Land Cruiser 70 Spotted?

[Mick1]

I saw this a couple weeks back on I-94 between Chicago and Detroit. It was headed towards Detroit.

I believe this is a slightly modified LC 70 series which is available in foreign markets, but not the U.S.

What does it take to get this imported and legal to drive? Or do you think this was just a show vehicle?

 

[SJC]

Should have flagged him down and asked! Thats awesome

 

[Blacksunshyne]

Profitt's Cruisers was doing a conversion based on those trucks, could be one that they built. I would love to have one!

More info on this link ----> Land Cruiser Parts | Restoration | Engine Conversion | Suspensions | Proffitt's Cruisers

 

[Maritimer]

1HZ Diesel Land Cruiser | Fully Custom Built

I just jizzed in my pants.

 

[Quentin]

Aren't they legal for commercial use in Canada? It is bad ass, though.

 

[Socco]

I'd LOVE to have one: Toyota - Land Cruiser 70

Aren't they legal for commercial use in Canada? It is bad ass, though.

To my knowledge, they are only used in Mining operations (ie: in the mine). I've never seen one on the road.

I just jizzed in my pants.

I'm not ashamed to say that I did as well.

I saw this a couple weeks back on I-94 between Chicago and Detroit. It was headed towards Detroit.

Nice. I was killing time a few weeks ago and stumbled across a few at the docks...

 

[JohnsD90]

Buy a 1984 through (subtract 25 years from current year), and you can import one into the US, its called the 25 year exemption, and that means the vehicle does not have to meet federal safety or emissions standards as long as it is 25 years or older. If you can find one within the age criteria and a way to get it here you can have one, plenty of people do this with Land Rovers. It's 100% legal, and other than dealing with some dumb people at DMV, and the schmucks at the docks, i hear there isn't really any issues you have to deal with.

 

[limamike]

Buy a 1984 through (subtract 25 years from current year), and you can import one into the US, its called the 25 year exemption, and that means the vehicle does not have to meet federal safety or emissions standards as long as it is 25 years or older. If you can find one within the age criteria and a way to get it here you can have one, plenty of people do this with Land Rovers. It's 100% legal, and other than dealing with some dumb people at DMV, and the schmucks at the docks, i hear there isn't really any issues you have to deal with.

Acquiring the vehicle and then licensing the vehicle to drive on public roads seem like the exact issues which might preclude one from procuring one of these vehicles!

 

[Maritimer]

I've just gotta have one. I wonder what the cost would be? :jaw drop:

 

[JohnsD90]

Acquiring the vehicle and then licensing the vehicle to drive on public roads seem like the exact issues which might preclude one from procuring one of these vehicles!

It's completely legal, just finding the importer might be a little tricky, but I'm sure theres a few seller in japan or Aus that would ship them here, as there is a hefty profit to be made as demand for these is high. They have been doing this sh*t for years with the Land Rovers, it started with the Series 3's but it has moved on to the early 90 and 110 models as they are over 25 years old now.

You have no issues registering it or insuring it, 100% road legal, there is no gray area.

 

[NJshadow93]

Some kid at my college got an old Land Rover imported. It's got a snorkel, and it is a right hand drive. He said the diesel is under powered as hell with 110 horsepower, and the 4LO doesn't work at the moment, but it's a pretty cool truck.

 

[TOPDECK]

I don't know if you guys have seen this or not, but these are two 70 Series that were bought right off the assembly line at Toyota in Japan, outfitted here in the United States, and are traveling the world for two years. They are registered in New Zealand, but are here in the USA (for right now at least) as exposition vehicles.

Expeditions 7

 

[DiggetyDan]

Cruiser in Africa

I don't know if you guys have seen this or not, but these are two 70 Series that were bought right off the assembly line at Toyota in Japan, outfitted here in the United States, and are traveling the world for two years. They are registered in New Zealand, but are here in the USA (for right now at least) as exposition vehicles.

Expeditions 7

Now, that looks fun!

I drove what I think is an older version of this vehicle for 3 months in Africa (Malawi) back in the late 90's. That truck was so much fun and nearly indestructable. We were using it as a transport and support vehicle for the training of a group of volunteers. We loaded it to the gill with people, luggage, food, supplies, water, you name it.

We spent most of that time in a very rural area of the country where there weren't paved roads or even roads at all. The truck forged through river beds, washed out roads, climbed hills. We probably operated the truck for 5-8hours every day and at the end of the training there were two issues:

1. the passenger side rear view mirror was cracked from an ear of corn that was sticking out into the trail we were driving on (that sounded like a gun shot when we hit it)

2. We got a sidewall puncture on one of the tires from a stump that I didn't see when turning off a trail. I attibute this more to driver error than anything else.

Here are a couple of pics.

 

[TOPDECK]

Older in years, yes. But they still make them the same! I forget the exact ratio, but I think it is something like Toyota makes 30 of those 70 Series for every 1 of the newer 200 series. Pretty amazing we don't get them considering how well the Mercedes G Wagen sells here, at least in my neck of the woods. Last year Toyota only sold 1,662 Land Cruiser 200s!

It is also amazing that the "older" 70 Series are still around $70K+ USD.

Looks like an awesome adventure too!

 

[DiggetyDan]

Topdeck, thanks, yes there were quite a few adventures had over there. There was one picture that I was hoping to find but couldn't. It was taken from about 500 yards away and it was this truck going straight up a mountain packed with supplies for a "picnic" for 60 people who hiked up the mountain.

The other Toyota truck that I saw quite a bit over there was a Toyota Hi Lux (sp?). It was a four door pick-up that was very capable. I had planned to purchase one when I got back to the states to drive through central america and was surprised to find out they don't sell those here...

 

[fishman]

i believe i see two of these a lot when at work. one is a two door and one is a four door. i asked the owner about them and they were brought up from south america. lately he has been driving a classic bronco or an older jeep renegade. next time i see the land cruisers i will snap some pics.

 

[fishman]

oops...