Why Did You Choose A Land Cruiser? Top 5 Reasons

[jabhb]

Because when I go play with built mini trucks and 4runners everyone is still impressed with how well they get around. I'm stupid rough on vehicles and I needed something that can take it. The fact that I trust my 270000 mile 80 more then most brand new vehicles.

 

[kidglove13]

1-5 it is a Landcruiser.
The only vehicle the did not question when I was looking at used trucks.

 

[Keep]

I owned and mildly wheeled a 97 4Runner and was mulling over the idea of switching to an 80 for something bigger and more versatile. Then I saw the old Stormin' Norman video when it was new and decided I had to have one! Since then I've become an addict. I picked up a 40 a few years ago and have been eyeing a local Pig I drive past omw to work every day now.

 

[mshelby]

When I was a kid my uncle drove an FJ40 and the feeling I would get when we would just take the top off and drive down to the beach was something I still could not describe.

Throughout the years I have tried to replace that with Jeeps, various SUV's, and it was never the same until I first jump in a friend's FZJ80 about 3 years ago.

Fast forward to today, I own my own FJ80 which is a work in progress, and once I get this one finished I am going to pick up an FJ40 and rebuild it.

 

[rhyary]

I thought it will be cheap to own and maintain.
But then I discovered this site............

 

[mnflyfish]

I had always loved the LC going back to when I was in HS and the neighbor had a 60. What really sold me was the sliding rear windows, whoever designed that owned a dog. Over engineered and built was also a major thing coming off owning two Explorers. Reliablility, my last Ford dropped it's tranny while out in the boonies, on a Sunday, in the winter, while I had been out fly fishing. Just a damn cool, tough truck-fits in at deer camp or the valet line on date night with my wife.

 

[hatman406080]

for my wife groceries hauler1993 / 290,000+mi

my 1987 / 250,000+mi

 

[Cattledog]

Wanted a larger car for the growing family at the time.

Looked at a landcruiser in passing on 125 in plastow NH. Took a closer look and saw the front cast radius arms and was hooked. I can still recall that day and how shocked I was by the size and quality of casting on the parts vs the crap that was on explorers and subrubans...

 

[jlm43]

In the middle of a long dark night on a section of I-80 in Wyoming in the mid-80's my wife lost control of the 1972 FJ55 at about 65 mph and rolled it down a steep embankment, landing upright. We looked at each other in amazement, got out, put the canoe back on top, locked in the hubs, drove up the embankment and continued on our way after explaining to the astonished people who stopped that it was a Land Cruiser and an Old Town Tripper.
A vehicle like that deserves some loyalty so I'm in the process of purchasing a HZJ80.

I work less than a mile from the Old Town Canoe factory in Old Town Maine so I am a little fond of this one.

 

[jvazquez53]

Is there anything better than a Land Cruiser out there??? I don't think so!!!!!

 

[skii]

What started out as a desire for a land Rover turned into one for a LC. The more I learned about Discoveries/P38's the more I was put off - a weak under-powered engine from a 60's Buick design that overheats like nobody's business. If you think our 80's have HG issues then check out these Rovers! God awful really. What sealed the deal though was the ride, they feel like a bucket of bolts ready to fall apart at any moment always rattling and vibrating. The ride itself felt wimpy. Not to mention that most of the owners I encountered could barely speak english so getting vehicle information from them was a sometimes demoralizing experience.

The 80 is a superior alternative in every way - its a tank. I'm grateful to Rovers for the fact that it led me to the 80's. Plus it has great cargo space, I took out the 2nd and 3rd row seat and I have plenty of space for skis etc.

 

[nigelnigel]

I followed the same path. Wasn't even looking for an 80, was just looking and the Land Rover Discovery. All I ever heard in the forums was the owners complaining and just having to deal with it. Then I looked here and all read about (pretty much 99% of the time) is how all the owners absolutely LOVE their LCs. So yes, I am grateful for the the LR leading me here. Can't wait until summer (I am a teacher) and will be gone on adventures with the 80.

What started out as a desire for a land Rover turned into one for a LC. The more I learned about Discoveries/P38's the more I was put off - a weak under-powered engine from a 60's Buick design that overheats like nobody's business. If you think our 80's have HG issues then check out these Rovers! God awful really. What sealed the deal though was the ride, they feel like a bucket of bolts ready to fall apart at any moment always rattling and vibrating. The ride itself felt wimpy. Not to mention that most of the owners I encountered could barely speak english so getting vehicle information from them was a sometimes demoralizing experience.

The 80 is a superior alternative in every way - its a tank. I'm grateful to Rovers for the fact that it led me to the 80's. Plus it has great cargo space, I took out the 2nd and 3rd row seat and I have plenty of space for skis etc.

 

[TDscruiser]

Mainly the reason for me was the "creature comforts"
I have a 1985 FJ60 that I did a ton of work on. It was my daily driver and wheeler until I got married and found that cruise control, an automatic and leather really are nice to have when the wife is riding shotgun...Also, the ride on my FJ80 is a lot better, even with the 4" lift. The coils flex very good compared to the leafs on my fj60. Im just a sucker for comfort haha

 

[mot]

I wanted an eight-seater SUV to go skiing/camping, etc... and wanted something Japanese (Can you blame me? ) and the 80 series LC was just about the only thing available used in my price range (Never mind the Mazda MPV).

I started doing a lot of research and when I found out that there was a turbo kit available for it (Safari) I was sold...

 

[Walking Eagle]

grew up in the back of '78 FJ55 - Senior year in high school had a '77 FJ40, bro has had 3 80's, all of which have been passed down by daddy, so, it's a family thing.

 

[lt1fire]

Was looking for a rig to go wheeling in.


Was looking at a K5 blazer, SA suburban, cherokee, grand cherokee, older bronco, land rover...... wasn't even thinking about a land cruiser.

I wrote out some requirements
reliable
fit in regular trails
can seat 7


non of these were hitting everyone of these. Then I saw an add for my 80 in the auto trader and fell in love with it.

 

[BenB]

I had a BJ73, which I loved, but sadly had to sell because it was too small for my growing family and too slow for all the highway driving I do. I never thought I could afford a diesel 80, but I was fortunate to find my HDJ81 at a time I could afford it.

Why I bought it:

1) Very practical: tons of room, with cargo drawers and roof rack it carries anything, it tows, goes anywhere, comfy on and off-road, gets good mileage for size.
2) FUN: it's unique, lots of cool options, strangers always come and talk to me about it
3) Reliability: it's a Toyota diesel
4) Value: how many vehicles don't depreciate?
5) General Awesomeness: Look at it

 

[TheHuss5]

My 1st....

Well when I was in 5th grade, I'm now 40. My grandpa had a FJ-40, on a trip to Cali....Disney Land etc. We stopped at his house out in the desert. Took a drive out to some hills, with a snake noose. Didn't see any snakes, but remember the low growl sound of 4-low. (I was sitting in the back fold down seats) It never really left my mind. It may have took me a while to get my first cruiser. But the time is right......3 kids and the wife fit in comfort, even with the two dogs. We love our FJ-80

 

[Khorrassany]

Interesting...I had a Lada Niva, Aro " Romanian Brand", Suzuki Vitara, Daihatsu Terios and Jeep CJ-7 and when I got my FJ-70 it's like an addiction I just go from one LC to the other! I finally convinced my Dad to replace his Land Rover Discovery with a HDJ80 that we have for a year now and it's a keeper!

Ahhh and the Jeep was the worst I had out of the long list, she never completed a trip without trouble and always marked it's territory!!!

 

[yoopercharged]

1) I didn't choose it, it chose me.
2) I have an automotive mechanical engineering degree.
3) I like to push the limits.
4) It is overengineered.
5) They are cheaper than Tacomas.