Check out this web site

[65-fj45]

This might be old news, but it shows some cool cruisers that never made it here.
http://www.brian894x4.com/FOREIGNTOYOTAMAINPAGE.html

[HANGTOWNCRUZR]

I have always thought that if they imported these, they could sell the crap out of them. Priced around 15-19K.

[Rat70FJ]

No doubt, Dave. Think factory lockers and 265 horse v-6s or the Tundra V-8. I guess Chrysler's got it all wrong with that solid axle in the Rubicon, it'll never sell!

[HANGTOWNCRUZR]

"Jeep Wrangler sales have increased 24 percent year-to-date, while Wrangler Rubicon sales are up more than 30 percent over 2004."

I found this after searching for 30 seconds.....

Your right Kent they can't seem to find anyone to buy em......

I'd like to have me one of these

[Rat70FJ]

The 70 series are so interesting, Dave. All the off road worthiness of the forty and all the expedition worthiness of a sixty, with clean, hi po motors, modern comforts, lockers, etc.................
I really think Toyota is missing the boat here.

[RustyNailJustin]

Toyota done fell off the dam dock to get on the boat! Sad really

[65-fj45]

I would buy a 70 series of a 78 in a heart beat.

[wngrog]

Who's page is that?

[60seriesguy]

Toyota is not missing the boat, Toyota has the boat by the balls! The 70 series might sell well in the US priced in the low $20Ks, but the problem is that they don't sell at those prices *anywhere*. They would be more like low to mid $30K's in their current guise and a lot more once Toyota had to modify the crap out of them to fit twin airbags and all the other safety crap enforced by the US DOT. In the end, who in the US (and I'm not talking about the hardcore Cruiserheads on these boards, but who in the mainstream) is going to buy a boxy truck that doesn't come with a cupholder, rides like an unloaded dump truck, and costs close to $40K? That's why the Land Rover Defender left the US, too much for too little sales and the associated costs (parts inventory, technician training, marketing).

Let's face it, Toyota gives Americans what Americans want to buy, ultra-comfy, ultra-reliable vehicles with decent gas mileage and all of the creature comforts of a couch potato society. Yes, they've missed the ball on a few segments (like full size pickups), but for the most part, Toyota dominates the majority of the segments it participates in. You don't think they've done market research on the 70 series?

Imagine the average American car buyer walking into a Toyota dealership and among the gleaming Tacomas, Tundras and Sequoias, they see a Third Word Beige HZJ79 troop carrier. Two doors, diesel engine, some weird plastic contraption bolted to the fender with a fishbowl on top, no cupholders, no adjustable seats, no DVDs, no dual climate controls, no leather covered steering wheel, no heated mirrors, no Corinthian leather, no keyfob, no cruise control, no ABS, no airbags, no side curtains, manual transmission, some weird second shifter sticking out of the floorboard with instructions on the dash, a flat glass windshield, hard plastic grab handles and an interior that doesn't even cover all of the bare steel panels....

Ain't gonna happen.

[wngrog]

Originally Posted by 60seriesguy

Toyota is not missing the boat, Toyota has the boat by the balls! The 70 series might sell well in the US priced in the low $20Ks, but the problem is that they don't sell at those prices *anywhere*. They would be more like low to mid $30K's in their current guise and a lot more once Toyota had to modify the crap out of them to fit twin airbags and all the other safety crap enforced by the US DOT. In the end, who in the US (and I'm not talking about the hardcore Cruiserheads on these boards, but who in the mainstream) is going to buy a boxy truck that doesn't come with a cupholder, rides like an unloaded dump truck, and costs close to $40K? That's why the Land Rover Defender left the US, too much for too little sales and the associated costs (parts inventory, technician training, marketing).

Let's face it, Toyota gives Americans what Americans want to buy, ultra-comfy, ultra-reliable vehicles with decent gas mileage and all of the creature comforts of a couch potato society. Yes, they've missed the ball on a few segments (like full size pickups), but for the most part, Toyota dominates the majority of the segments it participates in. You don't think they've done market research on the 70 series?

Imagine the average American car buyer walking into a Toyota dealership and among the gleaming Tacomas, Tundras and Sequoias, they see a Third Word Beige HZJ79 troop carrier. Two doors, diesel engine, some weird plastic contraption bolted to the fender with a fishbowl on top, no cupholders, no adjustable seats, no DVDs, no dual climate controls, no leather covered steering wheel, no heated mirrors, no Corinthian leather, no keyfob, no cruise control, no ABS, no airbags, no side curtains, manual transmission, some weird second shifter sticking out of the floorboard with instructions on the dash, a flat glass windshield, hard plastic grab handles and an interior that doesn't even cover all of the bare steel panels....

Ain't gonna happen.

Henry,

You are the man.

Come see me at Jason's shop on friday night. No time this trip for dinner. Bring the family and drop in!

[wayneraintree]

I was just on that website, quite a cool collection of information. Looks like a lot of work went into it and those cruisers of course... ah those cruisers

[ginericfj80]

I think Toyota has the American market figured out. If you haven't noticed there aren't very many Japanese made Toyotas that are selling well, or that there are ton of them sold. I'm guessing this is because of the duties associated with importing the Japanese made rigs and it increases the price enough that there are other alternatives from other manufactuers. Toyota must be doing something right because they are one of the only profitable car companies in the last few quarters. Notice they didn't stoop to buy at employee price marketing to increase sales. They are just steady.

[turbophil]

I just got back from a 2 week trip to Africa... Those Hilux trucks were everywhere. I think Toyota must have some under the table deal with Africa that only allows the sale of Toys...

As mentioned, they are expensive though! A new Hilux was selling for about $55K US!!! I doubt anyone would pay that for a compact here. The Cruisers were even more than the Hilux...
I was at a car lot where they sold Rovers and Toys. There was only a $10K US dollar difference between the two... Our guide said that it was nearly unheard of to pick up a used Toyota. Most people would keep them for hundreds of thousands of kilometers... By the time they're through with them, there's nothing left to sell... Just amazing how different they are about their vehicles, the Hilux in particular.

[Rat70FJ]

Originally Posted by 60seriesguy

Toyota is not missing the boat,

Massive snip

no adjustable seats, no DVDs, no dual climate controls, no leather covered steering wheel, no heated mirrors, no Corinthian leather, no keyfob, no cruise control, no ABS, no airbags, no side curtains, manual transmission, some weird second shifter sticking out of the floorboard with instructions on the dash, a flat glass windshield, hard plastic grab handles and an interior that doesn't even cover all of the bare steel panels....

Ain't gonna happen.

Henry, I agree you have a point, but what about the facts Dave quotes about the Rubicon? I still feel there's a market for these here.

[Russian]

Originally Posted by Rat70FJ

The 70 series are so interesting, Dave. All the off road worthiness of the forty and all the expedition worthiness of a sixty, with clean, hi po motors, modern comforts, lockers, etc.................
I really think Toyota is missing the boat here.

70's basically separates to rigs with 8" axles/coil-suspension and 9" axles/leaf springs. my firend has '90 LJ72 with 2800cc 3L diesel, 4-speed gearbox, no freehubs, no power steering, basic cheap interior and it is a tractor - you seating position/feeling just like in 40, not like in 80 or 60! it have no space behind rear seats but a lot of head room, but coil suspension (trailing arms and panhards front and rear) work really well. we swapped 60's steering box and ps pump, installed freehubs and now waiting for 5-speed gearbox to be rebuilt.

my other friend has 5-door LJ78 right-hand drive with crappy 2400cc 2LT turbodiesel from japan - this one is much better for expedition!

[dr_claw]

sweet!!!!!!

[Rat70FJ]

That's a picture that invokes mixed emotions.

[Stupid frnch jackasS]

Originally Posted by Russian

70's basically separates to rigs with 8" axles/coil-suspension and 9" axles/leaf springs. my firend has '90 LJ72 with 2800cc 3L diesel, 4-speed gearbox, no freehubs, no power steering, basic cheap interior and it is a tractor - you seating position/feeling just like in 40, not like in 80 or 60!

I tend to disagree, the seating / comfort / noise and everything is a big improvement over the 40. IMO the 7x trucks are great all-rounders, as I'm used to saying you have both a car and a 4x4 truck with this beast, definately not as good as a 40 offroad (heavy beast, vulnerable body...) and not as good as a car onroad though.

[dr_claw]

Originally Posted by Rat70FJ

That's a picture that invokes mixed emotions.

yeah I know, , I was talking about the 45.

[john0089]

By far...the px10 is the best one i've seen....

[john0089]

Clik on this!
http://www.sor.com/SOR_98PX10.html

[HANGTOWNCRUZR]

I'll take one of those, priced at 20k there would probably be a 6 month waiting list. I bet you could build those in Mexico for 10k or less and add another 5k for sales and marketing, 5k for profit hhhmmmm. I read recently that GM is losing money on every car they sell and that their BOD said that their solution was to slow down production. Of course I would need the steering wheel on the other side and a 5 speed but I guess that's just me. I wonder if any Toyota PR guys ever check out these boards? I know we have some people in TLCA that work for Toyota.