The Land Cruiser FJ Goes Live in Japan
Months after it made its world premiere in Japan, the compact Toyota Land Cruiser FJ has reached showrooms in its home market. Carrying a base price under $30,000, it’s an affordable way to get into off-roading. As it’s based on the Hilux, it’s got rugged underpinnings from the get-go, and true capability off the beaten path. It’s just a shame that the U.S has little to no chance of ever getting it.
The Land Cruiser FJ has almost everything an old-school off-roader wants. The ladder-frame chassis will easily shrug off abuse, and its mechanicals are simple and straightforward by today’s standards. In many ways, it’s the antidote to the complexity of modern vehicles.
Toyota
Modellista Goodies for it are Now Available
For those familiar with Toyota‘s in-house aftermarket divisions, Modellista should ring a bell. Gazoo Racing focuses on performance, TRD is for off-roading, while Modellista is for the so-called ‘street look.’ It’s interesting then that this 4×4 is available with the Modellista treatment. Then again, Modellista kits are also available on the Land Cruiser and other SUVs in Toyota’s Japanese lineup.
Of course, the Modellista look is different for the Land Cruiser FJ. It still includes some off-road-oriented parts, such as front and rear skid plates. There’s a front bumper extension, a hood garnish, an illuminated grille, overfenders, and a set of Modellista wheels shod with low-profile all-terrain tires.
These Modellista parts can be purchased individually or as a complete set. It can also be mixed and matched with other accessories from the parts catalog, such as door guards, cargo solutions, graphics, and more.
Toyota
There are ARB Accessories, Too
If the street look isn’t for you or if you simply want to slap on every possible accessory for your Land Cruiser FJ, it can also be fitted with parts from ARB. It was mentioned in our previous article for the compact off-roader, but it’s still worth a recap.
ARB accessories for the Land Cruiser FJ include a roof rack, skid plates, and side rock sliders. There’s not a lot, admittedly, but like the Modellista kit, you can add other accessories from the catalog.
Toyota
Just the Start
Given the way it looks, it’s like the Land Cruiser FJ is just begging to be modded. The official accessories are just the start, and it’s only a matter of time before other aftermarket companies start making more parts for the SUV.
In fact, several custom Land Cruiser FJs were shown by Toyota during this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show. If anything, it shows that this SUV is a great blank canvas for the aftermarket community. For those in the U.S, it’s (still) such a shame it’s not coming there.
Jacob Oliva/Autoblog
Toyota
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