Land Cruiser Heritage Museum — Attraction in Salt Lake City

This was not my first time at the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum, but it is my first time leaving a review of it. • I recently attended the unveiling of Toyota's (currently new) 2024 Land Cruiser and it was an experience I'll never forget. I doubt the Toyota headquarters itself could have been a better venue for the event. There was only one MASSIVE problem...

...With a media event like this, it is important to keep the focus on the product you are announcing. The museum collection is so captivating, that despite my excitement to see the NEW Land Cruiser, the older— some rusty, dusty or even burnt-to-a-crisp, trucks were a constant distraction. I had BEEN to the museum before, more than once. Yet, my familiarity with the vehicles, did little to shield me from their intense pull on my attention. • I don't know what other events the museum hosts, but this one was clearly high-stakes. Despite the many Toyota executives and being under the critical gaze of busloads of automotive journalists, all in a measuring/review mind-set, the museum staff were warm, welcoming, well-prepared, and somehow seemed to be everywhere at once. I heard general Toyota/Land Cruiser history I did not know before, and enjoyed new stories about single trucks, firmly weaving the example as a steel thread in the tapestry of the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser. • With some exciting music and flashing lights, we were finally able to peel our eyes off of the heritage trucks and welcome the new Land Cruiser. It too, looks to be an exceptional vehicle. I kept imagining it personified, coming into the museum at the beginning of its life. The immense pressure it would feel standing in front of hundreds of its' forefathers, each one a branch on a mighty family tree. Giants standing memorialized in that sacred hall, eyes on the new youth, full of hope and encouragement for it to go out and explore, and be as great as they were. • A warning: If you have not paid much attention to the Toyota Land Cruiser before, you will likely leave the museum, making plans to purchase one yourself. • I would rate the experience higher, but Google only lets me click...

Parking: entrance lot is on north side of the warehouse. Enter through the small red door.

Toyoda in early 1950s was on the verge of bankruptcy because of post WWII economic conditions in Japan. Due to the start of Korean War in 1950, US military gave Toyota orders to manufacture 5000 trucks to support South Korea. Around 300 of these prototype trucks were loosely based off of Willys Jeep and it was called Toyota Jeep BJ (B-type engine Jeep).

The BJ prototype did not get awarded by the US military contract however a test driver climbed up to the 6th stage of Mount Fuji, and it was the first vehicle to ever climb that high at the time and from there it gained popularity and it became the official patrol car of the National Police Agency.

In 1955 the J20/J30 was created for export and geared towards civilians. Also due to naming rights pressure from Jeep, the name was coined as Land Cruiser to sound not less dignified as its competitor Land Rover. In 1960 the version most Americans are familiar with is the FJ40 this was really the 4th gen Toyota Jeep if you count the WWII-AK10, 1950-BJ, 1955-J20, 1960-FJ40.

*note the chassis code or platform J40 sometimes can be referred as J4. So for me to better understand this I try to look at it like a iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s. The current 2008+ land cruiser is J200 or a J20 and the US market 4Runner/GX460 is essentially a J150 or J15. It gives me a headache trying to identify what variation of Land Cruiser throughout the years but the final take away is that they all start with J short for Jeep.

Obviously if you own a Cruiser it's a must visit place. Very organized and friendly staff. Call before hand to schedule appointment during covid. Entrance fee $15 the best investment spent this year by far. Land Cruiser is my vehicle of choice when SHTF.

Disclaimer- this review of the land cruiser history is based on my own research and opinion rather then facts displayed by the museum but I truly believe that Toyota would not be the company that is today without its Land...

If there was a sixth star to give this museum, I would. I’ve been a Land Cruiser fan since before I could drive a car, which now spans many decades. If you’re a similar Toyota truck and Land Cruiser lover, this place is the most wondrous place on earth. Every part of the experience is awesome. Even the building it’s in is a perfect place for a car museum.

Someone not quite as obsessed with Land Cruisers may not find the same level of elation with this exhibit, but even if not, the curation and education about global conditions that led to these incredibly utility centered vehicles will still undoubtedly be worth the time. These are the root system of outdoor exploration and are a huge part of global history that helps tie us all together.

The wildest part of this exhibit is how many amazing examples of every generation of Land Cruisers they have, including the … 70 Series!!! The 70 Series is the most incredible vehicle that the US never got. They have FJ40 and 70 Troopys, and even the rare Toyota Humvee … this place is a Toyota truck fan’s holy ground.

On that note, I haven’t gone to or bought from a museum souvenir shop in over 30 years, but was pulled into this one and walked out with a bag of goodies. Worth every minute, and a place all Toyota truck fans should visit.

Also, the staff member working was extremely kind and helpful. She helped take our picture and had great knowledge of the exhibits. Made the experience all the better!

Thank you to everyone who made this...