At SEMA, Toyota put one of its most popular engines into one of its most popular trucks from the 1980s and it’s pretty great. Here’s what we found.
Vintage 4x4s being upgraded with modern running gear has been a steadily popular trend in recent years, and the first model that comes to mind is likely an early generation of Ford’s iconic Bronco. Not to be outdone, though, when it comes to restomod popularity, is the beloved Toyota Land Cruiser. Though it’s traditionally been the earlier FJ40 models that have been the most popular base for high-end, restomod builds (often with GM V8 swaps) Toyota recently brought a 1985 60-series Land Cruiser to the SEMA Show, outfitted with the twin-turbocharged engine from the current Tundra.
Known as the Turbo Trail Cruiser, Toyota built this project to demonstrate the possibility of combining one of its most popular heritage models with the latest in turbocharged engine technology. More than just stuffing a modern engine into an old SUV, this modernized FJ60 has been thoroughly, yet tastefully, upgraded to balance the modern horsepower with the character and ambiance of a restored FJ60. More broadly, for diehard vintage Toyota fans, it also hints at the possibility of Toyota someday jumping into the factory-backed crate engine market.An old 4×4 with a brand-new heart
It’s not hard to see why Toyota embarked on this project SEMA.
