Rehabilitating one of the most iconic overland vehicles of all time is more than just a mechanical endeavor—it's an homage to the noble art of preserving history and reviving a legend.
After decades of tireless off-road adventures, this 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62 came to us for a complete engine and electrical overhaul. You can’t be too careful when the performance and durability of your classic off-roader is at stake.
Unleashing the full power of a 12HT gem
When handling a rare and powerful 12HT engine, you have to give it all the respect it deserves.
As a 4.0-liter, turbocharged diesel engine, the 12HT is known for its remarkable build quality and reliability. Unlike earlier non-turbocharged Land Cruiser engines, it featured a turbocharger, providing enhanced pulling power and torque, a must-have for those seeking to tackle steep or challenging terrains.
So that’s where the meticulous overhaul of this iconic truck started: the engine was thoroughly inspected and diagnosed, with a particular focus on the combustion internals and cooling systems. A full diagnostic check revealed a damaged piston which hindered the engine from running smoothly and free of knock. After all, a lifetime of overland excursions does take its toll and unfortunately the 12HT needed some new hardware to restore its full power. It was completely disassembled, allowing for precise rebuild work and ensuring every component was brought back to factory condition. Talk about a second life.
Engine machining services were carried out to perfectly bore and sleeve the engine block. And now the real challenge begins because while carefully disassembling the crankshaft, it turned out that the piston rod was also bent. Sourcing pistons and especially a new rod proved a herculean task, since none seemed to be found in the world.
This is when you’re faced with a choice: throwing in the towel or seizing the opportunity to elevate your game, and let your craftsmanship and expertise shine through. And so, fueled by our obsessive commitment to excellence, we managed to find a compatible piston rod way down under, in the Australian outback.
Due to the FJ62’s age and wear, we stumbled upon two other common issues: a weak injection pump and a cracked oil filter housing. Considering the scarcity of such parts, we opted for perseverance and skillfully welded the housing back on and the diesel injection pump was disassembled and carefully rebuilt for optimal performance.
To fortify more reliability, new OEM timing chain, guides, and tensioner were installed, along with new chain guide pins. The water pump was replaced, and both the front and rear main seals were renewed, ensuring no leaks. Additionally, a full set of new gaskets was installed across the engine. To complete the overhaul, a new radiator and all new coolant hoses were installed, and the engine was painted to restore its visual appeal. Who said you can’t turn back time?
Rewiring a beast
Before the untamable Land Cruiser FJ62 could be released into the wild again, an electrical overhaul was due. We rolled up our sleeves and carefully inspected the electrical system to ensure there were no hidden issues.
And because anything short of perfection just won’t do, the dashboard and steering column were disassembled to check all pinouts on dash switches, and all wiring to the interior and engine wire harness was thoroughly inspected and repaired. You can’t risk getting stranded on a Sunday outing.
And there you go: fresh and mighty, just like when it first rolled off the factory floor. With both the engine and electrical systems thoroughly overhauled, this legendary and sought-after 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62 is fully ready and equipped for a few more lifetimes of superior and enduring off-road capability.
Bring on the slopes!
