Like the OP, while off hunting in Africa, I fell in love with the PH's bad ass Toyota Land Cruiser pickup. V8 turbo diesel, 6spd, beast. I wanted one. Was disappointed to learn that it was nigh on impossible to get one. Fast forward a few months, and I stopped by to examine the new Toyota Land Cruiser which is now on sale in the USA. More disappointment. A 4 banger turbo wheezer with hybrid, like it did not weigh enough already?? Sorry but no. My current hunting truck for years has been a 1995 Isuzu Trooper with V6 and 5spd manual. A very capable truck in its own right but it was getting long in the tooth. Right before Xmas, I purchased a nice Toyota FJ Cruiser V6, 6spd manual which was pretty much loaded with most of the options. The Snowmaggedon hit about a week later and man am I glad I got this thing. It is a beast and very capable. My wife got to do a week long test of a 2025 Tacoma while her SUV was being repaired and while I was gone most of that time, I did get to try it out and the 4 cylinder turbo engine does not impress me when compared to the FJ's 4.0 liter V6. Took the FJ on its first hunt last weekend in KY for a late season tree rat hunt with friends. There was still snow every where and The FJ ate it up without spinning a tire. Pics of the FJ and the ZuZu attached below.
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