Toyota FJ Bruiser Concept Is A Rock Crawling Retro Beast With A 725 HP NASCAR V8

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Toyota is celebrating the return of the Land Cruiser nameplate to the US with a crazy concept at the SEMA Show, based on a 1966 Toyota FJ45 Pickup Truck. The FJ Bruiser as they call it, is an unstoppable rock-crawling off-roader that combines modern technology with the retro design of the original.

The polished body of the ’60s truck appears dwarfed between the massive 42-inch BF Goodrich Krawler T/A KX tires, which are mounted on 20-inch Method beadlock wheels. These new components significantly enhance ground clearance, complemented by a redesigned full trailing arm suspension equipped with Fox shocks and Eibach springs. In addition, the original underpinnings have been substituted with a sturdier frame, a tube chassis, and a roll cage.

More: Toyota’s Tacoma X-Runner SEMA Concept Is Putting Sports Trucks Back On The Agenda

A look at the underbody reveals that the belly features a Camso track that can be operated from the cockpit. This feature will get you unstuck even in the wildest rock-crawling scenarios without the need for a winch.

The two-seater cabin has been reworked by Complete Customs, with a heavy dose of plaid-themed upholstery paying respects to the original. The Momo Daytona Evo seats are combined with a 1968 Jackie Stewart championship steering wheel, a few vintage toggle switches, and a large display in the middle. Still, the door cards, dashboard, and center console remain uncovered, featuring the same paint as the exterior.

NASCAR-sourced V8

The off-roader is powered by a tuned version of the 358 cubic-inch V8 engine found in TRD’s current NASCAR Cup Car. A number of modifications allow the V8 to produce as much as 725 hp (533 kW / 735 PS), with a MagnaFlow exhaust making sure it will be heard by everyone and everywhere.

Power is transmitted to the wheels via a 3-speed automatic by Rancho Drivetrain Engineering with the help of front and rear Currie differentials and an Advanced Adapter Atlas transfer case featuring four 2WD and four 4WD speeds. Toyota says that the FJ Bruiser can crawl at 12 mph (19 km/h) in the lowest gear or cruise at 165 mph (266 km/h) in the highest gear with the same 7,000 rpm revs.

The FJ Bruiser will admittedly be one of the highlights of the Toyota booth at SEMA, which will include “more than 19 accessorized vehicles, builds, and concepts” this year. Another interesting retro-themed concept is the FJ Retro Cruiser which is based on a 1967 FJ45 Land Cruiser Wagon. Below, you can find a series of videos highlighting the development of both FJ-branded SEMA builds.