Toyota Unveils FJ Bruiser SEMA Tuned Car
A collaboration between the Toyota Motorsports garage team and Toyota Racing Development.
Toyota Unveils FJ Bruiser SEMA Tuner After the long-awaited and successful return of the Toyota Land Cruiser to the American market, Toyota decided to bring something special to the SEMA show, and it wasn’t an electrified Land Cruiser SE Concept. Instead, the automaker unveiled a NASCAR-powered monster dubbed the “FJ Bruiser.”
The Bruiser, originally dubbed “The Unstoppable FJ,” was the brainchild of Marty Schwerter, the Toyota Motorsports garage team captain, with support from Toyota Racing Development in Costa Mesa, California.
With the Land Cruiser returning to the American market, Schwerter said, “It made sense to build a rock crawler, so this is our take on the 1966 Toyota FJ45 Pickup Truck.” At the heart of the modern version is a modified TRD 358 cubic-inch NASCAR Cup Car engine that produces an impressive 725 horsepower. This power is paired with a Rancho Drivetrain Engineering racing 3-speed automatic transmission that sends a menacing rumble through a MagnaFlow exhaust system.
Keeping in line with its old-school character, the FJ Bruiser comes with rigid axles, paired with Currie differentials and an Atlas Advanced Adapter transmission. This drive system allows the Bruiser to crawl along at a slow pace or sprint forward at speeds up to 165 mph.
If the Bruiser encounters an obstacle that is too tall, a tank-like track system replaces the center skid plate, ensuring escape from any obstacle. This feature allows the driver to activate “tank mode” from the cockpit, eliminating the need to exit the vehicle.
Creating a body that echoes the classic lines of the FJ but incorporates modern, rugged technology, the team developed a full tubular frame and a roller cage. To ensure smooth movement over rough terrain, the Bruiser features a wishbone suspension, Fox shocks, Eibach springs, and beefy 42-inch BF Goodrich tires.
There’s a hint of vintage in the Bruiser’s interior, with MOMO Daytona EVO seats upholstered by Complete Customs in a checkered pattern reminiscent of the FJ’s original seat, finished off with a classic 1968 champion Jackie Stewart steering wheel.