Toyota TJ Cruiser Forum banner

Turning A Vintage FJ43 Into A $200K Custom

3157 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Pathmaker


The high-end restomod community seems to be gaining traction these days and companies like the FJ Company is riding the wave with their 1981 Toyota FJ43 offering. Of course the restoration process is an arduous one, and that’s why the finished FJ43 starts at a whopping $200,000 before any options are added.

First they have to find a base vehicle in good condition and it need to show minimal rust, have the original drivetrain and preferable be a single-owner vehicle. Once a vehicle has been located, the team completely guts the car and separates the body from its frame whilst photographing the process for the customer’s records.

After that is when the restoration process begins. First the steel ladder frame is refurbished before Old Man Emu leaf springs and Fox shocks are installed. Then they overhaul the braking system and install various new performance parts like custom solid axles, wheel bearings, and 17-inch steel wheels shod in BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires.

After that is the engine, where customers can choose to either stick with the FJ’s inline-six mills or go with a new Toyota 4.0-liter V-6 unit.

A lot of time and effort goes into building one of these unique Vintage FJ43. “For someone with the money, this would be a fun car to have in their personal fleet,” says AutoBlog. Perhaps years down the road, the recently discontinued FJ Cruiser will be considered a vintage vehicle, something the FJ Company will take in hand.
See less See more
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
If some company out there can figure out a way to bring over and legalize the FJ70's being sold right now I bet people would buy them over these older FJ's because I sure would.
That's a lot of money to drop on a vehicle from the 80's, but it looks like you get what you pay for. I know there are some pretty serious FJ enthusiasts, and its great that they'll have the opportunity to own these trucks as if they were bought brand new. Toyota should consider bringing some of the European Land Cruiser models to NA.
Customs aren't that appealing to me and definitely when they're in the six figure range. I'd rather go with an average FJ Cruiser than that, enjoy the new amenities cars produced in the 2010s has to offer. There's new interest in these modded cars because automakers aren't making fun cars like those anymore.
Customs aren't that appealing to me and definitely when they're in the six figure range. I'd rather go with an average FJ Cruiser than that, enjoy the new amenities cars produced in the 2010s has to offer. There's new interest in these modded cars because automakers aren't making fun cars like those anymore.
Tell me about it and if it wasn't for the fact that Toyota and Lexus are coming out with new SUVs then I would be interested in getting something custom.
How can you guys say that? Didn't you see the Sbarro 4X4+2 at Geneva? You cant tell me that's not a "fun" take on a Porsche Cayenne...LOL
See less See more
How can you guys say that? Didn't you see the Sbarro 4X4+2 at Geneva? You cant tell me that's not a "fun" take on a Porsche Cayenne...LOL
LOL....this is funny because I also considered posting it here. :)
That thing is an abomination, and it looks like Sbarro has become notorious for bringing completely absurd concepts to Geneva. You couldn't pay me to drive that thing around.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top