Photo: Barrett-Jackson
When in the market for customized SUVs with off-road capabilities based on older vehicles, people more often than not stumble upon Jeeps and Broncos. From time to time though, something truly special surfaces, and it immediately catches everybody's attention.
Just look at this heavily customized Toyota Land Cruiser, a 1978 FJ45 that seems to have all it needs to give even modern-day Wranglers a run for their money, both off the beaten path and on the auction block.
The build is the work of a Tennessee-based garage called Hot Rods and Restorations, and for all intents and purposes it was not made just for show or to turn heads, but also for real outdoor thrills.
We'll start with the things that are not visible to the naked eye. The wheelbase, which in this case comes in at 120 inches (3,048 mm), features mandrel-bent frame rails and Grade 8 chassis fasteners.
The thing rests on Fox off-road shocks and coilover springs. Thanks to a hydraulic ram cantilever system, the entire suspension of the custom SUV is raised by four inches (10 cm) to allow for better handling of off-road terrain.
On top of that, Dynatrac front and rear axles are there to make sure everything works as it should, while power disc brakes taken from a Ford F-250 pickup truck help with bringing the Japanese monster to a halt.
The thing needs that stopping power because under the original steel hood and behind the equally original front grille there is a GM crate engine. The thing is 350ci in displacement and works in conjunction with a built four-speed automatic transmission and a 2.5-inch exhaust system.
The exterior of the Toyota is as impressive as all the pieces of hardware listed above. Aside from the original steel bit mentioned above (the hood), the vehicle was put together using all-aluminum body panels.
At the front, the fender there has been fitted with a Warn winch to help the SUV get out of sticky situations. The sides come with aluminum running boards and steps with 2.5 inches more height "for a better appearance." On top of it all, the windshield and frame have been chopped by 1.5 inches to get a more balanced look.
Inside, the Land Cruiser was gifted with reworked seats, Classic Instrument gauges in the dashboard, and a sound system comprising six speakers and a subwoofer. Making sure the FJ is not mistaken for a road-going vehicle, a full roll cage has also been included in the build.
We found this Japanese beauty meant for the American wilderness sitting on the lot of cars going under the hammer at the end of January 2024 in Scottsdale. Barrett-Jackson will sell it with no reserve, so it's impossible to estimate how much it could go for.
The build is the work of a Tennessee-based garage called Hot Rods and Restorations, and for all intents and purposes it was not made just for show or to turn heads, but also for real outdoor thrills.
We'll start with the things that are not visible to the naked eye. The wheelbase, which in this case comes in at 120 inches (3,048 mm), features mandrel-bent frame rails and Grade 8 chassis fasteners.
The thing rests on Fox off-road shocks and coilover springs. Thanks to a hydraulic ram cantilever system, the entire suspension of the custom SUV is raised by four inches (10 cm) to allow for better handling of off-road terrain.
On top of that, Dynatrac front and rear axles are there to make sure everything works as it should, while power disc brakes taken from a Ford F-250 pickup truck help with bringing the Japanese monster to a halt.
The thing needs that stopping power because under the original steel hood and behind the equally original front grille there is a GM crate engine. The thing is 350ci in displacement and works in conjunction with a built four-speed automatic transmission and a 2.5-inch exhaust system.
The exterior of the Toyota is as impressive as all the pieces of hardware listed above. Aside from the original steel bit mentioned above (the hood), the vehicle was put together using all-aluminum body panels.
At the front, the fender there has been fitted with a Warn winch to help the SUV get out of sticky situations. The sides come with aluminum running boards and steps with 2.5 inches more height "for a better appearance." On top of it all, the windshield and frame have been chopped by 1.5 inches to get a more balanced look.
Inside, the Land Cruiser was gifted with reworked seats, Classic Instrument gauges in the dashboard, and a sound system comprising six speakers and a subwoofer. Making sure the FJ is not mistaken for a road-going vehicle, a full roll cage has also been included in the build.
We found this Japanese beauty meant for the American wilderness sitting on the lot of cars going under the hammer at the end of January 2024 in Scottsdale. Barrett-Jackson will sell it with no reserve, so it's impossible to estimate how much it could go for.
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