By Eric Burch
When you drive a Land Cruiser, you’re not just driving to your destination; you’re continuing an adventure that began when you first turned the key. I had not given this much thought until being without my Land Cruiser.
Since my move from Washington to Florida, I have not really thought about how great my Land Cruiser really is. I have a 1989 FJ62, which is far from stock, and a custom built FJ60 trailer I tow behind it. For pretty much the last 10 years I have had “Lilly” at my disposal to drive and build. When I moved to Florida, for reasons that are not relevant, I left my Land Cruiser and trailer in Kansas City, MO until I could bring it down. During this time, I have been driving my stock 2001 Jeep Cherokee. My commute to work now is about 40 minutes, half of it being freeway. So my drive is smooth, quiet, and can spend time in the fast lane if I want. There-in lies the problem; it’s a common ride than most others on the road share.
When I drive my Land Cruiser, every drive is different in some way. She never acts the same way. Lilly has a personality of her own. There are days she runs like you just drove off the dealer lot, and there are days she would just rather not be on the road at all. The coolant in the radiator has a certain level that’s considered enough, anything more she just spits out and not another leak after that. There are squeaks and popping sounds that just come and go. As my fiancé can attest, you don’t speak negative of or pessimistic things within ear shot of Lilly, she’s listening. It’s all part of her personality and character.
Newer vehicles lack character. Most vehicles now are starting to all look the same. There are no distinct body lines, no style. They lack the presence and attitude they try to portray. Vehicles now are made of plastic that resist dents, they’re light weight, aerodynamic and very fuel efficient. Land Cruisers on the other hand are tanks. They are made of metal, even the dash is mostly made of metal. They weigh at least twice that of today’s vehicles, and they have the aerodynamic characteristics of a brick. The body lines on my 60 series are unique from any other make vehicle out there. Every trim piece, vent, and emblem can easily be identified to this model. Even the hood’s lines pay homage to Land Cruisers of the past. My friend Tony and I realized that if any small part of the body is altered or taken away, its identity is lost.
The feel of the drive is not what you get with today’s vehicles that are meant to make you feel like you never left home. In a Land Cruiser, you’re someplace better. The sound of the engine screaming through the firewall, the ever slight whine of the lower geared transmission, the entire steering system, from the steering wheel to the tires, felt through your hands, and every rut and groove in the road felt in your seat all make you realize that you’re driving a rugged machine built to tackle all you throw at it.
Land Cruisers require attention. Preventative maintenance is the key to a successful relationship. With that comes the knowledge and awareness of problems that arise and key signs that something is about to happen. You know when that certain part maybe worn or that fitting needs a bit more grease. If you listen and pay attention, your Land Cruiser will tell you everything that is going on and how to fix it.
Other than my hood, every panel has a scratch and/or dent in it and every scratch and dent has a story behind it. It’s funny how you can’t remember a birthday or anniversary of some sort, but you can remember in every detail about a dime size dent on a quarter panel, and tell an hour long story that goes with it. When I am driving my Land Cruiser on the road or trail, I am always remembering past adventures with fellow cruiser owners, friends and family, and planning my next. My Land Cruiser is not perfect looking, nor do I desire it to be. She has been living the life that all Land Cruisers were designed for, and deserve.
In a world where everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere, it requires a certain individual to drive a Land Cruiser. Like my friend Tony says, you have to accept the fact you’re driving a really fast tractor. You might not touch that fast lane in your travels and you’re far from being the most aerodynamic thing on the road; in fact it’s a thrill when you get to pass that big rig with its hazards on. It’s then you realize that the road to the trail becomes an adventure in itself. So sit back and enjoy the drive, not everyone is lucky enough to drive a Land Cruiser.
