...Toyota might do ok, but look how they have bastardized the Cruiser. All their junk is IFS too. A lot of people will tell you Toyota hasn't make a good truck since 85...
Which "Cruiser" are you referring too? The first of its kind FJ Cruiser that shares its basic platform with the 4Runner or the actual Land Cruiser? They are two completely different vehicles and while the cliche name "Cruiser" is tossed about as if they are one in the same, Toyota did not market the FJ Cruiser as a Land Cruiser and you'll find the the Land Cruiser is still 100% in production (now called the 200 Series). Many people think the FJ Cruiser is the latest version of the LandCruiser line, this couldn't be further from the truth. The FJC is a North American market vehicle built on the 4Runner/Prado platform to really bank on the Rubicon/Xterra market that was thriving in the 05 timeframe.
As to the LandCruiser, they have not been bastardized on a global scale. They are still available from Toyota with solid axles, turbo diesels, etc. Even here in the states the IFS 200 Series is a capable machine, no different than its earlier versions starting with the 25 all the way up to the 100 Series.
Your right Toyota does use IFS on all their US spec vehicles, not because its inferior, not because they don't build "off-road intended" vehicles, and not because they wanted to bastardize their lineup. Rather, thats what the market called for. It should be no big secret to anybody that 99% of the market doesn't need the added maintainance, diminished ride and cost attributed to a solid axle. So you have to put yourself in the shoes of an auto-manufacture. Do you build the vehicle that 1% of the market wants or do you build the vehicle that the other 99% wants. Its a no-brainer IMO. In markets where the solid axle is a needed impliment, Toyota still offers it. The LandCruiser
As for the people who say "Toyota hasn't make a good truck since 85"... My guess is they have an 85' and have never owned or driven anything newer
Toyota's modern offerings dwarf their limited early offerings, this coming from a guy whom adores and cherishes old Toyotas. The Tacoma, the FJC, the Tundra, the 4Runner, all home runs for Toyota IMO. Are they the 85' solid axle/fuel injected pickup? Of course not, will they go all the same places, absolutely, in fact you can't honestly rank the two in the same category. AC, power, factory lockers, sorry but Toyota makes a better truck then they did in 1985. Doesn't mean I wouldn't give my left arm for a clean bone stock 85'
Of course the best trucks I think Toyota made were in the 60's
Of course this is a brand new Toyota truck that I think is pretty "good"
Who controls Jeep? Needs to be a capital investment group that is willing to trim the fat and run with the ball. It seems the JK is the one thing they still have going for them right now. They need to be a more global competitor and that will mean building a more industrial workhorse rather than the cush/plush only offerings of the recent years. I don't think Toyota fits the bill, they have a struggling market share themselves with the recent economic crunch, granite they are better off than most, the last thing they need is an anchor. What does Jeep offer Toyota? Toyota is already huge and growing here in the states and outside the states Toyota is huge.
