OT: Land Cruiser appreciation thread and maybe Monteros and others

[weaponsgrade]

Originally Posted by 2000m2

I searched for quite a while looking for a decent LC in 2013/2014. I wanted either an 80 or 100 series to do some off-roading and camping. Lots of forest roads to explore just outside of Seattle (we’ve since moved). We ended up with a 2008 4Runner. It’s the V8 Limited version with AWD. From what I can tell, it’s the same engine, trans and transfer case as the 100 series, plus we have a 3rd row which has been used a total of 2 times. All of the LC’s I found seemed to have 250k+ miles on them for what I was not ready to pay. Now they’re more expensive! Came across this 4Runner with 50k miles on it that fit our needs perfectly. It now has around 110k miles with a few mild upgrades (suspension, AT tires, rack for roof tent). It does great on-road, off-road and through snow, no trouble getting to Tahoe in the winter. The goal on purchasing was touring National Parks around the west via backcountry discovery routes. Having grown up on the east coast, the idea that you could cross an entire state on dirt roads blew my mind. Gorgeous out there! We (me, wife & 2 dogs) drove around on dirt roads in 2016 for a month, visited 11 national parks and covered 6000 miles. The truck was flawless. Every now and then I still consider an LC, but my wife is now attached to the 4Runner and I really appreciate having the rear window roll down. Anyway, love the Land Cruisers, but if you’re looking for something close, 4Runners are pretty good too. Unfortunate they no longer come with V8’s.

That sounds like a fantastic trip.

What kind of recovery devices do you or others carry in case you get stuck?

[pasadena]

Nice setups!
I like the 4Runner without the roofrack. Looks clean

I'm really into the newer 4R styling. They did a great job.
FJ community is pretty great. It's a group that attracted a lot of new offroaders.

Originally Posted by Tyler Evans

FJ Cruisers are built on the Prado platform so I figured they are kosher here. I've had my fair share of Land Cruisers and 4runners as well in the past. Current stable is a 2007 FJ and 2015 4Runner. The FJ is a work in progress but getting there. The 4runner is currently dialed.

[ibis]

Originally Posted by 2000m2

I've read that supercharging the V6 puts it right about where the V8 feels power-wise. The 5th gens do look nice.

It's not just the power delivery, the V8 4Runners had much smoother transmissions. I had a 2004 4Runner Sport with the V8 and it was the best overall vehicle for getting up in the mountains (lived in SLC at the time). I have a 2013 Tacoma now and when we drive up to Tahoe it seems to hunt for a gear time to time depending on road angle. I would jump on a new V8 4Runner if they ever came back.

[2000m2]

Originally Posted by weaponsgrade

That sounds like a fantastic trip.

What kind of recovery devices do you or others carry in case you get stuck?

Basic set-up at the time of our trip:
2008 4Runner V8 Limited 4x4
Tacoma TRD suspension swap w/ FJ Springs for the rear (since upgraded to Radflo 2.5" kit)
Cooper AT/3 C-load tires
Frontrunner roof rack
CVT Mt. Cayley RTT
Various recovery devices - TREDs, XJack, Straps & Shackles​

We had two coolers, a Yeti to be the "freezer" and a Coleman as our daily fridge/defroster. My wife cooked up a storm before we headed out and froze some tasty dinners as well as made some granola for breakfasts. We mostly ate lunch on the road. We used two 5 gal Scepter jerry cans to make sure we had plenty of water.

Originally Posted by ibis

It's not just the power delivery, the V8 4Runners had much smoother transmissions. I had a 2004 4Runner Sport with the V8 and it was the best overall vehicle for getting up in the mountains (lived in SLC at the time). I have a 2013 Tacoma now and when we drive up to Tahoe it seems to hunt for a gear time to time depending on road angle. I would jump on a new V8 4Runner if they ever came back.

Interesting note about the transmission, sounds annoying. The Tacomas do look nice though.

[firingsquad]

Originally Posted by William

Nice! I've always prefered the 60's round headlights over the 62's square ones.

Your other "rig" is no slouch either!

W.

Same. The 62's are a bit more refined (auto trans, fuel injection, power windows and locks) but the overall mechanical nature of the 60's series is more appealing as well.

Originally Posted by 72gmc

Nice!

That shade of blue looks really good on that Mazda.

Thanks

Originally Posted by pasadena

Wow you have two classics. Nice collection!
Always loved the tan color on the 60.
Is the RX a LS conversion? or is that a FMIC intake for the turbo

both gorgeous

RX7 is still a rotary. mild streetport and bolt-on's nothing too crazy.

Originally Posted by andeww

Hell yeah
I want bronze te37s for my land cruiser eventually
I had them on a Subaru many years ago, best wheels ever !

I had them on my STI as well

[verticaldoug]

[andeww]

Just getting around to some pictures from May.
I did a road trip with the LC and got some nice rides in
Laguna Beach Ca > Crestone CO > Moab UT > Zion UT
Learned alot about the truck and even more about myself... camping by yourself can be both lonely and scary, not as romantic as i had anticipated

[Louis]

Originally Posted by andeww

Learned alot about the truck and even more about myself... camping by yourself can be both lonely and scary. Not as romantic as i had anticipated

On the down side, you can think about Aron Ralston.

And on the up side, if you haven't read it yet, you can be inspired by Jon Krakauer's story "The Devils Thumb" in "Eiger Dreams." Sublime stuff.

[andeww]

Haha noted, I will definitely look into those.

[verticaldoug]

Originally Posted by andeww

Learned alot about the truck and even more about myself... camping by yourself can be both lonely and scary. Not as romantic as i had anticipated

I'm sure the trip was really beautiful.

You have to learn to de-clutter and organize the mind. It's a bit like going on a silent retreat. The first few days your brain is racing all over because most of us either talk to try to organize or never really organize by just keep talking. .

As for the scary part, https://www.outsideonline.com/241692...ear-you-scream

[gdw]

A Sachs in Moab....this country definitely is circling the drain.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by gdw

A Sachs in Moab....this country definitely is circling the drain.

Not out place if it can accommodate the right tires for the intended rides.

I know you were just kidding (somewhat).

[gdw]

Somewhat.

[Louis]

At least it wasn't a Pinarello Dogma...

[gdw]

Originally Posted by Louis

At least it wasn't a Pinarello Dogma...

That would be a sign of the Apocalypse.