I'm hoping after I graduate from college I could take a Land Cruiser to every single continent. Currently I have a 77 FJ40, and I am thinking that is not the best choice. So vote and post up why you would choose that particular Land Cruiser.
What Land Cruiser Would You Take?
- Thread starter Bad Mojo
- Start date
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HZJ75 or 78 would be my choice. Great workhorse engine, longer wheelbase, most modern of the utility cruisers.
75/78/79 series diesel.Strangely absent from the list
75/78/79 series diesel.Strangely absent from the list
absolutely. you need long wheel base, a diesel (1HZ will last, is proven and has global support) and a 7x series can take the punishment.
I would not even think about doing this with a gasser. or a 4x series or any other swb.
Someone will bring up the swiss couple that has been travelling with a gasser 60 for the last 30 years (weltrekordreise.de or so) as an argument that it can be done with a gasser just fine. Then look at their truck, the 7x5 gallon cans they have strapped over their head, and rethink it. not a good decision.
J
Exiled
SILVER Star
I third Ken and Rosco's suggestion. If you're serious about visiting every continent, you're going to need something diesel, LWB, and much newer than 3/4 of the options you listed. The 70 series is sold in 100+ countries, which gives you great parts/repairs support, and the vehicle will take the pounding of such a long trip without crazy modifications.
Whatever you calculate as your budget, factor a 1.5x multiplier. Don't go crazy on offroad modification, either, 95% of the trip will be on roads (albeit Third World versions), think reasonable modifications around the weight of the vehicle/cargo passengers, security, creature comforts.
Shoot for an unobtrusive build, too, in most countries you won't be bothered if your vehicle is discrete.
Good luck with school, good luck with the trip, and please keep us posted on the buildup! Many of us here have the same dream, but at least in my case, I'll need to put my boys through college before I can even get down to business!
Whatever you calculate as your budget, factor a 1.5x multiplier. Don't go crazy on offroad modification, either, 95% of the trip will be on roads (albeit Third World versions), think reasonable modifications around the weight of the vehicle/cargo passengers, security, creature comforts.
Shoot for an unobtrusive build, too, in most countries you won't be bothered if your vehicle is discrete.
Good luck with school, good luck with the trip, and please keep us posted on the buildup! Many of us here have the same dream, but at least in my case, I'll need to put my boys through college before I can even get down to business!
There is no 'all of them' option. Also, no stinky option 
edit: I chose 'other', as in a Hdj80.
edit: I chose 'other', as in a Hdj80.
Same as Rosco, specifically a HZJ75LV-MR with an aftermarket turbo. 
Damn, I should never post pics like that without a hanky close by.
Damn, I should never post pics like that without a hanky close by.
What happened to the HJ60 or HJ61?
HJ61 with high roof, cable lockers, H55 and of course the 12H-T
Damn, I should never post pics like that without a hanky close by.
you aint kidding, that is the only rig i would replace my 55 with,, but since i dont have one my 55 is the rig i would take.
I picked the fj80 because I assumed you are starting from the US. Yeah the LC 78 series, if available, would certainly be the best.
I love the pop top troopies they have down under...hope to have one someday!
- Thread starter
- #13
Interesting response. I am didn't even know that there were so many versions of the seventy series. Let me guess I may not be able to get some of the seventies in the USA to start with.
I understand keeping the vehicle pretty stock, what if any after market items would add. I know there is a K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid) factor to going on a full on expedition and wanting to blend in. The trip would most likely be two people, and only the one car.
Thanks for the input. And I will most diffidently will keep everyone informed once I get a vehicle step up for this trip. I am thinking start early, so I don't rush and everything is planned out better.
I understand keeping the vehicle pretty stock, what if any after market items would add. I know there is a K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid) factor to going on a full on expedition and wanting to blend in. The trip would most likely be two people, and only the one car.
Thanks for the input. And I will most diffidently will keep everyone informed once I get a vehicle step up for this trip. I am thinking start early, so I don't rush and everything is planned out better.
Might be a tad difficult getting it into the US but why would you want it in the US if you are planning on driving around the world? I'd go to Japan and pick up a nice low km rig at auction. Have a shop there prep it and start driving. You got to start you world trip sonmewhere, right? Might as well be some place were you can get a lightly used one at a good price.
- Thread starter
- #15
Very true. My plan though was to drive down through Central and South America then to Antarctica, Oz, Asia, Middle East, Africa (Drive the coast), Europe, and then ship the vehicle to Canada and drive it through Canada, and then try to get it in the US or sell it up in Canada. That plan may have to change if I want to get a cheap one.
KISS is a good theory ,especially for a global expedition.
Generally the vehicle needs length which is why you correctly decided the FJ40 was not the best choice.
Although some Americans did it in the early 1970s and lived to write a book about it.
Only the LWB wagons or the troopy are genuine contenders.
I think the best way is to build a false floor for a slide out fridge, tools and spare tyres underneath.
On top of the false floor you build a bed and put some curtains up.
Build a folding kitchen on the tail gate or rear doors.
Get a roof rack for the daily camping equipment like table and chairs and anything that wont fit under the bed.
Add a awning on the side for watching the world go by
Tyres. You get a lot of opinions on this. One thing is for sure,if you need new ones in north Uzbekistan,they wont have 33 BFGs sitting on the rack
I would use light truck tyres in 750x16 or 235x85x16,they both fit the same rim.
They are used on most of the small Japanese trucks and buses on most continents and you can get them in AT and MT.
Suspension only needs to be capable of carrying the load with no wheel rub.
Good springs,expediton ,not weekend trail type and the best shocks you can find.
Height to be kept to a minimum(yeah yeah I know,boring man) for stabilty and container stowage
Im not sure about a winch,it really depends on your route. If I was off on a global trip I would be wary of going offroad any more than necessary. Its really going to be about roads,either super freeways or cattle trails.
It wont be rock crawling up canyons where there are no spare axles for a 1000 miles.
I would only consider taking a diesel because of the safety reasons when refuelling and for squeezing the miles out of the fuel you can carry.
The engine wouldnt need to be super powerful,a stock 1HZ would be perfect.
Most of the time you would be trundling along at 40-50mph or less
I woudnt go overboard on the size of the fuel tank,leave some room for a water tank.
You would have to study the route and adapt the size of the tank .
A good steel bullbar is good insurance,but Im not sure if they allow them at all in western europe these days.
Check out some of the expedition videos on youtube,some really well thought out rigs on there
- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks, Rosco you gave me a lot to think about. Now on the built in stuff when I go through border crossing are they going to freak out with me if I have a false floor. I don't want the border guards thinking I am running drugs or weapons, but it has to be some what apparent that I am not trying to hide anything.
Maybe false floor was just a poor choice of words. I think he meant to say drawers with a platform you can sleep on above them.
You will appreciate a turboed 1hz when you are at high elevations. A lot of South American and Central Asia travel will take you up pretty high.
If you buy outside of the US (Japan or Australia) and at the end of your trip you plan to import it into the US, then remember that it has to be 25 years old when you finish your trip. I suspect you will take two years or more to do the trip.
Check out the threads on Expedition Portal. Lots of good info there for you.
You will appreciate a turboed 1hz when you are at high elevations. A lot of South American and Central Asia travel will take you up pretty high.
If you buy outside of the US (Japan or Australia) and at the end of your trip you plan to import it into the US, then remember that it has to be 25 years old when you finish your trip. I suspect you will take two years or more to do the trip.
Check out the threads on Expedition Portal. Lots of good info there for you.
- Thread starter
- #19
Maybe false floor was just a poor choice of words. I think he meant to say drawers with a platform you can sleep on above them.
You will appreciate a turboed 1hz when you are at high elevations. A lot of South American and Central Asia travel will take you up pretty high.
If you buy outside of the US (Japan or Australia) and at the end of your trip you plan to import it into the US, then remember that it has to be 25 years old when you finish your trip. I suspect you will take two years or more to do the trip.
Check out the threads on Expedition Portal. Lots of good info there for you.
That makes a lot of sense.
Very true on the 25 year clause. I would like to bring home the vehicle that took me around the world and back again. Maybe I will go back to my favorite spot and live there with my 70 series Land Cruiser.
Who knows I still have time to figure this all out. I will take a look over at Expedition Portal.
Turbo Diesel 80's series
