History of the famous Toyota Land Cruiser:
The famous Toyota Land Cruiser is group of tough 4×4 – four wheel drive vehicles designed and manufactured by the Japanese auto maker Toyota Motor Corporation. The Land Cruiser “Series” is the longest running series in Toyota history.
Starting design and development in 1951, Toyota‘s version of a Jeep-“style” vehicle was born. Production of the vehicle started in 1954 and the rest is history. The Land Cruiser series had a breed of options; convertible, hardtop, station wagon, and utility truck versions. The Land Cruiser‘s renowned reliability and durability has led to its massive success. Toyota has been known to utilize the Australian outback to extensively test the Land Cruiser. This area is considered to be one of the most vigorous operating environments in the world. The Toyota Land Cruiser’s competitors include the Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero and Nissan Patrol.
See some classic/historic brochures, manuals and ads. Watch the History Video of the Toyota Land Cruiser: http://www.youtube Old Video
Mr. Sakichi Toyoda
• Sakichi Toyoda is referred to as the “King of Japanese Inventors”. Toyoda founded the “Toyota Industries Co., Ltd..” among many inventions in 1933, to which he dedicated his entire career too. • Born February 14, 1867 in Japan, and passed October 30, 1930 in Japan. • Sakichi Toyoda is a Japanese inventor and industrialist. He was born in Kosai, Shizuoka.
• Toyota Motor Corporation was founded in September 1933 as a division of Automatic Weaving Factory car Toyota. The company’s car division separated on August 27, 1937 to create the Toyota Motor Corporation as we know it today.
In the Beginning and BJ Series
• 1935 The first Toyota truck, the model G1 is built for sale in Japan. • 1950 – The Korean War created demand for a military light utility vehicle. The war put a Jeep on Japan’s doorstep. The United States government ordered 100 vehicles with the new Willys specs and Toyota was asked to build them. Toyota took this request very seriously. During the war Toyota had produced a 4WD vehicle named the AK10 for the Japanese army.
• 1951 – The Toyota Jeep BJ prototype was developed. This came from the demand for military-type utility vehicles, much like the British Land Rover Series 1 that appeared in 1948. The BJ was larger than the original U.S. Jeep and more powerful thanks to its Type B 3.4 L six-cylinder OHV Gasoline engine, which generated 63 kW (86 PS; 84 hp) at 3600 rpm and 215 N·m (159 lb·ft) torque at 1600 rpm. It had a part-time four-wheel drive system like the Jeep. Unlike the Jeep, however, the BJ had no low-range transfer case. It had a two piece windscreen and a vertically ribbed front grill.
• 1951 – In July 1951, Toyota’s test driver Ichiro Taira drove the next generation of the BJ prototype up to the sixth stage of Mount Fuji, the first vehicle to climb that high. The test was overseen by the National Police Agency (NPA). Impressed by this feat, the NPA quickly placed an order for 289 of these off road vehicles, making the BJ their official patrol car.
• 1953 – Regular production of the “Toyota BJ” began at Toyota Honsya Plant (Rolling chassis assembly), and body assembly and painting was done at Arakawa Bankin Kogyo KK.
The name “Land Cruiser” was created by the technical director Hanji Umehara. “In England we had another competitor – Land Rover. I had to come up with a name for our car that would not sound less dignified than those of our competitors. That is why I decided to call it ‘Land Cruiser’,” he recalls. The name had already been used on the US Studebaker Land Cruiser car from 1934 to 1954 but this didn’t cause any problems.
• 1954 – The 93 kW (126 PS; 125 hp), 3.9 L Type F gasoline engine added for the fire-engine chassis.
| Production | 1951–1955 BJ Series |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan (ARACO) |
| Body style | 2-door Softtop |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | Petrol: 3.4 L I6 B petrol 3.9 L I6 F petrol |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm (104.3 in) |
20 Series
• 1955 – The Second generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser, the 20 Series, was introduced. It was designed to have more civilian appeal than the previous BJ. It also had a more stylish body and an upgraded suspension, thanks to longer four-plate leaf springs, which had been adopted from the
Toyota Light Truck. It had a more powerful 135 PS (99 kW) 3.9 L six-cylinder Type F gasoline engine, but still only had a three speed gearbox. The vehicle interior was made more comfortable by moving the engine 120 mm (4.7 in) forward. The 20 Seri20 Series still had no low range, but it had synchromesh on the third and fourth gears.
• 1958 – The first Station wagon Land Cruiser was introduced to the U.S. as a 2-door utility vehicle. with a longer 2,650 mm (104.3 in) wheelbase (the FJ35V; wagon and van).
The FJ25 production started in Brazil, being the first Toyota vehicle built outside of Japan. Toyota introduces the FJ 25 Land Cruiser to the U.S. It cam standard with canvas top, safety straps, four shock absorbers, windshield wipers, flashing turn signals, a spare tire and a tool kit.
• 1959 – A 4-door Station Wagon was added as the FJ35V. Land Cruisers were first imported into Australia by B&D Motors as FJ25/28 cab chassis with Australian made bodies.They were the first Japanese cars to be regularly exported to the country.
| Production | 1955–1960 20 Series |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan (ARACO) |
| Body style | 2-door Topless: 2-door Soft top: 2-door Hard top: 2-door pickup truck 4-door Station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | Petrol: 3.4 L I6 B petrol 3.9 L I6 F petrol |
| Wheelbase | 2,285 mm (90.0 in) 2,430 mm (95.7 in) 2,650 mm (104.3 in) |
More Technical Specifications found here.
40 Series
• 1960 – The 20 Series Land Cruiser was upgraded to the now classic 40 Series. Toyota made many production upgrades, such as investing in new steel presses. Mechanically, the FJ40 was given a new 93 kW (126 PS; 125 hp), 3.9 L F engine and received low-range gearing, however, continued to use the three speed gearbox. The Brazilian model was re-branded as the Bandeirante and received a Mercedes-Benz built Diesel engine generating 58 kW (79 PS; 78 hp). it cam as a hard-top and canvas-top.
• 1963 – Two models, the FJ 40 2-seater, and the FJ 45 pickup truck compete head-to-head with the International Scout, Willey’s C.J.5 Jeep, and Land Rover. The Land Cruiser rejuvenates the segment by being the only off road vehicle that can go 85 mph while the competition tops out at 55 mph. Toyota
sells 1,056 Land Cruisers in the U.S.
• 1965 – Global production surpassed 50,000 vehicles. The Land Cruiser was the best selling Toyota in the United States.
• By 1973 – The 300,000th Land Cruiser was sold worldwide.
And the first diesel Land Cruiser was introduced for export.
• 1974 – A four-cylinder 3.0 L, B diesel engine was offered. The introduction of this engine boosted the sales in Japan, by putting the Land Cruiser in a lower tax category than its 3.9 L gasoline version. Note: the new B diesel engine was different from the B gasoline engine used in the original BJ.
• 1975 – The 3.9 L gasoline engine was replaced by a larger, more powerful 4.2 L 2F unit.
The FJ55 received front disc brakes.
The 3.6 L H diesel engine was optional in some markets in the HJ45.
• 1976 – United States-version FJ40 Land Cruisers received front disc brakes.
The 45 Series Troop Carrier “Troopie”, with a longer wheelbase than the 40, was introduced in to Australia. These were all soft top models with full hard doors.
• 1977 – The Irish Army received delivery of the first of 77 FJ45 Land Cruisers. Although fast, reliable and with good off-road performance, the type tended to rust excessively in the wet Irish climate. The few which did not succumb to the effects of weather were repainted in gloss olive green and survived as ceremonial gun tractors at military funerals.
• 1978 – The first BJ / FJ40 and FJ55 models were officially sold in West Germany, with both diesel (BJ40) and petrol engines (FJ40 /55).
• 1979 – United States-version FJ40s were updated with a new wider, square bezel surrounding the headlights.
Power steering and air conditioning were offered in the FJ40s for the first time.
The diesel engine was improved, evolving into the 3.2 L 2B (only in Japan). The FJ45 Diesel models were available mid 1979 when the H series, 6 cylinder diesel was introduced and the hard top HJ45 model arrived. It had 2 body options, 11 seat
capacity or 3 seater. The hardtop roof was full length made of fiberglass. All hardtops had “ambulance” rear doors, Nippondenso “factory under dash air-con” was an option.
• 1980 – The H diesel engine (HJ45) was replaced by the 4.0 L 2H engine (HJ47).
• 1981 – The Diesel version received front disc brakes and the more powerful 3.4 L 3B engine.
• 1983 – The last FJ40s were imported into the United States (models from mid 1982 to mid 1983). It is unknown how many were imported by Toyota, but many guess the number to be around 300. 1983 FJ40s typically bring a premium for their rarity, though they are not much different from 1982 models (mid 1981 to mid 1982).
| Production | 1960–1984 40 Series |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan Cumana, Venezuela |
| Body style | 2-door topless: 1961-1966 (FJ40) 2-door Soft top: 1961-1975 (FJ40) 2-door Hard top: 1961-1983 (FJ40) 2-door pickup truck: 1963-1967 (FJ45) 4-door Station wagon: 1963-1967 (FJ45) |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Engine | Petrol: 3.9L F I6 1961-1974 4.2L 2F I6 1975-1983 Diesel: 3.0L B diesel I4 3.2L 2B diesel I4 3.4L 3B diesel I4 3.6L H diesel I6 4.0L 2H diesel I6 |
| Wheelbase | 2,285 mm (90.0 in) 2,430 mm (95.7 in) 2,650 mm (104.3 in) 2,950 mm (116.1 in) |
| Length | 3,840.5 mm (151.2 in) |
| Width | 1,666.2 mm (65.6 in) |
| Height | Softtop 1,950.7 mm (76.8 in) Hardtop 2,000 mm (78.8 in) |
| Curb weight | Softtop 1,480 kg (3,263 lb) Hardtop 1,554 kg (3,427 lb) |
50 Series
• The 50 Series Land Cruiser was produced from 1967 to 1980. Toyota refers to the FJ55V as the first “real” station wagon in the Land Cruiser series. It was the first Land Cruiser to have fully enclosed box frame members. In the United States, this is the only model to not have the hatch and tailgate. It included a tailgate with an electrically operated rear window.
• 1967 – Production of the FJ55 began. The FJ55 was a 4-door station wagon version, based on the FJ40’s drive-train, replacing the 4-Door FJ45V (I). It was known as the “Moose”. It has also been referred to as a “Pig” or an “Iron Pig”. The FJ55 had a longer wheelbase at 2700 mm and was designed to be sold in North America and Australia.
• Jan. 1975 saw the F engine replaced by the 2F engine.
• Jan. 1975 – Jul. 1980 The Model 56 was only sold in Japan, with the 2F engine.
| Production | 1967–1980 50 Series |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan (ARACO) |
| Body style | 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Engine | Petrol: 3.9 L I6 F petrol 4.2 L I6 2F petrol |
| Transmission | 3 or 4-speed manual (J30, H41 or H42) |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in) |
| Length | 4,675 mm (184.1 in) |
| Width | 1,735 mm (68.3 in) |
| Height | 1,865 mm (73.4 in) |
60 Series
- The 60 Series Land Cruiser was produced from 1980 through 1990. It is a front engine, four door wagon which can seat five to eight people. Like all Land Cruiser Series, it is well known in the off-road/4×4 world for its abilities but was somewhat limited by its awkward departure angles.The 60 series was available in the following colours: Alpine White, Brown, Desert Beige, Freeborn Red, Royal Blue; and in the following metallic exterior colours: Charcoal Gray, Cognac, Gray-Blue, Rootbeer, Sky Blue, Stardust Silver. See: Colour codes.
- 1980 – The 60 series was introduced. While still retaining the rugged off-road characteristics of previous Land Cruisers, the 60 was designed to better compete in the emerging sport utility vehicle market. This model has added features, such as; air conditioning, a rear heater and an upgraded interior. The FJ60’s “2F” petrol engine was left unchanged from the “40” series while six-cylinder 4.0 L 2H and four-cylinder 3.4 L 3B diesel engines were added to the product line.
- 1982 -Tthe new HJ60 appeared. Not only did it have a larger engine (6-cylinder diesel), it came with a higher roof, a 5-speed transmission, electric moon roof, electric control mirrors and other luxury features. The FJ and the BJ evolved from the 60 to the 61-series, and a luxury model similar to the HJ was added to the BJ61.
- 1984 – The BJ60 with the 3B Diesel engine became available in Canada, then they were replaced with with the HJ60 with the 6 cylinder Diesel and a 5 speed transmission from 1985-1987.
- 1985 – The Direct-injection 2H-T and 3B-T turbodiesel engines were introduced.
- 1986 – Toyota introduced the 2H, a turbo diesel and called this model the HJ61.
- 1987 – The 62 Series Wagon was the updated version of the 60 series. Produced from 1987 to 1989. It can be distinguished from the 60 Series by the 2 pairs of rectangular headlights. It has the fuel injected 3.9 L 6 cylinder fuel injected 3F engine and was available only with an automatic transmission in North America.
- 1988 – The petrol engine was upgraded to a 4.0 L 3F-E EFI engine and had noticeable headlight changes. Earlier models used 2 front headlights, while newer models used 4. The FJ62G VX-Series was introduced allowing the Land Cruiser to be sold in Japan as a passenger vehicle.
| Production | 1980–1990 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan (ARACO) Cumana, Venezuela |
| Body style | 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Engine | Petrol: 4.2 L I6 2F petrol 4.0 L I6 3F petrol Diesel: 3.4 L I4 3B diesel 4.0 L I6 2H diesel Turbodiesel: 3.4 L I4 13B-T diesel turbo 4.0 L I6 12H-T diesel turbo |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual H41F or H42F 4-speed automatic A440F 5-speed manual H55F (non-US) |
| Wheelbase | 2,730 mm (107.5 in) |
| Length | 4,675 mm (184.1 in) |
| Width | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Height | 1,750 mm (68.9 in) |
70 Series
- In 1984 the 70 Series Land Cruiser was introduced. The 70 Series Heavy Duty was sold as a soft-top, hard-top, FRP top, utility, cab-chassis, and Troop Carrier (inward facing long rear seats).The gasoline engine was upgraded with a 4.0 L 3F engine. The 70 Series Light Duty had a four-wheel coil spring solid-axle suspension for a better ride. This lighter version of the Land Cruiser had the 22R 2.4 L gasoline engine, 2L and 2L-T ( turbo ) 2.4 L diesel engines which were commonly found in the Toyota Hilux. The 70 Series Light Duty was sold in some markets as the Bundera or the Land Cruiser II, later called the “70 Prado”. The 70 Prado eventually became popular and evolved into the 90 Series. An automatic transmission (A440F) was introduced making it the first four-wheel drive Japanese vehicle with an automatic transmission.
- 1987 – The turbo 3.9 L diesel engine was introduced, achieving 240hp at 4200rpm and 470nm torque at 3000rpm.
- 1990 – The new-generation diesel engines were introduced including a five-cylinder SOHC naturally aspirated motor (1PZ), and a six-cylinder SOHC naturally aspirated motor (1 HZ).
- 1993 to 1996 – the KZ 3.0 L turbo-charged diesel engine replaced the LJ in European markets, where this model was known as the KZJ70.
- 1993 – An advanced 24-valve, 4.5 L six-cylinder gasoline engine, 1FZ-FE was introduced.
- 1999 – Toyota updated the 70 Sseries in several ways; The solid front axle received a coil spring suspension. The rear leaf springs were lengthened for increased ride comfort and wheel travel. The six-bolt wheels were replaced with five-bolt wheels. Several smaller modifications to the drivetrain provided increased durability. The long-wheel-base models received new designations: 78 for the troop carrier, and 79 for the pick-up.
- 2002 – HDJ79 was introduced to Australia with the 1HD-FTE 4.2 L six-cylinder 24-valve turbodiesel EFI engine.
- 2007 – Toyota’s first turbodiesel V8 engine, and the 1VD-FTV was released in some countries. Other modifications include the addition of a 4-door medium-wheel-base model (the 76) and a significantly altered front look on all models.
- The Sixth and Seventh generations Land Cruisers are still being produced and sold in African and Latin American regions. Production in Venezuela ended in 2008.
- The 70 Series is also still marketed in Australia as 4-door wagon, 2-door ‘Troop Carrier’ and 2-door cab-chassis.
| Production | 1984–present |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan (ARACO) Cumana, Venezuela |
| Body style | 2-door pickup truck 2-door softtop / hardtop / troopie 4-door van |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Engine | Petrol: 2.4 L 22R petrol I4 4.0 L 3F petrol I6 4.5 L 1FZ petrol I6 Diesel: 2.4 L 2L diesel I4 3.4 L PZ diesel I5 4.0 L 2H diesel I6 4.2 L 1HZ diesel I6 Turbodiesel: 2.4 L 2L-T turbodiesel I4 2.5 L VM HR588 TD I5 (Italy)[12] 3.0 L 1KZ-T turbodiesel I4 3.4 L 13B-T turbodiesel I4 4.2 L 1HD turbodiesel I6 4.5 L 1VD turbodiesel V8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,310 mm (90.9 in) 2,600 mm (102.4 in) 2,730 mm (107.5 in) 2,980 mm (117.3 in) 3,180 mm (125.2 in) |
| Length | 4,995 mm (196.7 in) |
| Width | 1,870 mm (73.6 in) |
| Height | 2,070 mm (81.5 in) |
80 Series
- In 1989 the 80 series Toyota Land Cruiser was introduced. It had swing-out back doors, which were replaced by a winch door in 1994. The Land Cruiser was nicknamed the Burbuja (Bubble) in Colombia and Venezuela due to its roundness, but it was officially released as Land Cruiser Autana in both countries. The name is a reference to the Tepui mesa Autana, a spectacular plateau & cave system along the Guiana Shield craton. Land Cruiser sales now reached 2 million vehicles.
- 1990 – The 80 series station wagon was introduced, replacing the 60 series. All 80 series sold in North America and Europe now have a full-time, four-wheel drive system. In Japan, Africa and Australia, a part-time system was still available. 80s produced between 1990 and 1991 had an open center differential which was lockable in 4-HI and automatically locked in 4-LO. From 1992 onward, vehicles with anti-lock brakes had a viscous coupling that sent a maximum of 30% torque to the non-slipping axle. The differential was lockable in 4-HI and automatically locked in 4-LO.
- 1990 – A new generation of diesel engines were introduced, adding to the available engines in the 80 series. The 80 series came with either a (3F-E) six-cylinder petrol engine, a six-cylinder SOHC diesel engine, (1HZ), or a 1HD-T direct injection turbo diesel.
- 1991 – By mid 1991 the (3F-E) was introduced to the Australian market, a fuel injected version of the 3F.
- 1993 – An advanced 24-valve, 4.5 L six-cylinder petrol engine, 1FZ-FE was introduced. Larger brakes were added from October 1992 and the total wheelbase was made slightly longer. Front and rear axle lockers appeared as an option. The High Pinion Electric Locking front differential became available to the US models.
- 1994 – A limited edition Land Cruiser Blue Marlin FZJ80R was introduced into the Australian market. It has a 4.5 L straight 6 petrol motors with double-overhead cams, automatic or manual transmission and 158 kW (215 PS; 212 hp) at 4600 rpm. The car is blue, based on the the Blue Marlin fish, and they have the Blue Marlin logo throughout the vehicle. Some of the features that the Blue Marlin included were altimeters, power windows, disk brakes, leather shift knob and steering wheel, central locking, leather trim, chrome handles and sidesteps, 16″ alloy rims, limited-slip differential, anti-lock brakes (ABS), power steering, CD and cassette players, flares and a limited edition bull bar. Only 500 were made.
- 1995 – Driver and passenger airbags were introduced as were adjustable shoulder-belt anchors and an anti-lock braking system. The “T O Y O T A” badge was replaced with the modern Toyota logo (which is sometimes described as a “bean with a hat” aka “the sombrero”).
- 1996 – In the Dakar Rally, a pair of Land Cruisers finished first and second in the unmodified production class. All American and British 80s adopted anti-lock brakes and airbags as standard equipment. The Land Cruiser was withdrawn from Canada this year and was replaced by the Lexus LX 450.
- 1997 – A limited run of Land Cruiser 80s was built specifically for collectors and therefore called the Land Cruiser Collector’s Edition. The Collectors Edition sported Collectors Edition badging, “Collector’s Edition” embroidered floor mats, automatic climate control, wheels with the “D” windows painted dark grey and special grey side moldings, and black pearl badging. The Collectors Edition was only available for the 1997 model year and the package was added to many of the available body colors.
- 1997 – 4744 FZJ80 Land Cruisers were sold in the United States as “40th Anniversary Limited Edition” models. They were available in 2 colours; Antique Sage Pearl (Often referred to as Riverrock, Pewter or Grey) and Emerald Green. The 40th Anniversary models included apron badges, a serial number badge on the centre console, black pearl exterior badges, “40th Anniversary Limited Edition” embroidered floor mats, automatic climate control, two-tone tan and brown leather interiors and wheels with the “D” windows painted dark gray. Many were manufactured with the optional electric front and rear locking differentials, keyless entry, port-installed roof racks and running boards. There are some examples that did not have many of these extras. This is the last year for the electric locking front differentials.
- 2008 – Last 80-Series vehicle was built in Venezuela which was the only country producing the vehicles after production ended in Japan in 1997.
| Also called | Lexus LX 450 Toyota Land Cruiser Autana (COL, VEN) |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989–1997 |
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan (ARACO) Cumaná, Venezuela |
| Body style | 4-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine / four-wheel drive |
| Engine | Petrol: 4.0 L I6 3F-E petrol 4.5 L I6 1FZ petrol Diesel: 4.2 L I6 1HZ dieselTurbodiesel: 4.2 L I6 1HD diesel turbo |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm (112.2 in) |
| Length | 4,780 mm (188.2 in) (1990-94) 4,820 mm (189.8 in) (1995-97) |
| Width | 1,830 mm (72.0 in) (1990-91) 1,930 mm (76.0 in) (1992-97) |
| Height | 1,785 mm (70.3 in) (1990-91) 1,860 mm (73.2 in) (1992-94) 1,870 mm (73.6 in) (1995-97) |
| Curb weight | 2,084 kg (4,594 lb) (1990-92) 2,159 kg (4,760 lb) (1993-97) |
90 Series
- In 1996 the 90 Series was introduced. Alongside the 70 and 80, the 90 Prado was added. The 90 Prado was made by Tahara Plant, available as a 3-door short wheelbase and 5-door long wheelbase version with either the 5VZ-FE petrol engine (24-valve six-cylinder, 3.4 L), the 3RZ-FE (four-cylinder 2.7 L) petrol engine or the 1KZ-TE turbodiesel (four-cylinder 3.0 L) and 5L diesel (four-cylinder 3.0 L).
| Also called | Toyota Merú (Venezuela 2-Door), Toyota Land Cruiser SUMO (Colombia 2-door), Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado UK |
|---|---|
| Production | 1996–2002 |
| Assembly | Japan, Sofasa Colombia |
| Engine | Petrol: 3.4 L V6 5VZ petrol 2.7 L I4 3RZ petrol Diesel: 3.0 L I4 1KZ turbodiesel 3.0 L I4 5L diesel |
100 Series
- In January 1998, the 100 series Land Cruiser was introduced to replace the 8-year-old 80 series. The 100 series was previewed in October 1997 as the “Grand Cruiser” at the 32nd Tokyo Motor Show. Development began in 1992, with final design being approved in mid-1994.
There are two distinct versions of the 100-series, the “100” and the “105”. The two versions look very similar, but there are significant differences under the bodywork. Despite these differences and official model names, both the “100” and “105” are collectively known as the “100 series“. The “105” carried over the majority of its chassis and powertrain from the 80-series with coil suspended solid axles front and rear, and straight-6 petrol and diesel engines. These models were only sold in African, Australian, Russian and South American markets. The “100” models were fitted with a slightly wider chassis, independent front suspension (IFS) and two new engines. The change to IFS was a first for a Land Cruiser, and was made (in combination with rack-and-pinion steering) to improve on-road handling. However, it also limited the vehicle’s off-road capability and durability, hence the decision to offer the solid axle “105” models alongside the IFS “100” models in some markets. Although the “100” and “105” body designs are identical, there are some exterior visual differences between them. The first and most obvious is the front end of the vehicle appears lower than the rear on most “100” models, due to the IFS. The other indicator is the design of the wheels. The “100” models have almost flat wheel designs, while he “105” models have dished wheels. This difference allows the two versions to retain similar wheel tracks, even though the “100” has a significantly wider axle track to allow for the IFS system. The introduction of a V8 engine was also a first for a Land Cruiser, and was specifically intended to improve sales in the North-American market, where it was the only engine available. In Australia, the “100” V8 was initially only available in the range-topping GXV model, while entry and mid-range models were the “105” powered by the 1FZ-FE I6 petrol, or 1Hz diesel engines. The new 1HD-FTE turbo-diesel “100” was added to the Australian range in October 2000 after being available in Europe and the UK since launch in 1998. The “100” series formed the basis for the Lexus LX 470, which was also sold in Japan as the Toyota Cygnus. The “100” series was called the Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon in the UK and Ireland from 1998 to 2003. In 2000, Toyota celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Land Cruiser with commemorative models offered in several countries. Total global production to date was 3.72 million vehicles. The “100” series remained in production until late 2007, with several minor facelifts such as headlights, taillights, front grill, rear spoiler and specification changes introduced over the years.
| Also called | Lexus LX 470 Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon (UK 1998-2003) |
|---|---|
| Production | 1998-2007 |
| Model years | 1998-2007 |
| Assembly | Toyota City, Japan (ARACO) |
| Body style | 4-door SUV |
| Engine | Petrol: 4.7 L V8 2UZ petrol 4.5 L I6 1FZ petrol Diesel: 4.2 L I6 1HZ diesel Turbodiesel: 4.2 L I6 1HD-T diesel turbo 4.2 L I6 1HD-FTE diesel turbo |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic, 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm (112 in) |
| Length | 4,890 mm (193 in) |
| Width | 1,941 mm (76.4 in) |
| Height | 1,849 mm (72.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 2,320 kg (5,100 lb) |
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