You’ll Hear This Classic Land Cruiser FJ60 Before You Ever See It Coming

It’s not every day you see a vintage 4×4 reborn with more power and purpose than when it first rolled off the assembly line, but this 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 has done exactly that.

When this 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 arrived at Legacy Overland’s shop in Greenwich, Connecticut, the exterior had seen better days, the interior was worn out, and rust covered many of its parts. Now, it’s been transformed and has even more grunt than a brand-new Land Cruiser.

Read: There’s Nothing Subtle About This V8-Powered Vintage Toyota

To bring this Land Cruiser FJ60 back from the brink and prepare it for the long haul, Legacy Overland began by renewing the chassis. The team fitted Old Man Emu springs and replaced the tired suspension bushings.

The steering system was also modernized, and the brakes were swapped for a brand-new setup, giving the classic SUV a solid mechanical foundation for its next few decades on the road.

Mechanical Reinvention

With the basics handled, they turned their attention to what’s under the hood. The restomodder ditched the original engine and replaced it with an LS3 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 from GM. This engine has been mated to a new five-speed manual transmission and includes a Toyota transfer case. A custom air intake, rebuilt cooling system, and stainless steel exhaust round out the powertrain upgrades.

Also: Someone Dropped A Monster V8 Into This Chevy Wagon And It’s Glorious

Elsewhere, there’s a new 43-gallon fuel tank, a new fuel pump and fuel lines, and an updated wiring harness. Perhaps most impressive of all is that all of these changes have been made without any over-the-top changes being made to the exterior. As such, this FJ60 could easily be mistaken for any other, until someone hears the thunderous V8 soundtrack, of course.

The exterior hasn’t been radically altered. Instead, it’s been repainted in its original Freeborn Red, refreshed with new weatherstripping and glass seals. Even the classic bull bar and front winch have been kept in place, reinforcing the FJ60’s utilitarian roots while keeping the upgraded power well disguised.

Inside, the cabin has been brought into the 21st century without losing its charm. A Pioneer head unit with Apple CarPlay leads the charge, backed by JBL speakers and a Rockford amplifier for better audio. Up front, the driver and passenger now sit in new Recaro seats, offering both comfort and support without looking too out of place.

Legacy Overland didn’t stop there. The interior now features two-tone leather and Alcantara upholstery, along with marine-grade carpets that offer durability with a clean finish. LED lighting updates the ambience, while the dashboard and other trim have been retrimmed in fresh leather, completing the transformation.