Trying to understand land cruiser import situation

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

My PH in RSA has both the V8 turbo diesel 5spd and the 4cyl diesel auto trans. He swore that the little 4 banger was a horse. I think both of his had a performance tune on them as well. Personally, I prefer a manual for my 4x4's.

I would argue that the difference to me is in the Auto transmission. I probably wouldn't go with the 4 cylinder in a manual. I think it will completely lose its wow factor. That Auto box is the reason it comes out with 50 N.m more torque than the V8, out of the box, which was an issue. The V8 wants revs. I'm always in the correct gear going up the mountains, it has traction control, downhill assist plus the added torque. Probably the biggest factor is that the 4 cylinder comes in at 1763 Lbs lighter than the V8, which changes the drivability of the vehicle. Driving the V8, my body was finished after a day's hunting. Now, its like driving a Hilux. Absolute gamechanger.

 

[SaintPanzer]

I get that LandCruiser series can be confusing. You need to understand there are the "Luxury" Wagons which include the 100, 200 and now 300series.
Then there are the utility workhorses which are basically the 70 series which is very basic and did not have airbags in Australia until about 2010. Any vehicle in Australia of 2000 vintage would have a 4.2L straight 6 single turbo diesel, many believe (myself included) that it was the best engine ever in the Landcruiser 70 series.
The 4.5L V8 single turbo diesel engine was introduced in 2007, it just does not have the punch of the previous straight 6.
In 2024 Toyota introduced the 2.8L 4 cylinder diesel with an auto transmision (prior to this they all had 5 speed manual) , due to immissions issues with the V8.

Currnetly running a 2008 4.5L V8 single cab with tipping tray.

Yes, of course. And that is the point of the "good list". If it doesn't meet the safety standards required in 2006 (where airbags were required), then it cannot be imported. We can consider that issue again in 2031...

 

[Muskox]

The thing is the new land cruisers in the US are nothing more than a SUV period. If I want to stay with Toyota the closest to an Africa Land Cruiser is a Tocoma 2 door pick up

The ones on military bases are FJ's 79 or 80 series.

Here in Germany the Military Police have. hundreds of these:

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I would argue that the difference to me is in the Auto transmission. I probably wouldn't go with the 4 cylinder in a manual. I think it will completely lose its wow factor. That Auto box is the reason it comes out with 50 N.m more torque than the V8, out of the box, which was an issue. The V8 wants revs. I'm always in the correct gear going up the mountains, it has traction control, downhill assist plus the added torque. Probably the biggest factor is that the 4 cylinder comes in at 1763 Lbs lighter than the V8, which changes the drivability of the vehicle. Driving the V8, my body was finished after a day's hunting. Now, its like driving a Hilux. Absolute gamechanger.

As an owner, driver, your perspective is far more relevant than my own. I have merely ridden in both and did not get to drive either one. I spent far more time in the V8 and was favorably impressed but as I said earlier, my PH said his newer 4 cylinder was very impressive and he is a performance enthusiast. I am surprised at the weight differential. The V8 must be made of lead, lol.

Here in the USA, the two vehicles that most closely resemble the African Land Cruiser 4dr truck in my view would be the Toyota Tacoma pickup or the Jeep Gladiator pickup. The Taco is now only available with the turbo 4 gas engine. I did not like it. Loud, vibrated and was not very torquey compared to my 4.0L FJ. It had enough power but was unrefined in my view. The Jeep is closer in both design and execution and can be had with a 3.6L V6, a 3.0L turbo diesel or a 6.4L V8. I am not a Jeep fan but it is a horse of a vehicle.