Toyota is kicking off SEMA season with a striking restomod — a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser reborn as the Turbo Trail Cruiser Concept. Unlike most builds that swap in a modern engine at the cost of extensive modification, this project keeps its bones pure. The original body and drivetrain stay intact, while a twin-turbo heartbeat now pulses beneath the hood — a perfect marriage of old-school grit and new-age muscle.
At the core of this revived legend lies a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 i-Force engine, crafted by the Toyota Motorsports Garage. Gone is the trusty 4.2-liter inline-six that once made 135 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. In its place, the new motor cranks out an impressive 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft — more than twice the original’s might. Yet the old-school H55F five-speed manual, the “split” transfer case, and the live front and rear axles all remain. Thanks to a Marks 4WD bell housing kit and a custom motor plate, the modern engine meshes seamlessly with vintage hardware, proving Toyota’s legendary overengineering from the ‘80s still stands tall today.
Only minimal fabrication was needed to make the Tundra-sourced engine fit. A redesigned oil pan cleared the way beneath the hood, paired with a custom exhaust that adds a deeper growl to the Land Cruiser’s classic spirit. The Motorsports Garage also fitted a high-capacity radiator using the original mounts, ensuring better cooling without disturbing the chassis’ authenticity. A new wiring harness and engine management system were the final touches, all while preserving that classic factory driving feel.
Externally, Toyota wanted the SUV to look untouched — as if time simply forgot it. The Motorsports Garage delivered, limiting upgrades to a 1.5-inch lift, a front-shackle reversal, and 35-inch Continental TerraContact A/T tires mounted on 17×9 Mickey Thompson Canyon Pro wheels. The original silhouette remains, beautifully restored in period-correct hues and decals. PPG helped reproduce the Silver 147 paint, leaving the Cruiser gleaming like it’s been cherished in a private garage for four decades.
Inside, nostalgia meets subtle modernization. The 1985 interior was meticulously restored, save for a fresh infotainment setup. The old AM/FM unit gave way to an Alpine Halo11 head unit with an 11-inch touchscreen, paired with premium JBL speakers for modern clarity. While the large screen looks a bit bold in the vintage dash, it offers wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and touchscreen navigation — conveniences worth the contrast. Thankfully, the single-DIN chassis installation meant no drastic dashboard surgery was needed.
The Turbo Trail Cruiser Concept is one of several Toyotas debuting at SEMA, underscoring the company’s “multi-pathway” approach — embracing everything from traditional combustion to hybrids, PHEVs, EVs, and hydrogen fuel cells. This Land Cruiser, with its old soul and new firepower, perfectly captures that philosophy: respect for heritage, powered by innovation.
