Built to have sustained operation and endure the harshest conditions and places on the planet, the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s samurai sword. It is crafted to do one thing very well: to reliably deliver occupants and cargo to an away place, without delay, for 25 years. It is difficult to overstate how well-built the Land Cruiser is without sounding snobbish, but it is true—it’s one of the best vehicles on the planet.
Our desired use for the 200-Series was to cover long-distance travel with ease on tar or dirt. Our guiding thought was to choose a build capable of overlanding the marshy roads of Botswana and the countries of the vast Saharan Desert. We were well-acquainted with the Land Cruiser family and entrusted our FZJ80 to take us on adventures, but it was time for an upgrade. We loved the body-on-ladder frame but wanted the additional benefits of the coilover independent front suspension for long highway miles and the five-link solid rear axle to ensure heavier loads could still be managed on the roads and off the trail.
Our suspension is an Ironman Foam Cell Pro 2.5-inch lift constant load suspension kit. This suspension system mates well with the existing kinetic dynamic suspension system (KDSS), providing a smooth, predictable, and controlled driving dynamic while providing a mechanical sway bar that disconnects automatically when the off-road features are enabled, providing maximum off-road articulation. The modified suspension is ample and manages the additional weight of a 40-gallon auxiliary fuel tank. However, after adding the sliders, bumper, winch, and other bolt-ons, we have pushed past the range of this suspension. After a few thousand miles, we noticed the Cruiser feels underdamped and have experienced a loss in handling both on and off the pavement.
The 295/75R18 BFGoodrich KM3s and 18-inch Level 8 Slams are large enough to cause some body rub. The KM3s behave very well on dry and wet surfaces, and displace water very well thanks to some excellent use of voids between the tread blocks). The sidewall is robust and tough, and the aggressive tread pattern does its part in muddy conditions. Long-term use on gravel roads shows minor effects of chipping. A Dobinsons dual swing-out tire carrier holds our spare while protecting the 200 from an underwhelming departure angle.
While we knew the 200-Series Land Cruiser was capable, reliable, and durable, we also knew the fuel economy was woeful, but it was still better than our 80-Series. Unfortunately, Toyota Land Cruisers are known for their poor gas mileage (13 mpg city/18 highway on average), and this ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) II consumes gas like a honeybee on a nectar-filled flower. Considering the 200-Series factory 24-gallon fuel tank didn’t provide enough range for us, we added a 40-gallon auxiliary fuel tank from Long Range America.
For self-reliant folks, it is essential to carry sufficient water and extra fuel when traveling long distances, and we loved that the 200 had a modestly-rated 1,700-pound payload capacity capable of carrying all of our essentials (food, electrical power, recreational gear, and shelter). The rear cargo area is very deep, at 43 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and an additional 16 cubic feet behind the third row. We added the Dobinsons dual storage drawers (dedicated to recovery gear and tools, everyday camping gear, and kitchen items) with a slider to increase the storage capacity and give our 50-liter ARB fridge a secure mounting surface. We love that the slider top has integrated tie-down points that are slightly recessed when not in use. We also added the Alu-Cab tilt slider to compensate for the height of the drawers; the smooth slide extends out over the tailgate for easier access to the fridge.
The integrated cooler box is probably the most understated feature in the Land Cruiser. For the hardened overlander, this is a valued asset. The ability to store a 12-pack of 12-ounce beverages, keeping refreshments and food cold up front, ensures you can keep traveling without unnecessary stops. The cooler box is integrated into the air conditioning system and requires the truck to be running to operate; however, drinks usually cool fairly quickly.
Electrically, we opted to add a dual AGM battery system. To ensure proper charging, we added the Redarc BCDC1225D DC-to-DC charger and the Genesis Offroad dual-battery charge controller for electrical charging versatility. This device ensures that we have multiple ways to provide power to our batteries. We can charge via the 120-volt AC power outlet or solar panel array—this is essential to keep our ARB fridge running and keep the batteries sufficiently charged while in remote places.
We incorporated the sPOD BantamX system to control our dual battery switching, Baja Design S2 lights (rear visibility), and the ARB twin air compressor. The sPOD also has an indication for battery monitoring and helps with cable management and future component installations. The interface ensures that we don’t have a lot of buttons and switches cluttering the cockpit.
Few scenarios exceed the offroad capabilities of the 200, but we added the Warn VR Evo 12-S (synthetic rope) for any winching situations. The 12,000-pound rating is enough to haul our 9,500 pounds out of whatever has bogged us down. The remote Bluetooth controller is quick, intuitive, and maintains a charge for a remarkably long time. A Factor55 Hawse Fairlead and Ultrahook are great for ensuring a safe, reliable latching point for a shackle. Lastly, we added a pair of MaxTrax MKII recovery tracks, which, in our experience, gain traction as quickly as possible. We see this as a valuable piece of recovery gear and an easy go-to for tricky recovery operations.
We chose a James Baroud Evasion XXL Evo rooftop tent ecosystem because of the fabric, integration, and durability, and its large footprint that gives us the comforts of a near king-size bed. The fabric is an aluminized polyester with an acrylic coating that breathes, is UV resistant, and reflects the sun’s rays. This helps manage the internal heat during extended exposure to the sun. The Evasion only weighs 165 pounds and we wanted to stay under our roof load limit of 225 pounds. We also added a 270-degree Falcon awning with a passthrough “portal.” This gives us the ability to enter and exit the tent while keeping the awning fully deployed.
Our 200, DOT 2.0, was commissioned to duty on May 19, 2022, and our first voyage was through Mexico. We traveled along the Gulf Coast and pushed into the enchanting ruins buried in the green forest of the Yucatán, down to the cliff divers in Acapulco, and northward along the Pacific Coast until we ferried over to the Baja peninsula. Our next voyage will be up to the Arctic Ocean, where we hope to see glaciers, the northern lights, and wildlife. Authentic samurai swords are forged over time and fire, and the same could be said about each series of Land Cruiser. Every series is an individual expression of that forging effort, and we, the benefactors, know that the Land Cruiser will reliably deliver its occupants and cargo to an away place, without delay, for the next 25 years.
Specifications
2016 Toyota 200 Land Cruiser
DriveTrain
5.7-liter V8
8-speed automatic transmission
Long Range America 40-gallon auxiliary fuel tank
Safari snorkel
Suspension and DriveTrain
Ironman Foam Cell Pro 2.5-inch lift
Redarc tow package
Wheels and Tires
Level 8 MKII wheels
BFGoodrich KM3 295/70R18 tires
Recovery and Armor
Front Runner Slimline II roof rack
ARB bull bar front bumper
ARB Twin air compressor
Warn VR Evo 12S 12,000-pound with synthetic rope
Factor55 Hawse fairlead and ultrahook
Slee sliders
Dobinsons dual swingout tire carrier
MaxTrax MKII recovery tracks
ARB recovery gear
Auxiliary Lighting
Baja Design S2 LED lights
Living Systems and Accessories
James Baroud Evasion XXL Evo
James Baroud ShowerEnclosure
James Baroud 270 Falcon awning
Dobinsons drawer system
ARB 50-liter fridge
Alu-Cab Tilt slider
Redarc DC-to-DC charger
Genesis Offroad dual-battery charge control
sPOD BantamX with touchscreen
Goal Zero Yeti 1500
Goal Zero 200-watt portable solar panels
Freshwater containers, 14 liters
Resources
Asheville Vehicle Outfitters
828 Overland
Our No Compromise Clause: We carefully screen all contributors to ensure they are independent and impartial. We never have and never will accept advertorial, and we do not allow advertising to influence our product or destination reviews.
Read more: Troopy Girl’s Land Cruiser VDJ78
