Let’s go through time while we wait for a new Toyota Land Cruiser to arrive in the US. Toyota hired five historic Land Cruisers from the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum to show off the 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition at a press screening. I drove five ancient Land Cruisers in one day, which felt miraculous. They did this. Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser 1960–1983 The FJ40 exceeded expectations, unlike most ancient cars. The FJ40’s engine, gears, and clutch button clang give it a mechanical feel. Short gearing requires frequent shifting. The clutch and shifter have long throws yet work precisely. I drove through Salt Lake City as one with the automobile. Few automobiles offer this. I liked this Land Cruiser most. The FJ is loud but rides better than expected despite its short wheelbase. Despite its tiny turning circle, this 1977 FJ40 with power steering requires a lot of wheel turning. The FJ40 could overcome any difficulty with its mechanical skills—no need for complex electronics. Our off-road track was tiny because these automobiles are museum treasures. 1967–1980 Toyota FJ55 Land Cruiser I didn’t realise these Cruisers were built until 1980. Cruiser admirers call the FJ55 the Iron Pig because it looks old. The US FJ55 was released six years before the Chevrolet Suburban had four passenger doors. It targeted American, Canadian, and Australian families. The Cruiser shares most of the FJ40 technological elements. Toyota sought to make the Cruiser more comfortable early on with the back seat, front bench seat, and plastic-padded dash. Due to its out-of-tune engine, this 1977 automobile backfired in front of the hotel, prompting security to call the police. I saw why some Americans didn’t take “those furrin’ jobs” seriously when I had to push the FJ55 up the steep hill to the Snowbird ski area because it barely went 30 mph. The FJ40 kept air out better, but the shine was the same. The FJ55’s length and turning radius make it challenging to drive off-road. Despite its shortcomings, I liked the FJ55. Land Cruiser purists may disagree. 1980–1990 Toyota FJ60 Land Cruiser It was my favourite drive because I watched the Cool Dads drive it. Like the FJ55, the FJ60 looked ancient even when new, but it had a terrific vintage vibe before retro vibes were hip. Land Cruiser interiors illustrate the first meticulous step from farm tool to aristocrat. Striped seats and door panels complement the well-organised dashboard. The part-time 4WD system’s hubs must be manually locked, the 2F engine has a carburetor, and the manual transmission doesn’t have a fifth gear. Even without solid axles, these illustrate that the FJ60 is trapped in the past. The FJ60 is more courteous than the FJ55 despite its older parts. It’s quieter, faster, more comfy, and has more intuitive buttons. This FJ60 performed best at 60 mph, although a higher-end drive ratio makes interstate driving easier. Toyota gave the car a de-stroked, fuel-injected F-series engine, automatic transmission, and square headlights 1988. This was the best Land Cruiser ever, but things were about to change. 1991–1997 Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser 1990s cars are no longer old. However, history demonstrates that the FJ80 is a hybrid design. Toyota was preparing the Land Cruiser to be its best automobile since the Cressida was nearing its end, and the Avalon wouldn’t arrive for a few more years. Four-wheel drive and an automatic engine are standard and boast a professional design inside and out. Coil springs at each corner are the Land Cruiser’s first substantial road improvement. The 1991 model I drove has a modified cam-in-block six engine and coil springs coupled to live axles. It struggles to move the 2.5-ton FJ80 with 155 horsepower and 220 lb-ft. In 1993, Toyota installed a superior straight-six engine with 24 valves and 212 horsepower. The ride is smooth and lovely, and the FJ80 quickly filled the role when Toyota made a Lexus equivalent with weaker springs (the 1996 LX450). I felt like I was on the event horizon of a black hole driving the FJ80 since I could see the past and future. My soul was drawn to the end of the planet. 1998–2007 Toyota UZJ100 Land Cruiser The UZJ100, named for its UZ V-8 engine, was the easiest vintage Land Cruiser to drive and the hardest to write about. From the driver’s seat, it’s hard to believe the Land Cruiser’s design is 20 years old and established the pattern for the next 20. (Toyota’s internal design has yet to help.) The Cruseristi declared the UZJ100’s independent torsion-bar front suspension the end of the world since it sacrificed even more comfort. However, the 4.7-liter V-8 is good. The UZJ100’s 320 lb-ft of torque makes up for its 235 horsepower. Like a J200 who has yet to adjust to being rich, it’s boring to drive. At a time when Land Rovers were infamous for missing parts, this Land Cruiser’s rugged exterior was a selling factor. The J200’s Kinematic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and electronic Crawl Control addressed several J100 suspension issues. Our 2020 Heritage Edition review is here. Land Cruiser lovers just discovered the UZJ100. It may become increasingly popular.
