1988 Toyota FJ62 Land Cruiser

About This Car

“Toyota’s progressive move into building its station wagon went through three main models to arrive at the vehicle that set the standard, which was the Land Cruiser J60. This was a vehicle that was popular with families, people living and working on the land, and retirees who hitched it up to their caravan to travel around and across remote terrains multiple times living an itinerant and happy life. The Land Cruiser J60 was the turning point and all that has followed it has been inspired by it. Wherever in the world you lived, in a Land Cruiser J60 you could venture out on the road less traveled and do it in champagne and caviar comfort – no champers for the driver of course!”

The Toyota Land Cruiser (Japanese: トヨタ・ランドクルーザー, Hepburn: Toyota Rando-Kurūzā, also sometimes spelled as Land Cruiser) is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles and Toyota’s longest running series of models. As of 2019, the sales of the Land Cruiser totaled more than 10 million units worldwide.

Production of the first generation of the Land Cruiser began in 1951. The Land Cruiser has been produced in convertible, hardtop, station wagon and cab chassis body styles. The Land Cruiser’s reliability and longevity have led to huge popularity, especially in Australia, where it is the best-selling body-on-frame, four-wheel drive vehicle. Toyota also extensively tests the Land Cruiser in the Australian outback – considered to be one of the toughest operating environments in both temperature and terrain. In Japan, the Land Cruiser was once exclusive to Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Store.

The Land Cruiser 60 series was produced from 1980 through 1990, for most markets but the Cumana Plant in Venezuela continued production until 1992 for their local market. The last FJ62 powered by a 4.0 L 3F carbureted engine was built in Venezuela which was the only country manufacturing the vehicles after production ended in Japan in 1990.

the FJ60 was a lightly updated version of the fully boxed ladder frame used on the later FJ55s, with solid axles and leaf springs front and rear. Four-wheel drive was standard, with a high- and low-range transfer case and manually locking hubs: old-school heavy duty off-road hardware, in other words. Except that the Land Cruiser’s off-road prowess was hampered by a big rear overhang, which hurts departure angle, and the 7.5 inches of ground clearance was actually lower than the FJ55. That’s nothing that big tires and a lift kit can’t fix, but still more on the cruiser side of things.

There weren’t too many changes or updates until 1987, when the springs were softened up for a more cushy ride. Then, in 1988, came new front styling with square headlights and an engine update to a destroked 4-liter with new heads, electronic fuel injection, and 155 horsepower. Plus, you could get modern amenities like power windows and locks. The later, square-headlight Land Cruiser is known as the FJ62.

FJ60s were once cheap and under-the-radar. Today, they are red-hot in the collector market, with six digit prices for top-tier restored specimens now common.

Speedart Motorsports is delighted to offer for your consideration this masterfully refurbished FJ62, authentically restored to the highest standards and guaranteed to please any aficionado with a penchant for all-terrain vehicles or just nostalgic urban adventurers.

Highlights

• Long-Term Ownership Povenance prior to Refurbishment
• Full Documentation of Entire Restoration Process
• Original Color Livery and Interior
• Rebuilt Type 3F Carburated Engine No. 0158803
• Rare 5-speed H55F Manual Gearbox
• Dual-Range Transfer Case
• 33 inch BF Goodrich Tires
• 15 inch White Powder-Coated Wheels
• Old Man Emu Suspension
• Stainless Steel Borla Exhaust
• Upgraded Leather Interior with Original Headliner and Carpets

Autobiography

The last owner of this 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62, a good friend of Speedart Motorsports, is not your average car enthusiast. He is a passionate and seasoned car restoration expert who owns a well known shop in Venezuela, restoring Toyota Land Cruisers for almost a decade. In fact, he has restored more than 35 Land Cruisers in his career with some of his work featured in car enthusiast publications in the United States.

When he came across this 1988 FJ62, he knew immediately that he had found something special. The original owner was a Venezuelan civil engineer who had used the LC for family road trip vacations around the country, keeping the wagon in mint condition and only liked to drive while playing his Pink Floyd “The Wall” cassette, which interestingly enough was left with the car when it was purchased.

The new owner was determined to make this Land Cruiser one of the best in the world. He spared no expense, meticulously sourcing and selecting only the finest parts and materials. He was determined to preserve the car’s originality, while ensuring that every aspect of the restoration was up to the highest standards.

The restoration project took about eight months, during which time the Land Cruiser was completely taken apart, catalogued, and organized. Every original screw, nut, and bolt was placed exactly where it had been before. The original 3F engine was completely rebuilt, along with the five-speed transmission, transfer box, axle, and differentials. Seals, bearings, oil and water pumps, piston rings – everything was brand new OEM. Photograph evidence is available of every part of the process, and all fluids are new, from the motor oil, axles to the brake fluid.

The Land Cruiser was then upgraded with a 33” BF Goodrich on 15” white powder-coated wheels, with Light Duty Old Man Emu suspension, making the ride more comfortable than ever. The interior was upgraded to leather, and the roof and carpets are original and in beautiful condition. Original Toyota tools and jack are included, along with the original stereo. The bonnet  liner was a rare find, bought brand new along with 17 plastic fasteners that were shipped from Saudi Arabia. The automobile is fitted with a brand new stainless steel exhaust with Borla silencer, giving it an aggressive yet subtle roar. The air conditioning underwent a complete overhaul, with new gas and new o-rings, and it works perfectly. All accessories, doors, rear trunk windows shocks, electric windows, electric door locks, electric radio antenna, 4×4 High and Low, lights – everything performed like you’d expect and more.

The builder was immensely proud of his work, and he knew that this Land Cruiser would be a testament to his skill and expertise for years to come. He loves nothing more than seeing the joy on the faces of his customers when they see newly restored vehicles, and he knew that this FJ62 would bring just as much joy to its new owner. In 2022, the Land Cruiser was nationalized in Miami, Florida, where it may continue to be cherished by its new owner for years to come.

The automobile has accumulated shy of 10 careful miles since its restoration, always kept in a climate control facility, offered for sale with a free and clear Florida title. A full set of branded rubber floor mats is supplied in order to preserve the original carpet during use along an owner’s manual and a period correct tool kit with canvas tote.  This is a turnkey classic Land Cruiser with a prohibitive cost and time to duplicate, as such we believe this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Speedart Motorsports would like to invite all serious inquiries and interested parties to witness up-close and personal this hipster wagon at our Design District motoring gallery.