👋 Welcome to the new Land Cruiser Forum - Please post an introduction thread!

[EOD Guy]

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the LC Forum, and writing to introduce myself. I just got a 2024 LC 1958 for my 60th birthday, and I love it! As I head toward semi-retirement, I'm building a car bed for frequent camping trips. I've already pulled out the center lighting panel and exposed the fuse box in order to decide how to power the Blackvue dashcam that I'm going to install.

Welcome to the Jungle!

 

[caflancpa]

If someone had told me a month ago that I'd be posting here, I would have called that person crazy.

At that time my wife was starting to look for a replacement for our 15 year old Sienna, with eyes on a Rav4 or a Highlander. The Toyota sales person agreed either would be a good choice given her buying criteria, and also suggested she check out the Crown Signa. As for me, I am sworn and dedicated to lightweight, affordable, rear wheel drive sports cars: e.g., Mazda MX-5. And I loved the utility of our Sienna, plus it had a solid V6 that was still running super smooth and strong at its age.

We both made the "mistake" of sitting in, then test driving a 2024 LC Base + Premium package. My wife said she loved it, but that she would never want to actually purchase that sort of vehicle. I was very impressed with the LC, and had no idea it would drive the way it drove, but had similar thoughts on "not going to happen."

The next weekend, at her request, we test drove a '58, and then another LC Base + Premium with the 20" wheels, back-to-back.

This past Friday morning we picked up a 2024 LC Base + Premium, 20" wheels, in Wind Chill Pearl.

In the photo you can see the snow flurries starting to develop while we were at the dealer, right before we drove off the lot. Overnight we had a light coating of snow and ice. Turns out that when a small bit of ice keeps the exterior door handle from returning to its closed position, there is no way to get the door open from the inside. Not knowing this is what was going on from the inside, and not able to get the door to open, I had the fun of climbing over the middle console to exit the passenger side door. Design flaw? Or not?

Today we drove the LC for 3 hours over the types of roads I typically drive my MX-5 for my daily commute (1/3 typical PA highway rough surface miles, 2/3 curvy southeastern PA state road miles with plenty of Amish Buggy passings), plus heavy urban traffic. Wow, what a vehicle! I could spend all day in the LC, either behind the wheel or as a passenger. My wife has the same sentiments, and she is extremely happy going the LC route.

Next weekend we plan to start a low key exploration of unpaved roads and state forest roads. Again, not something I ever considered something I would want to do.

Side note 1: We debated Wind Chill Pearl vs Meteor Shower, with the key driver being finding a discounted '24. After seeing the WCP in various light conditions over the last two days we are super happy going with WCP and pleasantly surprised at how it varies moment to moment, e.g., white, silver, in between.

Side note 2: I learned to drive on my dad's '84 Ford Bronco, manual. And then many hunting destinations via PA state forest/game land roads in his various Ford trucks over three decades. But the off road truck thing never resonated for me. I wish he was still alive to venture out in the LC on some of those same PA state forest and game land roads.

 

[Dragoon]

If someone had told me a month ago that I'd be posting here, I would have called that person crazy.

At that time my wife was starting to look for a replacement for our 15 year old Sienna, with eyes on a Rav4 or a Highlander. The Toyota sales person agreed either would be a good choice given her buying criteria, and also suggested she check out the Crown Signa. As for me, I am sworn and dedicated to lightweight, affordable, rear wheel drive sports cars: e.g., Mazda MX-5. And I loved the utility of our Sienna, plus it had a solid V6 that was still running super smooth and strong at its age.

We both made the "mistake" of sitting in, then test driving a 2024 LC Base + Premium package. My wife said she loved it, but that she would never want to actually purchase that sort of vehicle. I was very impressed with the LC, and had no idea it would drive the way it drove, but had similar thoughts on "not going to happen."

The next weekend, at her request, we test drove a '58, and then another LC Base + Premium with the 20" wheels, back-to-back.

This past Friday morning we picked up a 2024 LC Base + Premium, 20" wheels, in Wind Chill Pearl.

In the photo you can see the snow flurries starting to develop while we were at the dealer, right before we drove off the lot. Overnight we had a light coating of snow and ice. Turns out that when a small bit of ice keeps the exterior door handle from returning to its closed position, there is no way to get the door open from the inside. Not knowing this is what was going on from the inside, and not able to get the door to open, I had the fun of climbing over the middle console to exit the passenger side door. Design flaw? Or not?

Today we drove the LC for 3 hours over the types of roads I typically drive my MX-5 for my daily commute (1/3 typical PA highway rough surface miles, 2/3 curvy southeastern PA state road miles with plenty of Amish Buggy passings), plus heavy urban traffic. Wow, what a vehicle! I could spend all day in the LC, either behind the wheel or as a passenger. My wife has the same sentiments, and she is extremely happy going the LC route.

Next weekend we plan to start a low key exploration of unpaved roads and state forest roads. Again, not something I ever considered something I would want to do.

Side note 1: We debated Wind Chill Pearl vs Meteor Shower, with the key driver being finding a discounted '24. After seeing the WCP in various light conditions over the last two days we are super happy going with WCP and pleasantly surprised at how it varies moment to moment, e.g., white, silver, in between.

Side note 2: I learned to drive on my dad's '84 Ford Bronco, manual. And then many hunting destinations via PA state forest/game land roads in his various Ford trucks over three decades. But the off road truck thing never resonated for me. I wish he was still alive to venture out in the LC on some of those same PA state forest and game land roads.

View attachment 22236

Fantastic story! Welcome to the forum!

 

[ChrisVee]

Just signed up and wanted to say "hello"! Just purchased my 1958 this week and looking forward to some excursions here in PA. Rausch Creek and AOAA are less than two hours away. Not sure what I need to make those safe and fun, and hoping this forum can better educate me! Merry Christmas, Chappy Chanukah, Happy New Year and all the others that we celebrate this time of year

 

[Dragoon]

Just signed up and wanted to say "hello"! Just purchased my 1958 this week and looking forward to some excursions here in PA. Rausch Creek and AOAA are less than two hours away. Not sure what I need to make those safe and fun, and hoping this forum can better educate me! Merry Christmas, Chappy Chanukah, Happy New Year and all the others that we celebrate this time of year
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Welcome to the forum, and Happy New Year!

 

[skc406]

Hello all from Western MT,

I purchased my LC1958 earlier this month and am very happy with it so far. I've only got around 450 miles on it so far but it has been fun to drive.

I swapped out the stock tires and spare for a set of Wildpeaks in 265/65R18.

I am enjoying learning more and hearing everyone's experiences through the posts.