Current:Home > MarketsThis is the FJ Cruiser pickup truck that Toyota should have built-LoTradeCoin
This is the FJ Cruiser pickup truck that Toyota should have built
View Date:2024-12-23 18:24:00
The history of the Land Cruiser FJ45 — from which the ever-popular FJ Cruiser took its namesake — included a pickup truck version from 1963 to 1986. And despite being sold in the land of the Ute, Toyota never saw fit to sell a truck-ified version of the FJ Cruiser in Australia. That’s why those who desire a pickup bed will go to some great lengths to have their own FJ Cruiser ute, just as Les Camilleri has done to his own daily driver.
Camilleri is owner of Tinman Fabrications, a custom fabrication shop in Melton, Victoria, Australia, and isn’t afraid of such conversions. He’s done many, and the work done at the end of the conversion is very close to factory. You can already see just how far he takes the process in this iteration of his two-year conversion process of his own FJ Cruiser.
It’s more than just finding a ute bed, which is made for a Nissan Patrol GU for this conversion. First, the body was chopped about a foot behind the doors and a factory-looking cab wall was welded into place. It even has provisions to reduce the internal pressure of the cab when closing the doors along with the bead rolled strengthening ribs. That’s on purpose, as those walls were cut from old trucks to allow Camilleri to do ute conversions for those who want that factory look.
2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Dispatcher:Check out this retro-inspired, off-road hybrid concept
Even then, there was more needed to convert this FJ Cruiser into the perfect ute. As the wheelbase of a standard FJ Cruiser is rather short, it needed to gain some wheelbase length. Thus, the frame was cut just behind the new cab wall and a nearly 12-inch section was added to the frame. It really adds to the look as the bed and the rear wheel are better-proportioned to the rest of the FJ Cruiser. Oh, if you’re wondering, the original cargo door of the FJ Cruiser has been repurposed as a clever way to hide his tools in the shop.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor:The latest model flexes its off-road muscles in our first-drive review
With as good as a job as Camilleri has done, it’s a wonder why Toyota didn’t offer this to their Australian customers. It also makes us wonder just how a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser would look as a pickup truck, even if Toyota won’t do it because of the Tacoma.
veryGood! (7529)
Related
- PSA: Coach Outlet Has Stocking Stuffers, Gifts Under $100 & More for the Holidays RN (up to 60% Off)
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 'Amazing to see you!'
- The key players to know in the Trump hush money trial, set to begin today
- 1 dead, several injured in Honolulu after shuttle bus crashes outside cruise terminal
- Melissa Gilbert recalls 'painful' final moment with 'Little House' co-star Michael Landon
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, April 14, 2024
- Banks, Target, schools, what's open and closed on Patriots' Day?
- 'The Sympathizer' review: Even Robert Downey Jr. can't make the HBO show make sense
- Sydney Sweeney Slams Women Empowerment in the Industry as Being Fake
- Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner Expecting First Baby Together
Ranking
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- 2 officers, suspect killed in shootout in Syracuse, New York, suburb, authorities say
- Look up (with a telescope): 2,000-foot long asteroid to pass by earth Monday
- Victor Manuel Rocha, ex-U.S. ambassador who spied for Cuba for decades, sentenced to 15 years
- Father, 5 children hurt in propane tank explosion while getting toys: 'Devastating accident'
- 'Civil War': Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny break down 'heartbreaking' yet disturbing ending
- Horoscopes Today, April 13, 2024
- Surprise! Gwen Stefani, No Doubt team up with Olivia Rodrigo at Coachella on 'Bathwater'
Recommendation
-
Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
-
'The Sympathizer' review: Even Robert Downey Jr. can't make the HBO show make sense
-
World’s oldest conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, die at age 62 in Pennsylvania
-
Fashion isn’t just for the eyes: Upcoming Met Gala exhibit aims to be a multi-sensory experience
-
Martin Scorsese on the saints, faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might be
-
Supreme Court rejects appeal from Black Lives Matter activist over Louisiana protest lawsuit
-
Will Smith dusts off rapping vocals for surprise cameo during J Balvin's Coachella set
-
Stock market today: Asian stocks track Wall Street’s decline as Middle East tensions escalate