hardtop model, bouncing your head off the
ceiling is especially unpleasant.
Although Toyota would continue to
sell the 40 series from its introduction in
1960 through 2001, the company quickly
realized a demand in markets like the
U.S. for a wagon body with four doors and
traditional rear seats. After four years on
the market, the short-lived wagon variant
of the long-wheelbase FJ45 was replaced
by the less trucklike FJ55 in 1967. The so-
ugly-it’s-cute nose earned it the nickname
Iron Pig, which only adds to its charm.
This two-tone Pig I’m driving is a ’77.
The frame’s been boxed and stretched 16.3
inches, but otherwise this proto-SUV is
mechanically identical to the FJ40. Sameovertaxed engine, same four-speed manual
and low-range transfer case, same axles,
suspension, and brakes. It still has the
same 8.3 inches of ground clearance, too—
though being 29.6 inches longer with a big
rear overhang impinges on its off-road
capability somewhat. This becomes clear
when I pinch closed its long tailpipe drop-
ping the rear wheels into a deep rut.
Despite the stretch and the reinforce-
ment, the FJ55 only weighs in 250 or so
pounds more than the 40, so there’s little
penalty in acceleration and drivability. It’s
still painfully slow by modern standards
and hates hills and elevation, but even
with considerably tighter steering than the
40, it’s still not a vehicle you hurry aroundFJ55
64 MOTORTREND.COM FEBRUARY 2020