For sale: 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62 with a 5.3L Vortec engine swap.

Below I have the information that was given me when I bought the Land Cruiser in Las Vegas in July of 2019. I will then go on to explain what I have done to it since. I think it is a pretty complete list but I may have missed something.

I know that this listing will not be for everyone and indeed, may not be for anyone. That is OK. I am NOT motivated to sell. If I sell it, I have other plans, if I don’t, I have plans that include the Cruiser.

So, why sell? I am getting older and working on the Cruisers is not as fun as it used to be. My boys are grown and getting their own lives and I mainly used the Cruisers so that we would have something to do with each other. It may be time to move on, we will see.

I have a few photos of the Cruiser. If you are interested in seeing anything in particular, text me and let me know. I will take additional pics and send them over to you. Or better yet, come over and see it. We can put it on the lift and you can look it over for yourself.

If you are still interested, read on!

Here is the listing for this Land Cruiser when I bought it in July of 2019:

This vehicle is in excellent condition. Professionally converted drivetrain. Just spent many months at valley hybrids getting everything in great shape for a summer of cruising. Rust free Land Cruiser. I believe its history was always southwest. AZ, CA, CO and NV. Rust free black frame.
5.3 Vortec purchased from Tilden Motorsports as was the 4L60e transmission
The engine had about 56k on it when pulled and there has been around 9k miles put on it since conversion so approximately 65k overall. Approximately 236k on the chasis
Ice cold A/C
4 row copper radiator, US radiator, no cooling issues
Greasable bolts, anti-inversion shackles
Old Man emu suspension
Pacific fabrication wiring harness
Upgraded headlight harness
Custom long range fuel tank with protection plate – 35 gallons
ARB front and rear air locker with onboard air
Super Tough Diamond Axles, 4.10 gearing
Upgraded brakes, Discs all around and upgraded master cylinder
Trail tailor tailgate storage
Storage on rear cargo side panels also
Cerullo seats/matching rear upholstery
4 plus front bumper, ready for a winch if you want to install one
Custom aluminum dash with autometer gauges
Custom aluminum door panels
Lokar shifter with shirt indicator
Clean intact headliner
Comes with uninstalled WKOR Sliders and a tub of miscellaneous parts, mostly trim pieces
Original dash and speedometer etc.

To do list:

As mentioned sound deadening/carpet are needed. Noico liner will come with vehicle if desired
The gas gauge is the only known non working item
Currently has no radio installed, orginial is in parts bin but you probably will want a more modern one I would guess
Install sliders as mentioned.

Here is my current list:

In the pictures you will see a picture of how it looked when I drove it home from Las Vegas and pics of how it looks now. As you can see, I have done quite a bit work on it since I have had it. I will try to list everything but may miss a few things.
The only miles I have put on the car since I bought it are from me driving it home from Vegas, driving it to the local shop to have a few specialty things done on it and around my block a few times to check out new additions.
No car this age is completely rust free, however, as mentioned in the original posting, this car comes close. It does have a few age appropriate paint blemishes but over all is VERY solid.

Protection plate on the long range fuel tank has been stripped and painted, it was very rusty.
ARB Air Lockers are still in place, I did replace the cheap blue plastic tubing with plastic coated stainless steel braided tubing. It looks sweet.
I still have the super tough Diamond axles but now:

  • I took off each axle and completely stripped them.
  • Took out the third member and they now have brand new 5.29 gears installed by Cruiser Outfitters
  • Old leaf spring perches were removed and new ones welded on going from spring under to spring over
  • I then rebuilt both front and rear axles with all new bearings, seals, grease etc… like brand new!
  • I took a leaf off of the front and rear OME HD springs and the ride height is perfect and it rides great! The springs have all new bushings and hardware
  • I then installed Ford shock towers in the front so I could fit longer travel shocks on.
  • I installed Bilstein 5125 series shocks – 33-185576
  • Installed bump stops to make sure no damage could be done at full articulation
  • I then installed a Marlin Crawler High Steer kit which included the upgraded 80 series pitman arm
  • I then bought an 80 series power steering box and had West Texas Offroad rebuild it. And yes, it is tapped and ported ready for hydro-assist.
  • Then came the HD Drag Link and tie rod from YotaMaster
  • All installed and Steering is fantastic!
  • Rear shocks are Bilstein 5125 series shocks – 33-230344

Yes, the brakes were upgraded but not enough!

  • I had the master cylinder replaced with a Wilwood MC with extra large body
  • Wilwood proportioning valve installed
  • All the brake lines were the flexible type which I did not like. All new hard lines were installed and back to the way it should have been. Note: the rear still has some stainless steel braided lines, they seems to work well back there.
  • I then went to an upgraded big brake kit in front with new ProStop calipers and a 13.3 inch drilled and slotted rotor.
  • Replaced the rear with a drilled and slotted rotor and put on new calipers and pads
  • Front brakes are off of a 2007+ 4 Runner V8

With all that work done, of course I had to get new tires and wheels and so now it its on Pro Comp 37×12.50R17LT tires and wheels.
The 4 Plus front bumper was ready to install a Winch IF, there was some work done on it. I did that work and have installed a Warn Winch. NOTE: The Warn Winch will not go with the Cruiser unless you want to pay me the retail amount I paid for it above what we negotiate for the Cruiser. I have never used it.
The bumper was also a great place to put some lights so I put in two Rock Country 4 Inch LED lights and one 12 Inch.
Next I turned my attention to the rear bumper. The one on it was pathetic. So I purchased and installed a full rear bumper from 4 Plus that had a spare tire holder, single jerry can holder, Hi Jack lift brackets and rear lights. This thing is awesome as the pictures will show. This was not a cheap addition.
I then called Gamiviti and had them build me a roof rack for the Cruiser. I really like theirs as it is low profile and very nice looking. I think it turned out well. I also have the awning brackets for the roof rack to be used at a later time if you ever want to install an awning.
The rock sliders mentioned in the original posting are now painted and installed. These things are beefy and look great!
I then installed the toggle switches for the new lights and I also installed a Cobra 75 WX ST CB radio and speaker in the dash. All you have to do is plug in the handheld and you are ready to go.
Of course you need an antenna for the CB so I installed one on the new rear bumper. Works like a charm.
For all the new lights, CB etc… I also installed a new fuse box under the hood.
I bought and installed a new battery as the old one was having issues
In the cargo area I installed a c02 Power Tank bracket, electric fridge power source and tie down brackets along with a new cargo mat
The rear ebrakes did not work when I bought it and I decided not to use them as they rarely work anyway. So, I got in touch with Jesse at High Angle Driveline and he worked me up a transfer case ebrake assembly. I am currently installing that.
The fuel gauge is now working. I had to replace the fuel pump as the sending unit on the old one was not working.
I also have a nearly new (used once) 23 Zero roof top tent. It is NOT included in the price of the Cruiser. I may not ever use it again so if you are interested, I may sell it to you separately. It is a good match to the Cruiser.
The paint is in great shape with a few blemishes that I can point out if interested.
The frame and under carriage is in great condition with very little rust and the boy is very solid. It is about as rust free as you are going to get in a 1988 FJ62.
The brakes are still not where I want them but I am currently working on remedying that.
It has been in my garage since I bought it last year.


Price: $35,000

More info: Listing has ended. Click to search on eBay for similar 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser (Affiliate link)

Seller's other items: the-mooseman

Location: Ogden, Utah, United States