Toyota · 1984–present

Toyota Land Cruiser (J70)

The 70 Series is a family of Toyota Land Cruiser models produced since 1984. It replaced the 25-year-old 40 Series as the off-road model of the Land Cruiser lineup, while the contemporary 60 Series developed into more comfortable luxury SUVs starting with the 80 Series. Despite major changes in styling and numerous technological updates, the 70 Series was designed to retain the off-road capabilities and durability associated with the 40 Series.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Toyota Land Cruiser (J40)|Toyota Bandeirante

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Model designations

Originally, model numbers 70 through 74 referred to the two-door short- and medium-wheelbase versions. These were the successors of the 40 Series, such as the FJ40. Model numbers 75, 78 and 79 referred to the long-wheelbase version, which was available in pickup and two-door troop carrier models. These were the successors of the less-well known long-wheelbase 40 Series, such as the FJ45. Models 77 and 76 are semi-long wheelbase four-door wagons offered in a few markets. In 1999, Toyota introduced several updates and changed the model designations, where the long-wheelbase models became the 78 (troop carrier) and 79 (pickup). In 2007, the 76 (four-door wagon) was added, while the new dual-cab models also share the 79 model designation (essentially the same chassis). Short-wheelbase models are only in production today for a few select markets. As with all Land Cruisers, the letters at the beginning of the model number designate the engine of the vehicle. Common engines in the 70 series include the 3F petrol engine (e.g., the FJ70), the 22R petrol engine (e.g. the RJ70/73 Bundera), the 2H diesel engine (e.g., the HJ75), the 1FZ petrol engine (e.g., the FZJ70/71/73/74/75/76/78/79), the 1PZ diesel engine (e.g., the PZJ70/73/77), the 1HZ diesel engine (e.g., the HZJ70/71/73/74/75/76/77/78/79), the 1HD diesel engine (e.g. the HDJ78/79), and most recently, the 1VD diesel engine (e.g., the VDJ76). For a while (1987 until at least 1992) the BJ73 hardtop was available in the Portuguese, Italian and Spanish markets with a VM five-cylinder HR588 2.5-litre turbodiesel — the "B" was used because the rest of the vehicle comes equipped with everything else a BJ70 has. These VM-powered Land Cruisers were built by Salvador Caetano in Portugal.

History

1984–1999: The 70 / 75 series Toyota Land Cruiser took over from the 40 / 45 series of workhorse four-wheel drives in 1984. The styling maintained a family resemblance to the 40 / 45 series but became more angular. The 70 / 71 series was the short-wheelbase (SWB), the 73 / 74 was the medium-wheelbase (MWB) and the 75 / 78 was the long-wheelbase (LWB). The latter came as cab-chassis/utility with a "panelled" tray (pickup), and "troop carrier" hard-top (HT). Toyota also manufactured lighter duty versions that shared the 70 Series designation from 1985 to 1996 and were marketed in various parts of the world initially as the Bundera, or Land Cruiser II and later as the Prado. Of these, the Prado name stuck, and each modification took it further from its 70 Series roots. Starting in 1997, the Prado was known as the 90 Series and had become a passenger 4x4 with no relation to the 70 Series. 1999: In August, the 70-series underwent its second facelift. The grille now had three horizontal bars with upturned ends, and the combination lights were made larger. In Japan, all 70-series were given a chrome grille. The pickup version was designated the 79 series, the Troop Carrier became the 78 series, and the short-wheelbase version was phased out in most markets. The principal mechanical changes were: coil spring (instead of leaf spring) live front axle; longer rear leaf springs; 5-bolt wheels instead of 6-bolt wheels; redesigned steering wheel; redesigned front indicators; and, in the cab-chassis, a longer wheelbase, which increased the rear storage capacity. 2004 Japanese market sales ended in June as the 70-series could not meet the NOx and particle matters law. 2007: The facelifted 70 Series began production in January for market release in late February / early March 2007. Chan

Features

The J70 Land Cruiser utility has two or four doors with steel doors; the front-clip styling remains much like that of the 40 Series. The grille can be mesh or can consist of three horizontal bars. There are three additional horizontal slots in a single line in the sheet metal under the grille. Front turn signals are square with triangular white lens elements underneath, and are affixed to the vertical edge of the front clip above the fenders and just outboard of each headlight. The top can be hard or soft. The doors are hard, with roll-up windows. Taillights are long, vertical rectangles inset low into the rear bodywork. Rear doors are paired swing-out 'barn doors'. The windscreens of some military versions will fold down to the bonnet. It is available in many forms, including a four-door semi-long (J77V → J76V), a pickup (J75P → J79P), and long-wheelbase utility wagon (J75V → J77V / J78V). With the exception of a few light-duty models that evolved into the Prado, all 70 Series Land Cruisers have solid leaf-sprung rear axles. The front solid axles were leaf-sprung until 1998, when Toyota decided in favour of a coil spring front suspension with leading arms, and a slightly lighter front axle. Also beginning in 1999 the rear leaf springs were extended to allow for greater wheel travel (articulation) and increased ride comfort. Most 70 Series Land Cruisers (both petrol and diesel models) use inline six-cylinder engines. The exceptions are the V8 diesel 1VD-FTV engine introduced in some markets in 2007, the V6 petrol 1GR-FE introduced in 2009, and the inline four diesel 1GD-FTV introduced in 2023, with the last straight-6 available being the diesel 1HZ for markets with less stringent emission rules such as Africa and Bolivia. Regardless of the engine, a 5-speed manual trans

Safety

== Militarised variants == Al-Thalab. In 1999, UK-based engineering company Jankel entered into a collaborative venture with the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau of Jordan ("KADDB"). The Jordan Light Vehicle Manufacturing (JLVM) joint-venture was an initial 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft) motor vehicle factory, to enable Jankel to reduce the cost of manufacture of its UK-engineered protective and light-combat vehicles. Soon after opening JLVM, Jankel began creating various up-armoured versions of the Land Cruiser 79 long wheelbase vehicle, and in 2000, secured a contract with the United Nations to provide protected versions of the Land Cruiser 79. In 2000, Jankel began designing a Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV) to provide a capable and reliable patrolling platform. The Land Cruiser 79 chassis base was chosen as it is: common in most countries worldwide; not overly reliant on electronic management systems; mechanical components are of a basic design, enabling field repairs with standard automotive parts; a high-chassis weight loading capability; resulting in a vehicle which could be sustained in-field over long periods in remote areas, with limited or no support. Designed for patrol missions, internal security, reconnaissance and border patrol forces, it was field tested in the UK and Jordan, and first produced from 2005. The Al-Thalab can in base form accommodate up to four crew members, 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) of equipment, and comes equipped with three firing bases, two base stations for radios and various power take-offs. There are options for: two stretchers in the rear for medical evacuation; medium range (1,500 km, 930 miles) and commando variants. Inspected in 2002 by QinetiQ, it was subsequently approved for sale to the UK Government. In 2004, the Jordanian A

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Toyota Land Cruiser (J70)

Manufacturer

Toyota

Production

1984–present

Assembly

Japan: Toyota City (formerly ARACO; current production by Toyota Auto Body at the Yoshiwara Plant), Colombia: Envigado, Colombia (SOFASA: 1993–2008), Portugal: Ovar, Venezuela: Cumaná

Class

Off-road full-size SUV, Full-size pickup truck

Body style

2-door and 4-door pickup truck, 3-door and 5-door wagon, 3-door troop carrier

Layout

Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Related

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (J70)

Transmission

4/5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic (2023–present)

Wheelbase

2310 mm, 2600 mm, 2730 mm, 2980 mm, 3180 mm

Length

4995 mm (SWB), 5245 mm (LWB)

Width

1790-1870 mm

Height

1955 mm, 2070 mm

Predecessor

Toyota Land Cruiser (J40)

Model years

1985–present

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7830811CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Land_Cruiser_(J70)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376023119 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toyota_Land_Cruiser_(J7,_Facelift)_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht,_3._M%C3%A4rz_2014,_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 de · Photo: M 93 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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