Once bought this japanese SUV, you can often run into the question of why it was necessary to fasten the Toyota emblem on the Hummer. But the similarities between the two cars aren't that great if you look closely at Toyota. Mega cruiser closer. The only reason that Americans accuse the samurai of plagiarism is the year of release - HUMVEE was put into mass production 13 years earlier. Maybe there is a logical beginning in this statement, but before rolling out its SUV in 1996, the Japanese manufacturer worked hard on it. As an example, the same rear swivel wheels can be cited, due to which the turning radius of the almost six-meter “big man” is only 5.6 m.
First of all, it should be said that there is both a military and a civilian version of the car, although there are not so many differences between them - this is a dual-zone air conditioner, minimal electrical equipment and velor seats with soft rugs for civilian vehicles. If the new Mega Cruiser was not intended for export (only used cars could be taken out of the country), then military SUVs were generally recycled after decommissioning. Judging by unofficial data, civilian cars were produced in the amount of 140 copies.
Salon Toyota Mega Cruiser
If you import a product Japanese car industry to Russia, then it will have to be issued as a truck with a driving license in category “C” (the reason for this is the gross weight of 3780 kg.). But in fact, this is a frame six-seater SUV, in the back seat of which there are places with seat belts for four passengers.
Power unit Toyota Mega Cruiser
Under the hood of the “monster” is a turbodiesel of the “B” family with four cylinders. With a volume of 4.104 liters, the engine develops a power of 170 horses. An intercooler and a regular turbo timer are not all of the engine's gadgets: due to the special location of the air intake and the presence of a whole system of siphons, the probability of water hammer is practically excluded even with a fording depth of 1200 mm.
When creating the Mega Cruiser, Toyota experts took into account the likelihood of contact with salty sea water and, as a result, oxidation of the contacts of the power wires. Therefore, the voltage indicator of the on-board electrical network is 24 volts, which eliminates problems with starting the engine in cold weather or with contact corrosion.
Permanent four-wheel drive
Transmission design SUV Toyota Mega Cruiser includes:
Four-speed automatic transmission with the ability to start from second gear and overdrive mode;
transfer case (reduction stage is 2.488:1);
differential with the possibility of remote forced locking;
electrically controlled blocking of cross-axle differentials;
The highlight of the car's drivetrain are final drives with a ratio of 1.69:1, which, in combination with the suspension, form a ground clearance of 420 mm.
Suspension
Based on the fact that the Toyota Mega Cruiser was created exclusively to overcome terrain with difficult rocky terrain, not only ground clearance is important, but also a high-quality, independent torsion bar suspension. Due to the impressive size of the suspension parts, in order to damage something, you need to try very hard.
Ventilated disc brakes are located on the drive shafts, which reduces the unsprung mass. Design military modification SUV provides for centralized wheel inflation, although it can be equipped with a civilian version.
Video Toyota Mega Cruiser
Toyota Mega Cruiser body features
From the number distinctive features body structure can be noted carbon fiber hood. In addition, the manufacturer has provided a convenient cable drive for tilting the reserve gate and a special winch for lifting the reserve itself. The engine is located in the cabin tunnel, and the batteries are hidden under the passenger seat in an isolated compartment. That is necessary measure to improve weight distribution.
It is noteworthy that the dimensions of the car absolutely do not interfere with driving, unlike the American counterpart, and the independent suspension provides a smooth ride, without shaking and jumps. Well, in terms of cross-country ability, the car has no equal. It will overcome the most difficult terrain, with all the blockages, minimal overhangs and simply huge ground clearance.
Brand: Toyota Model: Mega Cruiser Engine size: 4104 cm³ Gearbox: automatic - 4 Body: SUV Number of doors: 5 Power system: diesel Drive: full Steering wheel: left
Equipment
Anti-lock braking system (ABS); traction control system (TCS); power steering; central locking; light sensor; on-board computer; interior: leather; xenon headlights; headlight washer; Rain sensor; parktronic; Cruise control; heated mirrors; seat heating: all; electric drive: windows (all), mirrors
Owner reviews
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 1999 onwards
so the backstory:
Once upon a time there was one auto forum, where the topic "toyota mega cruiser - what is it?" suddenly arose. The people discussed for a long time, were interested, but no one could tell the truth about him, because the car is classified and rare. Since then, there has been an irresistible interest to learn more about this "monster", but strange links and one video on the You Tube did not give absolutely any facts, and even more so har.ik!
It was an ordinary day when a friend sent a rare ad for the sale of Toyota in Japan to the post office.
And a week later Mega went to Russia!
When I first saw him, it was a shock. Huge width, with the highest clearance (standing, looking into his face, you can see what's going on behind), small windows and Huge 37.5 inch wheels ... Despite the similarity with the "American humer" it can not be confused, even being in a deranged state.
I opened the door and it seemed to me that it would be a bit crowded here (with a height of 95 meters). But it was not there, sitting down, I realized: there is so much space in the car that passenger seat may not seem to put it mildly "close". Once in the car, you will experience a feeling of deja vu, as if you have already seen it all. Indeed, the steering wheel is from corola, the gearbox is from 80s, the seats are from something else. In general, a hodgepodge that harmonizes surprisingly well!
We start the engine. Oh my God! Yes, this is an engine from Japanese trucks-15 BFTE. He certainly does not rumble like a Mustang, but does not cause negative emotions.
GO …
And here the fun begins! Pressing the accelerator pedal, we confidently accelerate to 60 and take the left lane, and now we are driving 80 km / h, starting to realize that everyone is inferior! Whether in order to consider the car in more detail, or scary (although never in my life, I did not want anyone to cause this feeling). Then the incredible happens - you understand that the bumps and all kinds of bumps that you were afraid to go through yesterday, today will not even make you shake. The suspension is really very soft, although without the buildup as on many "soft" jeeps. The softness of the suspension is compensated by the suspension travels, which are 65 cm.
Driving up to the house and turning into the courtyard, you suddenly realize that you have suffered. AN no, this is the 4ws system - the rear wheel steering system. THIS IS AMAZING, where everyone turns in two passes, the mega can turn around with a margin.
Next, it was decided to inspect the trunk, which turned out to be super large, I calmly stretch across it! (trunk width 2 meters 5 cm) .
In general, the interior of the car is made soundly, but without frills like: climate control (although there are separate stoves and air conditioners).
"All this is good, but how is it off-road" - you say ?!
Here he is in his element, any gully, any rise, any descent is subdued to him. This has been verified experimentally.
1. When we went on an expedition to the northern Caucasus and climbed to the highest point of Mount Laganaki, which is 2,300 m above sea level. They climbed on AT rubber, along logging, caterpillar tracks. The men in the camp (logging camp) were shocked that we reached them, and when we began to climb higher, they almost had a blow.
2. Competition "Roads of War 3"
No, of course I understand everything, but to put us in the HARD category also the last ones was not entirely humane. Of course, it is clear that thanks to the rear steering wheels, we will leave almost any track (if we manage to get there). Thanks to a full set of locks and a good lowering, we can drive up the "slippery" hill with an interference fit. Thanks to the 37th wheels, we can easily pass where the 33 gets stuck.
BUT, we only have a rear winch for 9000, at 3.200kg it’s not so much, although during the race it never failed! We have AT wheels, with almost no tread at all.
We were going very well until we reached a pile of stuck cars. Moreover, we sorted it out there (there was too low tire pressure). It was decided to help people on the "loaf" (and 33mt wheels) and hilux (33mt wheels) to get to the camp. On the way, we sorted it out 2 more times, since the guys from the loaf helped us to board the wheels (respect for them separately). Having reached the camp, the guys said "what they remember, not a single car drove."
I do not want to boast that the car rides better than light 70s (naturally in tuning), etc. But even MEGA can compete with them.
Many compare HUMMER and MEGA cruserA /
I have nothing against the Hammer, but the "American dream" does not appeal to me. HE is too heavy (a ton more), we turn worse, much worse review, less ground clearance, less wheel, less comfortable. But even putting aside all this, I can say that I like the ideology of "stingy and conservative Japanese" more than "pompous Americans".
Now the car is in a tuning studio, in the future there will be new photos.
P.S toyota drive the dream!
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 1999 onwards posted by: Pavel from Samara
"Golden Gasket" - Golden Gasket! That is, the most mediocre fake and worthless car, called "Megacruiser" "Americans, at its presentation in 1996. They can be understood, purpose, design, layout of parts, repeats the famous conquistador of all times and peoples H- with accuracy inherent only in Japas. Thank God , innate modesty did not allow the Japanese to copy a single detail.Everything is their own, from the engine to the wheel gear.
What poked me to buy this miracle of engineering, It's curiosity, ! I want to personally arrange cutlets and flies on different plates. Frankly, the serial "mega" looks both outside and inside, dumb, but after three years of searching, my counterpart and friend (I dare to hope) Daisey Watanabe, somewhere I got a shed better than the serial one, which also managed to light up in two Japanese films about the yakuza .
Moreover, Dai paid half of its cost as a present for the new year.
The car is similar to the Kukidoscha, a samurai fighting vehicle, has the same front end, four-wheel paging (civilian mega does not have it). Swapping has two modes 1.1 and 2.2 points, it is enough to move the key, up or down, it is protected from below by three arches of pipes. It has leather interior, three cameras, four monitors. Powerful audio preparation. GPRS. Has built-in furniture Japanese style, amazing quality and cost. Salon trimmed with stainless steel. There are no special impressions yet, as appearances or absences, I will add.
The smoothness of the course on specific bumps is surprising. Where the "escalade" beats my crazy tower, about the "West Coast" pillows, "DOSHCHA" (yap car) slips without swaying. Hummer H1 goes rougher significantly. True traction is not enough, specifically. The engine is very dead, but economical. I think the engine is the biggest "ass" in this car. I am absolutely sure that all real gullies will have to be stormed on a lowlander. Whoever rides in the mud knows that there are many moments when you can only slip through on high, relying on the horsepower of the engine. This is apparently not the case here.
It would be madness to compare the "Mega" engine from a truck with the "Optimizer 6.5" and even more so the "Duramax 6.6" with which the H-1, H-1 alpha were equipped. At the expense of a turning circle of 5.6 meters, (the owners report). Of course not, the turn of the "mega" is 11.2m. (according to the Japanese manual). Podrulkka 4WS-, it's not God knows what, of course there is sense, but even more hemorrhagic. Similar WS, they put on old preludes and on a number of cars, far from being a luxury class.
The next car that I would like to get is called "Komatsu LAV", I think this is the king of all SUVs, unfortunately, it is not yet subject to conversion and export.
That's all for now! I will add!
1. Engine. power, elasticity, throttle response. All favor H-1.
2. Body. made more carefully, the doors close well. But the HammerN-1 has an aluminum body. But the doors close poorly even with a new one.
3. The exterior is a matter of taste, but "brutally" is more of a miracle from America.
4. Interior ... the fact is that in "Mega", it is not at all.
Here the championship for H-1, everything is very ergonomic and thought out. Although in "Mega" the rear passengers are more comfortable due to the elevation of the second row of seats. Ahead is a little closer than in the H-1, visibility is a little better,
due to the huge windshield, but the advantage is destroyed by the very low landing of the driver. The instrument panel resembles a 1957 club bus (made of plywood) will be improved.
5. Steering. All laurels to Megacruiser. And in lightness and in informativeness, well, in a turning radius. It's stupid to even compare them.
6. Running. The first thing that catches your eye is a light openwork design, "mega cruiser". The metal consumption of the H-1 suspension exceeds the Japanese by three times, or even more. The design of the crabs is ten times. The H-1 suspension seems to be eternal., But I know how deceptive and constant it is, something spins and snots. Brake discs "mega", also rendered. At the same time, it is twice as small. Brakes "mega", disgusting. the H-1 hammer is much more efficient. Strange, but the Japanese wheel gears are twice as much. This is a sore knot for H-1, they are constantly untwisted. CV joints (drives), you have to tighten them literally after a thousand km. Undercarriage H-1 is much more suitable for driving on boulders.
Difloks in "mega" can be turned on on the go, all three. In the hummer, only when stopped and on the lowered gear. And the front diflok turns off as soon as you start to turn.
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 1996 posted by: Anton from Sakhalin
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 1996
My weakness is big 4x4 cars. And the bigger the car, the better! And even better - if she can climb well in a stock configuration.
I like to knead professionally and not very shit, moreover, as a savage - to call in somewhere and get out, get out ... and sometimes a new way :)
The most truthful information about the model (I will post it little by little):
151 copies were produced, produced from January 1996 to September 2001, produced unevenly, piece by piece, it seems that according to pre-orders. From which we can conclude that the machine was not developed for civilian purposes.
There were 2 body models:
BXD20V-RRPEW - 150 pcs, produced for the Japanese domestic market
BXD20R - HWPEW - 1 pc, the model was released for the general market, successfully drives around Khabarovsk :) It has a high roof with windows.
The first version of the 15FBT engine was installed until June 1999, the second version 15FBTE - from May 1999 (electronic injection was introduced, which gave 15 horsepower and 39 Newtons).
A huge plus is the weight of less than 3 tons (allows you to get stuck less) and 4 steering wheels (wild maneuverability). Well, the clearance is also the largest in the class and the wheel travel is about 65 cm.
Okay, digress.
In 2008, a friend who came from the Far East about 7 years ago and rode there on this car, told me about the toyota mega cruiser, - moreover, he spoke with aspiration and praised in every possible way. On the same day, the entire Internet was screwed over by me (there was damn little information at that time, and even now it is just appearing). And probably at the same time I began to dream about him. And as I drink beer - so go to the computer and look for pictures and information on it. I think I collected almost everything I could, and still I was looking for it - I shared it and excited people, and I hope I made a significant contribution to the popularization of the model.
Mega seemed prohibitively expensive, and the purchase was shelved. Oh, how wrong I was then! Unrealistic duties have been introduced, new technical regulations are being introduced, and they have practically ceased to be sold! In short, he spat on everything and bought MEGA instead of a country house for a summer residence! :).
For the dacha can be mastered later, but such a thing is unlikely.
Very rare car, in Russia 5-6 copies (according to verified information 4, including this one). And there are fewer and fewer of them already ... A unique rogue - 37-inch wheels, suspension travel of 65 centimeters! Used as a technical unit in the division of Toyota - Hino, so everything is almost ideal. There are a couple of dents, in the near future I will remove and paint.
I will probably do a suspension lift and put Booger 38 or more. Or I hang trinkets and will show off - because I feel like a collector of rarity ... we'll see later, now at a crossroads.
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 1996 left by: Sergey from St. Petersburg
The vehicle is in service with the Japan National Self-Defense Force. It is not used for its intended purpose - hunting, fishing, extreme sports, off-road (intended for transportation of anti-aircraft - missile complex, personnel, radar complex, etc. long list)
There was a case in the winter when turning 90 degrees. on the ice it turned 360 degrees, I thought I would roll over, but the front wheels were hooked. for the asphalt and then a 360 turn and drove on. The car didn't even tilt. Passers-by thought it was a trick, I thought it was the end of the car. On ice in the city - like a cow on ice (the protector is not for driving on ice). On snow, off-road, sand - I think there is no equal, although everything happens in life ... Weak bumper - for fording in winter, so I ordered from 5 mm. aluminum. Many people think - Hammer, let them think, you can’t explain it to everyone.
In Japan, sometimes the residents themselves are unaware of the existence of such machines. With their narrow streets, this car can only move in large cities. I saw how, when Mega was leaving a narrow street, a Japanese policeman blocked traffic in order for this car to leave (dimensions in width like a GAZ-66). There is nothing special in the cabin - 2 stoves, 1 air conditioner, power accessories, CDMD (CARROZZERIA last generation), sleeping bag 2.05 x 1.5 meters, 6 seats (that's all standard equipment). Additionally installed voltage converters 12, 24V - direct current, 220V - alternating current, computer, navigation reversing camera. Packed in the trunk - MSL (small sapper shovel), ax, chain winch, etc.
From attachments there is a trunk, a ladder, a lamp-headlight, a canopy (a sun visor - stretches to the side of the trunk 3x4 meters). The trunk is still removed (in the taiga it clings to tree branches).
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 2000 onwards posted by: Dmitry from Vladivostok
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 2000 onwards
Toyota developed the Mega Cruiser based on army all-terrain vehicle HMV (High Mobility Vehicle - a vehicle of high cross-country ability). The HMV all-terrain vehicle was created by order of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Coast Guard and is designed for the rapid transfer of personnel, towing light guns and patrolling areas. It is the special natural conditions of Japan, more than 70% of the area of which is mountainous, that formed the basis of the terms of reference. The designers managed to fulfill all the requirements of the military, and the result was an all-terrain vehicle with fantastic cross-country ability - the ground clearance is 42 cm, which is twice as much as conventional SUVs. Unlike the Hummer, the "Japanese" has everything steered wheels, so a car with a wheelbase of 3.395 meters has a turning radius of only 5.6 meters - which means that you can easily ride around trees on the Mega Cruiser. This monster easily overcomes a ford 1 meter deep and freely moves along stony screes with an inclination angle of up to 45 degrees, crushing bushes and undergrowth with a powerful bumper. It seems that nothing can stop the HMV, except for its size.
In parallel with the fulfillment of the army order, as a marketing experiment, was created civil version all-terrain vehicle. As a prototype, the Mega Cruiser was exhibited in 1993 at the Tokyo Motor Show. Surprised Americans awarded him the Golden Gasket (“Golden Gasket”) as the most useless car. But in Japan, a lot of people became interested in them, and Mega Cruiser began to be mass-produced.
One of his own appearance Mega Cruiser commands reverence and respect: straight panels of a five-meter body sitting on huge wheels, tinted windows and a chrome staircase leading to the roof.
Creating the interior of the cabin, the designers used parts from various Toyota cars: the steering wheel was taken from the Carina model, the ceiling lamp was taken from the Corolla model, and so on. The steering wheel is equipped with a powerful hydraulic booster, so the almost three-ton car is surprisingly easy to drive. The driver's seat is limited to the center console and transmission housing located between the front seats. It has a high-end 195-watt audio system with a 6-disc CD changer mounted on the side. The front seats are spaced closer to the doors, but the rear seats are very spacious - you can feel the two-meter width of the body. All seats are equipped with seat belts and comfortable head restraints, air conditioning with separating air currents on the left and right side of the passenger compartment, a centralized control system for door locks and power windows. On the dashboard there is a button for controlling the tire pressure inflation system. With the help of a compressor, a reservoir and pneumatic tubes located under the chassis, the pressure in huge tires can be changed on the go from 1 to 2.4 kg/sq.cm.
The all-metal body of the “hard top” type is made of sheet metal and sheathed on the inside with synthetic fabric, which can be replaced with velor or natural leather on an individual order. For lovers of fresh air, an electric sunroof is embedded in the roof. At the service of passengers is a more than roomy luggage compartment with a length of 1450 mm, a width of 2020 mm and a height of 1040 mm, in which you can even sleep freely. For transporting long items, the rear row of seats is made folding. The spare wheel, together with the bracket, leans to the right, and the central rear door rises. The load capacity is 750 kg, and the only drawback is the high height of the trunk floor - the distance from the ground is 850 mm.
The chassis design is very interesting. The suspension is completely independent - each wheel is suspended on double wishbones. At the base of the upper arms, longitudinal torsion bars are used as elastic elements. Front and rear arms hangers are interchangeable. There are no springs in the front suspension, but they are added on the rear axle and start working when the car is fully loaded, when rear end body squats. The suspension is very soft - on bumps the Mega Cruiser smoothly sways up and down, but at the same time it freely passes half a meter mounds at a decent speed without touching them with the bottom.
In order to increase ground clearance, wheel reduction gears are mounted directly in the wheel hubs. The increase in unsprung mass due to the use of a gearbox is compensated by the fact that disc brakes are located not on the hubs, but directly at the output of the axle shafts from the interwheel differentials.
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 2000 onwards posted by: Borya from Moscow
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 2000 onwards
Machine received title Mega Cruiser, and this name is well deserved. To date, there is not a single serial SUV more (read - better). At the same time, the “mega” boasts a turning radius of 5.6 meters! Add the ability to overcome the ford depth of 120 centimeters, ground clearance of 42 cm, easy movement on the ground with a slope of 45 degrees. In terms of off-road performance, the Mega cruiser smashes the Hummer head on.
Toyota was building a new SUV based on an army all-terrain vehicle (something like our APC), and this is what gave the chassis such outstanding performance. All wheels of the "megacruiser" are steerable, all units are successfully arranged in the center of the base, the weight distribution is close to ideal. Mega Cruiser has dozens of interesting engineering solutions: suspension without front springs; various modes differential work, changing on the go; gearboxes installed directly in the hub; disc brakes located at the output of the axle shafts from the differentials - the list can be continued for a very long time.
The engine in the Mega Cruiser is a turbodiesel with an intercooler of only 155 hp, but with a torque of 390 Nm! But the most interesting thing is the engine volume of 4.1 liters, and the layout of 4 cylinders (!) In a row. The motor was aggregated with a four-speed automatic transmission from Land cruiser 80.
Technically, the military version was no different from the civilian one, except for the interior. If the main competitor, Hummer H1, had a disgusting collective farm interior, then the Japanese have everything quite civilized: a steering wheel from Carina, light bulbs and other jewelry from Corolla, power windows on all doors, central locking, air conditioning with separate air flows, interior to choose from: leather , velor or special waterproof, dirt-repellent fabric, high-end 195-watt audio system with 6-disc CD changer.
Review of Toyota Mega Cruiser, 4.1, 2000 onwards left by: Vasily from the city of Samara
Test drive Toyota Mega Cruiser
Against the backdrop of global and equally sad changes in the domestic automotive market, this event, although hardly noticeable, is definitely bright: just imagine that for a rather modest amount of 2.2 million rubles by the standards of the off-road class, you can purchase a Japanese analogue of the legendary through intermediaries " Hammer! And, it should be noted, in some ways the Japanese military school of automotive engineering still managed to surpass the American one.
As for the name of the model, everything is not so clear. The catchy name Mega Cruiser belongs to the civilian, "ennobled" version of the military SUV: the model was produced in small batches. The name "Megacruiser", which belonged to the civilian version, began to be called the military version.
But the official name (Toyota BXD10) is not very suitable for our test subject, because legally we do not have Toyota at all ... Here our guys have already shown ingenuity: the Russian company Expedit, whose name is in the PTS and inherited the Megacruiser. However, the scheme for the transition of the model from one country to another partially echoes other “Japanese women” that end up in the Far East in the form of a “cut”: in order to reduce the amount of duty and the final price, SUVs that served in the Japanese army from 1995 to 2002 are now supplied to us in the form of car kits, and already here they turn back into workable vehicles. The tested sample, for example, ran no more than 70 thousand km. And this, according to the organizers, is the maximum figure - some copies are delivered without a run at all. Anyone can buy such equipment, but manage ...
Since it was rather problematic for importers to register such a device as a passenger car, they decided to register it as a “snow and swamp vehicle”. The quotation marks here are not accidental, because this transport clearly lacks positive buoyancy to such an honorary title. Therefore, as you understand, the path to this vehicle is blocked on some public roads: you can move anywhere, with the exception of highways, as well as roads with signs “Movement of cars” and “Movement of tractors is prohibited”. And, of course, only "tractor" rights are needed to control the newly-made swamp.
But the most interesting is inside. A question for connoisseurs: tell me, dear jeepers, what are the signs of a real SUV? Dependent suspension with solid axles? Kondovy frame body? mechanical box gear? Japanese military engineers will disagree with you - the military cruiser flaunts a fully independent suspension, classic machine and almost weightless plastic-metal frame plumage. Plagiarism on His Majesty Hummer H1? Not quite: if under a broad muzzle American SUV protruding thick suspension arms supported by springs immediately catch the eye, here in front there are more compact double A-shaped “bones” and invisible torsion bars. Behind - similar double levers, but already complete with springs. But in general, there is a similarity with the "Hammer": here, like the American, to increase the clearance and gear ratio, final drives are located inside the wheels, to which CV joints from axle gearboxes are suitable. Due to the fact that they take up a lot of space, ventilated brake discs with calipers are related closer to the bridges - so, by the way, the unsprung masses are reduced, and the mechanisms themselves are less polluted.
The wheels, by the way, are also unusual here - it will not be easy to find suitable tires with a dimension of 37x12.5R17.5 ... Fortunately, our compatriots managed to pick up an analogue: "Shishigovsky" 18th wheels with slightly bored holes and standard tires are perfect for Toyota ". Thanks to these tricks, the Japanese managed to achieve a colossal ground clearance of 42 cm (the Hammer even has 1.5 cm less). Also, all versions are equipped with centralized wheel inflation (there are only 2 positions - 2.2 or 1.1 atm), thanks to which you can seriously increase the already considerable contact patch of tires with the coating, and in case of a puncture, reach the “base” without a spare wheel. Concerning power units, then everything is also in order here: a rather big 4.1-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel (index 15B-FTE) is hidden under the hood, which was installed mainly on Toyota medium duty trucks and buses, and the gearbox is a four-speed automatic from a Land Cruiser 80. Both inspire confidence.
But that's not all. Perhaps the main feature of our “warriors” is the thruster rear axle, which is driven by a power steering. Thus, the turning radius of a 5-meter monster is a modest 5.6 meters - almost like some Ford Focus! Spinning on a slippery surface "Japanese", like a spinning top - almost in place. Lighter, more maneuverable and more powerful, it would seem that the 200th in terms of drive on ice loses slightly to its military counterpart: after turning off the traction control, although it allows it to “tumble” sideways, it does so clearly without enthusiasm.
The above tricks in the design allowed our hero to acquire amazing geometric parameters: the angles of entry / exit are 49 and 45 degrees. The “civilized” Toyota standing next to it seemed to have turned from a once formidable and terrible monster into a harmless creature: almost half the ground clearance and “pathetic” 32 and 24 degrees. Although according to overall dimensions, and in terms of mass, the military SUV turned out to be not as much larger as expected: the Megacruiser is 15-20 cm larger on all fronts on average and 200 kg heavier (2900 kg). Such a low weight for this kind of equipment was achieved thanks to compact suspensions, minimal outer skin and no interior decoration body.
However, in the snow test, in our case, the Megacruiser did not look like a favorite - colleagues even managed to plant it in a seemingly harmless place. The point, of course, is in tires that do not correspond to our weather conditions: there are rather worn-out AT tires here, still remembering the land of the Land of the Rising Sun. In order to confidently move on heavy “warm” snow, we had to activate all three locks - one interaxle and two interwheels. Having in its arsenal only one rigid interaxle lock and a whole set of electronic assistants, the 200th, shod in studded Yokohama, surfed the open spaces much more confidently, although collecting snowdrifts with its front bumper like a bulldozer.
But in an “equal fight” on normal wheels, the mega-opponent, of course, will not let himself be offended. But if everything is more or less clear with loose soil, then how will it behave on relief terrain? After all, as you know, an independent suspension a priori has worse articulation than a fully bridged one. Arriving home, I plunged into the study of the issue: according to tests, the total suspension travel of the Megacruiser was 650 mm, which is, to put it mildly, an impressive figure. For comparison, the bridge legend of the English off-road school represented by the Defender has an indicator of 545 mm, and our today's Japanese opponent, the Land Cruiser 200, with its colossal articulation, almost caught up with the "warrior" with a result of 600 mm. Shorter stroke and designed for heavy load the suspension of the "Hammer" cannot boast of such characteristics: the suspension travel of the regular Hummer H1 is only 435 mm.
Comparing the Megacruiser on public roads with the LC 200 would be completely against the rules, and, both in terms of ideology and the legality of the event, no one has a “tractor” license ... But, judging by the country roads, driving The Toyota BXD10 isn't much more difficult than the classic Land Cruiser. Of the amenities here, of course, there is an automatic machine and a power steering, however, in terms of ease of control, a sense of size and high-torque motor, the Megacruiser does not look flawed at all. Unless it shakes harder on bumps and there are more noises of various nature in the cabin - after all, and only an awning and thin body panels separate passengers from the outside world.
As for asceticism, here it is, perhaps, elevated to the highest degree - everything in a military vehicle should be simple, functional, but at the same time maintainable and reliable. The contrast with modern civilian cars is especially noticeable after you transfer to the Megacruiser from the light leather interior of the 200...
However, all the structural elements in the Megacruiser are made so thoughtfully and elegantly that it is confusing at first. A weightless plastic hood, for example, fastens on both sides with simple but convenient loops; although the doors are equipped with primitive “master keys”, they open (and close!) With a slight movement of the hand ... And the solution that is used for power windows touches the owners of UAZ “goats” to tears: you pull the spring-loaded sleeve on the door and lower it with it glass down. Comfortable, damn it! The driving position, of course, cannot be compared with the most luxurious LC 200 salon against this background: due to the wide tunnel on the floor, in which the transmission elements are hidden, you have to sit quite close to the door; and the steering wheel is too far away from the seat. But when compared with the veterans of the military genre (the same Defender or the main competitor in the face of HMMWV), then the military Toyota looks like just a model of ergonomics.
However, passengers, unlike the pilot and navigator, can have a hard time traveling at speed over rough terrain: folding benches that can accommodate eight more volunteers in the back are located along the side and, of course, are not equipped with belts. But if the benches are folded, then the Megacruiser turns into a full-fledged truck.
prospects
Can anyone be interested in such a highly specialized technique? In Russia the target audience will definitely be found. Mainly among travelers - such a device is perfect for building, for example, a camper from scratch. After all, there are not so many serious alternatives today. Yes, the production of the 70th series of Land Cruisers has been resumed (you can order it through the "gray" dealers), and today it is still one of the most popular and successful expeditionary blanks. True, the price of such a car, albeit with a 30-year-old horse-drawn design, exceeds 4 million ... Also, the Megacruiser can be considered as an alternative to the no less legendary GAZ-66, the disadvantages of which are known to everyone. What is the driver’s seat “brilliant” in its ergonomics - there were so many legends about no other gear lever! Of those similar in cross-country ability, one can still recall the no less legendary rogues Steyr Puch Pinzgauer with spinal frames, which were produced by the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch by order of the Swiss army. On the secondary market, these all-terrain vehicles with 6x6 and 4x4 wheel arrangements can be purchased for at least 1.2 million. For similar money, you can also find Volvo Laplander with portal bridges, but the assortment is also not rich - there are single, miraculously preserved specimens on the market.
Alternative in Russia: GAZ-66, Volvo Laplander С303 and Steyr Puch Pinzgauer 718
It turns out that the company "Expedit" made a pretty good offer. Here it is - the all-terrain vehicle of dreams! Here you have an adequate price, and colossal cross-country ability, and the reliability of the units is legendary. And in general - the widest scope for dzhiperskoy fantasy! But if the inability to travel on motorways and the need to obtain a tractor license can still be overcome, then problems with the service (limited ability to buy spare parts) can make life difficult for the traveler. This is perhaps main disadvantage such a wonderful "rogue" - you can order a failed part, but the price and delivery time are unlikely to please anyone.
But it's not. There is little in common between the Toyota Mega Cruiser and the Hummer.
The history of the Hummer H1 is known to many today: it was originally a military American SUV HUMVEE, but in 1983 it went into assembly line production and became known as the Hammer H1. Japanese manufacturer did not stand still and 10 years later released his own version of the SUV - Toyota Mega Cruiser. Externally, the car looks like a Hummer, but unlike the American SUV, the rear wheels of the Mega Cruiser can turn. The length of the Toyota Mega Cruiser is 5090 mm, but thanks to such rear wheels, this car has good radius turn - 5.6 meters.
The Mega Cruiser SUV was originally produced in civilian and military versions, and military version it will not be possible for a private person to buy, and even when the war machine has served its time, it was simply destroyed. As for civilian Mega Cruisers, they can be taken to another country, only it must be a car from the secondary market.
The main differences between civilian models and military models are velor seats, soft mats, air conditioning, power accessories with the necessary options.
In Russia, according to the documents, this SUV belongs to trucks, therefore, in order to drive a Mega Cruiser, you must have a license with category C. This misunderstanding occurred due to the fact that the total mass of the car is 3780 kg, and dry weight - 2850 kg.
Legend car
Total civilian Mega Cruiser was about 140 pieces produced. The first such car that came to Russia was brutally sawn into pieces. Because this car was noticed by the Japanese consul, and in those years Mega Cruisers were banned for export. But then all these sawn parts were sent to Ukraine, where the car was reassembled, and the car turned out to be on the go. But his fate did not end well - he was drowned in one of the deep swamps.
But we managed to test such a rare car, it has the number 137, this example was released in 1999.
military style
This car was slightly improved by the owner - a bed was installed in the trunk, which is very comfortable to sleep on. To do this, I had to put a removable iron structure, thanks to which the trunk became 2-level.
Toyota Mega Cruiser is a 6-seater car, 4 people can easily fit in the back seat, and there is even a seat belt for each person.
power unit
The engine of the Mega Cruiser is a 4-liter turbodiesel, whose power is 170 liters. With. This motor from Toyota has been known for quite a long time, it was installed on others, it has an intercooler and a regular turbo timer. The engine is located so that the machine can overcome lakes or swamps with a depth of 1.2 meters. The air intake is located on the side of the hood, this allows you to protect yourself from water entering the engine.
Among the features of the Mega Cruiser is a 24-volt power grid, which is good, because even in severe frosts the engine starts easily, there is also no problem with the factory, even if the contacts on the wires have oxidized after getting wet in salt water. After all, the car is Japanese, and in Japan, especially if you use the car for military purposes, contact with sea water will be very frequent. That is why all connections, silent blocks and crosses are equipped with grease fittings.
Permanent four-wheel drive
Installed in the Mega Cruiser permanent four-wheel drive, therefore, there are certain features here: there is a differential with a forced lock, which is installed in the transfer case and is turned on by a button located on the front panel. In addition, on the same panel there are buttons responsible for blocking of cross-axle differentials.
The gearbox in this vehicle is automatic 4-speed, which has an overdrive function that disables top gear, and also the car can move from 2nd gear.
As for the dispenser, it has a reduction ratio of 2.488:1. Also, a feature of this transmission is final drives, thanks to them and the suspension, the clearance of the Mega Cruiser is 420 mm.
Off-road qualities
Toyota Mega Cruiser is designed for quiet off-road driving, especially easily overcomes rocky terrain and other difficult off-road areas. To provide the car with such off-road capabilities, attention had to be paid not only to ground clearance, but also to suspension travel. IN this case, suspension both front and rear - independent and torsion bar. The parts of the walker are so large and strong that it is very difficult to damage them.
Brakes on all wheels disc and ventilated, they are not located inside the wheels, but on the drive shafts. Military versions even have centralized wheel inflation. But on civilian models of the Mega Cruiser, there is no pumping, but the tubes for this system are in place.
Some difficulties are created standard tires to their owners, because the dimension of these tires is 37x12.5, and the radius is 17.5. To get rid of these problems, the easiest way is to order 18-inch wheels along with rubber. Mud tires are very hard to find for 17.5" wheels.
Body Features
The body also has a number of some features, such as a carbon-fiber hood, and there is also a spare wheel folding gate equipped with a cable drive. In order to raise the spare wheel, you can use a small winch, which is installed for this purpose.
It is also possible to replace the rear part of the roof, which is located above the trunk, with a higher one. The Mega Cruiser is well-weighted due to the fact that the engine is slightly pushed into the cabin tunnel, and the batteries are in a special place under the passenger seat.
Impressive dimensions
When you ride a Mega Cruiser, you don't have to worry about its large size, thanks to excellent visibility, the Hummer, for example, has worse visibility.
Because Mega Cruiser has independent suspension, so the ride of this car is very soft, shaking and pitching are not felt, the car swallows all the small bumps, because the wheels are large, and this is only a plus. As for cross-country ability, this car has it at the highest level. High ground clearance does its job - the car can overcome very difficult sections- high stone slopes, forests and swamps.
At first, it’s hard to imagine that such a person can jump off-road so easily, but it happens and the Mega Cruiser demonstrates this.
The car is operated in the conditions of harsh Russian roads with a bang, moreover, in off-road mode and breaks down very rarely. Despite the fact that the car is very rare, parts for it can always be obtained, though you will have to wait a while, because shipping from Japan will take some time.
And now the Toyota Mega Cruiser on the video demonstrates a master class on how to get out of the mud:
Toyota Mega Cruiser BXD-20 at the Dmitrovsky training ground
In the modern history of the automotive industry, there is perhaps no model more mysterious and enigmatic than the Toyota Mega Cruiser. Anyone who is interested in off-road topics has most likely heard of this car, but very few people had a chance to see the monster live outside of Japan. At the same time, the stinginess of official information and the rarity of the cars themselves only stimulated the growth of rumors about technical features, off-road ability and… the legal conflicts associated with owning this car. But all the secret sooner or later becomes clear. So, get acquainted - the first Moscow Toyota Mega Cruiser!
The car simply and casually stood in the parking lot near the iron fence, while occupying one and a half standard places. First impression: "Well, the bus!". Here's the first thing that caught my eye: door handles- metal, as if on a box with equipment. One word - military equipment. But if we discard such specific moments, then in general the appearance of the car makes a surprisingly peaceful and friendly impression. At least, there are no analogies with an armored personnel carrier - just a bus ... And, despite, to put it mildly, unusual dimensions and proportions, the Mega Cruiser is harmonious, as, indeed, almost all Japanese utilitarian equipment is harmonious. You won’t even understand if the car looks bulky or not? But it is almost the size of a GAZ-66, and the Toyota base is even longer by as much as 10 cm!
Myths and legends
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In search of facts about the history of creation, modifications, production volumes and other details related to Mega, I dug the World Wide Web for several days in a row. So, surprisingly little reliable information was found. Most of the mentions of this car came down to banal chatter on jeep forums: “Yes, yes, we know. This is such a Japanese copy of the Hummer.” And then it began ... But here's what is characteristic: in fact, this car can be considered a copy of the Hummer to the same extent as the Land Cruiser is a copy of the Jeep. Idea, purpose, general scheme of the chassis, but nothing more! Otherwise it's perfect original car, the technical study of which immediately refutes all assumptions about banal borrowing. But the most surprising thing is that Mega ... was never put into mass production. Yes, yes, these cars were collected randomly! We could not find exact official data on production volumes. According to one version, they were produced ... 140 pieces, and according to another - 500. Moreover, supporters of both figures appeal to Toyota's internal corporate reports, the texts of which could not be found. But there were two other no less curious documents - official announcements of service promotions. In one case, in April 2000, part of the machines was recalled to replace the engine control unit, in another, five years later, the lower ball joints. So, judging by the chassis numbers and production dates of the mentioned Mega Cruisers, as of September 25, 2001, 151 cars were produced.
With the starting point, too, everything is not at all clear. Most likely, this car began to be created at the turn of the 80-90s. Moreover, both military and civilian modifications were being developed at the same time. In 1993, the army version was put into production, and the civilian version was presented as a prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show. And then the unexpected happened: either the Japanese studied market prospects for a long time, or for some other reason, but the first commercial copy of this unique car was assembled only in January 1996. The Mega Cruiser was released for a short time, and nothing was invented to replace it. last car collected, most likely, in 2002, although according to some sources, the assembly of Mega was stopped somewhere between 2001 and 2005 ...
Flour export
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Contrary to popular belief, the BXD-20 variant was conceived precisely as civilian car and not only for the domestic market. So, in 1997, it was presented at the Melbourne Motor Show to consider the possibility of deliveries to the Australian market. The press of the Green Continent then wrote about this as a matter of almost solved, and also mentioned the intention of the Japanese to bring Mega to the US market. But something didn't work out. Either the authorities gave an export ban, considering this “technique dual purpose"a strategic product, or Toyota marketers themselves, for some reason, considered entering foreign markets inappropriate, but officially Mega has never been sold anywhere abroad. Perhaps this fact and the well-known Japanese export ban are purely military equipment gave rise to the widespread opinion among us that the Mega is also a “travel restricted” car. So, I did not find any official confirmation of this. On the contrary, on European and American sites, advertisements for the sale of cars freshly imported from Japan periodically flash. Moreover, one of the Dutch firms even posted an announcement about accepting orders for the supply of Mega Cruiser. And the hero of our test got to Russia very simply: he was brought from Japan through one of the Finnish companies. Little of, original spare parts for a car can be ordered in Russia in an official way. So the legal problems with the export of Mega are most likely far-fetched. Another thing is that such cars are rare in themselves, and so are the prices... Despite the fact that new cars in Japan cost about $ 90,000 in terms of the yen of those years, now they have practically not lost in price. So think...
It is reliably known that the Mega Cruiser is in Australia, South Africa, the USA, Germany, France and, possibly, Italy. There are two of them in Russia - another car has been driving around Vladivostok for several years. There are two cars in Kazakhstan, and two are on the way there (in the United Arab Emirates they are now changing the position of the steering wheel), another Mega, according to unconfirmed reports, runs somewhere in Western Ukraine.
Japanese mosaic
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Anyone who has ever looked into the Hummer H1 or seen photos of its interior must have been surprised by the internal tightness with such huge external dimensions. Opening the door of the Mega Cruiser, I was ready for something like this. But it was spacious inside! And even the notorious transmission tunnel here almost does not protrude above the floor, which in turn made it possible to make the rear row of seats four-seater. Right on this tunnel there is a double sofa with a folding back, and at the edges of it there is a separate chair with adjustable tilt (exactly the same ones are in front). But the pilot and navigator are separated by an impressive “table” that hides an air conditioner and an audio system. By the way, thanks to the rather cool weather that stood out during the days of the test, a peculiarity of the heater was found out, which is more typical for trucks: the “stove” directs the streams of warm air to the legs and to the windshield. Deflectors, blowing in the face, are designed for ventilation and take air from the street, bypassing the stove radiator. And now attention! Anyone who had a chance to ride a Toyota in the early 90s will surely be addicted to the game of “find a familiar part”. Buttons, handles, lamps, deflectors, stove sliders, steering wheel - all this migrated to the Mega salon from the mass models of the corporation. Moreover, judging by the design of the sled, the seats are borrowed from some minibus or cabover truck. They even retain the mechanism that tilts the back forward, although there is no objective need for it on the five-door Mega. It is pleasantly surprising that all this mosaic is chosen in an exceptionally convenient way. Careful study of ergonomics is characterized by a simple trifle: a crossbar-footrest for the front passenger.
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Everyone will sit down
The roof of the car is welded from three sections. In the middle there is an oval bulge - just above the same rear sofa, so that those sitting on it do not hit their heads against the ceiling. Thanks to this, two tall people are easily accommodated here, although it will be difficult for them to travel long distances: their knees are pressed to their chin. But everyone sitting in separate armchairs feels good and at ease, regardless of their build. Due to the fact that the second row is located slightly higher than the first, rear passengers don't feel "shackled". But the front seats are too low. For a driver of average height, this makes it difficult to see and makes it difficult to accurately assess the dimensions of the car. But at the same time, a person of almost any height and physique can find a comfortable driving position for himself (and this is without a single adjustment of the column)!
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The Mega trunk is just some kind of mega trunk. Just imagine: as many as three cubic meters of loading space! With a width of 2.05 m, it allows you to arrange a magnificent spacious “sleeping bag” for two or even three inside. And the back of the sofa here will have to be folded only to transport some bulky long length. For example, a two-chamber refrigerator. By the way, for the "control" loading of the Mega Cruiser, for the first time in all, we are too long history our publication has exhausted almost the entire supply of "test" boxes: only the notorious "plasma panel" did not fit inside.
Hinged parts
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I would gladly include the “open the Mega hood” exercise among the “everyday” tasks for quick wits and dexterity. I am sure that half of the subjects, having unfastened the external latches, would have pulled it until something was broken off. And those who would find hidden under dashboard the inner handle of the third lock, they would have been looking for a point of application of force for a long time in order to single-handedly raise a huge and flexible fiberglass "sail". Again, contrary to popular belief, the hood is the only plastic exterior panel on this car. Everything else is steel sheet.
The spare wheel bracket is just a small masterpiece of technical thought. More precisely, not at all small. That is why massive loops are located on the body. Obviously inside the box rear corner there is a very powerful amplifier to which they are attached. At least for all the years of operation of this car, a huge (37x12.5R17.5) "reserve" could not squander them. As a result, the bracket slams shut like new. And it opens the same way. As for the cable drive of the lock brought up, it is really very convenient. You especially begin to appreciate it when the car falls through the bumper into the mud - to open the trunk, you do not have to get your hands dirty. But that is not all! The bracket is equipped with a locking pin on a special cord (so as not to get lost), preventing accidental slamming of the “gate”, and a manual chain hoist for lifting and lowering a heavy wheel.
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Complete management
Toyota Mega Cruiser is one of the few mass-produced cars in which the wheels of both axles are steerable. When you turn the steering wheel, the rear automatically turn in the opposite direction relative to the front, thereby significantly reducing the turning circle. As a result, it is only 11.2 m, which is three meters less than any long wheelbase Land Cruiser! Yes, at first the steering of the rear wheels gives the driver the feeling of moving in a constant skid. But you quickly get used to it. Riding around the site and watching, we noticed that the system is activated when any “driving” gear is turned on in the box, it works both in place and on the go, while the angle of rotation of the rear wheels does not depend on speed. It turns off when it reaches 40 km / h or when the selector is switched to "parking". In the latter case, the inverted wheels abruptly, jerkily, return to the straight position. The reverse is also true: when shifting into gear with the steering wheel turned out, the rear wheels immediately tend to turn right on the spot. In general, we were eager to get under the car to study the steering in detail, which we did immediately after the traditional weighing and measurements. I must say, we have long understood the plexus of tubes, rods and wires. The connection turned out to be difficult: it has mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components. At the same time, everything, as in the case of interior design, is assembled for the most part from simple and mass elements. A control rod is laid from the front bipod to the rear steering gearbox, or rather, a whole system of rods and hinges, ending with a cable mechanism and a distributor that turns the reciprocating motion into rotational. This system only sets the direction and angle of rotation of the wheels. The entire power unit is built on hydraulics, driven by the power steering pump and connecting two steering gears. In the middle of this line there is a disconnect valve, the control of which is connected with the "brains" of the box. Including, apparently, with the speed sensor in it.
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In general, having looked at how the steering is arranged, we doubted that moving the steering wheel to the left side (planned by the owner of the car) would be appropriate. Too much will have to be repackaged and redone to maintain "full controllability".
Search for familiar aggregates
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In addition to the secrets of the steering mechanism, a look from viewing hole revealed many other interesting details. The undercarriage looks lighter, simpler and much more maintainable than the Hummer. But for all its visual lightness, it leaves an impression of strength, reliability and practicality. Despite the absence of sheet protection, all elements are arranged in such a way that it will be problematic to damage them off-road, and at the same time, virtually everywhere there is convenient access for repair and maintenance. Something like this should look like the bottom "correct off road vehicle”, capable of long and hard work!
Both suspensions are made according to an independent scheme on double transverse levers, while the levers are interchangeable diagonally. Incredibly long torsion bars (1.3 m - front and 1.6 m - rear) were used as elastic elements, which made it possible to achieve absolutely fantastic vertical moves for an independent scheme.
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And the creators of the car perfectly calculated the optimal ratio between ground clearance, the height of the center of gravity and the usable volume of the cabin. In addition, the transmission turned out to be quite compact for such a car. By the way, we found a suspiciously close similarity between the gearbox and the gearbox with similar units of the Land Cruiser 80. True, there were “extra” details on the “razdatka”: cooling fins and a miniature parking brake drum. The crankcases of the main gears, the same front and rear, did not cause such associations in any of us, but they, quite possibly, were also borrowed from some commercial vehicles for the domestic market. But we met the electric drives of interaxle locks as good friends. By the way, the differentials of the Mega have a very unusual design - in them, hard forced locks get along perfectly with worm "self-blocks"! So far, I have never come across such a set.
Increase ground clearance, and at the same time the total gear ratio of the transmission is given by final drives. In all the technical descriptions found on the Internet, their gear ratio is indicated as 1.69. However, in the manual attached to the tested car, we found different data: 1.86 and final drive 5.838. It is possible that the machines different years gear ratios varied.
As for the engine, all Mega Cruisers are equipped with a four-cylinder 15VFTE turbodiesel with a volume of 4.1 liters. This sixteen-valve engine with an intercooler is quite common. They are equipped with light trucks and buses of Toyota and Hino. At first, its power was equal to 155 hp, and since 1999, 170-strong units have gone, developing this power at 3000 rpm. At the same time, the torque shelf of 430 Nm starts at 1600 rpm.
| Specifications Toyota Mega Cruiser BXD-20 (manufacturer data) | |
|---|---|
| body type | station wagon |
| Number of doors / seats | 5 / 6 |
| Engine: model, type | 15B-FTE, turbocharged diesel, L4 16V |
| Engine: volume, cm3 | 4104 |
| Maximum power, hp [email protected] rpm | [email protected] 3000 |
| Torque, Nm @ rpm | [email protected] 1600 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic transmission |
| type of drive | Permanent full with three locking differentials |
| Front suspension | |
| Rear suspension | Independent double-lever on longitudinal torsion bars |
| Turning diameter, m | 11,2 (11,56*) |
| Acceleration up to 100 km/h, s | 27 (26,5*) |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 130 (131*) |
| Declared fuel consumption at 60 km/h, l per 100 km | 10,75 |
| Volume fuel tank, l | 110 |
| Maximum power reserve, km | 1000 |
| Curb / full weight, kg | 2900 / 3830 |
* ORD measurements
asphalt hero
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The fact that the Mega Cruiser is not designed for tight city streets becomes clear as soon as you get behind the wheel. Even getting used to its width, you have to be extremely careful when maneuvering. The fact is that the fully controlled scheme (in the form in which it is implemented here), while reducing the turning radius, at the same time worsens ... the accuracy of the maneuver. Firstly, due to the fact that the corners of the body run along a larger radius than the tires, and therefore they have to be tracked with special care. But due to the features of visibility and the impressive width of the body, this is very difficult to do. But it is even more difficult to maneuver in reverse in a limited space: it seems that the rear wheels have a life of their own. Constantly spinning, they, for example, do not allow you to park close to the sidewalk in a narrow gap between cars. As a result, for an accurate maneuver, you often want to block the rear steering wheel, but, alas, in this option construction is impossible.
However, until it comes to U-turns in a cramped yard, the car behaves quite adequately and obediently. Even at speeds above 40 km/h, when the rear swing mechanism is locked, it remains very responsive to the steering wheel. It is difficult to call it “sharp” - all the same, four turns of the steering wheel from lock to lock, but in general it demonstrates a very clear and fast response. In sharp maneuvers, the car remains accurate and obedient, but the driver begins to confuse strong (I would even say frightening) body roll very early. From the inside, it looks like the slide is about to begin, but all four wheels continue to maintain excellent traction, and the car cleanly completes the initiated maneuver. Approximately in this mode, we went through a standard 20-meter "rearrangement" starting somewhere from 50 to 75 km / h, when the car nevertheless fell off the trajectory.
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To be honest, I was ready for the fact that the car would be super comfortable on broken roads. But still, I was surprised how easily and naturally the Mega "fell" along the bumpy cobblestone, maintaining full contact with the surface. At the same time, the speed was quite acceptable 70 km / h. By the way, getting from Moscow to the auto-proving ground, we noticed that the speed and dynamic qualities of the car are quite consistent with its purpose. They are sufficient to calmly and “without tension” stay in the stream (there are also enough brakes), only all overtaking on a narrow highway has to be calculated in advance. In general, everything is in order. At the same time, our measurements confirmed that this instance with a mileage of 90 thousand kilometers perfectly matches the factory data: 26.5 seconds to “hundreds” and 131 km / h of maximum speed!
Evgeny SPERANSKY Drive expert of ORD magazine
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Banks seem larger than they really are
The Mega Cruiser has two interesting features that take some getting used to. Firstly, here, with a rather large overall width of the car, suspensions on rather long levers are used, therefore, in dynamics, when maneuvering, the driver feels large rolls. Shifting the steering wheel and forcing the car to roll, he then rises, then falls. At the same time, the real roll is small in angle, but due to the large width of the body, the vertical travel of the driver's seat is large. You need a habit to confidently move with just such a buildup of the body. In general, the car shows a fairly high reaction in driving, the turn is well implemented. But here a second unpleasant moment appears: at a speed of 40 km / h, the nature of the sensitivity of the car to turning the steering wheel changes dramatically. At low speeds, the reaction is excessively high due to the fact that the rear wheels turn the car. Without habit, the driver is somewhat ahead of the reaction of the car, that is, when turning, he oversteers a little. But this is easily compensated by control actions. And when going through 40 km / h, the car's sensitivity to the turn changes from oversteer to normal understeer, and this transition zone is unpleasant.
In his element
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As usual, we started the off-road part of the test with alternating obstacles, but finished it very quickly - it became boring. . And since we were looking for it among the dunes of the sand quarry, we continued our program with rides up the loose sand. So, blow off the wheels - and forward. Bleeding the pressure in the tires, as well as their subsequent inflation, had to be done in the most usual way: not all Megas had a centralized pressure control system installed. But theoretically, the car can be retrofitted with this system: we found all the attachment points of its elements and even the wiring of the compressor, which should be located in the right niche behind the rear wheel arch.
So, there are 1.2 atmospheres in the tires ... The first test run - without turning on anything in the transmission and at the smallest speed. Mega rises to the middle of the mountain and begins to dig into the ground. Now the same thing, but on the second lower one. The icon on the panel shows that when the "lower" is turned on, the central differential is automatically blocked. I keep even low gas, so as not to break the wheels into axle boxes, but still the car stops in the middle of the climb. An attempt to enter the course and with acceleration gives the same result. However, it is not surprising: no one has yet reached the top in this place. At the same time, while the car is moving, the worm self-blocks work in such a way that it seems from the outside: forced locks are on.
We found the difference in blocking efficiency on clay, when crossing deep slippery ruts, and on bumpy grassy climbs. With a fully locked transmission, the car behaved more confidently in these situations. In the ruts, by the way, one more funny property appeared. The rear control helps straight-line movement along a deep rut when there is not enough clearance: turning the steering wheel in any direction - and two pairs of inverted wheels begin, clinging to the sides, to drag the car forward. But getting out of the rut for the same reason is more difficult. Resting against opposite edges, the car tried to stand across, but the high sides did not allow it to do so. However, at some point, the wheels were able to catch on to something, and the car jumped out of the rut. But it was too early to rejoice - Mega got up just across the road and refused to move anywhere further. Pushing her out of the trap, even the three of us, was an impossible task, and therefore had to follow the cable.
Be in a car mud tires, quite possibly, she would have moved even more confidently. In the end, the tactics of driving along the ruts were unequivocally determined: clearly follow the tracks to the bitter end, especially since there is no need to worry about the lack of ground clearance. But if you need to cross the track or get out on the sides, you will have to very carefully “wave” the steering wheel, pre-planning the entry and exit points, and use inertia. However, even if you fail to taxi the first time, Mega always leaves a chance for a second attempt: to land this car on a country road is a whole art.
At the bottom
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I must say that our open water test swamp is not only the most difficult, but also the most honorable "special section". Only those vehicles are included here, in the outstanding cross-country ability of which we are certainly sure. Few things left here on their own (well, maybe a couple of trophy prototypes of the TP3 class) ... No, there were doubts that Mega would be able to drive here freely, and not without reason. Firstly, tires with by no means a mud tread pattern were embarrassing, and secondly, the fairly high mass of the car. But only practice is the criterion of truth. That is why I lower the pressure in the tires to 0.8 atmospheres and go to the swamp along the rut broken by my predecessors. Alas, it turns out to be viscous and deep, and therefore after seven meters the car stops, noticeably listing to the right side. The lower edge of the door is under water, but the seal holds. A trickle of water begins to fill the pilot's compartment only after a few minutes. In general, we unwind the cable of the rear winch and leave. The second attempt was more successful. Having let the track past the wheels, pressing my left side against the bushes and keeping the transmission in the second low mode, I finally gained some freedom of movement.
Carefully working the gas pedal and carefully choosing the route through the willow growth sticking out of the water, I was even able to start after stopping at a depth. The car confidently drove on and got just before the start. open water swampy lake. And then … summed up the width of the body. I did not want to take to the left and wade through the hard branches of the bushes, but the depth began on the right. When my corner of the hood began to go under the water, I had to stop and turn on the back. But back managed to "roll back" only half a meter - Mega villages. While the winch was being unwound, while the extension was being pulled out and the cables were being hooked, water had accumulated above the level of the driver's seat ... Only one thing was pleasing: all the breathers of the transmission units were normally brought up, and therefore, the risk for gearboxes and gearboxes was minimal. True, this was done in such a way that in the event of a flood, the hose of the front right wheel gear could also be below the water level. But, as the subsequent oil check showed, everything worked out.
And then we went to storm the next obstacle. A narrow but deep stream (or rather, a meliorative ditch) in the middle of a dried-up grassy swamp seemed to us quite a worthy and real obstacle. However, getting there along a very narrow winding path through the forest proved to be no less difficult. A couple of times the car simply did not fit into the oversized bend of the road and required considerable skill in order not to peel off the body on the trees. But the brook itself, on the contrary, did not become a serious obstacle for Mega. After a couple of trips back and forth, I became so bold and got used to the terrain that I specifically found a trajectory to get a “diagonal” and hang it in the air rear wheel. Having stopped in this position, the car did not want to move on the unlocked differentials. I had to turn on the rear lock, after which Mega left as if nothing had happened. This ditch was able to stop the miracle of Japanese technology only when the car hit it with two front wheels and corny bumper rested on the shore.
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Social Significance The longer I talked with the Toyota Mega Cruiser, the stronger my conviction became that this is how the heir to the Ulyanovsk “loaf” should look like. It was in Japan that they did not know where to attach such a car and where to drive it, and therefore, out of hopelessness, they sent it to the dustbin of history. And in Russia there would be no price for him. Moreover, Mega would immediately receive the status of a socially significant transport. Expensive, of course, but what a set of consumer qualities, and even with phenomenal reliability! But mass production and domestic assembly would lower the cost. Okay, we persuaded, for a greater reduction in cost, you can even abandon the “rear steering wheel”. In the end it doesn't matter that much. But what could be an "ambulance" for the rural hinterland! Or an all-weather minibus for the Far North, a car shop, mobile transport for scientific expeditions ... Well, lovers of extreme travel would have elevated this Toyota to the rank of a cult car. Or maybe it’s worth becoming like the Chinese and ... copying? ..
text: Evgeny KONSTANTINOV
photo: Alexander DAVIDYUK
Alexey VASILEV
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Combat (Kukidosha)
All arguments about the existence of several thousand Mega Cruisers are quite naive, but at the same time they are still not without foundation. The fact is that Mega, which has a factory index BXD-20, is built on the same chassis with the light multi-purpose army transporter Toyota HMV Kukidosha (index BXD10), which was put into service in 1993. The machine is less known, but much more common. From Mega, it is primarily distinguished by a simplified three-door ten-seater body with an awning and benches along the sides. Of course, there is no question of any air conditioning or audio system, the entire interior trim consists of paint for metal and leatherette “stools”. There is no spare wheel, but there are regular mounts for the crew's personal weapons, a place for a backup canister and additional springs in rear suspension wrapped around shock absorbers. A centralized paging system is required. In this version, this vehicle with a carrying capacity of one and a half tons is used both for transporting soldiers and as a tractor for field artillery. Mortars, recoilless rifles and other weapons are also installed on it. Moreover, on the same chassis, there is another vehicle used by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces - a cargo cabover with the BXD-30 index, which most often acts as an auxiliary transport vehicle with an onboard platform, less often - as a medical van. It is interesting that exactly the same cabover cab is installed on another chassis with dependent suspensions of both axles. Both the BXD-10 and BXD-30 are still in service today, doing their job well.
