Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I seen these recently on a trip to S.America. They are basically a FJ-series TLC but small like a Sidekick. Do you have the Mini-cruiser in Australia? If so what do you think of this smaller FJ40??

I am thinking about buying one and would like to know what people think as I had never seen one until recently and I do not know much at all about them.

Never heard of em, got a piccy of one next to an FJ?

I think you're talking about toyota Blizzard?

http://www.aus4wd.com.au/vehicles/ours/scat/scat.html


these are a rebadged daihatsu F50 scat. up until the early 1990s (possibly even later) in some markets you could buy a Daihatsu Feroza rebadged as a Toyota Blizzard.

Unfortunately I did not get any pictures of the 4 or so I saw.

From what I recall they look alot like the Daihatsu, I am familiar with these and the old Suzukies....but this Toyota clearly had an FJ-style front end meaning the fenders were a lot like the FJ40's. I was told the Mini-Cruiser was made in limited productions. The Toyota Mini-cruisers I saw also clearly had a fender mounted emblem in same place as the FJ's that said Mini-Cruiser. No BS either....it is possible it was a Scat with these Mini-cruiser emblems....that I am unsure of as I never examined one up close. They were about the same size as the Scat and from what I understand Daihatsu is a sub company of Toyota.

A friend of mine was telling me she thought they still produced the 40 series shape cruisers in indonesia out of checker plate. Anybody know if this is true?

Sorry to hijack your thread =}

there are a few places in the US and I think in Australia too that make fiberglass or aluminium tubs for 40 series', quite possible there are people in indonesia making them too. there's some freaky car and 4WD stuff coming out of indonesia.

No problem on the highjack....

I can get all FJ-series body parts brand new in steel for cheaper than some other USA places selling them. The FJ-40 was also made in Brazil up to the last few years.

The Mini-cruisers I seen may have been Blizzards but with a different badge. I will try to have a friend take a picture of one but he thinks they were only made in 80-82. It has an emblem exactly like the FJ's but like I said read Mini-Cruiser....

Those manufacture dates would fit the profile of an F20 or a Blizzard.

your not talking about a Toyota Bandeirante are you?

http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/ecars/2000 ... rante.html

pretty much a 40 series with a different grill panel.

383FJ45 wrote:your not talking about a Toyota Bandeirante are you?

http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/ecars/2000 ... rante.html

pretty much a 40 series with a different grill panel.

Hey dumbdance,

How good is the MWB on this links? ...I'm getting ideas!

MQ080 wrote:

383FJ45 wrote:your not talking about a Toyota Bandeirante are you?

http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/ecars/2000 ... rante.html

pretty much a 40 series with a different grill panel.

Hey dumbdance,

How good is the MWB on this links? ...I'm getting ideas!

Bandeirante is the 40 series that was until recently still produced in Brazil, same size as a 40, nothing "mini" about it.

MQo8o you'll never be good enough to own a landcruiser.

I fugured out what the truck I saw is....

They are the early 1980-84 Toyota Blizzards. It was confusing because they looked different than the newer Blizzards I have seen and they clearly carried the Mini-Cruiser name. So it would seem that these trucks were sold as Mini-Cruisers in S.America.

Here is a picture....


So...what do you guys think of these trucks?? Is there any difference in it from the Diahatsu F50 Scat?? I am thinking of importing one to the USA but only if it is on par with the TLC in terms of quality...

Anything available to mod the truck? Is the drivetrain similar to FJ40 stuff? Did they put a diesel in the early Blizzards/Scats??

They have nothing in common with a landcruiser. Most of the scats and blizzards are diesel in my part of oz. As far as quality goes they are ok but not suitable as a daily driver.
I got told they are made by Diahatsu and shared with Toyota as they had nothing in their range to go up against the Suzuki of the day.

if you're after something small to wheel hard and modify, get a zook, there is so much more aftermarket support for the suzukis. the scats are ok quality wise and have plenty of novelty value but you're fighting an uphill battle if you want to really build one.

tiger, just get a 40 and be happy you wont regret it!!

you know what your getting then.

RMP&O wrote:I fugured out what the truck I saw is....

They are the early 1980-84 Toyota Blizzards. It was confusing because they looked different than the newer Blizzards I have seen and they clearly carried the Mini-Cruiser name. So it would seem that these trucks were sold as Mini-Cruisers in S.America.

Here is a picture....


So...what do you guys think of these trucks?? Is there any difference in it from the Diahatsu F50 Scat?? I am thinking of importing one to the USA but only if it is on par with the TLC in terms of quality...

Anything available to mod the truck? Is the drivetrain similar to FJ40 stuff? Did they put a diesel in the early Blizzards/Scats??

Yep, started out as a Daihatsu F10 in 1977. I have one of these , an 81 model F20, came with a 12R 1.6L toyota motor.

Not as beefy as a 'cruiser, but beefy for their size. Virtually nothing is available aftermarket, all custom. Quirky and different, they are fun to drive in a unique kinda way.

well...one of the reasons I like them is they are different. Never sold in the USA so it is unknown here. Was curious about FJ40 stuff for dropping under it, such as axles and tranny.

I am not a one truck guy...I have 6 off-road trucks right now. So would not own this for my daily driver or to build up as the main toy. Matter of fact I would only own it a few years at most before selling it. One reason I am thinking of importing it is that there is only room in a shipping container for a small truck like this. My 1980 LG61 Patrol is hogging most the room in the container! If it is diesel you would think a turbo and intercooler could make for plenty of power. Little suspension lift, larger tires and a locker and it could be quite the fun little 4x4.

We have ton's of zook's and FJ's in the USA...I understand the easier to build up thing. Yet, like I say I am into the obscure and not sold in USA trucks. The Blizzard looks pretty damn obscure to me!

More than anything I was curious about this small Toyo as I had never heard of or seen them until a few months ago....