Love them BOTH!
I am leaving on a TRIP for 1 year starting Nov. 7th 2008.
I have a 9/88 FJ62 LandCruiser with 187500 miles on it. I expect to be gone a year, and cover as many miles surfing central america and exploring historical spots, as I can along the way.
First, Toyota's will run many, many, many, miles, if taken care of properly. Look for the Swiss couple on the World Record Trip; (weltkreise?) in Guinness Book Records -24 years in a Toyota 1984 FJ60. Over 300,000 mile of continual driving, AND maintenance.
What stands out to me about this is; on their website they list items such as how many liters of oil used, # of spark plugs changed, # of air filters used, etc... These trucks will do what is wanted if maintained properly, and you are familiar with the systems on it.
Look at the IH8MUD forum's Toyota LandCruiser BUYER"S CHECKLIST for information on what item's possibly to look for on the truck, that are the areas known by Landcruiser owners, compiled there to help you in a situation as right now. They have aforum for 80 series only discussions; these guys have the trucks and deal with daily. Learn from them here.
I trust my life in my Toyota LandCruiser, but only because I know if something happens, I have the means and knowledge of this truck to repair it and keep going.
In my lifetime I did one thing continually over, and over, again whether it was surfing or 4x4'ing to be successful, and also retire young, and now travel; I listened to the MASTERS at the game, the older guys with experience of having been in the same place, at the same spot, at some point in their life, and found out what works best for them. In surfing it's choosing the right board for the waves that day, or at that break. In my expeditions the tool I use is a LandCruiser because it gets the job done confidently, over, and over, again! It's made for the conditions I will see.
Look at what types of vehicle's the United Nations issues to Peace-keeping forces, and coalitions today;Toyota LandCruisers with diesel motors, and solid axles, prepared for the particular application or role it's going to play. Look at this website- search for Toyota Gibraltar
Services or TGS and read what they are all about. Very neat, this is what I am after; new HZJ78 3 seater troop carrier. Pick it up in Europe and head to Africa in it, working my way here someday. Why, because the Toyota Landcruiser will do it confidently, it was made to do it.
I might also recommend if any way budgeted; Look at the 1998 and newer Toyota LandCruiser 100 series trucks now available as used trucks, that have been driven in cities by soccer mom's, and maintained. These have a V-8, locking differential, gobs of power/torque, and luxuries as well. THEN, later in life change the front independent suspension to the Toyota solid live axle, and lock it up, then travel some more in it!
I hope this helps in some way; Here, I can be on Black Bear Pass in 4 LOW in less than 5 minutes from home, SO; an "Extreme Trail" to most people out there, NEEDS to be just a routine "dog walk" run for my truck, and my driving skills. My truck can handle anything I throw at it, and I respect what it can do, therefore I stop before I break something too, back away, take a photo, and live to see another day in my LandCruiser.
I say buy a Landcruiser after researching for the right vehicle, for the right intention, AND KEEP YOUR JEEP TOO! You won't regret it! Check out EquiptOutfitter's-Paul, or CruiserOutfitters-Kirk, Or ProffittsCruiser's in Delta Colorado, Merle in Salida, Colorado, Slee off Road in Denver. They all have LandCruiser websites, and support.
Welcome to BOTH worlds; here, and; LandCruisers, if you go there!
