The 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser restomod by FJ Company is one of the most thoughtful upgrades ever applied to an FJ-series icon. Starting from a factory G43-S shell, FJ Company kept the boxy, utilitarian silhouette completely intact while overhauling every mechanical and interior system to modern standards. The result is a collector-grade off-road machine that looks like it just rolled out of 1984 and drives like something built today.
A Classic Shell, a Modern Heart
Under the hood sits a Toyota-sourced 1GR-FE 4.0-litre V6 upgraded with a Magnuson supercharger, pushing output to 318 hp. Sound exits through a custom steel exhaust system tipped with a BORLA ProXS muffler that gives the old FJ a satisfying modern growl without compromising the period-correct exterior. The drivetrain retains the character of the original while delivering the reliability and power that modern drivers expect from a daily-driven or trail-ready 4x4.
Interior: Purpose-Built Comfort
Open the door and the upgrade story continues. Four Recaro Specialist seats provide lateral support on trails, while a new Alpine infotainment system connects to a premium audio system. Every lamp in the cabin and on the exterior has been swapped for LED units, subtly modernising the experience without disturbing the original aesthetic. The changes are deliberately invisible from the outside: the Land Cruiser still reads as pure, uncompromised FJ from every angle.
Why the FJ Land Cruiser Endures
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ series earned its reputation on the hardest terrain on every continent. The G43-S variant in particular is a rare base for a restomod: narrow enough to thread tight trails, tall enough to carry a serious payload, and structurally over-engineered in the way that only Japanese trucks of the era were. FJ Company's approach respects that legacy by targeting only the systems that benefited from modernisation: power, safety, comfort and infotainment. The bodywork, proportions and identity remain entirely factory.
How It Compares to Other Off-Road Restomods
The restomod market for heritage 4x4s has grown significantly, with builds like the Rezvani Retro RR1 750 and the MEV Hummer HX-T pushing the boundaries of what a capable, refined off-roader can be. FJ Company's 1984 Land Cruiser stands apart by retaining near-complete exterior originality, which is increasingly rare in the era of widebody kits and aggressive aero. For buyers looking for the ultimate restomod SUV experience, browsing TheArsenale's curated car collection reveals just how far the category has evolved.
For more information on FJ Company's restoration work, visit fj.co. For a deeper look at the specific G43-S build, Carscoops covered the build in detail.
