Toyota's Dirt Cheap Truck Transformed Into A Retro Land Cruiser
Talk about a glow up
The Toyota Hilux Champ, marketed as the Hilux Rangga in Indonesia, is a budget-friendly workhorse designed for emerging markets. Its bare-bones character and rugged styling make it ideal for all kinds of conversions, but an Indonesian company took a step further, transforming it into a full-blown retro Land Cruiser replica.
The unique creation is called "Rang Gruiser" and was created by local shop Delima Body Repair. The modified truck is owned by Pak Wawan, and was unveiled at the Indonesia Modification Expo. The project started with a factory-fresh Hilux Rangga donor vehicle. The white truck came in short-wheelbase form with a chassis-cab configuration, serving as a blank canvas for the build. If you're wondering why they didn't use the new Toyota FJ Cruiser, they probably wanted a cheaper vehicle with a smaller footprint and a two-door body style.
Rather than adding a fancy bodykit, the team removed every single panel from the truck and separated the ladder-frame chassis from the cabin. Then, they extended the front section, improving the proportions and bringing them closer to a modernized FJ40.
A stretched nose and a canvas top
The highlight of the conversion is the redesigned face, taking inspiration from the Land Cruiser FJ40. It features round headlights, separate indicators, a boxy grille, and a front bumper sourced from the Jeep Wrangler. The profile gains wide fender extensions and custom Toyota Rang Gruiser badges with a vintage font.
Another cool touch is the canvas cover for the rear bed, which extends on the roof. This is joined by bespoke rear fenders and quarter panels, and a full-size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. All those changes effectively turn the pickup into a rugged off-roader. As for the spec, the tan canvas pairs tastefully with the teal blue bodywork, unpainted plastic cladding, and white trim around the grille.
The Rang Gruiser rides on black steelies wrapped in grippy tires. It also appears to sit higher than stock, hinting at an upgraded suspension setup.
The company didn't mention any changes under the hood, but the most potent variant of the Hilux Rangga comes fitted with a turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. The only problem is that the donor vehicle doesn't have a 4WD system, so the owner has to settle for an RWD setup.
More builds planned for the future
The interior features brown and black leather upholstery on the seats, while retaining the optional infotainment display on the minimalist dashboard. The rear section is most likely a cargo area, although it could always be repurposed with bench seats.
According to the company, the transformation was completed in just 35 days in order to be ready for the 2026 Indonesia Modification Expo. Due to the tight five-week window, they acknowledged that the build is not perfect. Still, they promised to address minor flaws in the next build, set to be unveiled at a future event.
Delima Body Repair has not disclosed the cost for the custom conversion. As for the donor Toyota Hilux Rangga, it starts at Rp 194,300,000 IDR ($10,800) and tops out at 309,600,000 IDR ($17,200) in Indonesia. At this price point, the model is positioned below the regular Hilux, serving as an alternative to used midsize pickups.