But is it a Land Cruiser?

[Hulk]

Ever wonder whether the FJ Cruiser is a Land Cruiser? Maybe Toyota can answer the question:

I just did a screen cap from the Toyota FJ Bulletin. I think that "Daddy's Eyes" line would not have been allowed if they didn't consider the FJ a Land Cruiser.

What does everyone else consider it? Is it a Land Cruiser, or simply a new line of 4WD vehicles?

 

[powderpig]

Well it is built on a LC 120 frame modified(landcruiser in different parts of the world). Then it has different componets that are from LC in OZ.O o yes it is toyota. Is simlilar to the LC 100 in US form. It is just a newer version with new technology. I have to go the wife gave me the evil eye because it is dinner. read som of the past threads to see the info Matt. later robbie

 

[G-Cat]

Tooyota advertised the 4wd Pickups introduced in 1979? as "Son of Land Cruiser". Of course Toyota wants everyone to consider it a Land Cruiser, thus the name and the advertising of it's "Roots".

I don't care what it is. It's a Toyota 4x4, with a factory locker...it qualifies for TLCA, LSLC and will do just fine on the trails.

 

[OGBeno]

I agree for inclusion of the FJ Cruiser once it comes out. Toyota has been making a strong effort to get TLCA and Toys in general to come out in support. This is a good tactic.

Now, technically, it does not follow the model designation of the Cruisers (FJ/FZJ/HZJ/BJ etc.)

It is in fact a 4Runner/GX470 platform which is different than the Cruiser platform.

And it is going to be built at the Tahara plant as opposed to the Araco Kariya Plant.

Araco is really "Toyota Auto Body" (ex: Arakawa Company) which builds only the 100 series/LX470/70 series rigs.

Check out these links:

http://www.toyota-body.co.jp/english/lineup/suv.html

http://www.toyota-body.co.jp/english/kaisha/ayumi.html

The FJ will be built at the Toyota's Tahara Plant (in conjunction with Futoba INdustrial Company's Tahara Plant which helps with the Lexus line assembly):

http://www.futabasangyo.com/en/network/japan/tawara.html

http://www.lexus.com/about/corporate/manufacturing.html

(notice the LC Prado/GX470 chasis is built at Tahara and other parts at Araco; also notice the LX/LC is only Araco).

So, long story short, yeah, it's a Land Cruiser via tradition/name, etc, but mechanically, I think it is closer to the LC Prado/GX470/4Runner.

Cheers.
-onur

 

[hatman406080]

IT IS A.........LAND LANDCRUISER!

 

[brett76]

its still fugly

 

[Hulk]

its still fugly

My first Land Cruiser was a 1975 FJ40. The license plate read: UGLY 75

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it's kinda cool.

 

[thorvald]

I don't think it matters what you call it....seems to be pretty capable from the reviews so far. sounds more like a prado.

only thing is, when people ask what you drive, it seems to sound better (less gay) to say landcruiser, than it does fj cruiser

 

[sbolduc]

Who Cares !!! Man oh man ... if they stamped Landcruiser on it from the get go would it have made a difference? From all accounts thus far it is a capable truck - more so than most here expected. Shouldn't that be good enough?!?!

 

[LandCruiserSteve]

I guess it's just as much a Land Cruiser as the 100 series. Maybe even more so since it's based upon a LC Prado and closer in size to the original FJ's.

I suppose if Toyota didn't already have a "Land Cruiser" in their current line-up, that's what they probably would've called the FJC.

 

[elchivo]

PROBABLY BECAUSE A UZJ-100 IS $65k BRAND NEW AND THE FJ-CRUISER IS ONLY AROUND $28k. THE LAND CRUISER NAME IS WORTH MONEY AND ALSO IN THE U.S MEANS A SOCIAL STATUS MORE THAN JUST KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE A REALIABLE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, PERHAPS POSSIBLY DISTRACTING CONSUMERS ATTENTION FROM THE 100 SERIES, MAYBE...

 

[rpfzj80]

How can it really be a Land Cruiser...It comes in two wheel drive, Yuck.

 

[wesintl]

It's not a landcruiser or it'd be badged/model numbered as such

It's pretty cool though it's starting wear on me in the right spots

I can't wait to see it in person...

 

[powderpig]

But is badge FJ Cruiser, close enough. I made a mistake earlier on the model, it was a 90 series cruiser that this is based on. It was brought out to fight the Mitsubitshi Pajero. The frame shared similar shape and such with the Hilux surf(4/runner) but was much thicher and boxed differently than the Surf(until much later). The engines were the 5VZ-FE 3.4 GAS, 1KZTE 3L DIESEL. Until later when a 4 cylinder gas was also brought out and then a updated diesel was also brought out. So to say the 3.4 was just a truck engine passed over to the crusier may be a strech, maybe in it vision was starting to think more world market and shareing assmebly bits was a vision to make the company more viable. Also not all Landcruiser come off the arraco assembly line. There are other plants around the world that cruisers of different models come off off.
So I do beleive there is a bit of a soul for the cruiser line in this little bug and we may see more great things from toyota as the vechicle grow in sales.
later robbie

the information came from the 50 anniversary book of Toyota Landcruiser 1951-2001.