Japanese Hummer: 2000 Toyota BXD10 Mega Cruiser

Some classics have you struggling for a description, which is the case with this 2000 Toyota BXD10 Mega Cruiser. It is the largest off-roader produced by Toyota and rivals the legendary Hummer H1 with almost every dimension. This vehicle started a career in the military before finding its way to Australia to serve in the 2021 movie “Kong Vs. Godzilla.” It now needs a new home and an owner willing to investigate whether it is possible to return it to a place on our roads. The Mega Cruiser is listed here at Lloyds Auctioneers & Valuers in Carrara, Queensland, Australia. Bidding sits at A$31,000 (US$21,000), with plenty of time remaining on the listing.

Toyota produced the Mega Cruiser for civilian and military use, and the seller claims the company built 2,420 vehicles before ceasing production. This former military example fell into civilian use once its tour of duty ended, and it did see service in the film industry. I undertook some research, and I believe it served as crew transport rather than achieving a starring role on the silver screen. It found its way to a company that offered tank and military vehicle ride experiences before coming to auction. Before we delve into the specifics, it is worth throwing a tape measure over the Toyota to see how it compares with the 2000 Hummer H1. The overall length of the Hummer is 184½ inches, while the Cruiser measures 202 inches. The Hummer’s width is 86½ inches compared to the Toyota’s 85½. The wheelbase is comparable, with the Hummer measuring 130 inches to the Mega Cruiser’s 133½ inches. Our feature vehicle wears Drab Green paint reflecting its defense force heritage. It should also allow the new owner to blend in (sort of!) if they decide to tackle adventures in the great outdoors. The paint is very presentable, while the panels have no significant flaws or defects. There is no evidence of rust, and the glass looks good. Reflecting its design purpose, there is no exterior trim or chrome, as this would have been redundant on a vehicle with a focus on function.

The interior reflects the rest of the vehicle’s purpose because there are no luxury appointments like air conditioning, power windows, or a radio. Front seat occupants perch on relatively flat bucket seats featuring vinyl covers and limited lateral support. The seats may not look the most comfortable, but there is no shortage of elbow room. The seats represent the only padded or upholstered surfaces, with the rest of the interior featuring the same paint found outside this classic. Once again, the condition is pretty good, and there are no apparent needs.

While the front passenger area might only seat two, the rear makes up for lost time. With fold-down seating along both sides, there is space to accommodate twelve adults. If you have a large family or a crowd of hunting buddies, you’ll have plenty of room to take them wherever you like. The seller doesn’t supply photos of the seats in the “down” position, but it appears they feature the same vinyl as the front buckets. As with the front, the floors wear nothing but painted steel. It isn’t luxurious, but it is undeniably practical.

The only place the Mega Cruiser might be found wanting compared to the Hummer is engine performance. The Hummer’s 6.5-liter turbo diesel powerplant produces 194hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque to shift 7,154lbs. Powering the Toyota is a 4.2-liter turbo diesel that uses 136hp and 281 ft/lbs to move 6,283lbs. That may signal a clear win to the Hummer, but the Mega Cruiser has an ace up its sleeve. Both are big vehicles that could feel cumbersome in some environments. However, Toyota added four-wheel steering to the Cruiser, blessing it with improved maneuverability in those circumstances. It also features a four-speed automatic transmission, a dual-range transfer case, portal axles, diff locks for the front, rear, and central units, and an onboard air and tire pressure monitoring system. The seller offers no information on how it runs or drives, but Toyota’s toughness and an odometer reading of 76,000 miles mean the news should be positive.

It would be easy to argue that the new owner of this 2000 Toyota BXD10 Mega Cruiser will be on a winner when they park it in their driveway…provided it’s wide enough! They will climb behind the wheel of an off-roader possessing legendary Toyota toughness and reliability wrapped in a package that will seat the whole family and then some. The fact it is not eligible for use on Australian roads could prove an obstacle. Still, there are plenty of examples of the relevant authorities exempting non-conforming imports. It is a subject that would be worth investigating to see whether it is possible. Would you be willing to plow through the red tape to make that happen? If you choose to join the bidding war, I’d like to join our readers in wishing you good luck.