Is the Toyota Land Cruiser Now the Best Overland Vehicle?

Correction regarding the 120 lbs (60kg) rear storage capacity. The decal referenced the front storage board, not the battery platform. This section is being deleted from the video (YouTube processing time may take a bit). I own it when I misspeak, thanks to everyone that helped provide the clarification.

to be fair, a toyota corolla can do those same trails

Brad I was so hoping you’d quote Step Brothers by saying “there’s so much room for activities back here” 🤣

The notion that a person is going to be able to do a "trail repair" on a hybrid, turbocharged powertrain is laughable. If you have any issues out on the trail, you better pray that your AAA will cover an off-road recovery.

I think you had the same excitement about the 392…oh…and the diesel, the 4xe, power wagon, and Bronco.

DMV loves your household. The fees you pay on your fleet must be astronomical.

The 120 pounds weight limit on the back is something Toyota didn't think thru.

Believe me Brad, you will EASILY reach that 1,100 pound payload. You talk in this video about wanting to add bumpers, a winch, rock sliders, and bigger tires to the truck, that is several hundred pounds right there. I'm also noticing that this LC doesn't have skid plates on it, I'm sure you'll add those as well, that's more weight. A goose gear system and a fridge is easily another hundred pounds. Add in your food, your gear, whatever personal effects you bring, plus the weight of having one or two people in the vehicle will put you at or even over 1,100 pounds. And that's not even mentioning if you bring the Patriot Camper, you have to factor in the tongue weight of that, which is probably 500 pounds.

Love that you’re a car guy and not a Jeep guy. As someone who is in his 6th Wrangler and 4th Grand Cherokee I certainly love Jeeps as well but like you, I’m a car guy. We’re divided enough right now, let’s not go into Jeep vs Toyota, let’s just love them all.

My stock JL Wrangler Rubicon with proper 33” BFG KO2 off road tires, best low range gearing, 4:10 gears, front and rear lockers gets 22 MPGs if driven nicely and maintained properly (fuel system, catch can etc). The cost to properly lift a IFS vehicle is more expensive, add to that the cost of wheel and tires. As far as reliability, on my lifted Tundra build I had about $18k in repairs for steering rack, leaking transfer case, water pump, bed damage, and body damage. I have seen Toyotas on the trail with busted CV joints. The Pentastar 3.6l v6 on the Wrangler has been in over 10 million vehicles. Some may get lifter/rocker issue but that is a $2-3k repair and can be DIY, and the risk can be mitigated by cooling, increases oil change intervals and heavier grade oil - and extended warranties up to 100k mi from Mopar can be purchased relatively cheaply if you search the forums and shop around.

I hope these end up being good vehicles, but I remain skeptical of these, as I remain skeptical of all new Toyota's. Even though I come from a family of both Toyota and Jeep people, seeing all of these problems that have plagued Toyota over the past few years has left me feeling jaded about them. Toyota is going to replace the engines on over 100,000 Tundra's. The TFL guys had the front diff of their new Tacoma break after only slightly exceeding its load rating. And now, lots of people are saying they are having transmission issues with their new Tacoma's.

I'm a Jeep Cherokee XJ guy through and through. I've been driving them since 1988. I love the old school boxy look and the XJ's ridiculous capability. Seeing this new Landcruiser with all the tech and that glorious old school boxy look, I have to say, I'm REALLY liking the look of it and can definitely see myself behind the wheel of one. I don't believe I'm alone in saying that a very large percentage of consumers have a like mind as myself regarding old school looks meets modern tech. If Jeep remade a Cherokee that actually hearkened back to the XJ I'd be hard pressed NOT to buy one. But it always seems Jeep thinks they know what consumers want better than the actual consumer. Toyota looks like they got it right and I absolutely love that! I'll definitely be tuning in to see how you build her out. Can't wait!

I can't believe the cargo space has a 120lb limit. What were they thinking?

I had a FJ 40 years ago, that was a land cruiser. That thing you got there’s a station wagon.

“When your out on the trail and something goes wrong and you need to trouble shoot it “ lmao 4cylinder turbocharged hybrid and your going to trouble shoot it on the trail You had me rolling laughing That’s a good one

09 GX470 Here with KO2’s & TRD wheels here. Friend built me a sleeping platform & drawers for when the 2nd row is folded down. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Inexpensive repairs & No Payments. This leaves more money for equipment & adventures.

Easy to access? Umm those turbos will be a nightmare and replacing the valve cover gaskets arent going to be simple.

You can put more weight, the 120 lb refers to the board, which can be replaced. * The board could break if over 60kg objects are placed on it. * The board could dislocate if a load is applied from above onto the back end of the board. * To remove the board, lift the back end of the board and slowly open the board. If the board is opened or lifted with force, the hooks on the front side of the board could break.

I recall that you ditched your first Gladiator due to lack of early aftermarket parts. Is it going to be the same case for the Land Cruiser?

This is how you know when a YouTuber has made it. New cars, new gear new everything consistently. Good content tho!