Modern Toyota technology combines with classic Toyota styling to create a very impressive, capable, and head-turning restomod truck. Today at the annual SEMA Show, Proffitt’s Resurrection Cruisers debuted its latest creation, which it calls “Taco Tuesday.”
It’s being revealed on a Tuesday and is essentially a Tacoma with the good looks and vintage feel of a 1959 Land Cruiser FJ28 pickup. What Toyota enthusiast wouldn’t want a solid front axle, supercharged, four-door pickup with real off-road chops and vintage Cruiser lines?!
“Our goal with Taco Tuesday is to inspire other builders to keep their Land Cruisers true to Toyota. By using Toyota parts, we’re not just building a truck; we’re building on Toyota’s legacy of quality, reliability, and adventure.
“We want others to see that a Toyota Land Cruiser built with Toyota components can be just as powerful, versatile, and exciting without compromising the authenticity that makes these vehicles so special,” said Jeremiah Proffitt, owner and lead builder, Proffitt’s Resurrection Cruisers.
Toyota Restomod Heaven
Proffitt’s took a Toyota-only approach to the Taco Tuesday build. This approach not only satiates the purists — no LS swap here — but also allows the vehicle to be maintained at any Toyota dealership and most run-of-the-mill auto repair shops.
The 3.5L Toyota V6 engine with a Magnuson Supercharger setup should be good for upward of 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. That’s a lot more ponies under the hood than any stock vintage Land Cruiser. And, this restomod has three pedals and a stick shift for proper analog motoring.
With solid axles at both ends of the truck — both with lockers — and a trick suspension setup, this Cruiser should roll over just about any terrain with ease. The 37-inch Toyo RT tires also help in the off-road capability department.
Throw in a Warn winch, lots of off-road lighting, Maxtrax, and a rooftop tent, and you’ve got yourself a fun off-road camping machine.
Custom Cab
Likely, my favorite part of this build is the custom four-door cab with a removable hard top. There’s just something super-cool about a vintage Land Cruiser with the top off.
Inside this trick Cruiser cab is a full custom Katzkin leather interior. While I would have preferred to see vintage controls and gauges, Proffitt’s went with the modern look and integrated Tacoma instrumentation and controls into the classic truck cab.
Taco Tuesday Specs
- Custom four-door cab with removable hardtop
- 5-foot bed with a 137” wheelbase
- PPG Lime Rush green paint
- 3.5L Toyota V6 engine with a Magnuson Supercharger
- Six-speed manual transmission with double transfer cases
- Four-link front suspension with custom and ARB locked live front axle
- Bilstein coilover and double bypass shocks
- Leaf-sprung narrowed Tacoma rear axle with an E-locker
- 37” Toyo Open Country RT tires on custom Nomad Beadlock Wheels
- Custom bumpers and bed rack equipped with ARB tent, Nacho lighting, and Warn 8274 winch
- Katzkin leather interior with fully customized and functional Tacoma instrumentation and controls
