<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Yeah old school like a model "T". Personally I would prefer it on the rear. Functional? If the flat is on the other side it just makes if further away than if it was on the back.

I'm so misunderstood. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" /> I'm not praising this rig as being the ultimate off roader or the best that Toyota could have done. I'm praising the fact that they chose to use the fully boxed 4Runner frame, and 8" front IFS diff, etc. I'm not saying this rig is what I really want. I'm saying, it could have been MUCH worse. They could have used the C-channel Taco frame. They could have used IRS. They have not put any lockers in it. I'm not happy about the end product, but if the price is right and after a closer look over the next year, it might turn out to be a decent vehicle. Certainly a better base for a build up that the Taco or 4Runner or any other modern Toyota.



The LC80 is an awesome rig, I'm just saying the running boards have go and they need a bit of a lift. No biggie. It's the one rig that I'd replace my truck with in a heartbeat, if I could justify spending the money. I've been looking, so we'll see.



DC is kicking Toyota's butt in that very, very small niche' market. But over all, Toyota is kicking everybody's but. They are now the 2nd largest auto maker in the world, and way above Chrysler. From a business stand point, Toyota is making all the right moves. From our stand point, it sucks. Toyota has not yet seen the potential of the personal 4x4 market, like Chrysler has. Almost every capable 4x4 that they've ever built was designed specificly for commerical, government and farm use. But business is all that matters to an automaker and from that stand point they are doing everything exactly right.

What are you defining as "modern"? What makes this a better vehicle than the current 4Runner (6 speed?) or Tacoma (boxed frame?). I would think that a TRD Tacoma, though it has a C-channel frame, will be lighter, have better visibility, and probably cost less.

Modern to me would be anything made at least after 1995, but probably more like 2000.

The problem with the first gen Tacos is the frame has been proven to be weak for any extreme wheeling. Anyone that SASes them or builts them up for regular off roading usally beef up the frame. Prior gen Taco and 4Runner also uses a debatably weaker IFS set up and more vulnerable rack and pinion system and the smaller 7.5" diff.

The current gen Taco uses a C-channel frame and rear suspension set up that basicly copies the Tundra, while adding the current 4Runner front suspension. It's strength is still debatable. It should mirror the Tundra which has been on the market for years, but you don't see that many Tundra in extreme wheeling situations. But load capacity is a good indication of frame strength and it's load capacity is not that great.

The current 2003 and later 4Runner is the best of the bunch in my opinion, because it is the only one designed and built entirely in Japan and with a fully boxed frame. Load capacity is very high, likely due to the boxed frame, which the oversea's 2005 1 ton Hilux will share. The 4Runner also has the stronger 8" diff and IFS and a stronger and better placed rack and pinion design that appears to be based off of the LC100.

The FJ "appears" to take the best of all worlds and mold them into a more capable rig. It uses the 6 speed and locker, which the 4Runner does not offer and combines that with the stronger 4Runner frame and suspension, then chops off a significant amount of length to make it all lighter and more nimble than the 4Runner would be. And then adds taller tires.

This will be the closest that we in America will be able to get to the new stronger 2005 and later 1 ton Hilux. We just won't get a bed with it.

I see that it will have the traction and stability gizmos. That sucks. But it will also have skidplates under everything. That's good.

Things like axle and T-case ratios have not been released, and they will make a difference in the final product.

The fact that it uses the strongest mid sized chassis in Toyota's line up and builds up on that is good news to me. And so is the fact that it's built in Japan and will be sold on the global market. I've read articles from New Zealand and South Africa anticipating it's release, so it will have to be capable in those markets as well.

But, there are a lot of unanswered questions. The jury is still out on this one. And one thing I definately agree on...it's damn ugly.

Here's some better pics of the just released version:

How long before it shows up in a rap video with 24" spinners?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

WOW I hate 17" wheels...



How does everyone know about this HUGE blindspot...you haven't even sat in the thing. Toyota engineers are hardly stupid, I doubt they would overlook some HUGE blindspot. At least not one as bad as my girlfriend's CRV <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Just in time for SEMA this fall, I'd say... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's the truth behind the Cruiser - find it very telling:


Source

They should rename it what it is -- SCION WARRIOR PRINCESS --

Then Toyota should go ahead and build a real, modern Cruiser for North America with all the HD items that we want.