our team
In the world of automotive restoration, a frame-off restoration is the ultimate expression of the art. At The FJ Company, we take it several steps further, re-engineering certain aspects of our vehicles, and assembling them from scratch with new components.
Let’s look at each step in detail.
Design
At the very beginning of our process is a rigorous engineering approach to our projects. Our standard production models (G40’s) and even one-off custom projects are modeled using computer aided design (CAD). During this stage we take into considering the use case for the vehicle based on client feedback, the body type, power/drivetrain configuration, and any accessories that the vehicle will have.
We always lead the design process with a simple philosophy: stay faithful to the original classic Land Cruiser, and update it to modern use and comfort.
Selection
The actual build process begins with the selection of a donor vehicle for the project in mind. To have a solid foundation, only those with limited rust and integrity in the chassis qualify. Additionally, we try to limit our selection to Land Cruisers with original engines and gearboxes, to prevent working on a chassis that has already undergone extensive modifications. We largely focus on Land Cruisers that were made in the Toyota factory in Japan.
Disassembly
In this stage we completely disassemble the donor down to its chassis. Unless we are doing a classic restoration, mechanical and interior components are discarded or sold as scrap.
Our Quality Control Team (QC) then inspects the chassis and body panels, and determines which components are suitable for use in the project. A work order is created detailing any body panels that need to be replaced and/or fabricated from scratch.
Next, the chassis is put on a jig where it’s inspected carefully and re-aligned to factory specs. This is possibly the single most important part of our process. And that is because after decades of hard work, these vehicles tend to have deviations in their structural integrity. For their new lifetime – with greater horsepower and at faster speeds – we need them to be straight. Even the smallest deviation will cause the vehicle to vibrate or behave strangely in certain conditions.
Any usable body panels are then sent to our wet-blasting facility. Every bit of paint and body rust is removed from these components while applying a rust prevention inhibitor. Finally, the body panels and any related components are sorted and stored in restoration cubbies designated solely for each project.
Body Work and Custom Fabrication
With the chassis stripped of paint and aligned back to factory specs, it passes onto the Fabrication Team. This is where we reinforce certain frame components and make the structural changes needed to take on the upgraded engine, transmission, steering and suspension setup. Then it is galvanized in molten zinc to prevent future corrosion, powder coated, and painted.
Preparation and Paint
After a successful inspection, the Body Work team disassembles the raw vehicle, they inventory its components, and pass it onto the Preparation Team.
The Preparation Team is responsible for applying certain techniques that we have learned and developed over the years to minimize rust and extend the durability of your vehicles paint job. As of 2019, our process includes hot dip galvanizing the chassis to prolong its longevity for the decades to come.
Upholstery, Electrical, and Mechanical
In parallel with Preparation and Paint, our upholstery craftsmen have been busy cutting, stitching, and sewing. Every aspect of your Land Cruisers interior (and soft top) is done in-house, using time tested materials.
The electrical team is busy manufacturing the wiring harness for your vehicle from scratch based on the particulars of the project, and the Mechanical Team is preparing the power and drivetrain components having sourced the different pieces from Toyota suppliers in the US, the middle east, or Japan.
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