Triple 9 1967 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

The Cult of Capability

The list of timeless off-road icons is a short one. In the United States, it’s the Jeep CJ. Europe has the Land Rover. Japan has a 4X4 that is every bit as capable, with just as fanatical a cult following: the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser.

Not coincidentally, it shares similar construction and dimensions to the Jeep and Rover: a 90-inch wheelbase utility 4X4 riding on leaf-sprung solid axles with a center-mounted 2-speed transfer case. In fact, the original Land Cruiser—the BJ25—was reverse-engineered from the military-spec Jeep at the behest of the U.S. Army specifically to improve upon the original design for use in Korea. Toyota’s engineering and legendary build-quality helped it do just that, and the addition of the F-spec inline-6 engine brought extra power and unparalleled reliability along with a new name: the FJ.

Interestingly the F engine was also patterned after an American design, but notably not one from Jeep. Rather, it emulated Chevrolet’s famously sturdy “Stovebolt” 235ci inline-6 (although Toyota used a metric 3.9L designation). The FJ25 was revised for 1960 with a wider, beefed-up body and a few other strategic improvements, resulting in the FJ40. It would remain in production for 24 years (and another 17 under license in Brazil). Along the way, other body styles joined the shortwheelbase soft-top FJ40, but regardless of the configuration, the legendary FJ would be the foundation for Toyota’s offroad reputation for the next half-century.

The FJ40 is arguably Toyota’s most collector-worthy production vehicle, but surprisingly, models of it are relatively rare— especially in 1:18. That’s what makes Triple 9’s replica so intriguing. In an era of escalating diecast prices, this model delivers a surprising amount of detail for its relatively modest asking price. Because the hood is sealed, the hood latches and hinges can be cast into the body along with nicely formed panel lines and vents, but other brightwork, like the door handles and long stalk mirrors, are painted or chromed plastic. The distinctive elongated-oval grille insert is a separate piece too, with the mesh pattern and “Toyota” block letters molded in. The “Land Cruiser” emblems on the tailgate and sides of the hood are decals. This model’s metal body replicates the shortwheelbase FJ40 in beige, with a soft-top in gray rendered in plastic. It has fabric wrinkles molded in, and the side and rear windows also have a slight wrinkle to them to authentically replicate the soft plastic of the original. There’s even a winch mounted on the front bumper.

The doors open, but take care when opening them because, unlike on the full-size FJ, the mirrors are not hinged on the model, so opening the doors all the way causes the mirror stalks to bend slightly. Inside, the spartan utility of the FJ cabin is replicated faithfully in black plastic to emulate black vinyl. Some early FJs had columnmounted shifters, but this

’67 model has a floor-shifted gearbox, and the lever for the 2-speed transfer case is mounted high on the bodycolored dash. The flat instrument panel is rendered using a combination of decals and metallic paint, and there is even a manual choke lever jutting out of the lower dash. Longitudinal jump seats bracket the bed in the rear under the soft-top.

The chassis has a fair amount of detailing as well, with separately molded solid axles, shocks, and leaf springs front and rear. The differentials are offset to the passenger’s side, as is the separately molded exhaust pipe, while the reliefmolded fuel tank sits below the driver. This model wears the smallish stock-size wheels and tires, but Triple 9 also offers versions with wagon wheel–style rims and larger knobby tires.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The FJ40 is an institution among off-road enthusiasts, revered for its indestructibility and its go-anywhere utility. With its cult status secure and auction prices soaring, the collector appeal is high and growing higher still. Odd then that presently there should be so few examples in the diecast world, which makes Triple 9’s version exceptional— and all the more so because it represents a solid value.