East Coast Defender began out because the title suggests, sourcing examples of the Land Rover icon from world wide then restoring them to six-figure luxurious and personalization. The specialization earned the corporate’s 100,000-square-foot workshop in Kissimmee, Florida, the nickname “Rover Dome.” Then East Coast Defender acquired into the classic Jaguar restoration enterprise, adopted by the classic Mustang enterprise. At that time, “Defender” could not specific the scope of the chances, particularly for an organization turning out a 305-horsepower electrical E-Kind restomod. The title change to ECD Auto Design welcomes limitless potential, aptly embodied within the firm’s latest topics for restoration, the FJ40 and FJ60 Toyota Land Cruisers.
Baseline spec overhauls every thing after the compulsory body renewal. Toyota’s easy, low powered, eternally sturdy six-cylinder engines are changed with Chevy’s 6.2-liter LS3 small-block V8 and a six-speed computerized transmission. The cooling and gasoline programs are upgraded, the exhaust is stainless-steel. A model new suspension bolts to heavy-duty axles, and each truck will get transformed to four-wheel disc brakes. Sixteen-inch wheels put on BFG tires, together with the spare mounted on the tailgate.
The outside coloration palette extends to any OEM hue in a gloss end. The usual bumper is ECD’s slimline unit; the chunky boys with winches within the gallery will value additional.
Inside, the sprint comes painted in the identical coloration because the physique panels, providing a pleasant likelihood to paint distinction with one’s coloration selection for the hand-stitched leather-based seating. Each rig will get air-con, plus the extra insulation that may maintain cabin temperature higher than the inventory Land Cruiser. Acquainted restomod luxuries present up right here as properly, just like the Momo steering wheel, Sony or Alpine head unit with Bluetooth, backup digicam, trailer wiring, LED lighting back and front, and an alarm system.
Manufacturing is anticipated to begin in Q3 of this yr, first deliveries early subsequent yr. Costs begin at about $230,000, however we won’t think about anybody getting out of Kissimmee for that value. ECD says, “All the pieces on the FJ might be customizable proper right down to the needle tips about the gauges,” and who’s going to withstand paying somewhat extra for that?