Toyota Land Cruiser's 'Project Texan' demonstrates FJ40's compatibility, bolstered by a V8 engine upgrade
Legacy Overland's Restomod Project Texan: A Comprehensive Rebuild of a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
Legacy Overland has unveiled Project Texan, a meticulously restored 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 that seamlessly blends modern mechanical components with the classic rugged aesthetic of the past.
The project, named Project Texan, involves a full teardown and rebuild, with a focus on both cosmetics and substance. Unlike some shops that prioritize appearance over functionality, Legacy Overland ensures that every upgrade serves a purpose.
The original 2F inline-six engine has been swapped for a Chevy 350 small-block V8 with electronic fuel injection. This engine is paired with a Tremec TR4050 5-speed manual transmission, which requires custom adapters, crossmembers, and clutch setups to fit properly.
The brake system, electrical system, suspension, differentials, and driveshafts of Project Texan have all been significantly upgraded. The suspension uses ARB/Old Man Emu components with Bilstein shocks, and the exhaust system is custom fabricated for this setup. The cooling system has been completely overhauled with a new radiator, fan, water pump, and thermostat.
The interior of Project Texan honors the past with its vintage style, but includes modern conveniences such as new gauges, radio, antenna, LED lighting, and air conditioning. The roll bar, jump seats, center console, shifter boots, and steering column have all been leather-treated. Every switch, knob, handle, and emblem has been either restored or replaced. The interior features beige leather upholstery with black piping and diamond stitching.
The exterior preserves the original character but features a Raptor-coat "jungle green" finish. Mickey Thompson alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler tires are used. The axles, steering knuckles, tie rods, and power steering have been rebuilt for modern drivability. Split-style LED headlights and rear lamps offer modern illumination with period-appropriate looks.
The ARB front winch bumper with jerry can rear carrier adds functionality to Project Texan while maintaining its utilitarian aesthetic. Gray carpet with black edge trim covers the floors of the interior.
The custom fabrication work throughout Project Texan ensures everything fits properly and functions as intended. The exact figure for Project Texan is not explicitly stated, but such comprehensive restomod projects on vintage vehicles typically range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand USD, depending on parts, labor, and customization level.
In summary, the process for a restomod like Project Texan includes a complete teardown and quality inspection of the original vehicle, engine swap, installation of a Tremec TR4050 5-speed manual transmission with custom fitting, rebuilding or replacing axles, steering knuckles, tie rods, adding power steering, overhauling the cooling system, upgrading suspension, new hydraulic brake system, custom exhaust design, exterior preservation with a durable Raptor coating in a classic color palette, and interior restoration.
Because each build is unique, interested parties should expect significant investment in parts, labor, and specialized custom fabrication to achieve this level of performance and authenticity.
[1] Legacy Overland. (n.d.). Project Texan. Retrieved from https://legacyoverland.com/builds/project-texan/
[2] Hagerty Media. (2021, June 25). Legacy Overland's Project Texan: A 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Restomod. Retrieved from https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-life/legacy-overlands-project-texan-1978-toyota-land-cruiser-fj40-restomod/
[3] Classic Driver. (2021, July 1). Legacy Overland's Project Texan: A 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Restomod. Retrieved from https://www.classicdriver.com/news/news/legacy-overland-s-project-texan-a-1978-toyota-land-cruiser-fj40-restomod-34898
[1] Legacy Overland's style and lifestyle-inspired home-and-garden projects are well-known, but the car-maintenance sector is where they truly shine, as demonstrated by their comprehensive rebuild of a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, named Project Texan.
[2] In the realm of electric-vehicles, Project Texan might not hold relevance, given its gasoline-powered engine. Yet, it reflects a merged lifestyle and home aesthetics, with modern conveniences like LED lighting and air conditioning integrated seamlessly within a vintage interior.
[3] The finished Project Texan showcases a beautiful fusion of classic, rugged style with updated vehicle components, making it a remarkable example of how one can maintain the essence of a classic car (cars), while incorporating contemporary improvements (car-maintenance) befitting a modern lifestyle.
