Sean Lea’s 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser didn’t just fall into his lap; he searched for it. He says, “I’ve always loved the ’90s Toyota design, so when I started looking for an off-road rig, I fell in love with the Land Cruiser.” But he wanted a specific Land Cruiser—one with the optional factory lockers. He found what he was looking for in Seattle—“at a price that would make anyone looking for an 80 Series these days weep.”

Out With The I6 Engine, In With The 408ci Stroker

Sean upgraded the Cruiser with a Chevy LQ9 408-cubic-inch stroker engine. The V-8’s long list of modifications includes a Comp Cams camshaft and pushrods, Brian Tooley Racing valve springs and rocker-arm trunnion kit, a Walbro 355-lph fuel pump, and an Aeromotive adjustable fuel-pressure regulator. The rig has a dual-battery setup featuring Interstate batteries, one of which is a deep-cycle unit. Bolted to the engine is a GM 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission that has been beefed up with a Sonnax Performance Pack. The stock Toyota HF2A transfer case splits power to the axles, and it’s mated to the transmission via a Mark’s Off-Road adapter.

Axle Upgrades

The stock front axle—still equipped with its factory differential locker—has been upgraded with Longfield Birfield 30-spline chromoly axle shafts and a Marlin Crawler 80-Series Steering Upgrade Kit that includes an Old Man Emu steering stabilizer. The front axle receives power through a custom double-cardan front driveshaft, which easily clears the GM transmission pan. Out back is the factory Toyota axle, also fitted with its OE locking differential. Both axles run 4.11:1 gears.

Suspension, Wheels, And Tires

Dobinsons Spring & Suspension’s 3-inch-lift Flexi coil springs are paired with remote-reservoir ADS/Slee Offroad Direct-Fit Race Shocks at each corner. Sean also upgraded the SUV’s bump stops with units from Perry Parts. “Those Perry Parts bump stops punch way above their weight. The ADS/Slee shocks are amazing, and the Dobinsons coils are an absolute game-changer for this chassis,” he says.

Thanks primarily to the spring lift, the Cruiser’s 37×12.50R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires have plenty of room to travel without contacting the rig’s body, frame, or other components. The tires are mounted on Method Race Wheels 105 beadlock wheels, allowing Sean to run very low tire pressures and boost traction on the trail.

Functional Exterior Modifications

The Cruiser’s exterior sports a wide array of functional modifications. These include a Bellfab Front Bumper–Winch Cradle that holds a Warn ZEON 10-S winch. Protecting the rocker panels is a pair of custom rock sliders fabricated by G-Fab Motorsports in Bend, Oregon. Out back, the center section of the bumper remains, but most of the plastic pieces succumbed to trail damage long ago. Additional exterior upgrades include a CVT Mt. Baker rooftop tent, a Himal Outdoors Spare Tire Trash Bag, and numerous Vision X Off-Road lights.

The Interior Is Upgraded And Set Up For Overlanding

The interior features many upgrades. These include seats rebuilt with new foam, Roadwire upholstery, and heated elements. In the cargo area, a three-drawer storage system provides organized stowage, while a fridge slide secures a Dometic CFX5 75DZ fridge/freezer.

Planning The Next Modification

Sean says he’s very happy with his Land Cruiser but is already planning the next modification. “The factory gearing isn’t ideal off-road, but the rig has more than enough power to make it work. I’ve purchased Sumo Gear transfer case reduction gears for both high- and low-range that I’ll install soon, so that will bump its performance up another notch.”