Safari Vehicles in America

[rookhawk]

I'm on a Toyota forum and they brag about their longevity fairly often. This was a 2007 FJ Cruiser:

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I'm on a Toyota forum and they brag about their longevity fairly often. This was a 2007 FJ Cruiser:

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Nice. That one local to me for $8500 was a 2wd

 

[rookhawk]

Nice. That one local to me for $8500 was a 2wd

If you really want one, I'd cast a big net and look nationwide for one from a climate that has zero salt on the roads. You'll spend $250 to have it inspected locally and you may pass on a few before you decide to buy. Transport will cost you $1000ish.

In the end, you'll have a very good vehicle that continues to climb in value faster than you can put miles on it. Set a budget of at least $15k-$20k and target 2008-2009 models. (2010-2014 have a bit more horsepower but cost a lot more money, 2007s had a weak frame support and a rear differential defect)

Manual transmissions carry about a $3000 premium. 5% of production was manual.

 

[Jason Miller]

The new Grenadier looks really cool. I have no idea what they cost.

If I had a need for a better modern off roady, that would be it.

I was seriously considering one but can’t handle all the electrical nanny’s, I mean over the top, will not engage in gear if a door is ajar, so no driving or backup up with a door open, speeding chime, car wont start without seatbelt latched and many other electrical things that would drive me nuts. Sadly even the salesman was sad that there was no override and its mandated by the feds.

I want my off-road, hunting vehicle to be basic, like the old Land Cruiser.

 

[Muskox]

I was seriously considering one but can’t handle all the electrical nanny’s, I mean over the top, will not engage in gear if a door is ajar, so no driving or backup up with a door open, speeding chime, car wont start without seatbelt latched and many other electrical things that would drive me nuts. Sadly even the salesman was sad that there was no override and its mandated by the feds.

I want my off-road, hunting vehicle to be basic, like the old Land Cruiser.

I sat in one here at the Jagd and Hund show. They were 85,000 Euros here. I think they are about $80-90,000 base in America as well.

There is a couple of comparisons against another American un-obtanium the Fj79.

Of course someone also compared it to a Jeep pickup.

 

[SaintPanzer]

... and its mandated by the feds.

I want my off-road, hunting vehicle to be basic, like the old Land Cruiser.

Sadly, the mandates are what has made many things less useful than they once were.

 

[deewayne2003]

Sadly, the mandates are what has made many things less useful than they once were.

Agreed!.... TPMS & EGR were created to sell parts

 

[cash_tx]

We are on a family vacation this week in Costa Rica (thanks @SETH RINGER for all the advice!), and all the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TXs with the diesel engines that I'm seeing everywhere seem like they would be wonderful to have. I suspect getting one into the USA is pretty much impossible(?).

 

[JG26Irish_2]

It all started with my fascination regarding the reliability of the African Land Cruiser Pickup. Those vehicles were never sold in the USA.

What I realized is the CLOSEST thing we have in America to Africa is the Toyota FJ Cruiser that was sold here from 2007 to 2014. (worldwide production ended in 2023) These things are bulletproof and have a slang name of "jeep recovery vehicles". They really can do things typically associated with Jeeps, but they can do it without having to drop $100k into a whole new drive train thanks to their bulletproof engine and gearbox.

What are you all driving? FJ40s? Range Rovers? Land Rovers? 4runners? Old Landcruiser SUVs?

I agree with you. I fell in love with the PH's bad ass Land Cruiser but knew I could not get one in the USA. I loved the old Toyota FJ40's but they are not great daily drivers and are pretty crude at best and rust if you look at them.

I have been driving old Isuzu Troopers for decades. First the original Trooper II that looked like a little Land Rover and more recently a 1995 Trooper 5spd. But it was getting long in the tooth. When I returned from Africa, I wanted a Toyota. I looked at the new USA version of the Land Cruiser (not the same) and found it to be more of a Mall Crawler than a hunting truck. The turbo 4 banger left me cold.

Right after Christmas I managed to acquire a lightly used FJ Cruiser 6spd manual 4x4 in Voodoo Blue. It is now my go-to hunting truck. The FJ is an immensely capable 4x4. Equipped with both Toyota A-Trac advanced traction control and a rear diff locker for when things get really bad. So far I have driven it in deep snow and sloppy mud without needing either of the traction enhancements. Is it better than a Jeep? Maybe some when comparing stock to stock. Probably not better than all. It will go anywhere I have the nerve to point it. It is old, basic, analog and brutish and I love mine.

I like Jeeps and most of my hunting buddies drive a Jeep. So, to punk them a little, I tagged it the JRV - "Jeep Recovery Vehicle". I laughed out loud when I saw your post. Below are a few random pics of the JRV. I keep a zip lock bag in the back with a half dozen Toy Yoda figures and a small greeting note to leave on the hood of a nice Jeep when I find one. It reads, "No DUCKS Given. You have been "Toy-Yoda'ed" May the Force be with you Always!"