1967 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 LPB “Lily”

The hugely influential and successful follow-up to the original J2/J3, it was the J4 that went on to establish the Land Cruiser nameplate as a true icon in North America, while its design would go on to set the template for the famous Toyota truck for the next two decades.

Bought back in 2018, via an intermediary who purchased it from its alleged first owner (one of the founding fathers of Scotts Valley, California), the Toyota FJ45 listed spent most of its earlier life as hunting and gently-used farm truck before it was retired in the late eighties to a private RV storage yard and then ultimately parked up in a dry storage spot in the original owner’s “pole barn”. 

Believed to have only covered 82,000 miles from new, the FJ45 then ‘rested’ for almost 30 years before it was rescued by an avid FJ40 enthusiast who, over the past four plus years, has subjected the Toyota truck to the most sympathetic of restorations, using almost all original OEM Toyota parts.

Despite standing still for more than three decades the Toyota pick-up actually stood the test of the time remarkably well, with the 237 cu. in. engine turning over with very little coaxing. 

That said, of course, plenty of work was still needed and that included renewing the coolant system (rubber pipes, thermostat, thermostat housing), replacing all the brakes (shoes, cylinders, liners, some brake lines), before adding a set (4) of OEM steel rims that have been shod by four all-terrain vintage-style tires. Other jobs included junking many of the age-hardened weatherstrips and replacing them with fresh rubber.

Under the hood, numerous gaskets were replaced and after multiple oil changes later the inline-six cylinder now feels (and sounds) factory fresh, with zero smoke under hard pulls.

The rear muffler was also replaced, while new rear lenses for the reverse lamps added and, finally, some minor corrosion to the removable roof panel was attended to that was probably there before it was parked up in the eighties.

Driving the FJ45 is a testament to the love, care and attention to detail that’s been lavished on it since its refresh.

The 125hp engine is smooth and surprisingly punchy, the clutch light (for a farm truck of its ilk) and the three-speed column-mounted shifter precise. Apply the brakes and this 45 slows in a straight line.

It’s hard not to fall head-over-heels in love with the FJ45 patina but, if desired, the lack of corrosion means it would make an ideal candidate for a full respray.

It’s also worth mentioning the FJ45 listed comes with the hugely desirable factory optional “headache rack” and removable roof, factory heater heater, and boasts reupholstered seats that feature period-correct color and styling.

Any inspection welcome pre-sale and the FJ45 is ready to be enjoyed as is, without any more restoration or tinkering needed.

After 55 years, this two-owner well-preserved survivor can (and should) be enjoyed as it is now but could also prove the perfect candidate to transform it into something concours worthy, such is its rarity.

Repairs Completed:

• Remove and replaced front bumper with new OEM plus hardware kit from Specter
• Removed non-factory rear bumper and replaced tailgate rubber stops
• Reupholstered front seats with Specter kit
• New Spark Plugs & Wires, Wheel Cylinders x4, and Brake Shoes x4
• General engine servicing, carb clean-out plus replaced seals and diaphragms
• New Tires and OEM black steel rims x4 (Super Traxion, vintage style)
• Early style repro acorn hub caps
• New brake master, clutch master and slave
• Replaced Brake line (from master), fuel filter, oil filter
• Replaced Rear axle bump stops, 2 rear brake lines
• New Tail light bulbs, brake light switch, rear output shaft speedi sleeve, used OEM flasher module, Toyota muffler
• New thermostat, thermostat gasket
• Replaced upper and lower thermostat housing with (used) OEM from Mark Algazy
• Muffler installation, new tailpipe bending/welding
• Registered and Titled in California
• Repaired rust holes in roof cap (welded) – re-made metal to windshield edge, replaced headliner with Specter replacement
• Replaced rear cab glass gaskets (quarter windows and rear center), hood bumpers, valve cover gaskets and steam seals, distributor cap, top windshield gasket
• Replaced starter with used OEM from later year FJ40
• Parts: rear axle seal & bearing kit, tie rod end kit, wiper blades, brake shoes
• Turned OEM brake drums x4
• New parking brake cable, Front passenger bump stop
• New soft brake lines (x3)
• New (used) Water Pump, courtesy light
• Aftermarket Steering Damper (OME), OEM Roof Cap Weatherstrip, OEM Roof lower Weatherstrip

Interested? Please contact us