What defines a real Land Cruiser? (legit question)
Here's a start.... Taking a bump to rear end and the computer not immobilizing the vehicle (LC 250).
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
What defines a real Land Cruiser? (legit question)
It is the online lingo for "bully."The who?
![]()
''I guess we'll have to wait to find out.'' Agreed, Every time a new land cruiser is released these same old questions emerge. and I'm also sure the same proof will occur. Yes, we'll have to wait to find out.Built to endure? Absolutely. How many old LandCruisers get pulled out of a field after sitting for 10 years and, with just a few necessary part replacements, start right up? The 40/55 tech forum is full of them. My LandCruiser is 51 years old, I rebuilt the engine 20 years ago. Did a valve job last year. How many modren Landcruisers can do that? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.
I am not convinced that Toyota is building today's Landcruisers with the same philosophy as 50 years ago, nor do I always believe the official Toyota line on what makes a Real LandCruiser as their criteria may be different than mine.
Areed. Yeah that sucks, Its def a Con. But even achillies had a weakness gotta weigh everything out when making decisionsHere's a start.... Taking a bump to rear end and the computer not immobilizing the vehicle (LC 250).
I was making a joke that after putting him on ignore, his posts are gone, and I no longer see who you're talking about.It is the online lingo for "bully."
Built to endure? Absolutely. How many old LandCruisers get pulled out of a field after sitting for 10 years and, with just a few necessary part replacements, start right up? The 40/55 tech forum is full of them. My LandCruiser is 51 years old, I rebuilt the engine 20 years ago. Did a valve job last year. How many modren Landcruisers can do that? I guess we'll have to wait to find out.
I am not convinced that Toyota is building today's Landcruisers with the same philosophy as 50 years ago, nor do I always believe the official Toyota line on what makes a Real LandCruiser as their criteria may be different than mine.
Here's a start.... Taking a bump to rear end and the computer not immobilizing the vehicle (LC 250).
They are built to be driven. And the modern ones are already proven in that regard. Some 100s with 500k+ miles just on this forum. Daily driven, no signs of slowing down. Some 200s are getting up there. Original drivetrains on both. 250s... we'll see. Frankly this quality is not even unique to Land Cruisers, it's Toyota's in general.
How long can the modern Land Cruisers sit untouched in a field or barn somewhere and will they be as easy to resurrect as a 40/55? Who knows? And who cares.
Vehicles that can reasonably regularly make it to 500k are much less likely to leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere at 200k, than those that have shorter expected lifespans.I dont really care if my LX makes it to 500k miles TBH. It will be 44 years before it gets there at the rate im going and ill be 80 years old.
They're all pretty fragile now. Supposedly even this minor bump was enough to immobilize a 300 series. Had to be hauled off on a flatbed.Here's a start.... Taking a bump to rear end and the computer not immobilizing the vehicle (LC 250).
Real Land Cruiser clearly would have driven right out of that tree it fell into after running into T Rex.Any vehicle Toyota blesses with the name 'Land Cruiser' in it is a Land Cruiser even if it has a hybrid battery. In fact, in the original Jurassic Park book (before the movie), the park tour vehicles were fully Electric Land Cruisers. It's a shame they swapped them out in the movie. What happened to 'spare no expense'? The Land Cruiser's weight would’ve been perfect for showing just how powerful that T. Rex really was. View attachment 3858953
Yeah I suppose.Vehicles that can reasonably regularly make it to 500k are much less likely to leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere at 200k, than those that have shorter expected lifespans.
The value in quality and longevity is not in driving the vehicle at that "maximum" mileage, but rather the problem-free ownership leading up to it.
Yup I believe it would have been an 80s series LCReal Land Cruiser clearly would have driven right out of that tree it fell into after running into T Rex.
I do prefer the the old ways, I am old. I can rebuild a carburetor, I cannot fix a mysterious black plastic box with many wires. I much prefer to fix my own vehicle than have a Dealer do it. The ability to fix one's vehicle in the field can be the difference between always getting home and not. Owner serviceability is one of the beauties of the Legendary LandCruisers ( I'll use "Legendary" instead of "Real" to sidestep the "but the badge says it is" argument).I think your preference leans toward the old way
You have no argument. It's ok.They're all pretty fragile now. Supposedly even this minor bump was enough to immobilize a 300 series. Had to be hauled off on a flatbed.
View attachment 3859243
I think those kinds of reflections are healthy they get us closer to the truth. When you say the new Land Cruisers might be riding the coattails of the Legend, I see it differently. I believe the new Land Cruisers are the Legend just in its future form. And I don’t think Toyota’s philosophy has changed. That mindset wasn’t born with Toyota it’s rooted in Japanese culture itself. I highly doubt that mentality has suddenly shifted when it comes to building these new Land Cruisers.I do prefer the the old ways, I am old. I can rebuild a carburetor, I cannot fix a mysterious black plastic box with many wires. I much prefer to fix my own vehicle than have a Dealer do it. The ability to fix one's vehicle in the field can be the difference between always getting home and not. Owner serviceability is one of the beauties of the Legendary LandCruisers ( I'll use "Legendary" instead of "Real" to sidestep the "but the badge says it is" argument).
I'm thinking that the larger philosophy at Toyota has indeed changed since the LandCruiser was introduced. Back then, Japanese products did not have the excellent reputation that they enjoy today. Toyota responded by making a 4x4 that was head-and-shoulders above the competition to muscle their way into the market. Nowadays I'm afraid the philosophy has been corrupted by accountants and marketeers and regulations and stockholders and a public more desirous of comfort than adventure. Toyota seems content to maintain market share by offering lots of pretty good vehicles. Perhaps marketing is hoping that the new Landcruisers can continue to ride the coattails of the Legend.
Who? The same type of (probably as yet unborn) adventurous cruiserheads who want to restore one to showroom condition like today's cruiserheads are doing.And who cares.
Different strokes for different folks. The new LC will have to prove itself over the next 10 years or so. Then we will see if it has the hearty spirit of the true LC. Until then, if you want the peace of mind that you have a proven near-indestructible machine, you have to go 200 series or earlier. Can’t be giving out “true” LC status (or LX ahem) until the thing has earned its stripes.I think those kinds of reflections are healthy they get us closer to the truth. When you say the new Land Cruisers might be riding the coattails of the Legend, I see it differently. I believe the new Land Cruisers are the Legend just in its future form. And I don’t think Toyota’s philosophy has changed. That mindset wasn’t born with Toyota it’s rooted in Japanese culture itself. I highly doubt that mentality has suddenly shifted when it comes to building these new Land Cruisers.
These hybrid Cruisers are the past combined with the future. The past is certain it's proven, it's safe. The future will always be questioned and doubted... until it proves itself. And then? The next leap forward will bring new doubts all over again. This is fun. I appreciate you entertaining these thought provoking discussions I'm all about it.
Regarding the LX700h HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), It might run, albeit in a "reduced power" (limp or turtle mode) to protect the drivetrain. I think the electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and the transmission so it is essentially a package deal. I am aware of the legendary Toyota/Lexus reliability lineage regarding hybrids, however, these systems do increase the failure points more than just simply either utilizing electric motor(s) or an internal combustion engine.Wonder how the LX700h would have handle this. It has a starter+alternator as a backup for hybrid system failure, but I wonder if the vehicle is disabled due to a safety "issue" where impact has affected battery compartment.