Toyota Land Cruiser
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Japan is credited with developing some of the best quality control standards in the world – after all, each GT-R engine puts out different power numbers because they’re each hand-built, start to finish, in a hermetically sealed, white coat lab. The Japanese are also adept at taking a concept and making it work even better than it could have perhaps ever been realized by its own original creators. Yes, we know what you’re thinking and no, we’re not saying the Toyota Land Cruiser is better than America’s own 4x4s. But it is on par with them.
The first Land Cruisers of the 1950’s looked eerily like a certain Go Devil-powered 4×4 developed by a company called Willys, and that’s not by accident. The Imperial Japanese Army captured a Bantam Mk II Jeep in the Philippines and sent it back to Japan for reverse engineering. Fast-forward a few years, and you’ll find the 1950 Toyota BJ prototype. It was a proper military Jeep in almost every form (the only thing it lacked was a low-range transfer case). While the U.S. Jeep ran Willys’ legendary 4-banger engine, the Land Cruiser came equipped with an inline six that offered considerable torque (160 lb.-ft.) at just 1,600 RPM.
source: ShutterStock
Just as the modern Wrangler is considered the most popular American off-road vehicle thanks to its military roots, the Land Cruiser is in the same Japanese vein. Testing and development of the Toyota BJ were sponsored by Japan’s National Police Agency. The agency was so impressed with the BJ’s capability that it quickly placed an order for 289 vehicles. The Land Cruiser name would come about in 1954 when Toyota openly recognized the English company Land Rover as a competitor.
Perhaps the most recognizable model that we all know and love, the 40 Series, produced in 1960 to 1984, cemented the Land Cruiser’s legend in the annals of 4×4 history. Low on electronics and high on capability, the FJ40 ‘s short wheelbase, optional front bumper winch, high factory ground clearance, and tough square body made it an instantly capable classic among those who loved to go offroad. The Land Cruiser arrived in the states in 1965 and immediately received critical acclaim. It’s 65-year-strong production run, numerous diesel powerplants (including some of Mercedes’ finest), beefed up suspension and service in combat zones – jungle, desert, tundra, and basically every other environment – make it one of the most recognizable and timeless offroad vehicles on our list.
