Here’s a stat that will likely make you feel old: The Toyota Land Cruiser has been on sale in the U.S since 1957. Number of years it missed due to model changeovers or regulatory hurdles? Zero. Comparing the raw-and-ready early models to the current Land Cruiser, however, is a bit like like comparing a box cutter to a modern multi-tool. To prove that the modern ‘Cruiser still has some grit, Toyota’s TRD arm plucked a 2016 model from production and prepped it for active duty on the display floor at this year’s SEMA show.
-Officially and cleverly named the “SEMA Edition TRD Land Cruiser,” the SUV gets a 2-inch front-only lift, TRD front skid plate, and front TRD adjustable remote-reservoir coilover dampers. The rear suspension stands pat at production ride height, but gains a set of TRD adjustable remote-reservoir dampers and springs that are more in tune with the off-road objective. TRD 20×10-inch performance wheels wear 285/55-sized rubber front and rear.
-A TRD brush guard keeps over-eager SEMA attendees at bay, and LED driving lights replace the stock units. TRD tubular running boards stretch from wheel to wheel, and a roof-mounted cargo pod offers additional storage while putting people on notice that the driver is an active type. Custom Silver Pearl exterior paint and TRD embroidery address the cosmetics, while a TRD performance off-road air snorkel (it’s functional) and cat-back dual-tip exhaust actually manage to lend an air of rowdiness to the otherwise refined proceedings.
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- Feature: The World’s Bravest Trucks
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- Instrumented Test: 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser
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- Toyota Land Cruiser Research: Pricing, Photos, Specs, and More!
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Slapping on a few items from the TRD catalog is is a nice diversion, but what we’d really like to know is what plans Toyota might have in store for the old girl. We know changes come slowly in the Land Cruiser world, but with the FJ out of the way, it seems the opportunity for fielding a ‘Crusier variant that people can actually afford is is here. We aren’t getting any younger, and neither is the Land Cruiser.
-Agya Club Indonesia
