Is the FJ Cuiser a Land Cruiser-FACTS

[NCFJ]

I have found myself in a debate on the FJ Cruiser forums over this subject. Of course the FJ Cruiser fans think that the FJC is indeed a Land Cruiser.

My OPINION is that it is not a Land Cruiser, I am looking for FACTS to support this position. Every LC I have ever seen is badged as such and promoted by Toyota as such. Not so with the FJ Cruiser.

It is obvious that the FJC takes styling cues from early LCs, but once again no firm data stating that the FJC is indeed considered by Toyota to be a Land Cruiser

FACTS are what I am looking for, we all have our opinions.

Thanks

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Facts as I understand them:
-engine is derived from the mini truck line of v6s
-(manual) transmission is newer version of the r/h15x transmission, which was used exclusively mini trucks
-transfer case is driver drop from the mini trucks (Tacoma iirc)
-rear diff ring gear is 8", which was never used in a land cruiser rear

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the FJC driveline was mostly borrowed from the Tacoma. A Tacoma is not a land cruiser, nor is the FJC.

 

[lt1fire]

another fact is every year when Toyota releases promotional material for LC's the fj is not included in the booklet, but there have been some fj cruiser promos released that talk about land cruiser heritage.

that said the original 4x4 minis were called the son of the land cruiser so maybe they are a cousin

 

[little_joe]

Aren't the 4R and FJC (and GX460/470) derived from the Prado? And the Prado is, arguably, a Land Cruiser. I don't think they are derived from the Taco, which is a US truck with parts common to the other platform. (I always thought FJC was a restyled 4Runner, but what do I know.)

That said, imho the FJC is as much a proper Land Cruiser as the Corolla, Camry, Avalon - they all have the sombrero.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Aren't the 4R and FJC (and GX460/470) derived from the Prado? And the Prado is, arguably, a Land Cruiser. I don't think they are derived from the Taco, which is a US truck with parts common to the other platform. (I always thought FJC was a restyled 4Runner, but what do I know.)

That said, imho the FJC is as much a proper Land Cruiser as the Corolla, Camry, Avalon - they all have the sombrero.

The gx470 has the uzj100 engine, transmission and axles as far as I know. Not sure about the gx460, but Ramon researched the gx470 at length before buying one and iirc, that's the conclusion he came to.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

The 4runner and FJC have the same driveline.

 

[Delancy]

The FJC is a 150 and shares a chassis with all in the line up, including the Prado Land Cruiser (GXs) with 1GRs in other markets.

Is it an LC?

As much as a Prado, all of which are still built in Japan.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Honestly, its not worth the mental effort to wonder why it matters. No fact other than what Chris said above, if a Prado is, then an FJC is.

Opinion, Land Cruisers stopped with the end of solid axles...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

1gr?

Youre saying that the gx470 has the same chassis as the FJC?

 

[Delancy]

Opinion, Land Cruisers stopped with the end of solid axles...

I deleted that same sentiment from my post....

80 was the last that our market saw that stayed true to the roots and the 70 is the last true LC in production, in my opinion.

 

[NCFJ]

Those of you that know me, know well I love a debate. More often than not I side on the underdog side. My opinion is that a Land Cruiser is a model, just like a Celica, Tacoma or 4RNR. I feel that the FJ Cruiser is also a model. To me it is not a matter of which is better etc, I just want to know the bottom line. The bottome line for me is if you love your rig that is all that really matters.

So answer me this, if the FJ Cruiser is produced with a diesel, is it then a BJ Cruiser? Hmmmmmmm

 

[Delancy]

1gr? Youre saying that the gx470 has the same chassis as the FJC?

1GR is the V6 in the FJC and Prado, in some markets, although I don't believe it's as common as the 1KD, but an assumption.

As part of a similar debate, compared my GX470 and FJC and they're built in the similar manner and, I think, at the same plant with the rest of the Prado/GX lineup.

 

[NCFJ]

I deleted that same sentiment from my post....

80 was the last that our market saw that stayed true to the roots and the 70 is the last true LC in production, in my opinion.

Agreed, yet we are still in the relm of opinion.

Hello Mr. Toyoda, where are you on the subject?

 

[NCFJ]

I deleted that same sentiment from my post....

80 was the last that our market saw that stayed true to the roots and the 70 is the last true LC in production, in my opinion.

Agreed.

 

[Delancy]

So answer me this, if the FJ Cruiser is produced with a diesel, is it then a BJ Cruiser? Hmmmmmmm

Odds are, no.

I'd think it'd only make sense that it'd be a KJ Cruiser, since the 1KD is, damn near, a drop in swap to the 1GR.

Maybe a VJ Cruiser? Bahaha.

Doesn't the 200 Series have a 1VD, V8 diesel.

Bahaha. Bet that'd sell....

Maybe even an HJ Cruiser, but not a BJ, since the B series isn't a current engine in any Land Cruiser.

 

[Delancy]

If the Diesel engine were to have solidified the FJCs heritage as a Land Cruiser, the 1KD would be a perfect power plant.

Drove one one of four or five on the planet that have had the swap and it was awesome....but for $20k, it should be.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I deleted that same sentiment from my post....

80 was the last that our market saw that stayed true to the roots and the 70 is the last true LC in production, in my opinion.

Agreed completely.

1GR is the V6 in the FJC and Prado, in some markets, although I don't believe it's as common as the 1KD, but an assumption.

As part of a similar debate, compared my GX470 and FJC and they're built in the similar manner and, I think, at the same plant with the rest of the Prado/GX lineup.

Gotcha on the motor. Even if the gx and the FJC are made in the same factory, that by no means that they're the same vehicle.

I agree with Stan on the model thing. That's probably the best way to describe the debate. Even if there are shared components, in general the land cruiser is built to be more robust and carries the heritage.

 

[Delancy]

The pinnacle of the Land Cruiser lineage is the 70 Series, hands down, if looking at it from the perspective of the roots of the name.

Simple, utilitarian, tough, mechanical....but that doesn't sell $50-70k models on US lots, since the market demands power windows, sunroofs, leather seats and a plush ride.

The FJC at embraced the utilitarian interior that all since the 60, departed from.

Having hunted a particular 40 since the late nineties (blue 83 with OE PS and AC) I was so friggin excited when the rumor mills were hyping up the FJC as a throwback to the 40, envisioning a solid axle, squared body with modern accompaniments.

When I saw for the first time, shortly after they unveiled, I was completely disappointed....yet wound up with one four or five years later, with dreams of making it how I envisioned it should've been (SAC).

Thankfully, I finally listened to LT and others and bought an 80 with the funds allocated to the SAC.

Now that I've a few classics and an 80, the FJC is soon to be culled, being replaced with a 55, BUT dreaming the next build will be a US legal 70 Series, in some form or fashion, as I think Toyota should introduce to the US market.

 

[NCFJ]

THe BJ question was posed with tongue in cheek, good well thought out responses though. We are truley a bunch of gear heads.

 

[NCFJ]

Posted by Marshall, owner of Trollhole

Straight from Toyota. End of conversation.



Corporate Archive: TOYOTA LAND CRUISER TIMELINE


1935 – Toyoda initiates manufacturer of trucks with the G1
1937 – Toyota Motor Co. founded from its roots in Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
1939 – G1 becomes the GB, with 75-hp Type B engine
1950 – Development begins on 4x4 AK10 utility vehicle using the Type B engine
1951 – BJ sold to Japan’s National Police Agency
1953 – Large-scale BJ production begins
1954 – BJ named Land Cruiser
1955 – F-Series 3.8L Six adopted, FJ25 introduced
1955 – BJ discontinued
1958 – Land Cruiser introduced to the U.S. in September
1960 – 40 Series introduced, replaces 20 Series
1961-1965 – Land Cruiser 40 Series is the best-selling Toyota in the U.S.
1967 – 55 Series station wagon introduced
1968 – 100,000th Land Cruiser sold
1972 – 200,000th Land Cruiser sold
1973 – 300,000th Land Cruiser sold
1975 – 4.2L engine, four-speed transmission introduced
1979 – 55 Series production ends
1980 – 60 Series, second-generation wagon, introduced
1980 – Millionth Land Cruiser sold
1983 – Final year of 40 Series sales in the U.S.
1984 – 40 Series production ends
1984 – 70 Series introduced
1989 – 60 Series production ends
1990 – 2-millionth Land Cruiser sold
1990 – 80 Series, third-generation wagon, introduced
1991 – Full-time four-wheel drive introduced
1993 – 4.5L DOHC six-cylinder engine introduced
1993 – 90 Series introduced
1997 – 80 Series production ends
1998 – 100 Series, fourth-generation wagon, introduced
1998 – 4.7L i-Force V8 introduced
2002 – 120 Series (current Prado, Lexus GX 470) introduced
2003 – 4-millionth Land Cruiser sold
2007 – FJ Cruiser introduced