So I’ve been on this site for a while
I’ve got a 97 Cruiser, it happened to be my first car.
A little history, I was cutting grass and doing side jobs as a kid to save for a early 90s pickup. My father had one and I loved the 22re and 5 speed. My uncle works at a dealership and called my mother about the cruiser on wholesale. Well I ended up getting the Cruiser, drove it through high school and signed up for the Marines. My truck was left sitting in the driveway as my parents backup vehicle.
I spent 4 years in Japan, 3 of which where in Okinawa. I really appreciated my old Toyota Cruiser being over there so I decided to make it my own. I created a build plan and did none of it ha. Being a broke and married E-4 sucks.
I hit my 4 years and got out, bought a brand new 15 Tacoma, and rented a house, and I was Very broke. So the land Cruiser sat.
Once everything normalized I started working towards my goal of the cruiser, it’s been 10 years and my love hasn’t dwindled. I’ve done all the usual maintenance, (front axle, cooling system, ect) and I’ve gotten it set up for some awesome camping adventures.
So far it’s got
J-lift w/Slee 4” lift kit parts and caster correction plates
ARB snorkel
315 KM3 tires
Rear Aussie Locker
ARB awning w/ deluxe room
Eezi awn k-9 rack
Eezi awn 2200 series 3
Slee step sliders (in the mail)
Warn Zeon 10k-s
I’ll be getting the Slee rear and Arb front bumpers soon
I’ve got a mild build on my Tacoma, I’ve been to flagpole a couple of times camping, OBX a bunch, I’m looking forward to tackling some trails in the east.
The Cruiser has a bunch of character that my Tacoma doesn’t, I like the connection you get. I really haven’t driven anything else like it. I’ve got a lot of great memories in the Cruiser already, I grew up with it, met my wife in it, and brought my kid home as well. Luckily my wife supports my hobby as long as she plans routes, can’t beat it.
I’ve been on this site for a long time, this is a huge resource, there is a lot of knowledge here, if anyone wants to hit some trails let me know. We are usually headed to the beach or gwnf.
We have a trip in June to head to CO for the alpine loop and Yellowstone, camping along the way with the wife and kid is going to be a learning experience.
Happy Trails Everyone
I’ve got a 97 Cruiser, it happened to be my first car.
A little history, I was cutting grass and doing side jobs as a kid to save for a early 90s pickup. My father had one and I loved the 22re and 5 speed. My uncle works at a dealership and called my mother about the cruiser on wholesale. Well I ended up getting the Cruiser, drove it through high school and signed up for the Marines. My truck was left sitting in the driveway as my parents backup vehicle.
I spent 4 years in Japan, 3 of which where in Okinawa. I really appreciated my old Toyota Cruiser being over there so I decided to make it my own. I created a build plan and did none of it ha. Being a broke and married E-4 sucks.
I hit my 4 years and got out, bought a brand new 15 Tacoma, and rented a house, and I was Very broke. So the land Cruiser sat.
Once everything normalized I started working towards my goal of the cruiser, it’s been 10 years and my love hasn’t dwindled. I’ve done all the usual maintenance, (front axle, cooling system, ect) and I’ve gotten it set up for some awesome camping adventures.
So far it’s got
J-lift w/Slee 4” lift kit parts and caster correction plates
ARB snorkel
315 KM3 tires
Rear Aussie Locker
ARB awning w/ deluxe room
Eezi awn k-9 rack
Eezi awn 2200 series 3
Slee step sliders (in the mail)
Warn Zeon 10k-s
I’ll be getting the Slee rear and Arb front bumpers soon
I’ve got a mild build on my Tacoma, I’ve been to flagpole a couple of times camping, OBX a bunch, I’m looking forward to tackling some trails in the east.
The Cruiser has a bunch of character that my Tacoma doesn’t, I like the connection you get. I really haven’t driven anything else like it. I’ve got a lot of great memories in the Cruiser already, I grew up with it, met my wife in it, and brought my kid home as well. Luckily my wife supports my hobby as long as she plans routes, can’t beat it.
I’ve been on this site for a long time, this is a huge resource, there is a lot of knowledge here, if anyone wants to hit some trails let me know. We are usually headed to the beach or gwnf.
We have a trip in June to head to CO for the alpine loop and Yellowstone, camping along the way with the wife and kid is going to be a learning experience.
Happy Trails Everyone
Good looking truck. 
