1977 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ45

This custom-built 1977 Toyota HJ45 Land Cruiser pickup blends heritage and design with a precise, architect-led restoration completed in Costa Rica in 2024. Every element was carefully curated by a U.S.-based Doctor of Architecture with Costa Rican roots, merging technical expertise and cultural reverence into a singular off-road classic.

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The body is finished in a custom Light Blue Metallic, paired with a canvas-and-vinyl beige bikini top. Inside, the cabin is upholstered in Parlour Blue Crest Italian leather with diamond stitching—an elegant contrast to the truck’s utilitarian DNA. In the bed, inward-facing bench seats nod to traditional expedition vehicles, while the rear-mounted spare completes its adventurous stance.

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Mechanically, it retains the soul of the original: a fully rebuilt inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission and dual-range transfer case. Modern upgrades include air conditioning, heat, power steering, power brakes, LED lighting, and a custom digital infotainment system with tailored speaker mounts. The reimagined dashboard subtly integrates technology into a classically rugged layout.

 

This HJ45 is more than a restoration—it’s a reinterpretation. It celebrates the enduring legacy of the Land Cruiser while expressing a deeply personal vision through architecture, design, and precision craftsmanship.