Why Did You Choose A Land Cruiser? Top 5 Reasons

[nigelnigel]

I am really curious to why and how everyone got into the Land Cruiser. I started looking at the Land Rover Discovery, test drove a couple, did a lot of research and made the decision they are too costly and unreliable (but still very capable off-roading). Then I looked at something so obvious...Land Cruiser!! Did a lot of research, especially here and bought a nice '91...(selling it and wanting a 93>97).
So, I was wondering about your stories to destination Land Cruiser....Maybe just a short story, some top 5 reasons, a pic or two of your recent ride and anything else you want to contribute.


Nigel

 

[Cannon88]

I really liked the gas mileage.











Hehehe j/k

I like the size, solid axles, locking diffs, and I just really love the look of one. I had a first gen 4Runner and a Tacoma, and I liked them both a lot. But the first time I got in a Land Cruiser, I knew it was made for me. I have a 1993 FZJ80, and I love it.

 

[CowboyUp]

My dream SUV and the best SUV in the world .
And of course, is a Toyota Land Cruiser

 

[CowboyUp]

I really liked the gas mileage.











Hehehe j/k

I like the size, solid axles, locking diffs, and I just really love the look of one. I had a first gen 4Runner and a Tacoma, and I liked them both a lot. But the first time I got in a Land Cruiser, I knew it was made for me. I have a 1993 FZJ80, and I love it.

You really like the gas mileage ?!

 

[Enigma]

I was 19, the picture in the buy & sell showed it topless, the fibreglass flip front end open showing off a chevy V8, so I bought it.



Oops, didnt see the 80 tech heading!


Well we needed/wanted a family hauler that could go camping and wheeling. The didn't like the interiors of the 60's we looked at, and we started shopping for an 80 series.
The Hdj81 was blue, so she wanted that one. And it had lockers, so I said OK

 

[Bikeman]

Main reasons: 1)a solid axle front axle rig with 2)a drivetrain that wasn't crap out of the box like a wrangler or cherokee, 3)that could handle 35" tires and come with locked axles, and be 4)reliable enough to spend money to upgrade it, not fix it like land rovers. Lastly, be unique enough to not see them everywhere.

 

[ShawnTRD]

1995 Land Cruiser

1) Like the body style
2) L6 motor are great motors (even Ford or Chevy)
3) It's a tank, but yet I can do a u-turn on the road not a parking lot.
4) Although people seem to think there expensive, if you can do you own work there not.
5) Toyota

 

[wildmanscout]

My 97 replaced a 73 International Harvester Scout and a 69 IHC Travelall. I got a "modern" multi-purpose vehicle that outperforms the Scout offroad AND matches the Travelall for towing my boat while getting better gas mileage (both IHCs had 345 V8). Big plus: The wife loves trail riding in air-conditioned comfort but wouldn't ride in either of the other trucks.

 

[silverhorse]

I was 19, the picture in the buy & sell showed it topless, the fibreglass flip front end open showing off a chevy V8, so I bought it.



Oops, didnt see the 80 tech heading!


Well we needed/wanted a family hauler that could go camping and wheeling. The didn't like the interiors of the 60's we looked at, and we started shopping for an 80 series.
The Hdj81 was blue, so she wanted that one. And it had lockers, so I said OK

Dude, This has been dogging me for months, What the **** is that on your avatar???????

 

[natvet]

1. Built(over-built)to last forever
2. Looks cool........is cool
3. Goes anywhere
4. Built to last forever
5. Lasts forever

 

[silverhorse]

Oh yes, No IFS !
factory lockers
It's a safe vehicle
well built and the #1 reason
It's a TOYOTA!!!!!!!!

 

[d0ubledown]

Main reasons: a solid axle front axle rig with a drivetrain that wasn't crap out of the box like a wrangler or cherokee, that could handle 35" tires and come with locked axles, and be reliable enough to spend money to upgrade it, not fix it like land rovers.

X2. also for me, with the 3rd baby on the way, we got rid of the smaller 4runner and stepped up to the roomier, beefier 80. got more room, solid axles and lockers. originally looked for an HDJ81, but they were still out of my price range and didnt have the 3rd row seats. found a mildly built FZJ80...and the rest is history..

 

[nigelnigel]

Excellent postings. Thank you. I think this helps all the people that are still considering buying one but haven't yet and really solidifies all the reasons we each love our cars. I really like the stories of the previous vehicles owned and the considerations of vehicles that might have been purchased.
VThanks everyone and keep it going.

 

[greentruck]

1. Owned a '76 FJ55. Lots of off-road experience in various vehicles since, so appreciate the LandCruiser value.
2. We drove by, saw the 80, and did a walk-around on the way to Sunday dinner.
3. Found MUD, seemed like a smart, helpful bunch.
4. Did some catching up after 25 years out of a LandCruiser. I can do this.
5. Stopped by on Monday, good test drive, and good price.

 

[plutonius]

the legacy:

the feeling:

the reliabilty:

the newborn:

the not-newborn-friendly rig:

 

[silverhorse]

We must be related! This is now for sale, 3rd baby on the way......

 

[TEXLEX450]

1. Reliability - lived in Africa for 15years where Toyota vs. LandRover quality was truly tested under the extremes. Toyota always came out on top.
2. Wanted a fun hunting / wheeling rig that I could get dirty and not worry about getting banged around.
3. Tired of car payments but still wanted something that looked cool.
4. Not your common 4x4 ford pick-up
5. Used to own a J**p. Enough said

 

[Ihasfip]

I didn't want a Landcruiser. LOL. It just kind of fell into my hands. Was looking to trade my M35A2 (Duece and a Half) for some sort of 4x4 strictly as a play toy and mild daily driver (less than 100 miles a month), and a guy contacted me with this. Bone stock. Not a scratch, dent, stain, rip or tear. Had a grille guard, mudflaps, running boards and Goodyear Forteras on it. If only he would have known what it was worth. I wanted 3,000 for the Duece. We traded straight across. Now I have spent several thousand dollars on it, even sold my 10 second Camaro to fund it. Now I don't think I ever would, or could ($$$) sell it.

D

 

[Cannon88]

silverhorse, that is a sweet Bronco.

 

[livinoffroad]

1) I owned a 22re mini-truck for 15 years, and had an excellent experience with it. Then, I bought a new 1993 4runner, and enjoyed the heck out of it for 250,000 miles.

2) The found an immaculate Cruiser in the local paper with only 65K on it. The 4runner was getting tired, and I wasn't going to turn it into a crawler or anything.

3) We liked the leather, solid axle, people carrying capacity, aftermarket equipment options, inline six engine. So it was time to upgrade.

4) Thank God for IH8MUD, because even if I had been a mechanic for years, this thing is complex...

5) All the obvious reasons...dependability, efficiency, styling. I prefer Japanese engineering over any other. Oh, and, one other reason. I actually NEED this vehicle, as I live 2 miles off pavement, and in the winter, sometimes I literally have to return home from Boise, or Salt Lake, to 6-12" of fresh powder snow on my 13 percent grade, 2 mile long driveway, in order to make it into my garage, then plow out the next morning!! I wouldn't consider any other rig for this job.