Even before it was discontinued, the Toyota FJ Cruiser was already dubbed by some as a future classic. It’s not just because of the retro theme inside and out, but rather, it had that X-factor that made it iconic.
However, there are those who wish Toyota made another version of the much-loved SUV. See, Toyota never made an FJ Cruiser pickup. Some say it would’ve been a great addition to the line given that the original FJ40 was available with a bed as the FJ45-B.
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So, what to do if you want an FJ Cruiser with a bed? You could either accept fate and never have one or, in the case of one shop in Australia, build one. The latter is exactly what Australian custom shop Tinman Fabrications did. Tinman Fabrications is known for converting SUVs into pickups, so we're pretty sure we know what they're doing.
If you think the job is as simple as hacking away the rear end of the FJ Cruiser and slapping a bed on it is a quick and easy job, it’s far from that. For starters, the standard FJ’s length won’t be enough to accommodate a bed in the first place. What Tinman did was cut the frame and add an additional 300mm to make one fit.
Extensive re-engineering was performed on this particular Toyota FJ Cruiser. Aside from the chassis extension, the suspension was changed to accommodate the changes. The entire section behind the FJ’s front doors had to be fabricated, too. It looks like a factory job but it’s actually sourced from a Nissan Patrol GU pickup.
The result is a pickup that wouldn’t look out of place in a Toyota showroom; a modern FJ45-B of sorts. Mind you, this unique and special project isn’t done yet. As you could see from the rear cab wall, there is still some paint and body work to be done. Per the shop, it has taken them two years to reach its current form.
In case you’re wondering what happened to the tailgate area of the chopped FJ, it now has a different purpose in life. It’s now a door for the shop’s tool chest, complete with the sewing out door, bumper, and tail lights. We approve of this sort of upcycling.
As for the FJ Cruiser pickup, the shop owner intends to use it as his daily driver once completed. We’d totally do the same if we had one of these too, provided we can quench its 4.0-liter V6’s thirst for fuel.
