Toyota USA vs. Toyota Australia

For no reason at all I found toyota's Australian website. I found the Landcrusier 70 http://www.toyota.com.au/landcruise..._GlobalNav_SUVSand4WDS_LC70#double-cab-chasis

it looks to be a rugged truck, it's just cool. It kind makes our trucks state side look less tough and work ready.

My question for you is: Do you think (or know from experience) that stock Toyota Hilux and Landcruiser 70 are more rugged and dependable than our stock Tacoma and Tundra here in the US? What are your thoughts?

 

Watch this and tell me if you think a Tundra compares to a 70 series. IMHO it gets no where close. It may be more luxurious, but ruggedness and dependability go to the 70.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk6KJXeOM0k

 

They tend to be built with older, more reliable/proven components. In less developed countries, things need to be easier to fix/less likely to break.

Here in the US, AAA is always 15 minutes away. Ride comfort and infotainment doodads sell here, not burly reliability.

 

Yeah, that video pretty much sums it up. I would ask why they don't offer a truck like that in the us, but I guess there simply isn't a big enough market.

 

I would much rather simple repairs and reliability. I would rather have a truck that won't die then one that rides comfortably and will. I guess there I'm a member of a small group, though.

 

holy sh*t, did you guys check the specs on these things?!?!

4.5 liter V8 Turbo Diesel! And I have a diesel fetish!
I might be moving soon.

 

That looks like a pretty sweet truck.

 

Exactly. Making trucks for you (and me) isn't profitable. Making them for emasculated suburban men who need something to help them feel manly now that their wife has diverted all their energy and money in life into setting up the house the way she wants for her kids. Hence...every fullsize truck in the US.

I'm more interested in the solid front and rear axles from factory, factory-option front and rear lockers, and factory accessory offroad bumpers, sliders, and partial exo-cage.

No shit. They offer a partial exo from the showroom. Ain't that some shit? Edit: You may also notice the factory snorkel peeking in this picture.

http://www.toyota.com.au/landcruise...m-landcruiser_70_accessories-tab-1-side_rails

 

I wonder how much shipping would be? haha proably less than moving there

 

I wouldn't really move there, I love ole 'Murica too much.

But these trucks are pure bad ass, it's like it comes with every mod you would need from the factory.

 

That video is so bad-ass!!! Thats real wheeling! The 70 series is the real deal-from factory!

 

You can import a 70 series that's 25 years or older. They're not too much different than newer ones. If I could afford it I would

 

These Landcruisers would never be sold here. I agree with the other posts. Car makers sell the cars that make the most money in the right area. So here we get the pavement princess with low-range 4x4 full size trucks to pick up a few 2x4's from home depot on the weekend. They sell here.
We are lucky we get a handful of SUV's with a low range and full frame=4runner, FJ, and Xterra. The new Pathfinder is a crossover minivan!

 

x2. The US is fast running out of true utes. FJ, Xterra, Frontier, Tacoma still qualify. They're full body on frame vehicles.

I don't count the 5th gen 4runner. It's gotten too fat and urbanized. The 4th gen 4runner and all the other stuff listed barely qualifies. IFS, carpeted, feature rich interiors, electronically actuated 4wd systems make them suspect. If it wasn't for Toyota's excellent and Nissan's above average build quality, I don't think they'd be fit for the duty they see.

Future redesigns are likely to make the problem worse.

 

here's my next question. The hilux doesn't appear to be as rugged. http://www.toyota.com.au/hilux/range?WT.ac=VH_Hilux_TopNav_RangeandSpecs

How do you think the Tacoma compares to it?

 

^All the frames (Taco, FJ, Prado/4Runner/GX470 and Hilux) are similar. Toyota builds the frames in different widths to suit the different markets. The Hilux is about 2" narrow than a Taco, if I remember correctly. Front suspension is the same. Rear springs on the Hilux are stiffer to handle a 2000 lb payload.

So the JK Wrangler will go unmentioned?

Seriously though, Jeep is an even bigger sellout. This is the 2014 successor to the Cherokee:

 

Hilux has fully boxed frame, higher payload capability, and the option for a diesel. Tacoma has a larger cab....

 

No bed or cargo area, so it can go suck an egg.

I always crack up when I see Jeeps running around with their little ass-shelfs stuck in the hitches just for a modicum of storage. Waita destroy your class leading departure angle there scooter.



But of course, what are the other options? You can either put your spare parts and recovery gear on the roof and make an already rollover-prone vehicle have an even higher center of gravity, or you can mount shit on the front bumper and hood and make it goddamn impossible to see what you're driving towards.

Jeeps work fine for offroad parks, but there's a reason you never see expedition rigs built off 'em.

And Entune! We have Entune!

 

Tacoma doesn't come with 3.0 turbo diesel option or the sheer amount of customizable options the hilux does. We get one or two packages per region and that's it. The build quality and parts available also go way beyond the option here in the US. I was in Barbados and got to drive one. Killer pickup even though it was small. I miss my old 92 reg cab.

 

hahahaha entune