If you want more proof that leaving a car sitting around is a bad thing, take this 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. It underwent a full frame-off restoration after the owner, who bought it new, wanted some minor rust repairs and mechanical work done. The project grew, and Gregg’s Restorations spent about a year and 1,000 hours restoring the quirky off-roader to like-new condition.
talking to driveGreg Ward of Greg’s Restorations said the vehicle needed extensive repairs, as it had been stored in a high-humidity location with rats that chewed on wires, infiltrated the HVAC system, and left corroded urine on an already rust-prone vehicle. It was rusty, smelly, and dirty, so Greg and his team set to work restoring a modern Toyota.
Ward’s technicians took the frame and body apart, made repairs and repainted it. They replaced the weather stripping, restored the factory brush guard and OEM fog lights, repaired the plastic, and removed the interior. One of the most challenging aspects was matching the paint, as Greg’s restoration only touched the front.
Ward and his team even restored the FJ’s engine, a 4.0-liter V6 with 239 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Gregg’s Restorations pulled the engine and transmission out – a 5-speed automatic, replaced all the gaskets and seals, replaced the water pump and alternator, and performed every maintenance possible.
The company, which typically restores vintage FJs from the 1970s and 1980s, kept everything as 100 percent OEM as possible. She even restored the factory running boards, but had to replace the cruiser’s rear axle assembly due to rust, which was the reason for the restoration.
The owner purchased this 2008 FJ as new and wanted to maintain it. Now they have a new proverb Toyotapreserving a bit of quirky automotive history in the process, and we should applaud them for that. This beloved classic Toyota will turn heads like any modern supercar.
