We all know that fashion trends always come around full circle, one day skinny jeans are cool, the next day everybody is wearing baggy jeans two sizes too big. Same with sunglasses, nobody could pull off Aviators 10 years ago. Now they’re back in fashion and we can all look like Maverick again. Watches follow the same trend too, Casio sells more 90’s designed watches today than they ever did in the 1990’s. So, are 90’s trends making a come back? Does that mean that 90’s cars are cool again? Well, there is a small problem with Iconic 90’s cars. They are mostly all over 30 years old, which means they’re classics. Most cool cars from the 90’s were unreliable when they were new. Add 30 years. And that means they will be broken most of the time, right? But just maybe there’s an exception. Enter the 80 series Toyota Land Cruiser.
In the late 80’s Toyota had big shoes to fill with developing a successor to the then, very successful Land Cruiser (FJ60) which was known for its rugged durability and dependability. However, the FJ60 lacked comfort and refinement. Toyota’s solution came in the form of the 80 series. The new Land Cruiser would have a larger refined cabin and most importantly front and rear coil-suspension for a more comfortable ride. To power Toyota’s latest flagship off-roader, they offered 3 engine variants
- 1HZ 4.2D I6 NA
- 1HD-T 4.2 I6 TD
- 1FZ-FE 4.5 I6 petrol
In SA there were 2 different trim levels – GX (Vinyl + cloth, 5-speed manual) and VX (Wood + leather, Automatic).
The Land Cruiser on test – 1993 GX 4.5 non-EFI petrol, (legendary 1FZ-FE)
The performance is nothing special by modern standards. But the 80 series was no slouch, it manages quite easily to get out of its own way. 160KW and a chunky 375NM at 3000rpm makes it a very capable off-road machine. The big inline-6 makes a lovely noise too. It does however, have very little respect for fuel. It sees fuel consumption as a literal competition. Best case 15L/100km worst 22L/100km. The 80 series is fondly know by many owners as their Japanese drinking buddy. As a result you won’t be driving past too many fuel stations.
However with “give” you get a lot of “take”. Because of the over-engineered and under-strained motor you get incredible longevity. The 4.5 1FZ-FE is without any question one of the most reliable engines of all time. It’s not uncommon to see regularly maintained engines do 500 000km without any mechanical failures. The chassis on the 80 Series (Ladder-frame) is one of its toughest features. Built from high-strength steel. Capable of handling extreme loads in extreme conditions. The gearbox shares most mechanical components with a Hino truck, so that’s tough too.
There’s little wonder why the 80 series has been praised by many explorers, farmers, Militaries and Australians, for its toughness over the last 30 years.
Cruiser Driving experience
It’s big okay! Really big. 2 Meters wide and nearly 5 Meters long. And it feels it. It’s cumbersome and the steering is vague. The high torque low revving engine blends well with the close ratio 5-speed manual. However, the Cruiser feels bigger than it is, probably due to the fender archers that bulge. Which of course you can’t see. So you know it’s wider than the massive bonnet in front of you, but remain unsure on just how much wider. You don’t want to make a wrong turn down a one way road in Greenpoint, at night, in the rain, after a Springbok game – trust me I know. It can be a stressful experience. But driving a Cruiser in the city is like wearing gumboots on a Tinder date, it’s just not what it’s designed to do.
At highway speeds its rather wayward, and gets pushed around by the wind. Much like any other off-road brick, I suppose. The party piece of the Cruiser comes in traffic where nobody seems to cut you off or swerve in front of you. Not even a Taxi tried its luck. You do get a sense of what it’s like to drive a Tank; towering above regular traffic whilst peering through a small windscreen knowing that no matter what comes at you, you could either climb or ram your way to safety. It gives you that feeling of indestructibility. I don’t even mind parallel parking it, I just mount the pavement, it hurts the pavement more than the Cruiser.
And Since when did an old Land Cruiser become cool? More times than I can recall, people young and old, pointing and waving, even when parked. Many remarked “Wow an 80 series” some of them even stopped to chat. One asked “So, where all have you taken her?” To which I replied – “Greenpoint”. I could waffle on about its incredible off-road capabilities but that seems pointless – anyone who knows anything, knows that a Cruiser goes wherever you point it.
Interior & Exterior
Climbing into the driver’s seat is literal climbing. Once inside, you sit high, in a spacious but slightly awkward cabin. Your knees end up near the steering wheel and the pedals feel tucked under the drivers seat, but at the same time you feel that the passenger sits so far away you might need a walkie-talkie to communicate. The boot is massive enough to load a Yaris. And there should still be space left for some luggage.
The interior is obviously dated with plenty of grey plastics and vinyl. The Cruiser on test which had over 430 000KM on the clock, surprisingly had no cracks or tears on the dash, seats still cushioned and all the trim pieces seemed well fixed too. Everything feels and looks utilitarian and tough in the interior. That feeling extends to the exterior. Everything you see and touch feels like it’s borrowed from Clint Eastwood’s gym bag – door handles, side mirrors, bumpers, everything feels and looks rugged.
Summary
It’s definitely not an everyday car. Unless you work for the UN. It’s not a MPV. Unless the purpose is too look cool while depleting fuel reserves. It’s not a SUV. Unless the S stands for Seasoned. It really lives in its own bubble away from other vehicles – it’s a Cruiser. The 80 series should be sold with a warning sticker – “will grow hair on your chest, it’s that tough”.
I really liked my time with the Cruiser. Apart from some minor flaws there really lives a car from the 90’s that’s cool, and still remains dependable even after over 30 years. I’m not a huge fan of extreme reliability, usually it means boring and soulless. But not an 80 Series. It’s seen too much, done too much, and been to too many unreachable places to not have a soul of its own.
Does it live up to the hype? I think so.
Would I buy one? Yes. I would be selective. Neat examples are selling anywhere between R250k and R350k depending on trim, engines and mileage. High prices are here for the foreseeable future – collectable, desirable and usable. My personal favourite would be the manual with the later 4.5 EFI – slightly better fuel consumption. Same reliability.
Cool Rating 8/10. Looses 2 points because I spent more time filling it up than driving it.
When all is said and done, I give it extreme praise
– from a Landy lover.
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