Old Toyota Land Cruisers, particularly the iconic FJ series built from 1955 to 1984, are super-cool throwbacks of 4x4 motoring—and they’re even cooler when carefully updated with modern technology. The full-service operation of the Miami, Florida–based FJ Company (www.fj.co) make it a standout among several firms that resurrect these rigs, and its restoration process is as methodical as you would expect for a new, old-school off-roader that will set you back at least $85,000. However, the company’s Signature-series model, only 24 of which will be built at $200K-plus each, is a special type of tribute for the most ardent, and affluent, FJ enthusiasts. We recently tested a 1981-vintage FJ43 Signature prototype, and here’s what it takes to spit-shine one of these 4x4 fossils to show-car quality.
Them Bones
The FJ Company’s donor vehicles generally come from the United States and Latin America, the latter fertile enough for the company to locate its 75,000-square-foot production facility in Bogotá, Colombia. That country also was the first home of our FJ43 test truck, a single-owner example that fit the requirements for rebirth: minimal rust and the original drivetrain. Most (if not all) of the following photographs depict our test vehicle during its restoration process.
The Breakdown
Founded in 2010, the FJ Company restores classic 20-, 40-, and 60-series Land Cruisers, with turn-key examples of the FJ43 and the even shorter-wheelbase FJ40 its bread and butter. Regardless of the final specification, all versions go through the same painstakingly detailed restoration process, which begins with completely gutting the truck and separating the body from the frame.
Where’d This Go?
To maintain organization, all of the Land Cruiser’s original parts are sorted and cataloged, with photographs taken of each step for the customer’s before-and-after records.
The Foundation
Once the donor FJ’s steel ladder frame completes a refurbishing and powder-coating treatment, upgraded Old Man Emu leaf springs and Fox shocks can be installed.
Plumbing the System
Having the body separated from the frame makes it simpler to install the custom solid axles and drivetrain; refurbish the body mounts, bushings, and wheel bearings; and install the refinished fuel tank, as well as new 17-inch steel wheels wrapped with knobby BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires. The entire braking system also is overhauled and, in the case of the Signature, receives upgraded components from a modern Toyota 4Runner.
Get Rollin’
The rolling chassis is completed with the installation of a five-speed manual transmission and a fully overhauled engine, be it one of the original FJ’s inline-six mills or the Signature’s newer Toyota 4.0-liter V-6 good for 231 horsepower. All wiring, fixtures, and accessories are similarly refurbished to OE quality or better.
Skin Deep
The FJ Company’s creations have steel bodies like the original FJ Land Cruisers. Gutted of its interior and stripped to bare metal, the body structure and panels can be repaired of any rust damage and primed for paint work.
Gettin’ Its Shine On
The painting process consists of an undercoating and multiple coats of paint, including an anticorrosive layer for rust protection. Paints can range from original FJ hues to custom colors. The final coat is wet sanded and buffed to a high-gloss shine; low-gloss finishes, such as our truck’s Matte Dune Beige, also are offered.
Always Wear Protection
Depending on the customer’s request, the FJ Company will cover the truck’s floors and underbody with either a urethane coating or a heavier-duty spray-in Rhino Lining for extra protection.
Shimmy Shimmy
A new windshield is fitted, and the body’s panel gaps are reset to factory tolerances. Door latches are adjusted to close with a satisfying thunk.
That’s More Like It
Reunited, the body and chassis begin to resemble a complete vehicle that is ready for an interior and a range of accessories.
Topping It Off
The Signature’s standard canvas soft top is assembled from four main pieces and includes two roll-up side panels and a front section that can be rolled back to serve as a sunroof. A more secure hard top is a $5000 option that surely would be quieter and less drafty than our test truck’s fabric roof, as we described in our review.
Hefty Hardware
Whereas more authentic restorations simply refinish the various latches, mirrors, and body accessories, the FJ Company crafts its own aluminum pieces, plus matching shift levers and pedals, for the Signature and covers them all in dark-gray paint.
Classy Touches
Also refurbished or replaced with new original pieces are the FJ’s emblems, including the wraparound TOYOTA badge on the right-rear corner of the body.
New Furnishings
Freshly painted, the Signature’s interior fixtures are installed, including the updated trim pieces, a new gauge cluster, a power meter in the glovebox for the dual 12-volt batteries, and a custom center console housing a Vintage Air HVAC system, a JL Audio stereo head unit, and an Apple iPad Mini.
Contemporary Thrones
While lesser models receive reupholstered period-correct seats, the Signature gets standard front Recaros with embroidered headrests. Fold-up rear bench seats are also fitted, and all positions are equipped with dual-stage heaters.
Making It Yours
For production efficiency, the FJ Company does not perform much custom fabrication work on its builds. However, each vehicle generally can be outfitted with extras per the customer’s request, such as our FJ43’s heavy-duty Warn winch, a Hi-Lift off-road jack, and an auxiliary jerry can.
Mike Sutton is an editor, writer, test driver, and general car nerd who has contributed to Car and Driver's reverent and irreverent passion for the automobile since 2008. A native Michigander from suburban Detroit, he enjoys the outdoors and complaining about the weather, has an affection for off-road vehicles, and believes in federal protection for naturally aspirated engines.
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