Toyota is the king of overlanding for so many wonderful reasons! The Japanese brand has a long history designing and manufacturing off-roaders, with the low-range gearing, drivetrains, diff locks, underbody protection, quality tyres, crawl control, low-end torque and high ground clearance of many of their models satisfying the most difficult to please overlanding enthusiast.
From the Hilux to the RAV4, Toyota’s back catalogue of vehicles is a who’s who of overlanding. But there’s one model in particular that’s a cut above the rest.
The icon that is the Land Cruiser
You can’t mention off-road capabilities without thinking of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Its story goes back almost 75 years, with its earliest models used as mobility vehicles for the Japanese National Police Reserve before being modified and produced for public sale.
We’ll let Toyota UK Magazine explain more about the Land Cruiser’s evolution from military machine to one of the world’s best loved off-roaders:
“The changes were dramatic, the new car looking far more civilised with rounded bodywork, integrated headlights, and a more spacious cabin that didn’t make front seat passengers feel like they were conjoined twins. The short wheelbase model was shorter than before, improving manoeuvrability, while a new long wheelbase model allowed different applications to multiply.”
The new look Cruiser was a success in various incarnations, so it should come as no surprise that it is the longest produced vehicle in Toyota’s history.
Why we love the Toyota Land Cruiser
There are several reasons why Toyota has sold over 10 million Land Cruisers worldwide. It is well known for its reliability and durability, which are two qualities that are essential to overlanding success.
The rugged nature of the Cruiser is a look off-roaders love, with its unassuming style not giving much of a hint of the fantastic build quality you can expect within. The fact that Toyota upgrades are so widely available, especially when overlanding in Africa, is another perk of being a Land Cruiser owner.
The continued evolution of the Cruiser from its first-generation to its all-new 2024 model, and every series in between, means there’s a Cruiser for everyone.
Choosing a Cruiser for your needs and budget
There is no right or wrong answer to which Toyota Land Cruiser is the best. When comparing the most iconic 78, 79, 76 and 150 series, you’ll find the same platform that the Land Cruiser is applauded for but redesigned for different purposes.
The Land Cruiser 78 Series – aka the ‘Troopy’ or ‘Troop Carrier’ – has just two side doors, which made it a trendsetter at the time of production. The 79 Series is available as a single or dual cab pickup, while the Land Cruiser 76 Series is a 4-door wagon. Due to these features alone, you may find one Land Cruiser series more fitting than another.
Whether you have your heart set on the 78, 79, 76 and 150 series, availability is a factor that every Land Cruiser fan has to consider. Of the four Cruisers mentioned above, the 150 Series is the only one sold domestically, with the remainder considered specialist vehicles and imported to order as a result.
Already the proud owner of a Land Cruiser?
Even this iconic off-roader isn’t beyond improvement! Make your Toyota Land Cruiser even better by browsing our range of vehicle-specific upgrades right here. You can even narrow down your search for parts and accessories by series!
