1960–84 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 chassis compared: 2 builders

Aftermarket chassis

Prices checked Oct 14, 2026

Builder & product	Type	Front	Rear	Price
Original chassis Keep it and upgrade itBody-on-frame, steel ladder frame	Factory	Solid front axle with closed steering knuckles on semi-elliptic leaf springs. Recirculating-ball steering box, with power steering available on later trucks.	Solid rear axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs.	See kits
Aqualu 1968-1978 FJ40 Frame	Full frame			$3,688 Listed price on CruiserParts Source
Aqualu 1979-1984 FJ40 Frame	Full frame			$3,983 Listed price on CruiserParts Source
Roadster Shop RS4 FJ40 chassis	Full frame			$44,995 Base price, 'From $44,995', on maker page Source

Tick up to 4 to compare side by side.

Reading these prices

Starting prices aren't always comparable. Some include suspension, steering and brakes; some are a bare frame or front clip and the rest is extra. Check the Front and Rear columns and each product's notes before comparing totals. "Price on request" means the builder quotes each build. Confirm with the builder before you order, and send corrections through our contact page.

Upgrade the original chassis

How it's built: Body-on-frame, steel ladder frame
Front suspension: Solid front axle with closed steering knuckles on semi-elliptic leaf springs. Recirculating-ball steering box, with power steering available on later trucks.
Rear suspension: Solid rear axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs.
Weak spots: The body tub rusts badly in the floors, rear corners, door bottoms and around the wheel wells, and the rear frame crossmember and frame rails rot. Leaf springs sag, shackles and spring bushings wear, and knuckle seals and steering boxes leak and wear.

Stiffening the body or frame? We list 3 kits for this car, such as frame rails, subframe connectors and braces, on its Chassis stiffening page.

Suspension and steering kits for the original chassis

Area	Kit	What it does	Price
Complete kit	Old Man Emu Emu Dakar 40 Series Ultimate Light Kit (ED40ULT)	2 to 2.5 inch lift: OME leaf springs, Nitrocharger Sport shocks, shackles, pins, U-bolts and steering stabilizer. Page lists prices updated 12/14/2021.	$1,995 Source
Complete kit	Old Man Emu Emu Dakar 40 Series Ultimate Med/Heavy Kit (ED40UHV)	Heavier-rated version of the 2 to 2.5 inch OME kit. Page lists prices updated 12/14/2021.	$2,055 Source
Complete kit	Specter Off-Road (SOR) 40 Series 4 Inch SOR Lift Kit (287-40A-KIT)	For 1958-12/74 FJ40 and BJ40: SOR leaf springs, extended shocks, shackles, poly bushings, U-bolts and shims.	$1,999 Source
Complete kit	Specter Off-Road (SOR) 40 Series 2 Inch SOR Lift Kit (287-41A-KIT)	For 1958-12/74 FJ40 and BJ40: SOR leaf springs, extended shocks, anti-inversion shackles, poly bushings and U-bolts.	$2,105 Source
Rear suspension	Old Man Emu OME greasable rear shackle set (OMEGS9)	Rear shackles for 1958-7/1980 40 Series; OMEGS1 covers 8/1980-1984.	$128.50 per set Source

Guides for this car

Build guide, Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

Buying a Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 to restomod: what to look for and what it costs

Project FJ40s sell for about $12,000 to $16,000 and solid drivers for $20,000 to $30,000. Here is which years to look for, where they rust, how to spot a fake, and what the usual upgrades cost.