Remember the old Jeep-like Toyota Land Cruisers that were made into the mid-70s? Why aren’t they being made?
Toyota saw the popularity of the Cherokee/Blazer/Bronco-type trucks and created a bigger, “wagon-like” Land Cruiser to replace the cool Jeep-like one. This became the 4-Runner.
Safety. Jeep-type vehicles are notoriously unstable. Unfortunately modern buyers don’t understand centre-of-gravity, inertia and the like, and they kept tipping them over and sueing. Jeep retired the CJ-5 in favour of the safer CJ-7, then retired the CJ-7 to make the safer Wrangler (or YJ, to you Canadians). Suzuki replaced the Samurai, and Land Rover (I’ve heard) stopped selling the Defender in the American market because of roll-over concerns. Perhaps Toyota didn’t want the liability risk?
With the popularity of small 4WD trucks, you’d think Toyota would build one; but they’ve only recently brought in the RAV-4. Small, but it still has (or can be had) four doors. Jeep® basically owns the 2-door, small, 4WD market.
AND NOW, TO THE POINT!
This sounds like an Urban Legend to me. I was told that Toyota is still making the old Land Cruiser and that the Saudis have an exclusive arrangement with Toyota to buy every one of them that comes off the assembly line.
There ARE a lot of Jeep-like Land Cruisers in Saudi Arabia; but if the “arrangement” is true, why hasn’t anyone heard of it? Why Toyotas? Why not Land Rovers?
It smells like a UL to me, but does anyone know the Straight Dope on the venerable Land Cruiser? What was the last year of production (i.e., the last year you could buy a new one in the States)?
um, my bro and sis-in-law just bought a 2000 Land Cruiser.
It’s tall and has a pretty wide wheel base.
My sis-in-law who is very particular in checking out consumer reports and the like purchased it because in her research it’s one of the safest SUVs out there. They have 2 kids and in addition to that, she’s a big chicken, even though I love her to death, she’s a wuss.
Thanx, Tech. I’ve seen the new ones and they look like all the other Sport-Futility Vehicles out there. The ones I was wondering about were the FJ-40 style. Those are the ones that look like Jeeps. Here’s a pic: http://store1.yimg.com/I/coolfj40_1550_17675155
I know, I love them! I used to own a '72 FJ40; a wonderful beast, with plenty of character; in my experience you have to try to roll one; mine had a 2" lift kit installed, and still was stable. Although Toyota no longer makes this style, there are still plenty to be had, most in pretty good shape. There are quite a few running around Boise.
VB
Tempus is fugiting all over the place! Carpe that diem!
I’d have to check, but my guess would be $3000.00 for a so-so, to $5000.00 for a nice one.
Also, there is an aftermarket supplier (of which the name escapes me), which would allow you to bring an ok one up to speed.
If you’re serious about purchasing one, my advice is to hook up with a club specializing in the FJ40. You’ll get some great education, and avoid being ripped off.
Good Luck!
VB
Tempus is fugiting all over the place! Carpe that diem!
Landcruisers are being made, just not imported into this country, with the exception of the wagon. The bobtails and pickups are still (last time I checked, anyway) available in Canada and Australia, among other places. You could import one if you wanted to badly enough, but the cost of adding the appropriate emissions stuff is outrageous. The wagon and the Toyota 4-Runner are not the same thing. The 4-Runner was introduced as “Son of Landcruiser” and marketed that way for several years.
As near as I can tell, the pickup was only sold here for about a year and a half. There are several companies that deal in Landcruiser parts, and (again, if you want to badly enough) you could assemble your own, piece by piece.
Landcruiser is not “Jeep-like”. A Jeep could only wish. Ugh.
Actually, Jeeps have a long and storied lineage. I used to have a '48 Willys CJ-2A that I drove all over the western Mojave Desert. It was great!
I like the Toyota Landcruiser FJ-40. I tried to get my dad to buy one when I was a kid in the 70s. But you have to admit that the FJ-40 was a lot like the CJ-5 in looks and intended use.
I currently have a '99 Jeep Cherokee. I like it better than the other Sport-Futility Vehicles because it’s more “truck-like” than the competition. I’ve always liked the Toyota and I’d rather have an FJ-40 than a CJ-5, but I like the Jeeps too.
I drove my dog to the vet once in my 'cruiser. Charlie hates vets and shots and all that, so once we got there, he scrunched up under the brake pedal (yeah, I know there’s no room there, tell him that). When the vet came out to give him the shots, he said “Hey, I had a Jeep like that once!!”
Charlie goes to a new vet now.
Really, I don’t have any deep down hatred for Jeep drivers, you just have to know your limitations.
Although NOT a jeep lover (I think they’re overpriced for what you get), I must admit that they were the inspiration after WWII for that most classic of off-road vehicles, the ahem, Land Rover! I’m not talking about the pampered knock-off Range Rover, but those that featured on Daktari. Does anyone remember, or am I dating myself?
VB
Tempus is fugiting all over the place! Carpe that diem!
