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So, I’ve been a huge fan of the Toyota Land Cruiser for as long as I can remember. There’s just something about its ruggedness and go-anywhere capability that really appeals to me. And after watching Joe Rogan’s video about his 1995 Land Cruiser, built by Icon’s Jonathan Ward, I was totally hooked. I knew I had to get my hands on one and do something similar.
First, I started hunting for the perfect base vehicle. I spent weeks scouring online listings, classifieds, and even reached out to some Land Cruiser enthusiast groups. Finally, I found it – a 1995 FZJ80 in decent shape, with relatively low mileage for its age. The owner was a bit hesitant to sell, but after some back-and-forth, we struck a deal. I was over the moon!
Once I got the Land Cruiser home, the real fun began. I wanted to make this thing a beast, something that could handle any terrain and look incredibly cool doing it.
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Drivetrain: The full-time 4-wheel-drive system was a great starting point. It was built to distribute power to the front and rear axles. But I wanted more control, so I upgraded the transfer case to an electronically controlled 2-speed. This way, I could select the right amount of torque depending on the situation, whether I was crawling over rocks or cruising on the highway.
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Lights: The old headlights were pretty dim, so those had to go. I went with a set of modern LED headlights that not only look awesome but also provide way better visibility at night. And while I was at it, I swapped out all the interior bulbs for LEDs too. The difference is night and day, literally.
Overall feeling
Man, let me tell you, this whole process was a labor of love. There were definitely some frustrating moments, like when a part didn’t fit right, or when I had to wait weeks for something to arrive in the mail. But seeing the Land Cruiser slowly transform into my dream off-road machine made it all worthwhile. It’s not just a vehicle anymore; it’s an extension of my personality, a symbol of adventure. I can’t wait to take it out on some epic journeys and put it through its paces. And who knows, maybe I’ll even run into Joe Rogan on the trail someday!
