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Square Design Inspired by Bandeirante, Suicide Door, V6 4.0 with 240 hp, 2” Lift and 35-inch Tires Transform the Rare Toyota FJ Cruiser into a Desire for Few.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is one of those cars that seem to have been born classics. Toyota brought only 99 units to Brazil around 2007 and 2008, and today each example is treated almost like a collector’s item. With a retro look that directly references our Bandeirante, a gasoline V6 4.0 engine, and a perfect setup for off-road preparation, it is the typical car that ages like wine and that many dream of transforming into an extreme project.
In this article, we will delve into the details of one of those 99 Toyota FJ Cruisers, prepared by DS Track in Passo Fundo, in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul. With a 2-inch lift, 35” tires, an interior full of features typical of a hardcore SUV, and a V6 with 240 horsepower already well-known to Brazilians, this FJ shows why the model is so beloved and why so many people look at it and think: “this would make a respectable project.”
Toyota FJ Cruiser: The “Modern Bandeirante” with Only 99 Units in the Country
In Brazil, the Toyota FJ Cruiser is almost an urban legend. Many people know it from videos, the internet, or seeing it abroad, but rarely encounter one on the streets.
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It is not an exaggeration: only 99 units were officially brought by Toyota during that batch of 2007–2008, making the model one of the rarest 4×4 vehicles operating here.
Visually, it was designed as a kind of “Modern Bandeirante.” The front with circular headlights and flat grille clearly recalls the older generations of our Bandeirante from the 70s and 80s, but reinterpreted in a wider and more muscular style.
It’s the kind of car that seems both old and futuristic, which explains why, almost 20 years later, the design still appears contemporary.
Those passionate about 4×4 often say that the Toyota FJ Cruiser looks like a concept that escaped from the auto show and ended up on the streets. Square, tall, with presence and full of personality, it attracts attention even when standing still.
V6 4.0 with 240 hp: The Heart Known Among Toyoteiros
Under the hood, the Toyota FJ Cruiser comes with a familiar face for Brazilian fans of the brand: the 4.0 V6 gasoline engine, also used in SW4 versions and in a special Hilux before the arrival of the GR diesel.
In this FJ shown in the video, the V6 delivers about 240 horsepower and 38.5 kgfm of torque, numbers more than sufficient to push the SUV with ease both on pavement and off-road.
The automatic transmission works in conjunction with this engine, and those who have driven this setup in an SW4 or Tacoma know that it handles abuse, accepts modifications, and is renowned for its durability.
At the wheel, the feedback is that it is surprisingly smooth, even when driving on cobblestone streets and with large tires.
The steering is light, making the Toyota FJ Cruiser easy to maneuver, and the overall weight of the vehicle gives more of a “robust SUV” feel rather than a truck.
It’s that V6 that excites when you press the accelerator and, when well-tuned, can even challenge V8s on the track, according to those who have seen this setup modified in other projects.
2” Lift, 35-inch Tires and a Project-Ready Look
The showcased example is in the hands of DS Track, a specialized workshop, and has already received basic modifications that transform the Toyota FJ Cruiser into an even more imposing 4×4.
The vehicle features a 2-inch lift in the suspension and is fitted with 35×12.5 tires on 17-inch wheels, a combination that nicely fills the wheel arches and delivers the stance that the body deserves.
This setup isn’t just aesthetic. The lift improves approach and departure angles, and the 35-inch tires significantly increase contact area and capability on rough trails.
Nonetheless, the vehicle maintains its original essence, without excessive cuts or modifications that would violate the project’s concept.
An interesting detail is that this specific Toyota FJ Cruiser is 4×2, something relatively common because many customers in the U.S. bought the model for urban and road use.
Even so, it features a 100% locking rear differential, which already provides a significant advantage on low-traction surfaces. For this reason alone, it’s a great candidate for those considering a future 4×4 conversion.
Suicide Door, Retro Interior, and a Hardcore SUV Feel
While the Toyota FJ Cruiser grabs attention with its retro exterior, it gains points for originality inside.
The cherry on top, even before sitting down, is the suicide rear door, which can only be opened after the front one and ensures ample access to the second row.
It’s a feature that virtually no longer exists in modern SUVs and reinforces the unique character of the model.
The interior mixes familiar controls from other Toyotas with exclusive elements of the FJ. The steering wheel and some buttons resemble models such as the RAV4 and Hilux of the time, but the cabin features a dashboard with a compass and inclinometer up high, typical of a vehicle designed for off-road use.
The windshield is small and nearly vertical, which emphasizes the square design and recalls military SUVs and even Hummers on a smaller scale.
In the back, the trunk surprises with good space, with folding seats and protected areas for cargo. Even back then, the Toyota FJ Cruiser came with ISOFIX for child seats and a wall-type outlet in the trunk, showing that the proposal was always for a vehicle meant for heavy use, but also for travel, camping, and real life.
Tacoma Platform, American DNA, and Absolute Rarity
An interesting point revealed by the owner is the mechanical and structural base of the model. The Toyota FJ Cruiser was born as a Japanese project but designed for the American market, sharing solutions with pickups like the Tacoma. This explains much of the robustness of the assembly, the wide stance, and the total focus on off-road.
In Brazil, this combination of pickup chassis, well-known V6 engine, and unique appearance finds a specific audience: 4×4 enthusiasts, collectors, and those who appreciate unique projects.
It’s not a volume car, it’s not a car to fade into the crowd. With only 99 registered units, each FJ that appears becomes a topic of conversation, generating photos, videos, and discussions about projects.
Anyone who sees the Toyota FJ Cruiser rolling today, especially prepared with lift and 35-inch tires, understands why the model has aged so well. It doesn’t look like a car that’s almost two decades old, and this timelessness is one of the project’s greatest strengths.
4×4 Project in Focus: Suspension, Axles, and the Dream of Heavy Trails
Although this example is 4×2, the conversation in the video makes it clear that nobody wants to stop there. Talks are already underway about converting to 4×4, using specially developed axles, and even more daring combinations, such as solid axle in the front or independent off-road suspension with high travel, aiming for more severe use.
Abroad, the Toyota FJ Cruiser is a common base for extreme projects: “mini pickup” versions built on the chassis, campers fitted in the back, preparations aimed at expeditions in Australia and the U.S., always exploring the robust chassis and the reliable V6.
This inspires anyone in Brazil looking at one of the 99 FJs available and seeing much more than a rare SUV: they see a platform for a serious trail toy.
Even in its current configuration, with just the lift and larger tires, the vehicle already provides comfort on cobblestones, surprising softness for an SUV, and that feeling that it was built to withstand rough treatment without complaint. It’s exactly the kind of base that anyone involved with 4×4 wants to have in their garage.
Toyota FJ Cruiser: A Dream Realized and Guaranteed Exclusivity
For those who have always wanted to see a Toyota FJ Cruiser up close, drive one, or simply film it for the channel, finding one of these 99 cars in perfect condition is truly a “dream checklist” item.
And when this FJ also features a striking color combination, a well-executed lift, and 35-inch tires ready to tackle any dirt road, it’s easy to understand the excitement of the person behind the wheel.
Seeing a Toyota FJ Cruiser rolling today is seeing a piece of Toyota history that almost didn’t make it to Brazil.
It is a modern Bandeirante, a reinterpreted Land Cruiser, a SUV with a concept look and, at the same time, a real tool for off-road use.
A project that combines rarity, robustness, and personality in doses that few cars can deliver.
And you, if you had the chance to put one of the 99 Toyota FJ Cruisers in Brazil in your garage, would you create an extreme 4×4 project with a solid axle and even bigger tires or keep the car as original as possible to preserve its rarity?
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