FZJ80 climbs Hellsgate at CM09

Cruise Moab action as Nick climbs Hell's Gate in his 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser

[@gumwap1]

The diesel version is the HDJ-80. It is very hard to come by in the states as it was never sold here.

[@seventhSabra]

@ZentRose ... so far it's pulled Hemi's like they're a Miata. A 5.7 Supercharged V8 with headers, y-tube, Borla exhaust, ECU, CAI, snorkel, ARB locker and bull bars, Total Chaos/Fox long travel suspension, 38" Toyo open country MTs on 17" KMC Enduros, extended fuel tank, custom interior, fogs, winches, you name it I spared no expense. It's at 600+HP and the build isn't done. I got 20mpg on a test drive/climbing/mtb trip from LA--Joshua Tree--Mojave Road. Toyota are better than ever.

[@gullf1sk]

Such a beautiful car

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid Wrong, it is in fact a Land Cruiser. During development (and I know the guys who designed the FJ Cruiser on a first name basis) - I own several of their custom TLC Icons, the original name was going to be something like FJ 140 Land Cruiser Anniversary. It was way too long and sounds ridiculous, so it was shortened. They dropped "Land," and kept "Cruiser." Not all models of TLC have "Land Cruiser" written on the side somewhere, that doesn't mean they aren't LCs.

[@linusfzj80]

Great rig, so-so spotter. And as an owner, yes, the aftermarket suspension isn't too great presently, but I hear there's some resivoir Bilsteins/maybe Fox that really let you flex the front better - the rear flexes great (actually helps the so-so front). In fact, I feel a "Soccer-Mom" owned 80 with a lift (4" & 315/75R16/~35"s) & a ARB locker rear is a better buy than a factory e-lockered rig that has been beat its' whole life. I have e-locks & rarely use the FR one.

[@seventhSabra]

@ZentRose Toyota is hardly producing crap. The FJ Cruiser is the latest and in many ways best incarnation of the Land Cruiser family. it's won Baja on multiple accounts against $1Million custom trophy trucks. It's one of only 3 vehicles capable of driving to the North Pole (other 2 are Toyota Hilux/Tacoma and Prado). The Tundra is phenomenal and dominate all other full-size trucks both on and off road. I'm having one custom built to pull an Airstream, but then be able to run trails...

[@CrazyforCruiser]

Good spotter!

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid Yes, the FJ Cruiser IS part of the Land Cruiser family. This is according to Toyota themselves. Also, each model line within Toyota is given a letter code designating that line, Land Cruisers are "FJ." All vehicles with "FJ" in their name code are LCs. The FJ Cruiser commemorates 50 years of Land Cruiser in America since the first FJ40, hence it's styling resembles the original Land Cruiser. So it it by historical and Toyota's definition, a Land Cruiser.

[@ZentRose]

@MRpyrotyro Yeah that and the low side step and long rear overhang. Not the best car for that stuff. Great for expedition stuff though. The build quality is excellent and you can trust these cars to run for a long time if you can afford the crazy gas prices. Jeeps seem to be you're thing, so enjoy them! but don't limit yourself.

[@Prototheria]

I see I'm not the only one who's PS pump cavitates at high angles of attack. :)

[@MRpyrotyro]

@ZentRose yes i will agree with you there, toyotas are built well!

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid The source is Toyota dept of marketing. The source is TLC Icon, they designed the thing. And I've read many press release articles back during its debut referring to it as the "Next-Gen Land Cruiser" returning to the vehicles off-road roots in both aesthetics and performance. The Current "Land Cruiser" flagship isn't really a Land Cruiser, it's not what make the name famous as the vehicle that could go anywhere on Earth. The FJ Cruiser DOES have that ability.

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid It's Toyota's own corporate naming structure for all their vehicles, each car has a 2 letter "code" applied to that family of vehicles. I've heard some of the other codes but forget them because none are famous like "FJ" is. We hardcore TLC owners use "FJ" + the number to describe an exact model.No one says "I have a 1996 Land Cruiser." We say "I have a FJ80 3FE" for instance. There's a definitive book to the history of Land Cruisers, I for get the name...

[@MRpyrotyro]

@ZentRose ah thats ok, my jeep was made to get groceries. but the axle moves better then this ;) my friend has been looking into one, and the problems we have run into is the limited (and very expensive) aftermarket for them. in order to get him up off the rocks, it would take 4" and 35s, minimum. and whats hard to understand is the really expensive kits are so incomplete, and non of them seem to flex...

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid I'm not going to argue with you about this. Toyota calls it a Land Cruiser, then it's a Land Cruiser. It has "FJ" and "Cruiser" in the name and was originally slotted to have the word "Land" in there as well. Land Cruisers are Toyota's top 4x4, well this is Toyota's top 4x4 by a long shot. Toyota wanted a new TLC that was mod-friendly like earlier models, where the current model has become a luxury 4x4 with little off road ability. You're playing semantics.

[@ZentRose]

@MRpyrotyro Yeah, but this wasn't what the 80 series was intended for. Its more of an expedition vehicle. Despite its huge size, it is quite capable. If you have the chance to you should drive one/ work on one.. the build quality is really amazing. FWIW I am not a toyota fanboy, my past vehicles include datsun, porsche, vw, honda, suzuki, and yamaha. I just finished up a Chevy Camaro project which turned out great! I wouldn't hesitate to buy a japanese built toyota though. Check them out!

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid ...I remember some of the interesting things like prior to WWII the US commissioned Japan to make a "Jeep." It was an early predecessor to the FJ40 and far superior to the Jeep in every way. The US bailed on the huge contract and it hit Japan hard, it's speculated that such actions lead to Japans attack on US soil. The few American Jeeps with Toyota engines did great during the war, while Jeeps were famous for breaking down and getting stuck - still true today.

[@Reaper6207]

I'm lookin at some 80's on the market. The year I'm looking at is the '97s. What ahs all been done with your rig?

[@MotelCambodia]

good climb

[@mmiracastro2347]

This would be an impressive video but I happen to see a Santa Fe do it with just tires ....do it first and do it a lot quicker as well . Fj80 is a beast just I don’t think hellsgate is much of a challenge when u got subarus and Hyundai’s doing it with little mods .

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid Yes I know all of that, trust me, I collect Land Cruisers, I know everything there is to know about them. "FJ" and "BJ" have to do with the engine types, but "FJ" is also a specific code GIVEN ONLY TO VEHICLES IN THE LAND CRUISER FAMILY. Even LC's with diesel "BJ" engines are called "FJs." It's just like Ferrari, each Ferrari has a name, but then also a letter/number code designation. CPU's follow this model as well. The FJ Cruiser IS a LC, Toyota says so.

[@4-WHEEL-DRIVE]

HOW MANY INCHES OF LIFT YOU HAVE AND TIRE SIZE THANKS

[@ZentRose]

The 80 series is my favorite off road vehicle. They feel unstoppable when you shift into low. I used to take my dads out off roading and laugh when the jeeps, chevy's and fords all got hydro-locked trying to follow me through deep water. Too bad toyota is producing crap these days.

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid Toyota make the FJ Cruiser, their latest in the Land Cruiser family and it's a phenomenal 4x4. Stock FJ will climb this no problem; there's a video here somewhere with a novice blonde chic crawling up The Gate and she makes it look easy - easier than with this 80. We also get the Tacoma (based off the Hilux), then there's the Lexus GX470 which is a Land Cruiser Prado in luxury attire. Toyota still makes best 4x4s hands down without going to my custom TLC Icon.

[@shepchri88]

@ZentRose These are the generic 4x4 in Aus ;)

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid ...and no, I'm not into forums and all that. My life and careers require me to be pretty clandestine, and I'm a private person anyway.

[@alexcheetah79]

is that a hill or a rock wall?

[@Mack74]

If they dropped the tyre pressure more it would walk up there so much easier

[@dustinkuipers7761]

What's with the hand signal gloves?

[@stefan3225]

Does he have his front sway bar connected? That 80 doesn’t flex for shit…

[@coltonryan1826]

does the fzj symbolize what engine it has in it, i desperately want the 4.2 inline 6 turbo diesel

[@Mack74]

FZJ = Petrol 4.5 L HDJ = Turbo Diesel 4.2L I've had one of each. Love my HDJ80

[@Atoyot1031]

@ErvinTan930701 What???

[@BBDOGGER]

Spotter sucked. Good thing the driver knew better in several sections.

[@MRpyrotyro]

@ZentRose It doesnt look very unstoppable, restricted suspension really hurt him. if that front axle could move, he would have been able to walk the obstacle. i guess its a toyota thing.

[@pajero4x4ARB]

full floating XD

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid Wrong yet again. You obviously don't know the history that I or any true TLC collector does. The Chevy engines in TLC Icons are a Toyota design built by the guys who first created the Land Cruiser. The Chevy-Toyota Family Tree extends WAY back and many early Land Cruisers sold in the US featured Chevy engines re-branded under Toyota licensing.. hence the cult following of "Chev-otas." I'm older and wiser, I've explored all 7 continents in TLCs, I know my stuff.

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid People would just say "I have a FJ47," if they know their TLCs, they'll know what you mean and the more specific name. If you were listing it for auction let's say, you say HJ47, but you don't need to be that precise when talking to fellow owners. Take Subaru for instance: I own a Subaru WRX STI ESX and a Litchfield Subaru WRX STI Type 25 Spec-C But saying all of that is way too much. I can say "STI" and people get it, or "Spec-C" / "ESX STI" for specifics.

[@clandr80]

Spotter wasn't very good

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid ALL the vehicles are designated with "FJ"... only the engine on SOME models is designated with "BJ." When you own 12 custom fully restored Land Cruisers with $50K-$120K into each and every vehicle that you've hand restored and upgraded with the industry's best 4x4 equipment, then you can lecture me on TLC history kid.

[@seventhSabra]

@kabodkhwaamkhid No, most people would get it, at least that's my experience. Not everyone knows the FJ/BJ difference, when I say I have a BJ60, people (somesomes even 4x4 guys who have TLCs) say "what's a BJ? Sounds like a..." And that's why I think everyone just uses "FJ" it's familiar and doesn't sound like Mr. Slappy's private adventure time."

[@ErvinTan930701]

the hand is disgusting

[@Crawlerjamie]

Worst spotter ever