Toyota Land Cruiser Makes Perfect Overlander
Looking for a rig you can take anywhere in the world? Look no further than the inherently tough Land Cruiser.
When you think of overlanding, hardcore, off-road rigs, you probably think about old school FJs. And of course, Tacomas and 4Runners. But what about the new Land Cruiser? Sure, it’s thought of mostly as a large, luxurious barge these days. And we’re guessing 99.9% of current Land Cruiser owners keep their rigs on paved roads. But as The Fast Lane Truck points out in this cool video, Toyota’s largest ‘ute is good for more than just soccer practice transport.
Just take a look at this killer Land Cruiser build from Expedition Overland and you’ll see what we mean. According to EO, there are a number of reasons why the Land Cruiser makes the ultimate overlanding vehicle. That includes “global availability,” which means that not only the vehicle, but parts and service, are available anywhere you want to trek. They’re also simply “reliable vehicles,” which “speaks a lot when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.”
But what really sets the Land Cruiser apart from other off-road vehicles is what lies underneath. “The CV axles are bigger. The tie-rod ends, inners and outers, are much bigger. The frame is a taller, wider frame. And of course, they’ve always had fairly beefy drivetrains, bigger axles, and drivetrain components.” This particular Land Cruiser has also been upgraded with a full Icon coilover setup. But that’s needed to handle the extra weight of its many added components.
The front bumper is aftermarket and holds a winch, but doesn’t protrude too far. And heck, it even retains the factory proximity sensors, radar cruise control, and camera! Of course, Expedition Overland incorporated the requisite tent and various other gear into the roof rack for overnight stays. And a snorkel for deep water adventures.
All of which proves an important point. The Land Cruiser doesn’t need much work to become the ultimate overlanding vehicle. Because Toyota’s legendary off-roader has most of it already built in!
Join the YotaTech forums now!
\
