The larger and higher-tech Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series might be the more popular choice for Aussie tough-truck converters, but Toyota has chosen the earlier 60 Series (FJ60) of the 1980s as the basis for this eye-catching official resto-mod to be revealed at the upcoming SEMA Show.
But the Japanese giant’s cool new Turbo Trail Cruiser – one of no fewer than two dozen Toyota concepts set to appear at the world’s biggest automotive aftermarket exhibition in Las Vegas over November 4-7 – is probably more appropriately called a hot-rod.
That’s because it’s been blessed with a modern engine transplant that nearly doubles the original model’s power output, in the form of a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre ‘i-Force’ petrol V6 from the full-size Tundra pickup.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
The result is 290kW of power and 650Nm of torque – almost double the outputs of the car’s original inline-six – and what Toyota says is quieter operation, improved refinement, reduced emissions, and better fuel-efficiency, making this classic LandCruiser “feel more modern, streetable and capable than ever”.
With a goal of retaining a factory-original appearance, Toyota says every component was developed to fit without cutting into the firewall or altering the 1985 FJ60’s structural integrity.
New engine mounts and a machined adapter plate were required to mate the i-Force V6 to the bell housing of the FJ60’s factory five-speed transmission, while the oil pan was redesigned around the chassis, and a bespoke exhaust system is said to provide an aggressive note,
A new heat exchanger was fitted to original mounting points to provide added cooling capacity for the turbocharged engine, and a custom wiring harness connects to the engine management system to ensure “factory-quality drivability”.
Apart from a modest 1.5-inch suspension lift, including a front shackle reversal for better articulation, and chunky 35-inch tyres on polished beadlock wheels, the Turbo Trail Cruiser remains surprisingly original.
The ladder-frame chassis itself is untouched and within the unmolested sheetmetal (apart from period-correct paint and graphics finished in a PPG reproduction of Toyota’s original 1986 Silver 147) is a standard looking interior.
Indeed, the only cabin upgrades are a tablet-style multimedia touchscreen mounted on the retro dashboard, and a modern JBL sound system; even the original halogen headlights remain intact to preserve the vehicle’s old-school charm.
“For Toyota fans, the Turbo Trail Cruiser is about more than just horsepower,” said Toyota USA Marketing group vice president, Mike Tripp.
“It’s about preserving the character of a vehicle enthusiasts love while showing how seamlessly Toyota technology can elevate the driving experience. It’s a concept build, but it demonstrates the passion we share with our customers for keeping these classics alive in new and exciting ways.”
Operations director at Toyota’s Motorsports Garage and lead builder of the project, Marty Schwerter, said: “The Turbo Trail Cruiser is about showing what happens when Toyota’s modern performance technology is integrated into one of our most iconic classics.
“It’s a hot-rod approach with Toyota DNA – power, drivability, and reliability in a package that still feels true to the original LandCruiser.”
