This restored 1988 Toyota FJ62 Land Cruiser was a full frame-up restomod commissioned by its owner and built start to finish at our shop in Belle Plaine, Kansas. The build pairs the classic 60 Series body with a modern 6.2L LS3 V8, a 6L80E automatic, and a long list of off-road, towing, and overland upgrades. The before and after transformation on this FJ62 Land Cruiser is dramatic, a rust-treated, fully reworked truck built to be driven anywhere with modern power and reliability.

Video Walkaround

Watch the full before and after transformation of this restored 1988 FJ62 Land Cruiser LS3 restomod, including the engine swap, interior, and finished build.

Performance and Drivetrain

The heart of this FJ62 Land Cruiser is a new 6.2L LS3 V8 paired with a new 6L80E automatic transmission, installed with a new engine and transmission wiring harness and a dedicated fuse box added inside the engine bay. A separate transmission cooling system was mounted in front of the radiator, and the conversion was completed with a new A/C compressor, new alternator, new red top battery, and all new fuses and relays. A new Advance Adapters transfer case adapter mates the LS3 to the retained factory transfer case, which was inspected internally with parts replaced as needed. Both driveshafts were custom cut and balanced, the front Birfield knuckles were rebuilt, and all new exhaust and a muffler round out the drivetrain.

Suspension was fully upgraded with a complete Old Man Emu system, heavy springs front and rear, shocks, a steering stabilizer, and greaseable shackles. This setup is required for the engine conversion and raises the Cruiser roughly two inches from factory height while keeping it level. The front axle housing, rear differential, torsion bar bushings, steering box, and tie rod ends were all inspected and serviced or replaced as needed.

Brakes and Undercarriage

The brake system on this FJ62 Land Cruiser was gone through completely with new inner and outer brake lines, new rotors, calipers, and pads, new rear brakes, and a new brake boost and master cylinder as needed. The full undercarriage was power washed, treated with Rust Bullet, and finished with a rubberized topcoat for long-term corrosion protection. A Long Range fuel cell was installed for extended range between fill-ups.

Exterior and Off-Road Build

The body and paint were done in a two-stage base coat and clear coat. The exterior features our custom triple bar front bumper with an 8,000 lb Warn winch, our custom rear bumper with a tire carrier and jerry can holder, our custom rock sliders, and a Front Runner roof rack. A new front grille, headlight bezels, and four new LED headlights freshen the front end, and body chrome emblems and lenses were replaced as needed. New rims and tires, a new windshield with rubber seal, reconditioned windows, and replaced seals complete the exterior, with all door jamb and drop gate hardware zinc plated.

1988 FJ62 Land Cruiser Interior

The interior of this FJ62 Land Cruiser was fully redone. All seats were reupholstered in automotive grade vinyl, with new custom door panels, new custom cargo panels, and a rewrapped steering wheel. Our custom center console was painted black with an armrest reupholstered to match the seats. New carpet and padding were installed throughout with matching floor mats, along with new seatbelts, a new headliner, and new sun visors.

A new custom SpeedHut instrument cluster modernizes the gauges, and a Pioneer or Kenwood head unit brings Bluetooth and navigation capability, paired with a new backup camera and all new speakers throughout. The wheel wells, firewall, and shifter tunnel were soundproofed for a quieter ride, and a 110V inverter and compressor were installed in the rear cargo area for overland convenience.

Complete Build Sheet

• New 6.2L LS3 V8 engine
• New 6L80E automatic transmission
• New engine and transmission wiring harness
• Fuse box added inside engine bay
• New A/C compressor and new alternator
• Separate transmission cooling system mounted in front of radiator
• New fuel pump, fuel tank inspected and prepped
• New Advance Adapters transfer case adapter, factory transfer case retained and inspected
• New red top battery, new fuses and relays
• All new exhaust and muffler
• Wheel wells, firewall, and shifter tunnel soundproofed
• Complete Old Man Emu suspension, heavy springs front and rear, shocks, steering stabilizer, greaseable shackles
• Roughly 2 inch lift from factory height, level stance
• Front axle, rear differential, torsion bar bushings, steering box, and tie rod ends inspected and serviced as needed
• New inner and outer brake lines
• New rotors, calipers, and pads
• New rear brakes
• New brake boost and master cylinder as needed
• Front Birfield knuckle rebuild
• Both driveshafts custom cut and balanced
• Full undercarriage power washed, Rust Bullet and topcoat
• Long Range fuel cell
• Two-stage base coat and clear coat paint
• Our custom triple bar front bumper, winch accommodating
• 8,000 lb Warn winch
• Our custom rear bumper with tire carrier and jerry can holder
• Our custom rock sliders
• Front Runner roof rack
• New front grille and headlight bezels
• Four new LED headlights
• Body chrome emblems and lenses replaced as needed
• New rims and tires chosen by Client
• New windshield and rubber seal, windows reconditioned, seals replaced
• All door jamb and drop gate hardware zinc plated
• All seats reupholstered in automotive grade vinyl
• New custom door panels and cargo panels
• Rewrapped steering wheel
• Our custom center console painted black with matching armrest
• New carpet, padding, and matching floor mats throughout
• New seatbelts throughout
• New headliner and sun visors
• New custom SpeedHut instrument cluster
• Double din head unit with Bluetooth, navigation and back up camera
• All new speakers throughout
• 110V inverter and compressor in rear cargo

This FJ62 Land Cruiser was a custom frame-up build for its owner. If you’re interested in an LS3 conversion or full restoration on your own Land Cruiser, browse our currently available Land Cruisers, explore our FJ62 restoration services, or contact us to discuss your build.