- A body shop in Laos completed a DIY facelift on a J90 Land Cruiser using J150 parts.
- The build required extensive mods, keeping only the original J90 underpinnings intact.
- In addition to the updated exterior, the SUV’s interior underwent a significant overhaul.
While retro makeovers are definitely gaining traction, there’s still a significant chunk of the world focused on doing the opposite by modernizing their rides. One such example that recently caught our attention is a wrecked 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J90 that was brought back to life, undergoing an exterior and interior overhaul inspired by the more modern J150 model.
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This project required some serious bodywork. Rather than slapping a new face on an old frame, the builders opted to use the entire bodyshell, greenhouse, and lighting units from a 2022 Land Cruiser Prado, crafting a pretty convincing replica.
More: He Wanted A New BMW 7-Series So He Built One From a 15-Year-Old Sedan
The new components came from the second facelift of the J150 that was produced until 2023, when it was replaced by the current J250. This transformation represents a leap of two generations for the original J90, effectively bringing it 24 years into the future, at least visually.
This is even more impressive when you consider the differences in dimensions between the two models. The newer J150 is 150 mm (5.9 inches) longer, 65 mm (2.6 inches) wider, and boasts an additional 115 mm (4.5 inches) between the axles. However, despite the shorter wheelbase and narrower tracks of the J90’s underpinnings, visually the differences are subtle and, from most angles, only the trained eye will spot the discrepancy.
After a considerable amount of welding, the team installed a dashboard, steering wheel and center console from the J150, along with fresh upholstery and new door panels. They also added an aftermarket infotainment touchscreen to give it a more modern feel.
Under the hood, however, the diesel engine is from the original J90. While it might not look as impressive as the shiny new exterior, it still gets the job done.
More: Can’t Wait for The New Toyota Hilux? Give Your Old One A $2K Fortuner Face
This one-of-a-kind Land Cruiser was crafted by Keng Car-Modify, a shop that specializes in repairing crashed vehicles, DIY facelifts, and custom mashups on request. Based in Laos, a Southeast Asian country bordered by Vietnam and Thailand, this shop is the same crew behind the modernized Mitsubishi Galant sedan we covered a few months ago.
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As for the cost, the exterior modifications set the owner back 390,000 baht (equal to around $11,700 at current exchange rates), which doesn’t sound outrageous considering the extensive parts and labor involved. The interior overhaul, meanwhile, could run anywhere from 45,000 to 145,000 baht ($1,400 to $4,400), depending on the scope of the upgrades.
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