Toyota has a long standing heritage in the world of off road and have developed a following that will own and drive Toyotas exclusively. From the Land Cruiser to the Tacoma, Toyota has a reputation for making dependable and long lasting vehicles that are extremely capable for their price – and built to withstand the abuse associated with off roading. With the success of the Land Cruiser, Toyota had a void in the market that needed to be filled in the mid-2000s. As such, Toyota introduced the FJ Cruiser in 2006 that offered a great platform for the off roading community.

Designed as a two-door SUV with two additional “suicide-doors,” the FJ Cruiser offered a great base for a daily driven off roader with its 105-inch wheelbase, 260 hp VVT-i power plant, and excellent four-wheel-drive system featuring an e-locker, A-TRAC, and a host of other features to maximize traction. With such a great platform, it was only a matter of time before the off road community began to modify the FJ. Those modifications took very different directions depending on the owner as some went for more of an overland style whereas others went the direction of a desert-going pre runner. With all the different styles used by owners, one thing was for sure, the FJ Cruiser looked great and performed even better no matter what the intended style. 

• 
• 

As part of the pre runner category, we came across one great FJ platform for sale on Pirate4x4.com today that would serve as a great baseline for someone with some mechanical know-how. Listed as a “rolling chassis,” aka no engine or transmission, this 2008 FJ Cruiser has a plethora of high-end off road parts already on it and has all the potential in the world with basically a blank slate for what drivetrain combo the new owner wants to put in. Even better, this rolling chassis is only $15,000 – which is actually a bargain considering the cost of the vehicle shell and the host of great parts that come with it.

Setup currently with its pre runner-style front and rear fiberglass fenders and great looking bumper/light bar combo, if someone wanted to put some time into this truck, they would have one heck of a trail or desert ready vehicle. In addition, the interior is already stripped out of it which again serves as a blank canvas for the new owner to build a full roll cage setup – maybe even with the rear shocks cut through the back for additional wheel travel.

As mentioned, this truck comes well equipped with a host of aftermarket parts including:

• Camburg Long Travel Front Suspension Kit – cycles 14-inches of clean travel with four-wheel-drive
• RCV Ultimate axles and CV joints
• Nine-inch rear axle housing with shafts that is setup for a four-link
• ADS Coilovers and three-tube bypass shocks for the front
• ADS Coilovers and four-tube bypass shocks for the rear
• Fiberglass fenders and hood
• Warn winch
• Lightforce lights
• 35-spline rear sway bar
• and much more…

With all of these parts included along with the blank slate nature of having power train and roll cage options, this truck could go as wild as the new owner’s imagination wanted. For more information on this great FJ Cruiser, check out the original ad here!