Eric’s 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
Photos: Sonia Broman
First off, what’s your name and what do you do for a living?
My name is Eric Scott Kaplan. I work as a cryptocurrency trader and am also the founder and developer of a lifestyle tech startup called Foundry — a curated, AI-supported app designed to connect users with trusted local service providers in a more intelligent and personalized way.
What Land Cruiser are we looking at, what year and series — and what makes this one stand out compared to other Land Cruisers?
We’re looking at a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, and what makes this one stand out is its thoughtful blend of rugged originality and curated upgrades. It’s still every bit a classic FJ40 - boxy, raw, and iconic - but with subtle enhancements that make it far more livable and enjoyable for modern driving.
Key upgrades include:
An H55F 5-speed transmission swap, replacing the stock 4-speed and completely transforming the driving experience. Now I can comfortably cruise at 65+ mph and actually have a conversation with my passenger. Before, you’d be stuck in fourth gear at 50 mph, yelling over the engine just to be heard.
A Weber carburetor, which pairs beautifully with the H55F - together they improve both efficiency and drivability, delivering a smoother, more responsive ride without sacrificing the classic feel.
A fully rebuilt Dobinson suspension paired with Bilstein shocks, adding comfort and control on-road and off.
A Dakota Digital LED cluster that’s been spec-matched to OEM dimensions, layout, and styling - down to the centimeter - preserving 100% of the original visual integrity and vintage vibe while improving visibility and functionality.
LED headlights and fog lights for cleaner, brighter nighttime driving, seamlessly integrated with the truck’s classic lines.
A custom Tuffy center console box from Cool Cruisers of Texas - rugged and practical, with secure storage that doesn’t feel out of place.
And finally, a Sonos soundbar discreetly mounted on the dash - a clean workaround since this build didn’t include a traditional stereo or A/C. It delivers full, modern audio while maintaining the minimalist, purposeful interior.
Without question, the most transformative upgrade I’ve ever done was pairing the H55F 5-speed transmission swap with a Mosley Motors-rebuilt 2F inline-6 engine. This wasn’t just an engine refresh - it was a meticulous, expert-level rebuild of a new donor 2F block, engineered to perfection by Mosley Motors down in Tennessee.
You’ll have to do some digging to even get on Mosley’s radar - he runs a small, high-demand operation, and his waitlist is no joke. I was lucky enough to get in while he was still taking engine builds. The motor was built to Mosley’s own factory-plus specs, maintaining the integrity of the original 2F inline-6 while elevating its performance, durability, and responsiveness in a way that feels totally factory — just better in every way.
It’s hard to put into words, but “night and day” doesn’t even cover it. The difference between a stock 2F and a Mosley Motors 2F is immense. Smooth, torquey, reliable - it’s the heartbeat of the truck now. And paired with the 5-speed and upgraded suspension, it turns the FJ40 into something truly special: a vintage machine that feels alive, intentional, and road-ready for years to come.
This FJ40 isn’t a showpiece - it’s a road-ready, trail-capable rig with personality and precision. Everything added has a reason and respects what made the Land Cruiser great to begin with.
Did you grow up around Land Cruisers, or did this one find you later in life?
I wasn’t raised in a hardcore car family, but we had some memorable rides - three Audi Quattro sedans, a Chrysler Voyager van with brown-and-white wood paneling, and my dad’s 1991 Porsche 944 Cabriolet with white leather seats. I loved cruising in that Porsche with him, especially on the way to sports games - those early memories definitely sparked something in me.
I was always drawn to rugged, boxy vehicles - CJ Jeeps, Defenders, Willys - and the first time I saw a Land Cruiser FJ40 in the late ’90s, it hit me hard. It felt like a minimalist postal truck fused with raw, off-road strength. That vibe stuck with me for years.
Then in 2016, I found my first FJ40 in Idaho Falls, Idaho - a 1978 Rustic Green model that I absolutely fell for. That emerald-blue tone of Rustic Green, paired with the Argus eggshell white top, was unlike anything I’d ever seen. I commissioned a local contractor - a kind, older gentleman nearing retirement - to restore it. Unfortunately, he became ill and couldn’t finish the build.
That set me off on an 18-month journey to find someone who could bring the vision back to life. I spent months on IH8MUD.com, diving deep into threads, asking questions, connecting with passionate Land Cruiser folks who helped steer me in the right direction. Eventually, in early 2017, I was lucky enough to find the right builder - and the real journey began.
So no, I didn’t grow up around Land Cruisers - but this one found me. And I chased it down until I could make it mine.
What drew you to this specific series? Why not a 70, 80, 100, or even newer model?
I actually love the 80 and 100 series - especially the FJ60 and 62. They have that perfect blend of ruggedness and utility, and they represent a golden era of Land Cruisers. My best friend John’s mom owned four 80 series models when we were growing up, and I’ll never forget the sight of their two Golden Retrievers perched on the tailgate at local Memorial Day parades. That combo - the dogs, the cruiser, the family — it was pure Americana.
But for my build, I knew I had to stay closer to the roots.
The FJ40 is where that raw, industrial, minimalist energy still lives. It channels the soul of the FJ25 — a true workhorse - and reminds you that this is, at heart, a truck, not an SUV. I didn’t want something that drove too smooth or had too many creature comforts. I wanted to pay homage to the durability, simplicity, and historical importance of the early Land Cruisers. The FJ40 gives you that - no frills, just timeless capability.
So while I admire the modern evolution of the Cruiser line, I didn’t want to drift too far into the future. If anything, I’d go further back. If I ever had the chance to add to my collection, I’d seek out an FJ25 to pair with my ’78 — to go even deeper into the origin story.
What’s it like off-roading in this thing? Where do you take it?
I’ll be totally honest - this truck is babied. And I know that might not sit well with the hardcore Land Cruiser crowd. There’s a whole world of owners who believe these rigs are meant to be pushed, flexed, and dirtied - and I get it. The FJ40 is pound for pound one of the most capable off-road vehicles you can own. But for me, that’s not where the joy lies.
This Land Cruiser is about connection. I take my wife out to dinner in it. My two boys and our Golden Retrievers pile in for local adventures we call “Boys Club.” It’s the meeting ground, the basecamp, the memory-maker. And honestly, what could be more fun for a kid than sitting on military jump seats, facing your brother as you bounce down the road in a ’78 FJ40? It’s the stuff of childhood wonder.
Sometimes I toss a blanket in the back and take the dogs to Sunday Motor, the motor-themed coffee shop in Madison, NJ. (Huge shoutout to Nick and his team - one of my favorite places, easily a top 5 spot for me.) I cruise through Hunterdon County and out past Bedminster, or take the truck to car shows like Wheels in NYC - which in 2025 was hands-down the most jaw-dropping event I’ve ever been to in terms of curation, detail, and energy.
But it’s the human interactions that stick with me the most. A few years ago, I was parked in a Whole Foods lot when this older woman - probably in her late 70s - walks up with a huge smile and asks, “Is that a ’78?” I was stunned. I looked at her and said, “Oh my god, how could you possibly know that?” She just stood there, soaking it in, and said, “In 1977, I bought a 1978 Land Cruiser off the demo floor at the Morristown Toyota dealership.” My jaw hit the pavement. Easily one of the most surreal, heartwarming moments I’ve had with this truck.
So no - I haven’t taken it off-road. Not yet. Maybe someday. But after nearly seven years of restoration, I’m in no rush to throw it into the mud. For now, it’s about community, joy, nostalgia - and the unbelievable stories this truck pulls out of people everywhere it goes.
What reactions do you get from strangers when you’re parked somewhere — do people know what they’re looking at?
Honestly, most people have no idea what they’re looking at — and I kind of love that. There’s a real mystery to the FJ40, especially for people who don’t know the lineage. You’ll get folks who squint at it and ask, “Is that a Jeep?” Or they think it’s some kind of rare Wrangler or a new custom build they just haven’t seen before. If you talk to a hardcore Toyota enthusiast, calling it a “Jeep” might be borderline offensive - but I’m not one of those people. I have a deep respect for all 4x4s: Jeeps, Defenders, Broncos, Cruisers - if it’s got heritage and soul, I’m a fan.
Some folks recognize the FJ Cruiser from the 2000s, which was Toyota’s modern homage to the FJ line. That model has become increasingly collectible post-COVID, especially since it was discontinued. But most people don’t understand how the design lines evolved — from the FJ25 to the FJ40, then into the FJ60s, 80s, and 100s. And that’s where the FJ40 stands apart — it’s not immediately recognizable to the average eye, but it grabs attention because it looks different from anything else in the lot.
Sometimes people just assume it’s brand new - like a boutique retro build or some kind of concept car. Other times, I’ll meet someone who knows exactly what it is and starts talking about the evolution of the Land Cruiser line, which is always a great conversation.
But my favorite moments are when people ask questions out of pure curiosity. I love when someone’s genuinely intrigued — whether they know the FJ story or not. And if I can inspire even one person to fall in love with the FJ40, maybe even go out and buy one, then I feel like I’ve done my job.
Are you part of any Land Cruiser or 4x4 communities in NY or NJ? Or is this more of a solo adventure for you?
At this point, it’s mostly a solo adventure - just me, the truck, the family, and the road. That said, I’ve connected with some great people over the years, especially during the build phase, through forums like IH8MUD.com, which was instrumental in guiding me through the process and helping me find the right restoration partners.
But here’s one of the wildest stories: during COVID, I was out driving when I caught the unmistakable silhouette of another FJ40 coming down the road - and not just any FJ40, but one in Rustic Green, just like mine. It was surreal. I almost couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My kids were in the car, chaos was unfolding in the backseat, and the moment slipped away before I could flag him down.
Fast-forward two years later - I’m parked at a local pharmacy, and a man approaches me and says, “Oh my god… I’ve been trying to find you for years.” Turns out, he also owns a 1978 FJ40 in Rustic Green, restored by FJ Company in Miami. Not only that, he lives just four streets away from me in Chatham — and his truck had been quietly sitting, covered in a garage, the whole time. Even crazier? He’s my son’s best friend’s neighbor. So it turns out, there’s another nearly identical ’78 FJ40 living just a stone’s throw away, hidden in plain sight. Unbelievable.
It’s little moments like that that make being a Land Cruiser owner feel less like a hobby and more like a quiet fraternity - you never know where or when it’ll reveal itself, but when it does, it’s magic.
Who’s your go-to mechanic? Detailer?
I bring the truck to Mark’s Auto in Gillette, NJ - Mark and his son Nick run the shop, and they’ve been absolutely excellent. They’ve helped with everything from routine tune-ups to bigger jobs like the carburetor upgrade, suspension, and shocks. As for detailing? I handle that at home. There’s something satisfying about washing the truck myself - keeping that Rustic Green paint looking sharp with a little elbow grease.
Favorite place to take the truck in NYC?
No hesitation - the NYC Wheels Auto Show in 2025 was one of the most magical automotive experiences I’ve had. The vibe, the attention to detail, the curation - it was truly special. I can’t wait to attend more New York City Wheels events in the future. That show made me fall in love with the city all over again, through the lens of car culture.
