Payment amount is an estimate for illustrative purposes only. This is not an advertisement or offer of credit. Estimated payment excludes taxes, title, registration, license fees, insurance, and additional options. Payment amount may differ based on cash or trade in value due at signing, term, fees, special offers, and applicable tax rate. You must apply for and qualify for credit. Not all customers will qualify. Please contact Car Cave USA for further information.
Full options and pricing available on our configurator at carcave.tech
What is Project 79?
Project 79 is a fully re-engineered version of the Toyota Land Cruiser LC79 Crew Cab- A vehicle never sold in the U.S., but beloved globally for its reliability and utilitarian beauty. This isn’t a restomod. It’s not a replica. It’s the 79, redefined.
This vehicle exists because it should. A platform this capable deserves a second act - one designed not for nostalgia, but for those who still work, roam, and explore with a purpose. We believe the 79 has unfinished business in the modern world.
It’s real. No vaporbuilds here. The validation phase of testing started in the summer of 2025, with production coming online next month.
It’s useful. 4-door crew cab, 500hp thats useable, utility bed, and a 40 gallon long-range tank.
It’s legal. US EPA and NHTSA legal. Register anywhere in the US but California.
Creating the LC79 took more than vision. It took decades of Car Cave experience and expertise in sourcing, building, and integrating. We’re not selling trucks on a spreadsheet. We’re selling the experience of a lifetime - one build at a time.
See all the specs and imagine your LC79 at our vehicle configurator: www.carcave.tech
The Build Story
Car Cave has spent years customizing, driving, and modernizing the cars we want to drive every day, and the 79 is the one we’ve always dreamed of building. But it’s never been street legal … until now. US Compliance is not an afterthought - it’s a focus from the start.
The 1FZ-FE inline-6 engine is known for its reliability and longevity. Now, with a Garrett turbocharger, it delivers awesome real-world power to the tune of 500whp - ideal for daily driving, off-road travel, and rugged adventures. We keep Toyota’s DNA and enhance the experience. With a 5-speed manual transmission, coil-sprung live axle up front, heavy-duty rear suspension out back, and fully adjustable shocks all the way around, the LC79 is built for action. The Project 79 Toyota Dual Cab comes equipped with 35” all-terrain tires and options to dial the drive in to be exactly as you want. Extensive customization is available to meet any situation.
Every 79 is built in-house at Car Cave by technicians who live and breathe petrol. It’s not a restoration, it’s not a kit. This is a fully engineered production platform designed to meet modern expectations.
We don’t cut corners. We engineer solutions.
This is a truck you’ll be able to title, register, and drive across the country with confidence. We blend Toyota’s global compatibility engineering with American craftsmanship. No shortcuts. Not guesswork. Factory-look finishes. All components are sourced by Car Cave’s global team, all systems are tested in house, and the final assembly is completed in our South Carolina Facility.
We don’t just build vehicles. We stand behind them.
How do I buy one?
Spec your 79 through our configurator, and we’ll be in touch with you to finalize the details. When your build begins, we’ll transparently share delivery timelines and vehicle updates.
Timeline and Updates
Prototype vehicle testing: Summer 2025
Powertrain performance validation
Suspension and chassis durability validation
Hot weather testing and thermal validation
Pre-order allocations and deposits: Q1 2026
Customer Deliveries begin: Q3 2026
The Build
Each LC79 is built to your specifications by our highly experienced team. We focus on strength, performance, and versatility. Custom options bring individuality to every 79 build, without sacrificing practicality for power. Each LC79 features a Dobinson MMR 3 triple adjustable transmission or heavy-duty Toyota 5 speed manual transmission; a 40-gallon long range fuel tank; and a 500 horsepower Garnett turbo-charged 1FZ engine.
Built with action in mind, the LC79 rolls onto the road ready to go.
Project 79 is fully street legal in 49 states. Each build leaves our shop ready for the road (or off-road) and with a US title. Envision your build today with our LC79 configurator: carcave.tech