Land Cruiser Owners- Making Oddball Vehicles Even Odder

"MotoArigato" (MotoArigato) 08/27/2018 at 14:32 • Filed to: land cruiser, 80-series, 100-series, lx450, lx470, lx570, custom, facelift, lexus, toyota

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!!! UNSUPPORTED LINE BREAK IN HEADER !!!

Land Cruiser Owners- Making Oddball Vehicles Even Odder

-by Marrs

Update: I’ve added even more weird Cruisers!

If you have ever gotten excited over any sort of offroad vehicle then you probably know exactly what the Toyota Land Cruiser is... the King of This Dirt Planet. The early generations of Land Cruisers were simple and indestructible, but as time and buyer tastes evolved Toyota had to up their game in terms of ride quality, interiors, and bells & whistles. This came about with the Lexus version of the 80-series, named the LX 450, which was coincidentally Lexus’ first-ever SUV. Next came the 100-series, the first Land Cruiser that was arguably designed from the ground up with not only mudding and forging capabilities baked in, but also a high standard of luxury even in “base” form considering that the only real options were a sunroof and night vision. Lexus made an even more luxurious version of this rig called the LX 470 owing to it’s 4.7 litre V8 shared superficially with the Tundra pickup (the Cruiser/LX engines are made in Japan, Tundra engi nes are made in the US) . By 2008 the 200-series (and LX 570) came onto the scene and improved the ride and overall luxury quotient by adding things like crawl assist and a center mounted cooler for beverages and cocaine.

Even with all of these electronic assists and unmatched offroad prowess, owners still discovered ways to “improve” on the classic rig. The limits of the human imagination are few when it comes to vehicle modification, so sit back, grab a high ABV beer to sooth the pain, or perhaps to accelerate the joy, and take in all that is the  custom Land Cruiser/Lexus LX.

(Full disclosure. I recently acquired a 2004 LX 470 and the joy of ownership has made me so giddy that Land Cruisers are literally all I can think about anymore. Friend: “Where do you want to go eat?” Me: “Land Cruisers!” Friend: “Did you get tickets for the movie yet?” Me: “Land Cruisers!”)

HammerheadFistpunch > MotoArigato 08/27/2018 at 14:56

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The things people do to beautiful cars...

HammerheadFistpunch > MotoArigato 08/27/2018 at 14:59

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The ONLY semi acceptable aesthetic mod (not functional mod that is also aesthetically pleasing) is Flex

MotoArigato > HammerheadFistpunch 08/27/2018 at 15:00

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Indeed, this is my model of choice:

(As per usual I can’t tell if the photo attached. Ugh. )

MotoArigato > HammerheadFistpunch 08/27/2018 at 15:10

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Not even kidding,  I almost  mentioned you at the very end, something like “Holding a spot for HammerheadFistpunch.”

Just Jeepin' > MotoArigato 08/27/2018 at 15:32

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The Land Cruiser series makes it obvious to me why Jeep trademarked and has jealously guarded the 7-slot grille. I see nothing in a modern Land Cruiser which makes me think of the J20/30/40.

vicali > MotoArigato 08/27/2018 at 15:42

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needs a bit more o f t h i s ;

HammerheadFistpunch > Just Jeepin' 08/27/2018 at 15:45

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for better or worse.  I think Jeep is almost TOO much a slave to its past.  

WiscoProud > Just Jeepin' 08/27/2018 at 16:40

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Its not a call back to those models, the 70 series is, we just dont get it. The 100/200 only goes back to the 55/60 series when they split the work models from the passenger models. 

Just Jeepin' > WiscoProud 08/27/2018 at 16:54

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Understood , but the Cherokee, GC, and other modern Jeep models have the 7-slot grille to acknowledge their history even though there’s no direct lineage.

I’m not saying it’s bad, I’m just saying I never would have made the connection between today’s vehicles and the FJ40.

Even the FJ60 appeals to me visually while today’s models leave me cold, although that’s probably just my intrinsic interest in older designs.

MotoArigato > Just Jeepin' 08/27/2018 at 21:42

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I feel ya. I never cared for the 100-series until I test drove my dream rig, a 40th Anniversary FJ 80 and realized my legs are too long to drive it comfortably with the seat all the way back. The more I looked at them online the more they started to grow on me. Same with the 200-series, I wouldn’t  even consider one when I started checking out the 100's, but now I think they are great looking rigs. I do prefer the older ones of course, we’re only human right??? 

MotoArigato > vicali 08/27/2018 at 22:28

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Understated, elegant, I like it!

gawdzillla > MotoArigato 08/28/2018 at 10:12

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wish i could get a LC truck here ...

HammerheadFistpunch > MotoArigato 08/28/2018 at 14:00

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Not to make you feel bad, but there is an easy fix for that.

http://absolute-wits-end.com/80-series-seat-extension-bracket-kit/

MotoArigato > HammerheadFistpunch 08/29/2018 at 20:42

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Oh man, well I guess I know now for the next 80 that comes along tickling my fancy bits. Thanks man!

MotoArigato > gawdzillla 08/29/2018 at 20:46

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They made more than one, you still can!