Love the 1980s Toyota FJ60 Land Cruiser? Now You Can Buy Them New
If you loved the Toyota Land Cruiser from the 1980s, or just like the vibes from that era, you need one of these makeovers. You get that 1980s look with the more modern offerings of the FJ100 Land Cruisers from 1999. And besides using a real Toyota FJ60 grille, you get the option of either round or square headlights of the similar FJ62. And the grilles come in either black matte or chrome finishes. So at least some of the retro parts are authentic FJ60 components.
Who makes the FJ60 Land Cruiser conversions?
Renoca, which is an offshoot of the Japanese tuner Flex, is responsible for these fun FJ60 Land Cruisers. The original FJ60 Land Cruisers were introduced in 1981, with production ending in 1988. For the conversion, it makes a new steel hood to square up the front. It says that it reworks the front fenders. At the very least, they must be cutting the front section of the fenders off and welding on new sections to accept the upright grille. Unique bumpers are also part of the transformation.
Using the later FJs as donors mean you get more modern cabins that are also larger than the 1980s FJ. Then, there is better ride and handling. The FJ100 features an independent front suspension. Plus, Renoca adds aftermarket touchscreens and infotainment systems which really shoves it into the 2020s. Interior fabrics include both interesting cloth and leather trim. Renoca also adds a wood-rimmed steering wheel for the FJ80 models.
How much are these FJ60 Land Cruiser transformations?
Depending on the options you pick, these cost around three or four million yen. That’s a bit under $29,000, as of today’s exchange rate. It is unknown how it chooses donor vehicles and what mileage or potential rust issues might factor into the final price.
If you’ve looked at FJ60 prices, you know they have crept up more and more over the years. Today, the average price is somewhere around $30,000. But prices can rocket way past that depending on the condition. Overall, FJs have kept their values and are especially collectible.
Can they be imported into the U.S.?
With the 25-year import rule in place for most states, next year a 1999 Toyota FJ will be legal to import into the U.S. But check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to get the complete rules. We know that in California, any 25-year import must still pass the smog requirements for that model year. Even if it has been brought in from another state.
To get it certified, it needs certain smog equipment. The expensive process might not work for everyone’s budget. That may preclude you from considering one of these Renoco-converted FJs. So do your homework first.
Update: 6/14/2023