Yesterday, I picked up a new 2021 Heritage Edition from Ed Martin
Toyota in Noblesville, Indiana. Thank you @Eric Sarjeant for finding
one for me, and for all the support you offer this forum!
Let’s get this first part out of the way for all of the HE naysayers
out there: Yes, I spent an extra $2300 for the Heritage to get LESS
stuff than the base model. And then yes, I turned around and removed
the emblem I paid extra for, will remove the MegaWarrior basket I
paid extra for, and added the OEM steps I paid extra to have
removed. Doesn’t make sense? It’s exactly what I want, though.
A lot of the appeal of the Land Cruiser is that no one recognizes it
for what it really is; especially here in the midwest. I was
originally going to remove the Heritage badging, too, but Eric and
my wife convinced me to leave it on. For now…
As mentioned in another thread, test driving a Land Cruiser three
months ago was the first time I’d driven one since 1977, when I
tried trading a VW Scirocco in on a 40. It has been one of the very
few vehicles I’ve lusted over for nearly 50 years, and with them
going away, it was time to take the plunge.
I’m 67 years old, and on average keep cars quite a while. I expect
the Land Cruiser will be my last primary vehicle. There may be a toy
here or there, but I already have a ’58 MGA Roadster for summer joy
rides. The crazy thing to consider, is that this Land Cruiser cost
more than 1000 times what I paid for my first car!
I’m coming from a 2016 4Runner Trail Premium, and among the first
things I did on it was KO2s and rock sliders. How I thought I’d use
it, and how I actually used it were different things altogether. So
this time, I’m going with the OEM steps and maybe later some tires
that are better all around than the Dunlops, and more comfortable
and quieter than the KO2s. Other than that, the truck is extremely
capable as is, and can go a lot more places that I’ll ever take it.
If I run into a situation where I need more, then I’ll consider
upgrades.
Starting Point:
• 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser
Heritage Edition
• Midnight Black Metallic
• Build Date: November 2, 2020
Dealer Installed Options:
• OEM Running Boards
• OEM Front Leveling Spacer
Interior Additions/Changes:
• Husky WeatherBeater front row
floor liners
• Cabin Filter Warning Sticker
• Canvasback Tailgate Cover
Exterior Additions/Changes:
• Removed Yakima MegaWarrior
Roof Basket
Suspension/Wheel/Tire Changes:
• Stock
Near Term Plans:
• 12V Power to rear storage
area
• Fridge in place of rear
passenger-side seat
• 2nd Row Resistor Modification
• Swap OEM Fog Lights with my
Baja Design Squadron-R Pro Amber Wide Driving Lights
• Hack some mounts for my
Raingler 4Runner full-length net
• Probably some stuff from the
"Under $100" thread
Other Gear (Carried over from previous vehicles):
• Road Shower 4 (May end up on
our Hiker Squareback Trailer)
• ARB 2500 Touring Awning (May
end up on our Hiker Squareback Trailer)
• QuickPitch Ensuite Shower
Enclosure
• Carista OBD2 Adapter
• MaxTrax Traction Mats
• Viair 450P Portable Air
Compressor
• Recovery Gear
• MurderSpork 
Possible Future Additions/Changes:
• Ceramic Coating
• Tires
• Red/White Underhood Lighting
• Red/White Liftgate Lighting
• Prinsu-Style Crossbars on OEM
Rails
• Matte Black Window Trim
• Maybe Debadge V8 and Heritage
Badge for more incognito appearance
Wishlist:
• Additional Heritage Edition
Wheel
• Long Range America Fuel Tank
w/upgraded pump and fuel lines
I have a National Luna 90 Twin fridge/freezer on a Tembo Tusk Jumbo
slide that was mounted on a DIY Goose Gear platform in the 4Runner,
and I used RIDGID storage boxes strapped down for gear instead of
permanent drawers. In the Land Cruiser, I’m going to try mounting
the fridge where the rear passenger seat is located without the
slide, leaving the rear more flexible for carrying large loads.
I’ll likely add some Prinsu-style crossbars to the roof rails
instead of a full-length Prinsu rack like on the 4Runner. (Thanks
@tbisaacs ) These will be for the ARB awning, Road Shower, and kayak
racks. We have a Hiker square-back trailer, so no need for a RTT or
an interior sleeping setup.
More photos and adventures will be added to this non-build thread as
they happen. Thanks to everyone here for the inspiration and
fantastic community!
[EDIT] 1/28/21 Reorganized list of additions/changes
[EDIT] 2/17/21 Removed "Corrosion Free Rust Preventative" as it is
annual maintenance, not modification or changes.
[EDIT] 2/28/21 Added Canvasback Tailgate Cover
(Just another bone-stock HE)