This one is from the first stage of a five-stage competition sponsored by Toyota. Each stage takes place in a different part of Venezuela, the first one took place the Venezuelan outback, the flood savannah's called "Los Llanos". The terrain is very flat, sandy, with lots of river crossings, quicksand pits and the occasional muddy sections. The first shows what the terrain looks like.

This is my friend Raul Granadillo's 1998 FZJ80. It's has a carburated 1FZ, a manual transmission and a part-time 4WD t-case, Aisin hubs. The trim level is known as "Autana" in the Venezuelan market. Raul sent me all these pictures, so I figured I'd throw in a shot of his Land Cruiser!

Here's Raul's 4-Land Cruiser team for the competition, his Autana and a trio of late-model 75/79 Series pickups modified for expedition. Last time I was in Venezuela I had a chance to drive the green one in the background, it's got two 150-liter fuel tanks!

Here's a close up shot of one the pickups, this one is a 2001 or 2002 FZJ79, distinguishable by the turn signals integrated into the grille. This one has coil springs in the front axle.

I liked this particular shot because it shows the wide variety of factory colors available. Notice the late model crew-cab Hilux (not Tacoma) in the background.

I thought this was kind of an interesting color scheme, it's a departure from the usual black accessories...

This one is *definitely* NOT your average US-spec color scheme! :)

I should add that different color schemes in Venezuela are also tied to security and theft prevention. The more unique the vehicle, the less chances it will be stolen, hence the variety. Check out this method of altering a standard dark blue paint job on an FZJ70!

Sorry, I've been having problems logging on...Here's the image for the post above:

Got Land Cruisers??

Here's another interesting FJ70.

Roof tents make pitching camp *so* much easier, especially on events like this, where you have to be moving at the crack of dawn, stay behind the wheel all day, and won't make it to the next campsite until dusk.

Most rural search and rescue teams in Venezuela still use old, reliable FJ45 troopies like this one. Note the custom higher roof under the roofrack.

Why can't we get Toyota USA to support the sport? How common are fj60's in Costa Rica? Got a friend who has a 2nd home down there, trying to find accesories.

Why have all the landcruisers petrol engines? Those short 70 series are damn sweet :D

Petrol is dirt-cheap in Venezuela and available everywhere, so the big benefits (beter fuel economy, better range) of a diesel engine are somewhat neutralized. The handful of diesel Land Cruisers there have all been imported by individuals or groups like the Japanese embassy, which has a fleet of diesel 105's there.

Originally posted by jbt
Why have all the landcruisers petrol engines? Those short 70 series are damn sweet :D
They are all petrol because Venezuela is one of the world's largest producers of petroleum products. The government has nationalied all the oil production industries around Lake Maracaibo. Gas/petrol is very cheap over there due to this, and it helps placate the poverty ridden population.

Interesting side note: Researchers used the congruent (aka inbred) floating villages on Lake Maracaibo to discover the gene responsible for Huntington's Disease.

Ross

FJ/HJ60's are fairly common in Central America, Costa Rica included. Finding accessories for them there is extremely difficult and extremely expensive, most Cruiserheads down there tend to buy and ship accessories in the US for them.

Fabrication is another matter. Labor is dirt cheap down there, so getting stuff fabricated is relatively easy and economical.

Man, I'm calling Caracas 4x4 on Monday!:D

i hate venezuela..........damn them and their cool cruisers!:D :D :flipoff2:

I thought about doing this with the FJ60, Mopar orange with an flat black hood (see 69 6 Pack Road Runner). Wasn't sure how that would affect operating temps in the desert heat though.;)

:D

Go for it Sloan, should be easy on the eyes. You can shim the hinges to let the heat out.

he he or a big a$$ hood scoop:D You can take the redneck out of the country, but...

Sloan, do it, I think it would kick ASS! I've had the center section of the hood on my FJ62 blacked out for about 4 years now, including a two-year stint in Hell's Furnace (Phoenix), and the change in engine temperature was minimal....

A friend of mine and his pop stopped by today and I was explaining the possible paint scheme to them and his dad informed me that the flat black thing goes back to fighter jets to cut glare. BTW his dad was a fighter pilot in Vietnam, an Olympic ski jumper before the Marines, then a test pilot and then ended his career in the FBI in Las Vegas. So it looks like orange with a flat black hood. Also my bud was driving his new 1963 GMC with an LT1 and the 6 speed tranny, it was sweet.:D

Flat black paint on the hood is very common among the expedition crowd in Venezuela, the idea is to cut down not just on the sun's glare, but also on the glare from the roofrack lights.

It also an option on non-US Land Rover Discoverys for the same purpose.

Sloan, I think orange with a black hood is going to KICK ASS, I'm jealous, I'm sick of white but can't come up with anything original....

Ken, sounds like you better sell the 60 & get a Powerwagon:D seeing as how you love them Mopars. LOL, I think the orange with black hood would look cool though. My hood is blacked out on my 40. Really helps when I turn on the windshield mounted Hella's.
Where are the pics of your buddies 63 Jimmy? Sounds sweet. Brad.:)



Originally posted by Sloan
A friend of mine and his pop stopped by today and I was explaining the possible paint scheme to them and his dad informed me that the flat black thing goes back to fighter jets to cut glare. BTW his dad was a fighter pilot in Vietnam, an Olympic ski jumper before the Marines, then a test pilot and then ended his career in the FBI in Las Vegas. So it looks like orange with a flat black hood. Also my bud was driving his new 1963 GMC with an LT1 and the 6 speed tranny, it was sweet.:D

I apologize Brad, I didn't even think to get pics. Speaking of sick swaps have you seen the 68 Charger that has the Viper motor and the 6 speed?:eek: My bud was trying to talk me into an LT1 for the FJ60.;)

So, are you doing the orange with black hood or what?
I can't believe you didn't take pics:rolleyes: LOL, maybe next time he comes down.
Yes I have seen that Viper powered charger. I like it, but it needs to be lowered about 6".:D:,
I would do the LT1 in the 40.
P.S. Vick is picking up my 40 springs later today:bounce2::bounce:



Originally posted by Sloan
I apologize Brad, I didn't even think to get pics. Speaking of sick swaps have you seen the 68 Charger that has the Viper motor and the 6 speed?:eek: My bud was trying to talk me into an LT1 for the FJ60.;)

henry do you know of any online sources for those rooftop tents. those are great pictures

arndog

Arndog, check out www.LoftyShelters.com

We checked them out at the Off Road Expo in Pomona. They are pricey but they are saweet.;)

This one is from the first stage of a five-stage competition sponsored by Toyota. Each stage takes place in a different part of Venezuela, the first one took place the Venezuelan outback, the flood savannah's called "Los Llanos". The terrain is very flat, sandy, with lots of river crossings, quicksand pits and the occasional muddy sections. The first shows what the terrain looks like.


I have a picture for you a 70 series on the fun race too this one was taken 6 months ago in the II competition of the year near the orinoco river in guarico venezuela but I don't know how to download the image to the page so It will be great if you can explain me how thanks

You need to buy a red star, they are about $20 US.
Click here to do it...
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/announcement.php?f=11&a=24

PS I love these old picutres... Has me thinking I'm gonna paint my hood black now :)

Holy thread resurrection! Someone was digging.

Holy thread resurrection! Someone was digging.


no kiding blast from the past :grinpimp:

Last time I was down in Costa Rica FJ40 were taxis there were a ton of them. Toyota was the truck of choice as well... especially 4Runners. Perhaps things have changed in the last 7 years...

Joe

Flat black paint on the hood is very common among the expedition crowd in Venezuela, the idea is to cut down not just on the sun's glare, but also on the glare from the roofrack lights.

It also an option on non-US Land Rover Discoverys for the same purpose.

Sloan, I think orange with a black hood is going to KICK ASS, I'm jealous, I'm sick of white but can't come up with anything original....

Flat black was also the hood color of choice for many years in Baja/Mint races and the other desert racers for the same reasons. I too agree the heat temp. would be minimal.