Opposite Lock Review - 1997 land cruiser 40th anniversary edition

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 02/26/2014 at 10:10 • Filed to: cruisin

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Truck Yeah Review 1997 Land cruiser FZJ80 40 th Anniversary Edition

I drive a Land Cruiser, and you've heard this all before but I told someone I would write a review for it and I'm not one to back down from the sort of challenge from someone on the internet who's name I don't know or handle I can't recall. So here we go.

(Disclosure: I once accidentally killed a hamster by bungee jumping it with an ACE bandage when I was 12, I still feel really bad about it.)

The tough part for me with this review was how to place it:

Compared to 1997?

Compared to modern cars?

Compared to what I can get used?

I think I will do a little of each, but I would like to frame it mostly in two frames:

What it's like for me to drive and own

What it must have been like new

To set the scene, remember that the mid 90's was the golden age for large SUV's, the average price (inflation adjusted) for gas was $2.00 and the average Large SUV mileage was around 14 city and 17 highway. Different times indeed.

Exterior

The FJ80 came on the scene in 1990 and was a radical departure from the FJ60 which was strait, boxy and simple. Land rovers and other SUV's from that time were about as boxy, which made the 80 really stand out with its curvy "bubble" styling. It's got a long hood, swollen fender flairs and integrated paraphernalia that other 80's in markets outside the US did without.

Frankly I think it looks better in without all the flair, but I'm a bit simplistic in my automotive tastes. Mine is in one of 2 special 40th anniversary edition colors called "antique sage" which is like a gray beige? I don't love it, don't really think too much about it. It looks good cleaned up and in the right light. Flair, fortunately, was "in" for the 90's and it sold the idea that "luxury" and "big" were synonymous, which was totally a thing back then. Even still, I would bet that 50% of custom plates for this car had something to do with teeth.

Also, in 1995 they switched from the excellent T O Y O T A badge on the front to the bean in a hat. In collectors editions and anniversary editions its black, like the grill, so collectors can pretend the bean didn't even ever exist. Love the T O Y O T A badge? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Interior

Well, they tried. Actually in 1997 this thing was the stuff in terms of luxury, especially decked out in 40 th anniversary trim.

Genuine two tone leather for all three rows, leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, too. It looked and felt a lot like the Lexus LS and that car was pretty hot stuff in the luxury department and in fact shared a lot of its components. The important thing with a luxury interior is how it weathers the test of time. Well, 17 years and 240,000 miles later, all the switches and gauges still work, the dash isn't cracked and the carpet is wearing well. The leather sucks and is hard and splitting apart at the seams and wearing thin in places…but it's not cracking!

It terms of storage space there is surprisingly little for a car this size, just tiny hard door pockets, a moderately sized center bin and a tiny glove box. Also, there were no cup holders…anywhere…that came from the factory, as well as driver or passenger arm rests. Still, if I had to pick place to put my drink over switches and gauges that still looked and worked fine though, I know which one I would pick. The 40 th Anniversary also has a sliding sunroof that leaks a little in car washes, manual sliding rear glass and windows that open as big and wide as Steven Tyler. Frankly, it's a very pleasant place to sit and the seats, despite the leather coming apart and the foam completely collapsed doesn't hurt my back, even after 14 hours in the saddle.

Audio, Infotainment, Gadgets

It has a 9 speaker "premium" sound system with electronic tuning, Cassette and CD …CD! It's pretty obvious though the Toyota was trying pretty hard to figure out where to stuff 9 speakers in a car meant for 3 rd world travel, and not for daily driving to the office and it shows with the front two tweeters mounted at knee level pointing down. It's just as well though, since the paper speakers typical of even the nicest 90's Toyota's weren't able to provide much more quality than my knees are able to distinguish. It also came with buttons…lots of buttons. Two rocker switches for the sunroof, two buttons to raise and lower the antennae which, after seeing my friends Tacoma antenna nearly rock and sway itself into destruction off-road, I now totally get and lots of switches and buttons for the climate control which is automatic. That's right, automatic climate control, which in 1997 was still pretty sweet. It doesn't work very well. That's not to say it doesn't work as an air conditioner or heater…it REALLY does…what I mean is that hitting "AUTO" always turns on the AC, puts the flow director to feet and windshield and turns the fan to medium and then just adjust the temperature of the air which is too hot (or cold) at first, and then too cold (or hot) when it settles in. I just set the temp, turn the fan to low and the flow director to hands and feet and call it a day, and it works pretty well. Bonus points for the optional secondary, completely independent and coolant driven heat unit under the passenger front seat which is hot enough to keep the entire truck warm as well as melt discarded crayons into the carpet permanently.

The "toys" are pretty limited, but you can have an optional switch to the left of the steering wheel that locks the front and rear diffs electronically. It also has other things which were probably pretty great in 1997, like a remote arming security system with glass breakage sensors, a feature that keeps the power on for 90 seconds after you turn everything off, and headlights that automatically turn off when you turn off the car.

Engine

This is a tough one. Let's start with the stats: 4.5 liter strait 6 with 212 hp and 275 ft-lbs of torque that netted you 13 city and 15 highway. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and that counts for something surely, but it weighs nearly 900 lbs and has to motive a dry listed weight of 4,850 lbs. A 1997 4wd Chevy suburban weighed 4800 lbs and was powered by 255 hp and 330 ft-lbs for reference. 0-60 time was 11.4 seconds and the ¼ mile was…bad. To be honest though, in the context of its peers it wasn't terrible and it was light years ahead of the outgoing engine with 155 hp and 240 ft-lbs for the same car. Here is the truth, you can theoretically pull 5000 lbs with this truck, and you probably can, but you are going to be no one's friend on the freeway. Given the displacement and the torque curve, it's still pretty modern; 61 ft-lbs per liter. The best N/A V6 truck engines tuned for torque are topping out at ~70 ft-lbs per liter. Also, considering that 240 of those ft-lbs are ready the second you leave idle, it moves along pretty well. The upside is that it doesn't much care if you load it to its max payload, it still drives about the same, it's slow, but steady.

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Gearbox & Transfer Case

The gearbox is…sturdy. That's about the best compliment I can heap on the A343F electronically controlled 4 speed automatic with overdrive. Its harsh to shift, its dimwitted and it this engine desperately needs a 5 th gear as the ratios are spread out in an unfortunate manner. 1 st is nice and low, but the shift to 2 nd feels like you skipped a gear, and the gap between 2 nd and 3 rd is such that you can't do 67 mph in 2 nd but 3 rd is too tall to maintain the hp peak, so you bounce back and forth on long freeway climbs. I'm sure in 1997, this was perfectly acceptable though, and it did come with a "PWR" button which, if you are 16 you know stands for POOOWEEERRRRR! and makes your car go way faster... but actually just modifies the shift logic to hold gears longer and shift down before you start to slow down as opposed to normal which just waits it out and hopes the hill goes away soon. It also has a 2 nd gear start, which the brochure touts has being helpful on slippery surfaces (as if you could possible break the tires loose anyway) but is actually only helpful when you want to hold 2 nd gear in low range which is great for water crossings and sand. The transmission features a cooler for better low speed heat management and a skid plate. The good news is that its bulletproof, it just keeps going.

All US market 80 series were full time 4wd which uses a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! differential to modulate torque split front to rear and is capable of transmitting up to 30% torque to the slipping axle. In low range, the center differential automatically locks electronically to provide true 50/50 torque split, which is music to the ears of Land Rover Discovery owners of the time that no longer had the ability to lock the center differential. The low range is a 2.42:1 ratio, which isn't really that low, but is plenty for the torquey engine; I haven't even needed better except in engine braking on super steep slopes. Again, it's a durable unit that is manually actuated with a lever and gets the job done. As a bonus, because the 80 series in other markets came with a switch to manually lock the center differential in 4hi, adding this feature is literally as easy as buying the switch and plugging it in (which I've done). You can also modify the control unit by unplugging a single wire to allow you unlock the center diff in 4lo (also done), which is handy in increasing your turning radius on very tight switchbacks.

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Braking

Like the transmission I think the best we could say is that is has brakes, and they won't fail you. Even by the standards on 1997, stopping distances were long. It had 4 wheel ABS and REALLY solid looking 4 piston front caliper and 2 piston rear calipers but I think the brochure sums it up best when it said that when you can't avoid trouble with the brakes "it's nice to know that you're inside a strong, 4.850 lb. body-on frame structure…"

The plus is that they are linear and, with modern pads, pretty fade resistant. I would hate to see what I panic stop with a 5000 lbs load would look like, but around town they do just fine all things considered.

On the safety front, you do have to give Toyota props for integrating good crumple zones, dual airbags, shoulder belts on all outboard seating locations and side impact beams. It's also a convenient nicety that the roof, designed for heavy expedition loading, is super strong. I knew a man with a lifted and heavily armored one that was T-boned so hard it rolled twice and ended up on its roof and yet it didn't collapse any of the pillars, compare that to other full size SUV's of its time !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Ride & Handling

Compared to other large SUV's, and especially trucks, this is a pretty smooth ride. It jiggles and shakes like body on frames tend to do, but it takes it all in stride and all but high frequency chop is filter out expertly. Honestly, it's MUCH better than I was expecting. Are modern trucks better at this? yup, but I drive 30 miles a day in it and its not tiring at all.

As for handing…is not bad! I like to quiz car people with this:

What has AWD, a NA inline 6, coil springs on all 4 corners, 50/50 weight distribution and isn't a BMW?

Yes its tall, yes it's heavy, and not its not really fun to drive, but terrible it isn't. The roll stiffness is better than expected, it really does have 50/50 balance so you can lift throttle or trail brake neutral behavior and because its solid axles front and rear, the steering geometry doesn't change when loaded in a corner so you keep a lot of rubber on the road and a lot of the weight is low[er]. As a bonus, it has a hand brake that is VERY effective in initiating slides and I've been full on, power sustained, handbrake initiated oppo before.

Hauling, Towing, Cargo Management

The land cruiser is a great vehicle because its great at what it was meant to do: take you, lots of people and lots of things to places you need to be without complaint. The 80 series has a factory tow rating of 5000 lbs, which I'm sure the truck is up to, provided you don't have to be there in a hurry, AND a payload of 1620 lbs. All in all you, your truck and your trailer could be traveling down the highways of America to the tune of 11,470 lbs, though I can't even image what that would do to the poor 212 hp available; leaving you only 37 hp per ton to get things done. Not per lb, per TON. That having been said, the cargo capacity with the 3 rd row seats removed is…enormous. With the weight balance, the heavy rated axles, strong fully boxed frame and big torque, you can load up pretty heavy and have a pretty normal drive. I've put 1500 lbs in mine driven 500 miles like it was empty, it really doesn't bother is aside from steep grades and braking.

Off-Road & Maneuverability

When this truck came out in 1990, it was the champ of heavy off road travel, and it didn't change in its 7 year life. Sure, the wrangler is a better rock crawler, and the Land Rover is a fine vehicle too (seriously I harbor no ill will), but if you had to get someplace difficult and you had stuff to bring, you bought a land cruiser. Period. Aside from class leading 10.8 inches minimum ground clearance, 8.9 inches of coil sprung travel, and a ramp score that's still impressive for a production vehicle you could option front and rear electronic locking differentials; combined with weight, and wheelbase, as one commentor put it "if it fits, it goes."

Lift kits are easy, and you can fit 33 inch tires without rubbing anywhere on stock suspension are also perks. The only let downs is the poor departure angle (22 degrees) and relatively light skid plating.

People have turned these into rock crawlers, but don't. It's a heavy overland tour machine and its set up, right out of the box, ready for action.

Value

People like to complain about how much Land Cruisers costs and yes, the new J200 is nearly 80 large, and when new this beast wasn't much different. At $49,000 ($72,000 adjusted) the FZJ80 was a very costly machine new. Before I say a word on value I will first qualify by saying two things:

1. There is 20% luxury good tax on imported luxury vehicles like this

2. Is value getting what you pay for it terms of an itemized list? Or does it include the intangible?

What I mean by the 2nd is that yes, $72,000 in today's moneys is a lot, and you should expect a lot but 17 years and 240,000 miles later my truck looks like some vehicles do at 50,000 miles and I see no reason that I can't keep it that way for another 100,000 with the right maintenance. On the used market, 80's series are going for between $5000-12000 depending on condition; I bought mine for $6500. Given that most cars at 10 plus years…especially luxury cars…sell for about 10% of their MSRP, I would say that they are above average in their value. A well maintained 80 will hold 10,000 for years, and if the trends for FJ40's, and FJ60's is an indication then there is likely to be a spike in the demand and value of clean examples in the coming years…assuming anyone can pay for gas by then.

On that front, now is as good of time as any to say what I'm getting mileage wise. Keeping in mind I have a lot of miles on a completely original engine, that I live at 5000 feet and that I, like almost all American's, am forced to used E10…I'd say I'm doing pretty great at 12.5 city and 15 highway.

Should you buy one? The question of value comes down to time:

1997 –Are you an orthodontist who thinks you need the ultimate overlander to tackle the occasional light snow? Also, is your wife/GF breast implant procedure this year, or next? Next year? Go for it.

Now –It's lot compared to other used 4x4's and it will require your time and attention…do you want an image, or do you want the substance the image built? I would say that the idea used buyer is a mix of 20/80. Also, how much lenience are you likely to get in regards to time spent on it/playing with it from your significant other.

Verdict

Truck Yeah!

I love my cruiser [duh] and it's the right car for me right now.It wasn't ever a good "car" but a better overlanding vehicle may never have been built.

Specifications As Tested

1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 40 th Anniversary edition

MSRP: $48,790 in 1997 - $72,000 in 2014

MPG: 13 over many miles, aggressive driving or sedate…doesn't matter. (EPA: 13 City / 14 Combined / 15 Highway)

Engine: 1FZ-FE Inline 6, 4.5 liters.212 hp @4600 rpm 275 ft-lbs @ 3200 rpm

Drivetrain: 4-Speed Automatic, full time 4WD

Curb Weight: 4,850 lbs

Payload Capacity: 1620 lbs

Max GVWR: 6470 lbs

Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs with 4.10 rear axle (only option)

RazoE > HammerheadFistpunch 02/25/2014 at 18:26

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Love seeing a 2nd lever.

RazoE > HammerheadFistpunch 02/25/2014 at 18:29

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Love this truck, but it gives me the feels. My grandpa always wanted one and I always said when I grew up I would buy him one. Unfortunately he now has Parkinson's, and can no longer drive. Closest he came, was a 2000 4Runner. Still, makes me sad..:(

HammerheadFistpunch > RazoE 02/25/2014 at 18:31

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I know that feel, my dad, my brothers and I were going to build a car in his retirement, but he died of ALS a year before we got the chance. Buying this car is something of a tribute to him as he always had the overlanding spirit. He wanted to open a 4x4 shop with his brother out here too. Do the things you want to do while you can (if you can) because there may not be a later.

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 02/25/2014 at 19:19

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WUT

It weighs under 5,000 pounds?!

Nice write up, definitely enjoyed reading it. Makes me want to write one for mine too!

JR1 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/25/2014 at 22:49

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Truck Yeah! Great review, more information than I ever thought I would learn on a 1997 Land Cruiser! Kinda surprised the towing weight was so low, my S10 can tow that and it's a baby truck! Honestly I have and always will love big SUVs and happy you have one that drives nicely and is reliable. Now if inky you could travel back to 1997 you'd be a big shot in the fancy luxurious SUV!

Baber K. Khan > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 11:19

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It has aged pretty well too. Still doesn't look quite a lot outdated but maybe in another 5-6 years. It will.

HammerheadFistpunch > Baber K. Khan 02/26/2014 at 11:21

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yeah, the styling will age a little worse than the classic 40's 55's and 60's, but I think there will always be a place in the heart of those whose era it belongs too.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 11:53

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I love the interior in these, that WIDE center console, I like cars with very wide center console's, haha.

HammerheadFistpunch > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 02/26/2014 at 11:56

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I kinda like the FJ80 interior better vs my FZJ80 for that reason. It feels a little more expansive, plus the steering wheel is WAY better.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 12:31

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Hmm, I think aesthetically I like yours better, it looks less cluttered, the FJ one just is one big black blob, where on yours the top vents are seperated from the hvac/stereo controls.

HammerheadFistpunch > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 17:15

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Andrew, I can't figure out the way to say it other than to comment to my own post...but you are the man. Thanks.

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibby 02/26/2014 at 17:16

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well...they say it does. People who take theirs to the scales usually end up weighing in around 5500 lbs.

venivelovici > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 21:04

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I find the wheel in the FJ80 is too small. It seems strange to me. Big ass truck needs a big ass wheel, IMO.

HammerheadFistpunch > venivelovici 02/26/2014 at 21:07

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is a big wheel, the enormous black dash makes it look smaller

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > HammerheadFistpunch 02/27/2014 at 02:35

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Despite the fact that it was weirdly slow, this and the LC after (including the LX470) were actually nice to drive in.

I want to throat-punch the person who came up with the typefont for the LX's instrument cluster, though.

SquirrelyWrath > HammerheadFistpunch 02/27/2014 at 06:36

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Good on ya. I hope it lasts a really long time and does so trouble free.

Brede > HammerheadFistpunch 02/27/2014 at 09:20

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I love these old Land Cruisers. I spent a lot of my youth in Africa in the back of one of these, as well as a 60-series, post-facelift (1989), dark blue with a full roof rack and brush guard with jerry can-holder (it was a diesel so I guess that means its OK to mount the fuel cans on the front), and a couple of second-generation (1994) 4Runners. Great expedition vehicles and lots of good memories.

Blue Duck > HammerheadFistpunch 02/27/2014 at 12:39

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this looks like a badass 4runner without the fender flares

HammerheadFistpunch > Blue Duck 02/27/2014 at 12:40

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yeah I really dig the look without, problem is the body has holes where where the flairs are hard mounted, so getting a clean look like this requires a re-spray. ugh.

Dr. Understeer > HammerheadFistpunch 02/27/2014 at 13:16

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Black steelies... Look the business.

"I'm going to give you three seconds Mr. Bond."

Blue Duck > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2014 at 13:34

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Any idea what kind of rims those are?

HammerheadFistpunch > Blue Duck 02/28/2014 at 14:35

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not sure, I don't like them personally, but thats just me.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > HammerheadFistpunch 03/02/2014 at 17:47

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Finally got time to read this, awesome write up.

Just one thing, the Land Rover Discoveries that didn't have a locking transfer box were the 1999-2003 Series II's with the 99's and some of the 2000's having the internals to lock the T-case just no lever attached. The Series I Disco's had the locking T-case.

Ry-bones, FiST pilot > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 03/02/2014 at 20:34

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The FZJ80 was the LX450. What you have shown is a LX470, which is the next generation, V8, and IFS in the US. Never been in one but have heard they are much more plush.

Ry-bones, FiST pilot > HammerheadFistpunch 03/02/2014 at 20:44

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I'm jealous of your e-lockers. Good write up, but just want to disagree with one thing. It is fun to drive. Not in the same was as a sports car, but still fun.

HammerheadFistpunch > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 03/02/2014 at 21:40

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I knew I would get a correction on that, but you're right, it was 1999-2003 when they thought that traction control was enough.

HammerheadFistpunch > Ry-bones, FiST pilot 03/02/2014 at 21:41

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I don't think we disagree at all actually. The lockers were a big part of me purchasing the one I did. I knew I would want them and its been great to have them.

Ry-bones, FiST pilot > HammerheadFistpunch 03/03/2014 at 08:27

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I went with 255/85R16 KM2s. Looks like you have Duratracs?

HammerheadFistpunch > Ry-bones, FiST pilot 03/03/2014 at 09:49

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yeah, 285/75r16. they've been great so far. quite, and sticky.

Ry-bones, FiST pilot > HammerheadFistpunch 03/03/2014 at 10:31

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I almost went with those, but was advised that for the local trails full mud tires were the way to go.

HammerheadFistpunch > Ry-bones, FiST pilot 03/03/2014 at 13:07

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in term of a trail tire, the km2 is better, but i dd mine and so dyad manners were really important

staghounds > HammerheadFistpunch 11/28/2015 at 06:31

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Word, no one is promised tomorrow. Thank you for the article, my fiancee wants a J-60 and I can’t convince her that the engine is too weak to pull a 2-horse trailer regularly.

HammerheadFistpunch > staghounds 11/28/2015 at 11:15

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I can 100% assure her that yes, the 3F is going to suck trying to carry a horse trailer. I pull a 3400 lbs popup trailer out west and even regeared to 4.56 with the much more powerful 1fz-fe its barely enough. like 50 mph over the passes. I guess if where you are is flat, and you don’t like speed, and you are going to be putting in a brand new cooling system...then yeah it works. Thanks.

staghounds > HammerheadFistpunch 11/28/2015 at 11:36

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Maybe she will believe you. It’s flat here, Alabama just south of the Tennessee. But that’s the only advantage, two horses, hunting gear and a trailer rubs against 5000 lbs. Even though easy even for my 6 cylinder Trailblazer. It would overwear the 25 year old LC like crazy.

We need just a dedicated towing truck I think. Some well maintained old Tahoe or Suburban.

PhillipAZ > HammerheadFistpunch 04/20/2016 at 22:36

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Great all around critique of the FZJ80. Very funny parts only because it’s true. I have the same truck, 1997 40th anaversary, color and everything. Just bought it. Got it with 319,000 miles on it, but bought it anyways because of the e-lockers and I know the motor is almost unstoppable. It was the same price as the same year 4Runner which a front locker isn’t an option. Good to hear that I can put a switch in to lock the center diff in high range because it is a bit annoying it will only lock-in low range. I also agree it is very fun to drive, off road. When the lockers are all ingaged I haven’t found a trail it couldn’t conquer. (Took it out once close to saguaro lake in Arizona) My cruiser has stock everything with stock size but meaty tires. When wheeling it hits the undercarriage, drags the tow hitch everywhere all why'll getting to ridiculous angles in all directions (which is enough to make passengers wet themselves) and Keeps moving forward all because of the lockers. I personally think this was the last true off road in mind land cruiser that was made. The FZJ80 awesome truck and I love it.

PhillipAZ > HammerheadFistpunch 04/20/2016 at 22:38

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So your 285/75r16's don't rub at all? Even full articulation and wheel lock?

HammerheadFistpunch > PhillipAZ 04/20/2016 at 22:43

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if you haven’t already, check in with overland.kinja.com for more adventures of the cruiser, its been modified since this. Thanks for the kind words and I hope the cruiser kills if to you like mine has for me.

HammerheadFistpunch > PhillipAZ 04/20/2016 at 22:43

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yup, no rubbing at all, I’ve since lifted 50mm but even riding the stops at full lock no rubbing at all, stock height or lifted.

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch 06/06/2017 at 12:12

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Thought I’d inform you that googling “1997 Land Cruiser” results in the image from here. I was thinking, hmm, that cruiser looks familiar.

HammerheadFistpunch > benjrblant 06/06/2017 at 12:16

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Yeah, that review of mine got some traction many years ago. Its nice to see from time to time. FYI- got my axle straightened out, not more funky tire wear for me!

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch 06/06/2017 at 12:22

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Good to hear! Can’t wait to read about more adventures.

Nothing > benjrblant 06/07/2017 at 19:29

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Holy cow, that’s how I just landed here. Merely a day apart on a three year old post!

benjrblant > Nothing 06/08/2017 at 10:58

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Did you buy one yet?!

Nothing > benjrblant 06/08/2017 at 12:29

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One popped on on CL last night that I almost went to look at at 10:30PM, if I could have. They received so many responses that they changed the price from $6300 to $20,000 this morning. ‘97 with (supposedly) 82,000 miles on it.

Cangoanywhere > HammerheadFistpunch 06/13/2019 at 09:46

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Hi there, like your article!

I bought a 1997 80’s series a few weeks ago. It has Collector’s Edition front floor mats (but that is not why I bought the truck). I am located in Colombia (South America). The truck was not sold by Toyota in Colombia directly, the first owner had it flown in from Panama (parallel import) back in 1997. The chasis number is FZJ800182558.

In your article you wrote: ‘ It’s got a long hood, swollen fender flairs and integrated paraphernalia that other 80's in markets outside the US did without.’. My question is, what are those paraphernalia that other 80’s in markets outside the US did without? Mine has only the floor mats, but that does not make it Collector’s Edition. On ih8mud I see that US editions had decals on the fenders. Mine has little Koito indicator lights over there. And there is talk of a rear ‘black pearl’ Toyota logo at the back of the truck. But I don’t get that, they all look ‘silver’ to me..?? But that may be credited to my age.

Hope you can (find the time to) answer my question. Warm regards from Bogota, Sander

HammerheadFistpunch > Cangoanywhere 06/13/2019 at 15:04

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The CE and Anniversary editions were mostly a fully loaded trim package.  As such they got floor mats, special colors, special interior colors for the seats, badging, and they all came with auto climate and I think the sliding rear glass and sunroof, plus annoying stuff like the crappy afterthought roof rack and side steps.