greatest memories are travelling with my Dad and my brother, or waiting for summer so we could hop in the land cruiser and go camping. They are an amazing 4x4. And once I was able to drive it, It's all I wanted to drive other then my first car which is an 84 Toyota celica supra, and neither of these vehicles will be leaving the family.

Favorite 4x4 ever. The only thing that comes close is a 68-73 Bronco. These are just so undeniably cool and look correct no matter the decade

Love my 40,built in January 1969 and I’ve owned it for the past 27 years.Pretty much stock engine has never been rebuilt,got three on the tree,originalSpring Green color,has 5 inch lift and 36 inch super swampers.Drive it everywhere & like you I don’t baby it much,4 wheeling,camping,freeway,city, I use it for what it was built for.

I really enjoyed the music in this episode.

Nice to see Idaho finally represented here. Couldn't have made a better choice.

I knew at a young age my dad was making a mistake when he sold his. Would/SHOULD have been my first and last car. Now I really despise his decision... Lol!

The bit of steel between the seat cushions got me twice - right hand drive models .

A fantastic car ! Landscapes are wonderfull !

Thanks for the video, same blue as my old 1974. Brought back good memories.

HAHA I love how he sold it to his family and they improve the car and then he got it back free.

I love this video almost as much as I love this man's attachment to his truck. I think any gearhead can understand that deep attachment to a specific vehicle.

The potato I ate tonight is made in Idaho. Thank you very much for your wonderful video.

I used to get my Little Feroza to its limits too. And then parts got more rarer and rarer. I miss those times,

Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender are the best off road vehicles in my opinion. Those things can go anywhere and beyond!

I love owning an FJ40. There is just something special about them. Great video!!!

Not much of a SUV guy, but this one takes the cake for me.

My Dad owned three,I still miss them..I hope someday I will buy one again 😩

You make every tuesday a nice day, no matter what.

From Pakistan, I own the similar Toyota FJ40 with stock Toyota 3B engine. I have it for more than 3 years now and it has taken me to places I can't imagine.

We had a 3-speed 1972 FJ40 for 16 years. In that time we blew up 9 clutches during 4WD weekends with dozens of other Landcruisers, Land Rovers and Range Rovers. Sadly the model here is the "bad" one: the awful double rear doors which makes the car almost useless. :P The good model came with a clamshell rear door, which opened vertically, and then provided shelter. Underneath were two small side-opening doors, with the spare hung on the left door. The very best landcruisers had their lower split doors discarded, and a solid single door was then hinged from the floor, with chain supports. The spare tyre is then relocated to the side of the vehicle - where it is out of the way. This configuration allows you to pop the clamshell, sit on the rear tailgate, and have a cup of coffee and a sandwich or pie.

Having owned (and enjoyed) an 81 FJ 40 for several years, I loved this video.

I *so* agree. I'm not against creature comforts, as long as it doesn't take away from the ruggedness and practicality of the original vehicle. It's the same thing with upgrades, particularly if it helps to improve the driveability and safety of the vehicle. My favourite Toyota Land Cruisers are the *FJ40,* the *FJ45,* the *FJ55,* and the *FJ60.* *This* is what an SUV *should* be. Not "cutesie poo", nothing fluffy. The only upgrades I'd want would be power steering and a turbo diesel engine, for better fuel economy, and better climbing up hills, a cd player for the radio. But other than that, I'd keep it as original as it came.

I love the FJ40. I have a 1986 FJ40. I built it for off-road and on road utility purposes. It has a 1994 Toyota 1UZ V8 with a TTC Performance twin turbo kit and boosted to 6psi, its pushing a little over 400hp atm. Had to install a 5 speed manual transmission with transgo shift kit and a trans cooler with a custom fan. Best thing is, it has a stock block which can take a hell of beating with its thicker rods and also has stock injectors although I am looking to change the injectors soon. Paint is a metallic grey plasti dip. I swap the tires off when on road and off road. 33 inch off road tires on rancho shocks, a 6 inch lift, light bars, spot and flood lights, arb deluxe bull bar and rear bumper, roll cage, roof rack, snorkel, Warn Zeon winch, Corbeau Baja RS seats and a Pioneer stereo system. I love the thing and I wouldnt sell it for anything.

My dad bought an FJ40 in 1966, but it was a ragtop with rag doors. I learned to drive it on trails at age 10! I remember the windshield wipers being out of sync and the kick panel vents. It had a hand choke and throttle on the dash. I bought it from my dad when I was 16. It was my first vehicle. I sold it back to my dad and years later he traded it for a Morgan horse!

Fantastic. I had a 2007 FJ Crusier and now hoping Toyota will introduce it back in the U.S. market.

Anyone watching this in 2019.?

Every time I watch one of theses films, I always say 'I want one!'

Nice to see an American FJ40 which isn't powered by a f*cking Chevy V8 Cheers

Love that thing. He's lucky to have such beautiful places to wheel.

when trucks were utilitarian, and not some plushed out tall cars as they are today face it most that have trucks don't even use them for what it is intended other than making up up for missing manhood....you know who you are

Looking at getting the 4Runner TRD Off Road. This video is just helping me take pride in getting Toyota's long standing heritage with their trucks and SUVs.

Lol Japan and the US were enemies during WWII. They weren’t building vehicles for them then. I believe it was during the Korean conflict that they started building them

It’s looks like Call of Duty every time he tapes from the inside while driving

Fj40 are and will always be a part of my life. I have a diesel one and just smelling it brings back so many memories. I will never sale mine. Great video

simple, reliable,Long lasting...none of these days cars have those...I kinda want this car which is Bringing back the memories when I was little boy...till today I still searching one of these...and if I do get one.. I'll give the Love To it..changing New Tyre, Suspension, Etc etc 😊💯💥🔥

Excellent use of drone footage! And underneath is the engaging audio track. As a fellow '76 Land Cruiser owner, I really appreciate the themes you've touched on like the memories (up the final switchbacks to the top of Mt. Antero!), kids and family and fun. Thanks for an excellent video. Love seeing what you've done with your cruiser.

My dad bought a new FJ40 back in 1965. At the time Toyota's really didn't have dealerships, ours was bought at a shell gas station, I think dad paid about 2695.00 for it. The gas station owner just had some brochures and he had to go to California to pick the Toyota up for dad. This was from Safford Arizona. The FJ40 was a great rig, kind of gutless with the little 6 cylinder motor and was about all out at 55 MPH on the highway, at a time of 70 MPH speed limits. But the highway was not where the Toyota shined, it had 3 on the tree shifting and 2 levers on the dash to pull for 4x4. Once both were pulled you could climb anything. It had a grab bar on the passenger dash to hold onto as well to keep you in the seat when 4 wheeling, we called it the puke bar. If Toyota made this body style again they would sell them as fast as they could make them. They basically copied the Jeep CJ at the time only having a little bigger body with chevy type running gear. It was an amazing rig, still wished I had it. Lots of memories of hunting and fishing using the old FJ40

Good old no-nonsense machines 😎👍👍👍💕

You guys need to start uploading in 4K, the video is very blurry especially when I fullscreen. It would be perfect for all of those nice cars and scenery

I respect that his trunk is still working

My family had one in the 70's, brute power and ability to crawl out of deep mud. Its kind of sentimental was where i first learn to drive, and would dream of having one back, till im too old to drive

Coming from an Asian background makes me wanna laugh out loud when the Westerners do business (Selling stuff within the family). Out here we usually just handover stuff in goodwill to our own blood for FREE !

Wonderful video. Very well done. It brought back lots of memories. I had a 77 model, the first with the small pop up windows at the back. Rode it for ~150M miles and had all kind of adventures with it. "Indestructible" is the best word to describe it. The only cancer that could get to it was rust. Consumption was not its forte at ~12mpg and it was always a good idea to wear a kidney belt on long trips due to stiff suspension. Other than that, just fill it up and go...

nice to see a truck up here and a off road one at that. EXCELLENT

My dad, me, and my brother did a frame off resto when i was 14, im 46 now, that was one of mine and my brothers favorites my dad ever owned. ‘76 fj40 British racing green with white top roof rack kcs and white wagon wheel rims. I used to steal it every time my parents left me alone. Great times! Great truck, timeless

What state is this trail in?

He keeps it old school kudos. I do like that he put in power steering, I would go further and replace brakes with discs.

It is so nice to see one being used... in it's proper environ.

There's an honesty and frankness about the FJ40 that was completely ignored by the FJ Cruiser. The world needs more honest vehicles.

Awesome video. I understand the emotional attachment. Toyota Land Cruisers have been a huge part in my life.

You guys make Tuesdays a day to look forward to for me. Best channel on RU-vid.

Trashing stream spawning beds is not my idea of conscience off-roading - 1:45 I can understand the need to cross a stream occasionally, but NOT slogging down the middle of pristine Idaho waterways. Jeez...

As an owner of a 67 FJ40 I love your rig! There not fast but they will get you there !

I once owned a 1973 model and went through hurricane Cosmo in Southern Mexico, that's the vehicle to have for that kind of adventure! 🤠

Every single video is top notch. Amazing quality.

I remember hiking up to the Summit of Bara Hazari a few years back (18,098 Ft.) And beyond the horizon I saw an FJ hardtop climbing it's way up.