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What platform is the FJ Cruiser built on?

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a mid-size SUV that is known for its retro-inspired design and off-road capabilities. But what many people may not know is the platform on which the FJ Cruiser is built.

The FJ Cruiser's Underpinnings

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is built on the same platform as the Toyota 4Runner, a popular mid-size SUV that has been around for decades. The FJ Cruiser shares the 4Runner's body-on-frame construction, which provides a robust and durable foundation for off-road use. This platform, known as the Toyota Tacoma platform, has been used for a variety of Toyota trucks and SUVs over the years, including the Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner.

Advantages of the Tacoma Platform

The Tacoma platform offers several advantages that make it well-suited for the FJ Cruiser:

Rugged and Durable: The body-on-frame construction provides a strong and rigid foundation that can withstand the rigors of off-road driving.

Proven Reliability: The Tacoma platform has a long history of reliability and durability, which is important for a vehicle that is designed for off-road use.

Customization Potential: The Tacoma platform is highly customizable, allowing owners to modify their FJ Cruisers with a wide range of aftermarket parts and accessories.

These factors have contributed to the FJ Cruiser's reputation as a capable and reliable off-road vehicle that can handle a variety of terrain and conditions.

Conclusion

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is built on the same rugged platform as the Toyota 4Runner, which provides a strong and durable foundation for off-road use. This platform, known as the Toyota Tacoma platform, has a long history of reliability and customization potential, making it an ideal choice for the FJ Cruiser.

What car is the FJ Cruiser based on?

FJ40 Land Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was a retro-styled mid-size SUV inspired by the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser that Toyota sold in the U.S. from 1960-84.

Is the FJ Cruiser body on frame or unibody?

Structurally, the FJ Cruiser incorporates a body on frame truck style design similar, but not identical to that of the two-door Prado platform. The FJ Cruiser uses a high-mounted, double wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar, and a 4-link rear suspension with lateral rod with coil springs and stabilizer bar.

What chassis is the FJ Cruiser built on?

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is built on the Land Cruiser Prado chassis. It is also described as being based on a slightly shortened version of the body-on-frame chassis that underpinned the contemporary 4Runner, and shares its short-wheelbase, ladder-frame chassis with the 120-series Land Cruiser Prado.
You can watch this video to learn about the history of the Toyota FJ Cruiser: 55sFred Haas Toyota CountryYouTube · Sep 15, 2020

Chassis shared with Land Cruiser Prado: The FJ Cruiser uses the same chassis as the Land Cruiser Prado, a model known for its off-road capability.
Relation to the 4Runner: It also shares its body-on-frame chassis with the 4Runner from the same era.

This video explains the history of the Toyota FJ Cruiser: 1mFJX2000 ProductionsYouTube · Dec 30, 2022

Is the FJ Cruiser a Land Cruiser?

No, the FJ Cruiser is not a Land Cruiser; it is a separate, though related, model. Toyota recently introduced a new vehicle called the Land Cruiser FJ, which is part of the Land Cruiser lineup and is a smaller, retro-styled SUV. The name "FJ" in this new model is a nod to the historic FJ40 Land Cruiser and stands for "Freedom & Joy".
This video explains the new Land Cruiser FJ and its features: 56sMotor1YouTube · Oct 31, 2025

Relationship: The original, retired FJ Cruiser shares its off-road DNA with the Land Cruiser line but was a distinct model, often seen as being in the same family of rugged 4x4s.
New Model: The new Land Cruiser FJ is a new model that is officially part of the Land Cruiser series.
Size: The Land Cruiser FJ is a smaller vehicle than the previous FJ Cruiser, measuring about 11 inches shorter.
Platform: The new Land Cruiser FJ is built on the same IMV platform as the Toyota Hilux.

This video compares the size of the new Land Cruiser FJ with the original FJ Cruiser: 46sFJX2000 ProductionsYouTube · Oct 23, 2025

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.