TLC 4×4 Gives the Classic Land Cruiser Loads More Reliability

The Toyota Land Cruiser has long stood as a symbol of reliability, rugged capability, and timeless design. At TLC 4×4, that legacy is both maintained and reimagined through the atelier’s frame-off restorations that turn vintage Land Cruisers into customized restomods. Visiting its headquarters in Harrisburg, N.C., we’re given a side-by-side comparison of vehicles before and after TLC 4×4’s transformation process.  

Riding in an unrestored FJ62 variant of the Land Cruiser is like stepping back in time. The steering has play, requiring constant corrections, and the throttle response is slow and unrefined. The transmission works begrudgingly, and the body rattles over every bump. It highlights the challenges of driving a vintage vehicle that has seen better days. The ride is rough, and everything feels tired—yet it still carries that unmistakable Land Cruiser spirit.

Next, we slip behind the wheel of a TLC-reimagined Land Cruiser and the difference is immediately evident. This particular restoration takes the chassis of a Land Cruiser FZJ80 and dresses it in the body of an FJ62. The result is TLC 4×4’s FJ142 restomod. Such a project starts at $250,000, and our tester—priced at $330,000—features a 430 hp LS3 engine which fires up with effortless authority. Accelerating onto the road, we find the steering precise and responsive, the power delivery smooth and abundant, and the ride firm but comfortable.

The interior is meant to showcase the restoration house’s artisanal approach, presenting hand-stitched leather that still manages to maintain a rugged aesthetic. The dashboard retains much of its vintage appeal but brings in thoughtful upgrades. A JVC digital media receiver anchors the center stack, giving the vehicle Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and a backup camera. And TLC’s center console, produced in-house, is wider and more refined than the configuration found in the original FJ62, and cleverly integrates the e-brake handle into a more ergonomic, visually cohesive unit. As for ingress and egress, a touch of theatricality is provided thanks to AMP Research’s automatic steps that gracefully deploy. Once the doors close, the steps tuck neatly away, preserving the vehicle’s clean lines and original silhouette.

Unlike many restorations, this one has an electrical system that’s a standout feature—no minor detail when it comes to overall reliability. “We install brand-new wiring harnesses for each build. We’re not repurposing the old ones,” says Daniel Valjevac, TLC 4×4’s general manager. “This ensures that everything works like it should — including things like windows that roll up and down at a reasonable rate.”

Driving the FJ142 restomod through North Carolina’s winding backroads is an experience in contrasts. While the vehicle still maintains the upright, commanding driving position of an original Land Cruiser, it now handles with enhanced agility due to the upgraded suspension featuring Fox 2.0 shocks. All the while, the LS3 engine—mated to GM’s 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission—pulls with quiet confidence, and every shift in the gears feels purposeful and precise.

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TLC 4×4 serves a variety of clients—each with different goals for their Land Cruiser. “Some want a true OEM restoration,” explains Valjevac. “Others prefer modern V-8 crate engines. The direction we take depends on the client’s goals. While we haven’t done an EV conversion yet, it’s something we’re open to.” And why not? Electrification would just be another chapter in TLC’s continuing adaptation of the Toyota Land Cruiser’s enduring story.

Click here for more photos of this 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser restomod from TLC 4×4.