Extra, Extra....Read All About It!

[SpaceEVDriver]

If you do that you have to start a thread and take us an along. I would love to see that.

Definitely.

It’s a long road to do any kind of vehicle restoration, though. And it would be lots of long stretches of nothing followed by bursts of activity. It’s also still way up in the air. It’s a fun idea, but I need to do a ton of research into safety systems. I have an almost pathological need to consider the safety of others on the road. If I found evidence that I couldn’t do it in a way that would maintain other drivers’ safety, I’d drop the project.

 

[OleScout]

If we can afford one, there’s a chance. We have to see them in person. On paper, the Traveler is too wide.

Clearly nobody is making an approx 70-75-inch wide BEV SUV with off-road capabilities and a useable UX/UI any time soon. We have some time to wait, so we’ll see. Maybe Toyota will recover and build the BEV Landcruiser with an actual useable interface.

But at this time I’m shopping DIY conversion kits and a 1985-1989 FJ60 (71 inches wide, 184 inches long) or ~1996 FJ80 (76 inches wide, 190 inches long) Landcruiser.

View attachment 13468

View attachment 13466

I'd vote FJ60, that styling is timeless and has a great track record for reliability not to say the 80 doesn't.

 

[Chavannigans]

Yeah, I would prefer the FZJ80 while my partner goes back and forth between the 60 and the 80 for the looks vs utility. I don’t care about what the vehicle looks like, just how it performs.

And, really, it’s more about the 60-series vs 80-series and less about the very specific model number.

Are they Land Cruiser expert?

Because there is a compromise if they aren't...

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I'd vote FJ60, that styling is timeless and has a great track record for reliability not to say the 80 doesn't.

I really prefer the 60 series length and width for the use-case we’re considering, which is local driving and off-highway use (probably trailered to some of the more distance locations such as Canyonlands). But the 80 series does have some advantages (as mentioned by @Chavannigans).

 

[SaraLiz]

Definitely.

It’s a long road to do any kind of vehicle restoration, though. And it would be lots of long stretches of nothing followed by bursts of activity. It’s also still way up in the air. It’s a fun idea, but I need to do a ton of research into safety systems. I have an almost pathological need to consider the safety of others on the road. If I found evidence that I couldn’t do it in a way that would maintain other drivers’ safety, I’d drop the project.

I’ve always said, if I won the lottery my dream is an electric conversion 60 series

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Are they Land Cruiser expert?

Because there is a compromise if they aren't...

View attachment 13470

That’s confusing my early-morning brain.

I love it.

 

[Chavannigans]

I really prefer the 60 series length and width for the use-case we’re considering, which is local driving and off-highway use (probably trailered to some of the more distance locations such as Canyonlands). But the 80 series does have some advantages (as mentioned by @Chavannigans).

Have they ridden in a 60 series?

The leaf springs... are pretty rough. Especially if you are primarily using it off pavement.

The coil springs on the 80 series made for a more comfortable ride than my 100 series had.

IMO an 80 series with the round headlight conversion kit is the kitties tiddies. Best of both worlds.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I’ve always said, if I won the lottery my dream is an electric conversion 60 series

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I’ve always said, if I won the lottery my dream is an electric conversion 60 series

This company will do it for $290k.

Toyota FJ 60 — Zero Labs Automotive

www.zerolabs.com

 

[SaraLiz]

So cool. I've never even thought about putting a stick with an electric motor, that would be super fun.

 

[SaraLiz]

This company will do it for $290k.

Toyota FJ 60 — Zero Labs Automotive

www.zerolabs.com

Hence the lottery win requirement. haha

 

[cyure]

This company will do it for $290k.

Toyota FJ 60 — Zero Labs Automotive

www.zerolabs.com

Oh is that all.

 

[Chavannigans]

This company will do it for $290k.

Toyota FJ 60 — Zero Labs Automotive

www.zerolabs.com

I think Icon will as well. They have done a few electric converted restomods, though the electric conversion isn't listed.

They are a top notch outfit.

They tried to recruit me as a project manager some years ago, but my ex wife didnt want to relocate to California.

Probably one of my biggest life regrets was turning them down.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I think Icon will as well. They have done a few electric converted restomods, though the electric conversion isn't listed.

They are a top notch outfit.

They tried to recruit me as a project manager some years ago, but my ex wife didnt want to relocate to California.

Probably one of my biggest life regrets was turning them down.

View attachment 13471

Icon have a fantastic reputation. If we had had the money, we would probably be driving one of their FJ40 restomods.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Have they ridden in a 60 series?

The leaf springs... are pretty rough. Especially if you are primarily using it off pavement.

The coil springs on the 80 series made for a more comfortable ride than my 100 series had.

IMO an 80 series with the round headlight conversion kit is the kitties tiddies. Best of both worlds.

Agreed.

But we’d have to replace the suspension with something new since I’d be adding about 400-600 pounds to the system. I’d prefer to start with the 80 series instead of cutting and welding a bunch of mounts on the 60.

 

[Chavannigans]

Agreed.

But we’d have to replace the suspension with something new since I’d be adding about 400-600 pounds to the system. I’d prefer to start with the 80 series instead of cutting and welding a bunch of mounts on the 60.

If you take this route I highly recommend the Slinky kit.

Its pricey but articulation and ride quality are unrivaled.

They do offer heavy spring rates. Some folks that have done 6BT and 4BT Cummins swaps have used them.

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

Drive through water pit!!! Oh I have to do factory pick up now!!

Along with Scout Mountain; absolutely!

 

[apex96]

I mentioned previously that the current administration may attempt to circumvent the court order to keep NEVI funds flowing and it appears I was right…

Trump can't freeze NEVI funds, so he's trying to stall them – again

Trump’s DOT can’t freeze NEVI outright, so FHWA may tighten EV charger Buy America rules to 100% to stall state spending yet again.

electrek.co

They are proposing adjusting the current 55% domestic equipment requirement to 100% for charging infrastructure. You may say that’s not so bad… but the key is that the US currently has no manufactures making 100% of the parts needed to build EV chargers… So now states may not be able to award funding and install chargers if their proposal to raise the domestic manufacturing percentage to 100% goes through. This attempt may stall NEVI yet again….

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I mentioned previously that the current administration may attempt to circumvent the court order to keep NEVI funds flowing and it appears I was right…

Trump can't freeze NEVI funds, so he's trying to stall them – again

Trump’s DOT can’t freeze NEVI outright, so FHWA may tighten EV charger Buy America rules to 100% to stall state spending yet again.

electrek.co

They are proposing adjusting the current 55% domestic equipment requirement to 100% for charging infrastructure. You may say that’s not so bad… but the key is that the US currently has no manufactures making 100% of the parts needed to build EV chargers… So now states may not be able to award funding and install chargers if their proposal to raise the domestic manufacturing percentage to 100% goes through. This attempt may stall NEVI yet again….

The nonsense lengths they’ll go to stop people from having nice things.

 

[robothero]

But what if we develop a coal-based charging solution...