Safari Vehicles in America

[JG26Irish_2]

Like the OP, while off hunting in Africa, I fell in love with the PH's bad ass Toyota Land Cruiser pickup. V8 turbo diesel, 6spd, beast. I wanted one. Was disappointed to learn that it was nigh on impossible to get one. Fast forward a few months, and I stopped by to examine the new Toyota Land Cruiser which is now on sale in the USA. More disappointment. A 4 banger turbo wheezer with hybrid, like it did not weigh enough already?? Sorry but no. My current hunting truck for years has been a 1995 Isuzu Trooper with V6 and 5spd manual. A very capable truck in its own right but it was getting long in the tooth. Right before Xmas, I purchased a nice Toyota FJ Cruiser V6, 6spd manual which was pretty much loaded with most of the options. The Snowmaggedon hit about a week later and man am I glad I got this thing. It is a beast and very capable. My wife got to do a week long test of a 2025 Tacoma while her SUV was being repaired and while I was gone most of that time, I did get to try it out and the 4 cylinder turbo engine does not impress me when compared to the FJ's 4.0 liter V6. Took the FJ on its first hunt last weekend in KY for a late season tree rat hunt with friends. There was still snow every where and The FJ ate it up without spinning a tire. Pics of the FJ and the ZuZu attached below.

View attachment 661521View attachment 661522

I want to post a few more pics of the FJ Yoda which has earned the nickname of JRV or "Jeep Recovery Vehicle". Also a shot of my wife's Safari Vehicle. It is a Land Rover LR4. The closest thing to off roading it sees is the steep incline into the shopping center parking lot. We had lots of snow this past winter and these beasties were a life saver. Oh, I am putting the ZuZu up for adoption in FB Mkt Place.

 

[daniloc]

My 1970 Land Rover IIA. 2.25. In Uruguay.

 

[Rare Breed]

I want to post a few more pics of the FJ Yoda which has earned the nickname of JRV or "Jeep Recovery Vehicle". Also a shot of my wife's Safari Vehicle. It is a Land Rover LR4. The closest thing to off roading it sees is the steep incline into the shopping center parking lot. We had lots of snow this past winter and these beasties were a life saver. Oh, I am putting the ZuZu up for adoption in FB Mkt Place.

View attachment 682222View attachment 682223View attachment 682224View attachment 682225View attachment 682226

I have a 2013 LR4 that I love!!!

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I have a 2013 LR4 that I love!!!

They are amazingly capable vehicles. I was very impressed with the one we got for my wife. With proper tires, it would go anywhere the FJ Toyota will go and that little beast is unstoppable within the limits of its ground clearance. Only a well set up two door Jeep with lockers or a higher end Bronco are comparable today.

 

[Dogone]

I had two new land cruisers here in Canada. First was 4 cyl diesel and second was 6 cyl diesel. Bullet proof and plain Jane. Then new cruisers came out all tricked out and only gas. Yuppie mobiles.

 

[Whit]

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.

Currently in the market for a vehicle, and considering a FJ Cruiser... don't know what good mileage range might actually be at the 15k-20k budget range. Recommendations?

 

[rookhawk]

Currently in the market for a vehicle, and considering a FJ Cruiser... don't know what good mileage range might actually be at the 15k-20k budget range. Recommendations?

$15k gets you a <100,000 mile 2007. $20k gets you a 125,000 mile 2008-2009.

I’m in my daughter’s 2008 TTE we bought with 130,000 miles for around $21,500.

Fantastic car.

 

[Greffdog]

Surprised the GX460/470 hasn’t been discussed more in this thread. I haven’t thoroughly read all 11 pages, so apologies if I missed some posts but I’ve only see it come up a few times.

I went from an F150 to Lexus vehicles and haven’t looked back. Toyota reliability and Cadillac comfort. My wife has had an RX the past 10 years and other than her playing bumper cars in parking lots we’ve never had a major issue.

Last year I got a 2014 GX with 130k miles and I paid less than what comparable 4Runners were selling for. Knock on wood it will be still be running strong at 300k+

The other benefit is many of these are sold in Texas where they have never seen salt, towed anything or been beat up on rough roads.

 

[Greffdog]

Looks like I missed pages 3-4 where GX460/470 was discussed. My bad.

Other than poor gas mileage, which isn’t any worse than my F150, I’m a fan. Super comfortable on the highway and as off road capable as I will ever need.

I miss my 95 F150 when I need a truck, otherwise I’m much happier in my GX.

 

[ET1775]

Looks like I missed pages 3-4 where GX460/470 was discussed. My bad.

Other than poor gas mileage, which isn’t any worse than my F150, I’m a fan. Super comfortable on the highway and as off road capable as I will ever need.

I miss my 95 F150 when I need a truck, otherwise I’m much happier in my GX.

I am very happy with mine.

 

[Muskox]

Buying a Lexus Toyota Cruiser instead of a Toyota Four Runner or Land Cruiser is always a cheaper solution for used vehicles. I do not understand why.

 

[rookhawk]

Buying a Lexus Toyota Cruiser instead of a Toyota Four Runner or Land Cruiser is always a cheaper solution for used vehicles. I do not understand why.

What are the Lexus models that are actually the "full size" toyota land cruisers under the covers? (Not referring to the new land cruiser prado and the GX550 counterpart)

 

[Altitude sickness]

GX 460 & 470 ?

 

[Muskox]

First Gen Luxus. 1995-1997
Luxus LX 400, LX 450 and LX 470 is a Land Cruiser FJ100

Second Gen Luxus 1998-2007
LX 470 and Landcruiser Fj100

3rd Gen Luxus 2007-2021
LX 570 and FJ200.

4th Gen Luxus 2021-Present
LX600 and FJ300

 

[Muskox]

GX 460 & 470 ?

GX is a Prado or Four Runner sized Vehicle. LX is the Toyota Landcruiser sized vehicle.

The LX600 is related to the Toyota Sequoia. As there is no FJ300 in America.

 

[ET1775]

GX 460 is 4Runner sized but many of the 460's have the folding 3rd row and they have the V8. Great vehicles.