43" Tires, V8 Power, and Custom Everything - Meet This Rad FJ40

Richard McIntosh’s FJ40 build represents everything that makes the off-road community special - taking something legendary and making it absolutely bulletproof for the trails ahead. When Wide Open Design got their hands on this project, they didn’t just restore an FJ40. They built something that would make Yota’s engineers weep with joy.

The foundation starts with a brand new Aqualu tub that received a 10" stretch right behind the doors to push the rear tires back. That wheelbase extension might sound excessive until you see those massive 43" tires tucked underneath. The geometry just works, and when you’re crawling over boulders or bombing through desert washes, that extra stability becomes your best friend.

Wide Open Design made some bold choices that separate this build from typical FJ builds. They actually laid the windshield back about 20 degrees, ditching that straight-up factory stance that “never looked quite right” (Is that true?!?! You be the judge). The modification required cutting and reshaping the entire windshield frame, but the result gives the truck a more aggressive profile that matches its capabilities.

The custom tube chassis deserves serious respect. Everything was drawn out in CAD with proper suspension geometry, and the difference shows when this thing hits the dirt. The cage work flows seamlessly through the deck instead of creating that bulky hump you see on most builds. They even rolled the aluminum roof to match the FJ40’s classic lines while eliminating any gaps where rain could sneak in.

Those hand-built fender flares steal the show though. Crafted from aluminum and modeled after factory pieces, they maintain that authentic FJ40 aesthetic while providing clearance for rubber that would make a monster truck jealous. The attention to detail extends to custom mirrors, stainless steel accents, and a rear bumper design that pulls inspiration from original factory pieces while delivering modern durability.

Under the hood sits the heart of this beast - a Mass Motorsports 427 cubic inch motor paired with a Turbo 400 transmission and Atlas transfer case. The engine bay received the same meticulous treatment as the rest of the build, with heat barriers on the firewall, bed liner coating, and color-matched components that make opening the hood feel like a special occasion.

The suspension setup screams serious trail capability. Both ends run Corporate 14 bolt axles with the front sporting a Magnum knuckle and 40 spline axle shafts. RadFlo shocks handle the dampening duties with a 2" coilover and 2.5" three-tube bypass up front, while the rear gets a similar setup. This isn’t suspension for Sunday drives - it’s built for punishment.

Inside the cab, comfort meets functionality in ways that would make luxury truck owners jealous. The factory aluminum dash houses a custom gauge cluster, GPS, and Switch Pro setup for controlling every electronic system. Double-stitched seats with heating, overhead lighting, grab handles, and even fold-down sun shades prove that hardcore capability doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort.

The attention to electrical details sets this build apart from typical trail rigs. Everything works exactly as it should - blinkers, windshield wipers, heated seats, backup lights that activate with the transfer case, and a backup camera integrated with the GPS. Too many builds sacrifice these conveniences for the sake of simplicity, but McIntosh’s FJ proves you can have both.

That custom deck material in the bed deserves special mention. Wide Open Design borrowed this marine-grade decking from the boat industry, creating what might be the first rock crawler to feature this type of flooring. Combined with the internal storage features and stainless steel accents, the bed becomes as functional as it is beautiful.

This FJ40 represents the perfect marriage of classic styling and modern capability. It maintains the visual DNA that makes these trucks so desirable while incorporating technology and engineering that would have been impossible when these trucks rolled off the production line.

The Wide Open Design team created something that honors the Cruiser’s legendary reputation while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with modern fabrication techniques and components. It’s the kind of build that makes you want to grab your keys and find the nearest trailhead… just what the best off-road machines should do.