Toyota Uses SEMA to Unleash a Pair of Extreme Vintage Land Cruiser Concepts

 

The 2023 SEMA Show is happening in Las Vegas this week. And as usual, Toyota did not disappoint with its offerings. Toyota didn't bring another camper to rival Tacozilla, sadly — but the brand has revealed some very cool custom trucks based on the all-new 2024 Tacoma and vintage Land Cruiser models.

The FJ Bruiser Concept

The FJ Bruiser is a 1966 FJ45 Land Cruiser pickup converted into, as Toyota calls it, a "King of the Hammers-worthy rock crawler." What does that entail? Well, for starters, Toyota Motorsports garage fabricated a full-tube chassis and roll cage for the truck fitted to a custom frame. The powertrain is just a bit livelier than the original truck's: it's a modified version of the TRD NASCAR V8 pushing out 750 horsepower in this guise.

Off-road mods include a full trailing arm suspension, Fox shocks, Eibach springs, 42-inch BF Goodrich Krawler T/A KX tires and 20-inch Beadlock wheels. The truck also has a CAMSO track underbody with a "tank mode" to power itself off any obstacles.

We don't expect any stock Toyota trucks to offer 42-inch tires or suped-up NASCAR engines in the future. But Toyota likely will make a huge push to bring aftermarket Tacoma and Tundra modification in-house.

The FJ 45 Retro Cruiser Build

The FJ45 Retro Cruiser is, as the name suggests, a custom FJ45 Land Cruiser wagon. It's an original build from famed racing driver Rod Millen from 1999. Mods include Land Cruiser 100 series components, a 4.7-liter V8, a Borla exhaust and a lengthened frame with modified bodywork. It also has a 15-gallon water supply for heading off the grid.

The Tacoma X-Runner Concept

Toyota is not currently offering a V6 in the new 2024 Tacoma. But Toyota is showing off how doing so would be technically feasible with the Tacoma X-Runner concept. The Tacoma X-Runner packs a modified version of the Tundra's iForce turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 with a TRD performance package producing 421 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. It also has a lengthened and strengthened frame, a Tundra solid axle with a 4.30:1 final drive ratio, an electronic locking rear differential and the Tundra's air suspension set to the lowest possible ride height while still carrying a load.

We wouldn't bet on Toyota offering a V6 Tacoma at this stage. But interest in the new truck is expected to be immense. And if Toyota thinks it could sell enough of a special V6 trim profitably, we wouldn't rule it out.

via www.gearpatrol.com