I just emailed Toyota asking them to bring us the new 70 series here(US).

[Gun Runner 5]

Although the 70 Series is still somewhat rare in the U.S., I'm living proof that they can be had with a little homework.
Here is further evidence that the numbers are slowly increasing in the U.S.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/u-s-70s-registration.804314/

 

[OGBeno]

^^^ Well put.

Mainly because of the "cognitive dissonance" between Japanese-run TMC and American-run TMS, along with the conflict between what each sees the US public wanting (that's not even including our small, minuscule, infinitesimal world of LC enthusiasts).

 

[Gun Runner 5]

^^^ Well put.

Mainly because of the "cognitive dissonance" between Japanese-run TMC and American-run TMS, along with the conflict between what each sees the US public wanting (that's not even including our small, minuscule, infinitesimal world of LC enthusiasts).

Onur, Please don't interject logic and common sense into an otherwise entertaining thread.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Although the 70 Series is still somewhat rare in the U.S., I'm living proof that they can be had with a little homework.
Here is further evidence that the numbers are slowly increasing in the U.S.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/u-s-70s-registration.804314/View attachment 1025709

Exactly. I wanted a diesel Toyota. So I got a diesel Toyota (now I have a bunch, but that's my problem). You can't really say there's a market if you don't do what it takes to get them now. Was it more work than going into a dealership and getting a car payment? Yep. Involved importing, welding, and all sorts of fun! But it is quite possible. I'm coming up on 150,000 miles on the faux-lux since I built/imported it. I KNOW that Toyota missed the mark on not selling these here, but that's because I got one, drive it a LOT, and can tell you first hand why it is better than what was sold here at that time.

Mainly because of the "cognitive dissonance" between Japanese-run TMC and American-run TMS, along with the conflict between what each sees the US public wanting (that's not even including our small, minuscule, infinitesimal world of LC enthusiasts).

Exactly. I think *part* of the problem is that since they've never tried, they don't know. But what incentive is there to try the 70 series here? The Tundra and Tacoma seem to sell just fine. I don't see a flatbiller ever seeing a 70 series and saying "you know what bro, that thing can carry a full size load, without being a gargantuan truck to park! That's rad! It has plenty of room for my metal mulisha stickers and tap out stuff." Nope, they'd take a test drive and, over the noise from her purse-dog his girlfriend would convince him to buy a Tundra because it's cheaper, looks bigger, and rides like a car. Then he'd see that there is a lift block kit to jack that Tundra to the sky, maybe even add a chrome nerf bar--or even better "murder it out" and the Tundra would be sold.

It's much more than just the technical beauty of the 70 series. There's a marketing piece that Americans need, and would take YEARS to understand for the new truck crowd. We seem to buy trucks based on their ability to have heavy things dropped in them, and do donuts in a muddy lot.

Dan

 

[cruiserdan]

"purse-dog"

 

[OGBeno]

@DanS HJ-45

Classic and well-put.

 

[alberta mac]

Landcruiser : the best thing Toyota built that boasted their reliability ~ also
the worst thing Toyota did because when do you ever stop driving a landcruiser and send it to the junk yard ?
at that point they know we will not drum up 150,000 people to buy a new model when we are still driving our 1965 fj40 while passing new cars broken down on the side of the highway ! ; )

I'd go with the above mentioned and bring in a 25 yr old 70+ series.

just my two cents !
and for the hell of it ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqq0K8_S9xY

 

[WiscoProud]

I just came across this thread. I would love to have a 70 one day. I believe an additional reason they weren't brought over is the Chicken Tax (25% tariff on light trucks). The only way to avoid it would be to build them in north America, which is a huge undertaking for a small volume vehicle. The tariff is also partly why Cruisers' are so expensive here. They're built in Japan and are subject to the tax. Lastly, this is also why we get the Tacoma and not the hilux. They build the Tacoma in California to avoid the tariff, and the Hilux is built overseas, making it subject. Fingers crossed the TPP eliminates the chicken tax once and for all, and we can start getting good off-road vehicles without waiting 25 years.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

I just came across this thread. I would love to have a 70 one day. I believe an additional reason they weren't brought over is the Chicken Tax (25% tariff on light trucks). The only way to avoid it would be to build them in north America, which is a huge undertaking for a small volume vehicle. The tariff is also partly why Cruisers' are so expensive here. They're built in Japan and are subject to the tax. Lastly, this is also why we get the Tacoma and not the hilux. They build the Tacoma in California to avoid the tariff, and the Hilux is built overseas, making it subject. Fingers crossed the TPP eliminates the chicken tax once and for all, and we can start getting good off-road vehicles without waiting 25 years.

The other part of that is that the Tacoma is built on a different frame than the hilux (a c-channel frame, rather than a boxed frame). This is for the crash rating that Toyota wanted the truck to have. IIRC the Hilux stock frame would transfer too much energy to the occupants of the rig, hurting the passengers, rather than crumpling and absorbing the energy.
There are a few other differences so my guess was that toyota felt it was more cost effective to build the North America only models, such as the Tacoma, in North America.

The FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, and 4Runners are all still built in Japan, IIRC.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

I am also willing to bet that we will see a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon edition w/ factory V8 or diesel option before we EVER see a Tacoma, FJ Cruiser or 4Runner with a factory Diesel in the US...

 

[White Stripe]

Toyota plays it very safe in my opinion-too safe in America. Making the FJCruiser was going out on a limb for them. They need to step it up, which probably will never happen. Meanwhile I am sure Rubicon's will continue to sell like hot cakes since they have no competition. A new syle landcruiser in which you could take the top off is sorely needed I think.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

As long as there are teenage girls, middle aged women, accountants and lawyers, Jeep will always have a healthy market.
I live in a town with a population of 50,000-60,000 and I swear I see 30+ Jeeps every time I drive through town which makes me even happier to be driving a 70 Series.

 

[Flight2k5]

The other part of that is that the Tacoma is built on a different frame than the hilux (a c-channel frame, rather than a boxed frame). This is for the crash rating that Toyota wanted the truck to have. IIRC the Hilux stock frame would transfer too much energy to the occupants of the rig, hurting the passengers, rather than crumpling and absorbing the energy.
There are a few other differences so my guess was that toyota felt it was more cost effective to build the North America only models, such as the Tacoma, in North America.

The FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, and 4Runners are all still built in Japan, IIRC.

That's not true. The 4Runner has a boxed frame.

 

[tmandell]

I sent a similar email to Toyota Canada in September asking them to bring the 70 series to Canada. They simply responded that they have no intention to bring any of the Land Cruisers to Canada.

If anyone from Toyota happens to read this thread, I just want to say that I would buy a 70 series the first day you are willing to take my money.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

That's not true. The 4Runner has a boxed frame.

For the same model year, the Tacoma has a better NHTSA crash rating than the 4Runner does.

http://www.cars.com/toyota/4runner/2008/safety-ratings

http://www.cars.com/toyota/tacoma/2008/safety-ratings/

 

[Flight2k5]

For the same model year, the Tacoma has a better NHTSA crash rating than the 4Runner does.

http://www.cars.com/toyota/4runner/2008/safety-ratings

http://www.cars.com/toyota/tacoma/2008/safety-ratings/

Wonder why if that's the reason they didn't change it in both. Maybe we should compare the 96 model years, when the tacoma came out.

 

[sggoat]

It's probably futile and it probably won't happen but gosh darnit I cant sit here and be quiet!

I mean, look at it!

So I just sent Toyota an email letting them know if they ever bring it here they've got a customer willing and ready.

http://www.toyota.com/support/#!/app/ask <---- How I sent the email.

I feel like a 10 year old writing letters to Santa. Maybe someone up there is listening...

I just sent them an e-mail too

 

[sggoat]

My recommendation, just buy a 25 year old 70 Series. Minus the fancy engine, a properly equipped 25 year old 70 Series is just as capable as a new one.
The 70,71,73,74 & 75 Series are available now and in short order the 77 & 79 Series will be available.

Do you have any links to any of these?

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Do you have any links to any of these?

Lots here

http://www.landcruisersdirect.com/

 

[sggoat]

Thank you!!