SEMA-bound Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 Restomod is All Kinds of Cool
We weren’t joking when we wrote that Toyota plans to display over two dozen builds at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas (Nov. 4-7). You’ve seen the first two, namely the Corolla Cross Hybrid Nasu Edition and Camry GT-S. Now, check out a third.
The Japanese automaker’s Turbo Trail Cruiser is a restomod based on a 1985 Land Cruiser FJ60, essentially combining an iconic platform with current technology. Thus, all of the new components were developed to fit the vehicle without cutting the firewall, moving the mounting points or altering the structural integrity.
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The biggest change can be found under the hood: the old inline-six engine has been swapped for a twin-turbo 3.4-litre i-FORCE V6 that generates nearly twice the output—more specifically 389 horsepower along with 479 lb-ft of torque. But this engine transplant isn't just about performance, Toyota insists, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions while being more fuel-efficient, quieter and more refined.
“The Turbo Trail Cruiser is about showing what happens when Toyota’s modern performance technology is integrated into one of our most iconic classics,” said Marty Schwerter, Director of Operations at Toyota’s Motorsports Garage and lead builder of the project. “It’s a hot-rod approach with Toyota DNA—power, drivability and reliability in a package that still feels true to the original Land Cruiser.”
Other changes made by the team at Toyota Motorsports Garage include engineering new motor mounts and machining an adapter plate to mate the i-FORCE V6 to the bell housing of the FJ60’s factory 5-speed transmission. The engine oil pan was redesigned to fit the Land Cruiser's chassis layout, while a custom exhaust system produces a more aggressive sound.
Furthermore, a new heat exchanger was fitted to original mounting points to provide added cooling capacity for the turbocharged engine, while a custom wiring harness makes the connection to the engine management system.
Beyond the powertrain, the Turbo Trail Cruiser boasts a modest 1.5-inch lift, 35-inch tires and front shackle reversal. Period-correct colours and graphics finished in a PPG reproduction of Toyota’s original 1986 Silver 147 highlight the exterior. Inside, a modern JBL stereo enhances the vintage cabin experience.
If Toyota’s other SEMA Show builds are this cool, we’ll be sure to include them in our coverage of the event. Stay tuned.