Beyond the shop floor, Jeremiah is a recognized voice in the automotive restoration community. He is involved with SEMA as a builder, exhibitor, and judge for SEMA Battle of the Builders. Several of his builds are on permanent display at the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum, reflecting both their historical significance and craftsmanship. Through long-form educational and behind-the-scenes content, he emphasizes transparency, teamwork, and the realities of building vehicles the right way, prioritizing integrity and trust over trends and shortcuts. A lifelong traveler and adventurer, Jeremiah has driven Land Cruisers in more than 38 countries around the world, experience that directly influences how he builds vehicles that are trusted beyond the pavement. Founder’s Story
Jeremiah Proffitt’s path into automotive restoration was anything but conventional. Adopted into a supportive but non-automotive family, he had no early mentors or influences pushing him toward vehicles. Still, from a young age, he was drawn to them. Long before Land Cruisers became a career, he was restoring Volkswagens in his parents’ garage—often to their dismay—driven by curiosity, self-teaching, and a deep interest in how machines are built and repaired.
While working his way through high school and college, Jeremiah held jobs in various automotive shops and continued building vehicles as a serious hobby. He graduated with a degree in Organizational Communications and K–6 teaching credentials, ultimately beginning a career as an elementary school teacher in Western Colorado (The reason why the shop is located there today)  Teaching sharpened skills that would later define his business approach: clear communication, education, systems thinking, accountability, and leadership.

During his teaching years, Toyota Land Cruisers entered his life—initially as a personal interest, then inevitably as something more. What began as a hobby evolved into a small side business, and by 2000 he hired his first employee while simultaneously teaching, running a boutique Land Cruiser and auto body shop, and helping start a charter school. By 2002, the growth of the business forced a defining decision: step away from teaching and commit fully to building Land Cruisers.
That decision led to the construction of the first dedicated shop and a team of ten employees. Shortly thereafter, Jeremiah entered into a partnership with a larger corporation in an effort to scale the operation across two locations. While the collaboration ultimately failed, the experience proved formative. After a temporary closure, the business re-emerged under a new name—Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers—with a renewed focus, independence, and clarity of purpose.
Since reopening, the company has grown into what is now widely regarded as the largest Toyota Land Cruiser restoration operation in the United States, and possibly the world. With a team of 20 plus employees—including the very first hire from 24 years ago—the shop produces factory-correct restorations and high-end custom builds that set the benchmark for quality, safety, and craftsmanship in the Land Cruiser world.

A defining element of the company’s success is its systems-driven approach. Jeremiah is a dedicated student of the Toyota Production System, and the business operates with structured core processes that guide decision-making, ensure consistency, and support long-term sustainability. These systems have become a model for others in the industry, leading Jeremiah to consult with fellow builders and speak at events including SEMA Education on operational excellence and shop management.

The rebirth of the business also coincided with a pivotal personal chapter. During the period following the failed partnership, Jeremiah reconnected with the woman who would become his wife—someone who encouraged him to restart the business and provided the support necessary to begin again. Today, she plays an active role in the company as Chief Financial Officer. Together, they are raising a family of six, balancing business, travel, and life with the same long-term mindset that defines the shop.

Travel has been a constant thread throughout Jeremiah’s Land Cruiser career. Independently and as part of Expeditions Seven (E7), he has driven Land Cruisers across more than 38 countries. His experiences include traversing the length of the Pan-American Highway, circumnavigating Australia—including the Canning Stock Route, the longest unsupported four-wheel-drive route in the world—and countless other remote regions. Beyond four wheels, his sense of adventure extends to water, including a record breaking 3,515-mile jet boat journey from the Gulf of Mexico to Three Forks, Montana.

These experiences—traveling, teaching, building, failing, rebuilding—directly inform how Jeremiah approaches vehicle design and restoration. Every Land Cruiser built under his leadership is shaped by real-world use, mechanical integrity, and the belief that vehicles should be trusted anywhere they are driven, by anyone who owns them.

Today, Jeremiah Proffitt remains deeply hands-on, committed to craftsmanship, and focused on building vehicles and systems that endure.

    •    Over 25 years dedicated exclusively to Toyota Land Cruisers, spanning restoration, custom builds, and engineering-intensive projects

    •    Founder and President of Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers, widely regarded as the largest Land Cruiser restoration operation in the United States

    •    Builder of factory-correct restorations and high-end custom Land Cruisers trusted by collectors, families, and global clients

    •    Multiple vehicles built by Jeremiah Proffitt on permanent display at the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum

    •    Extensive involvement with the SEMA Show as a builder, exhibitor, finalist, and judge

    •    Recognized industry authority on restoration safety, craftsmanship standards, and ethical build practices

    •    Student and practitioner of the Toyota Production System, with shop operations modeled on structured, repeatable processes

    •    Consultant to other restoration and specialty automotive shops on systems, workflow, and long-term business sustainability

    •    Speaker at industry events on shop management, production systems, and scaling craftsmanship without sacrificing quality

    •    Creator of long-form educational automotive content focused on transparency, process, and real-world application

    •    Driven Land Cruisers in 38+ countries, providing real-world experience that informs design, durability, and build decisions

    •    Known within the Land Cruiser community for prioritizing integrity, safety, and long-term trust over trends or shortcuts

Notable Projects and Builds
Over more than two decades, Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers has built hundreds of Toyota Land Cruisers. While most were client vehicles, a smaller number of shop- and founder-driven builds became defining projects—vehicles that pushed technical boundaries, shaped the direction of the business, and helped establish its reputation on a national and international stage. This small sample of builds spans the entire life span of Jeremiah’s builds from Proffitt’s Cruisers to Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers. A full resume of Proffitt’s builds is available on the web site by series. 

The Newt — FJ45 (Early Shop Era)

One of the earliest landmark builds, The Newt was an FJ45 constructed in the company’s first shop. Built on Rockwell axles with an unapologetically old-school approach, it represented cutting-edge thinking at the time and embodied the experimental spirit that defined the early years. While Jeremiah now views it as a snapshot of a different era, the vehicle played a foundational role in shaping the shop’s technical confidence and ambition.

Lizard King — The Newt revisited.

The Lizard King, while still a bit old school in approach, this FJ40  marked a significant evolution from earlier projects. Featuring Rockwell axles and four-wheel steering, it reflected a more refined and forward-looking approach to engineering and fabrication. This vehicle proved to be a turning point, opening the door to a long-standing relationship with the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum  where it now resides as part of the permanent collection.

Museum Collection Vehicles — OEM 40 Series Restorations

Complementing the more experimental, rock-crawler-oriented builds of the early years, two museum-grade 40 Series restorations represent the opposite end of the shop’s capability spectrum.

The first is a 1971 FJ40 OEM soft top, restored as a 100% stock, all-original, concours-level vehicle. Built to exact factory specifications, this restoration reflects the core of the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum collection—preserving originality, historical accuracy, and period-correct detail without modification or reinterpretation.

The second is a 1964 FJ45 short-wheelbase pickup, also restored to an exacting stock configuration for the museum. Every aspect of the vehicle was approached with historical fidelity in mind, from drivetrain and chassis to finishes and details, honoring the truck’s original purpose and design.

Together, these two restorations demonstrate the full range of the shop’s abilities, standing in deliberate contrast to the earlier rock-crawler builds. Where those vehicles explored experimentation and boundary-pushing, these museum pieces reflect discipline, restraint, and an uncompromising commitment to authenticity—an approach that now defines the foundation of the shop’s modern work. Bilstein Crawler — Cooperation and Recognition  

The Bilstein Crawler was our first SEMA-featured project and earned recognition as a finalist in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. This build, featured in the Bilstein Booth highlighted advanced suspension integration, purpose-driven design, and the shop’s ability to compete at the highest levels of the aftermarket industry.

79 Series Land Cruiser Pickup — SEMA 2018

The 79 Series Land Cruiser pickup built for the SEMA Show in 2018 marked a major moment of national visibility and industry recognition for the shop. Inspired by Proffitt’s involvement with Cummins and their crate engine program, the truck was developed in direct cooperation with Cummins and built specifically for display in their SEMA booth.

Beyond its role as a collaborative showcase, the vehicle was entered into the SEMA Battle of the Builders, where it advanced to the Top Four finalists, placing it among the most recognized and technically respected builds of the show. The project demonstrated the shop’s ability to integrate modern powertrains into classic platforms while maintaining functional integrity, thoughtful engineering, and real-world usability.

Following its debut, the 79 Series pickup became the most widely distributed Proffitt’s build to date, earning extensive coverage across major automotive publications and online media outlets. Its reach significantly expanded awareness of the shop beyond the Land Cruiser community and solidified Jeremiah Proffitt’s reputation as a builder capable of operating at the highest level of the aftermarket industry. This highly visible resides in the Land Cruiser Heritage Museums permanent collection.

The EMP 40 – Just for fun thematic build

The EMP 40 was a shop-driven, exhibition build created for display at the SEMA Show and marked the company’s first fully theme-based project. Conceived as a hybrid between a show vehicle and a purpose-built military-style platform, the EMP 40 was designed around the idea of hardening a classic Land Cruiser to withstand the effects of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event.

Beyond its conceptual premise, the build required a disciplined approach to system design, component selection, and electrical simplification—balancing visual impact with functional intent. The project demonstrated the shop’s ability to execute narrative-driven builds without sacrificing mechanical credibility or real-world logic.

The EMP 40 received broad coverage across automotive and enthusiast publications and became the centerpiece of one of the shop’s most entertaining and widely viewed YouTube episodes, further expanding the brand’s reach and showcasing a more creative dimension of the company’s work.

Hybrid 60/80 Series Builds — Modernized Classics

Over the years, Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers has restored dozens of 60 Series Land Cruisers, utilizing a wide range of drivetrain configurations tailored to client needs and intended use. Building on that deep experience, the shop’s most recent evolution is the hybrid 60/80 Series build—a platform designed to deliver the best possible drivability while preserving the timeless character of the 60 Series.

These hybrids pair a 60 Series body with an 80 Series (1986-era) chassis, combining classic design with significantly improved suspension geometry, ride quality, braking, and overall road manners. The result is a Land Cruiser that retains its original visual identity while performing to a standard that far exceeds that of a traditional restoration.

Each hybrid build is custom executed, with drivetrain configurations that have included modern powerplants from Toyota, Cummins, and General Motors. These vehicles reflect the shop’s current philosophy: integrating proven modern components into classic platforms in a way that enhances reliability, usability, and long-term ownership—without compromising integrity or purpose.

Current Project – Next Generation FJ40 (in process)

Currently under development, this FJ40 build represents the most advanced vehicle the shop has undertaken to date. Designed around a supercharged LT4 V8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the project reflects the shop’s latest thinking in chassis engineering, suspension design, and complex drivetrain integration.

Unlike earlier builds that relied on modified factory platforms, this vehicle is being constructed on a fully in-house–engineered chassis, paired with a completely custom suspension system developed specifically for the demands of modern power, drivability, and control. Integrating a high-output, electronically complex drivetrain into a classic Land Cruiser platform requires a level of systems coordination, calibration, and fabrication that few restoration shops are equipped to handle.

While this project sits at the cutting edge of modern performance and technology, it does not represent a departure from the shop’s roots. Factory-correct, all-original Land Cruiser restorations remain a core part of the work, and the same respect for heritage, correctness, and longevity that defines those restorations guides even the most advanced builds.

Though still in progress, the project serves as a clear indicator of the shop’s current technical ceiling—blending modern performance engineering from General Motors with classic Land Cruiser proportions in a cohesive, show-quality package. It stands as a preview of the next generation of Proffitt’s builds, where modern technology and handcrafted execution converge.

Media Presence and Reach

Jeremiah Proffitt maintains a strong and consistent media presence across social platforms and traditional automotive publications, using each channel to educate, document, and share the realities of building Toyota Land Cruisers at the highest level.

Social Media and Digital Platforms

• Instagram — @procruiser The largest and most active audience, with 131,000+ followers. Instagram serves as a daily touchpoint for Land Cruiser–focused content, including shop activity, builds in progress, technical insights, historical context, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from the founder. The platform functions as both an educational resource and a real-time window into the shop.
• YouTube — Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers TV: Long-form storytelling and documentation through 101+ episodes, focused on restoration processes, custom builds, shop philosophy, and craftsmanship standards. The channel emphasizes depth, transparency, and real-world problem solving rather than short-form highlights.
• Facebook & TikTok — A smaller but active presence used to extend reach, share select content, and engage broader automotive and enthusiast audiences.

Editorial and Print

In addition to owned media, Jeremiah Proffitt and Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers have been featured in numerous respected automotive and off-road publications, including:

• Toyota Four Wheel Drive Owner
• Peterson’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road
• Overland Journal
• Additional regional, national, and online automotive outlets

These features reflect sustained industry interest in the shop’s work, its systems-driven approach, and its role in preserving and advancing Land Cruiser heritage.

Speaking Appearances

• SEMA Show Education Program: Speaker and instructor for SEMA Education, presenting classes on shop systems, production processes, and quality control within restoration and specialty automotive businesses.

• Land Cruiser Heritage Museum Events & Programs: Speaker at multiple museum-hosted events, presenting on topics including Land Cruiser history, restoration authenticity, build philosophy, and preservation of the marque. These talks bridge historical context with modern restoration practices.

Podcast and Media Appearances

• The Truck Show Podcast: Guest appearance discussing Land Cruiser builds, shop operations, and the realities of high-level fabrication and restoration.

• The Classic Land Cruiser Podcast: Guest appearance focused on Land Cruiser history, restoration philosophy, and the evolution of the platform.

Areas of Expertise for Future Appearances

• Toyota Land Cruiser history and global use
• Restoration ethics, safety, and craftsmanship standards
• Shop systems, workflow, and long-term sustainability
• Integrating modern drivetrains into legacy platforms
• Building vehicles for real-world use, not just display

Values & Point of View

Jeremiah Proffitt’s approach to building, restoring, and operating within the Land Cruiser world is guided by a set of principles formed through decades of hands-on work, real-world travel, and hard-earned lessons. These values shape every vehicle that leaves the shop and every system behind the scenes.

Craftsmanship Is a Responsibility

Working on vehicles—especially those intended for real-world use—means taking responsibility for the safety of the people who drive them. Shortcuts, cosmetic fixes, and surface-level quality are unacceptable. Every build must be mechanically sound, structurally correct, and executed with the assumption that someone’s life may depend on it.

Authenticity Over Trends

Trends change. Heritage doesn’t. Whether executing a factory-correct restoration or a technologically advanced custom build, respect for the Land Cruiser’s original purpose, design, and legacy is non-negotiable. Modernization should enhance usability and longevity—not erase identity.

Systems Create Freedom

High-quality craftsmanship at scale is not accidental. It is the result of repeatable processes, clear standards, and disciplined decision-making. Systems are not constraints; they are what allow consistency, creativity, and long-term sustainability to coexist.

Real-World Experience Matters

Vehicles should be designed and built by people who use them. Global travel, remote driving, and long-distance expeditions have directly informed how vehicles are engineered, wired, cooled, suspended, and protected. Theory is useful—but experience is decisive.

Integrity Builds Reputation

Reputation is earned slowly and lost quickly. Long-term trust with clients, partners, and the Land Cruiser community matters more than short-term profit or exposure. Transparency, honesty, and standing behind the work are foundational—not optional.

Progress Without Amnesia

Innovation and preservation are not opposites. Advanced builds and OEM restorations can—and should—exist side by side. The goal is not to chase extremes, but to raise the standard across the entire spectrum of Land Cruiser work.⸻

 

Contact Information for Jeremiah Proffitt

Jeremiah Proffitt

Owner / President

Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers

21474 Austin Rd Austin CO 81410

(970) 596-7363

jeremiah@resurrectionlandcruisers.com

www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com