Toyota Land Cruiser: Our Analysis

In a time where trucks weren't big, beafy, and all that popular, the Land Cruiser was underappreciated. Thankfully, now is the time to take a step back and realize what they are.

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What is the Toyota Land Cruiser?

     Being Toyota’s longest running production series the Land Cruiser, a four wheel drive powerhouse, has gone through many iterations since production of civilian models started in 1951, when 90 units were produced. Not to be confused with the Studebaker Land Cruiser, Toyota has produced its Land Cruiser in convertible, station wagon, hardtop, and utility truck variations, and its legendary  dependability, ease of operation, and durability has made it hugely popular in markets such as Australia and Southern Africa. 

     Operating conditions in these markets are extremely demanding, both in terms of high temperatures and  rugged terrain, which makes the Land Cruiser the ideal vehicle in these markets. 

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Origin of the Toyota Land Cruiser.

     In 1941, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippines, they came across an abandoned Bantam Mk II Jeep, and lost no time in shipping it back to Japan with instructions for Toyota to copy it, but to make it look different for appearance’s sake, if nothing else.  Toyota promptly reverse engineered the Bantam Jeep, and came up with a prototype dubbed “Model AK”, which they soon after developed into what was called the “Yon-Shiki Kogata Kamotsu-Sha”, or the Type 4 Compact Cargo Truck.

     Initial tests of the Model AK prototype proved to be successful, upon which the Japanese military ordered Toyota to commence development of a military version. Further reverse engineering the Bantam Jeep, Toyota came up with the AK 10 prototype, which was powered by a 2259 cc engine from the Toyota Model AE, mated to a three-speed manual transmission with a transfer case that sported a low range gear set. 

     In terms of body work, the AK 10 had a fold-down windshield, flat  wheel arches like the much later FJ 40, on which the headlights were mounted, and an upright grille. Carrying capacity was 1000 pounds. However, few units were produced and even fewer saw active service, which makes war-time photographs of the AK 10 rare even in Japan, and thus valuable collector’s items.

     Soon after the war Toyota started production of a “Jeep-like” series of vehicles, known as the BJ series, but this vehicle was completely different from the AK 10, and shared no mechanical components with it.

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The Toyota Land Cruiser today.

     Although the Toyota Land Cruiser has gone through many iterations in its long and illustrious career, die-hard fans the world over are in agreement that the J80 series  produced during the 1990’s is by far the best of any series produced before or since, and although the 80 Series was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October of 1989, it was only released to the market in the first half of 1990. The first versions had a swing-out rear door, but this was replaced by a winch assisted door in 1994. Nicknamed “Burbuja”, or the Bubble, because of its rounded shape, the 80 Series was released as the  Land Cruiser “Autana” in both Venezuela and Colombia, with the name deriving from a spectacular geological formation in Guiana. Total sales of the 80 Series reached a respectable 2 million units worldwide. 


     However, the Land Cruiser 80 Series underwent continual development all through its production run, with some major technological advances to brakes, safety equipment, and cosmetic changes being introduced almost every year while it was in production. Below is a chronological list of major changes, innovations, and general improvements.

1991

• During the middle of 1991, a fuel injected version of the 3F engine, the 3F-E, was introduced into the Australian market. 
  

1992

• Larger brakes, and a longer wheel base become available on all variants.
  

1993

• The six-cylinder 1FZ-FE engine, an advanced 4.5 L  24-valve engine is introduced to all markets. 
• Front and rear diff locks become available as an optional extra. 
• In the American market, the High Pinion Electric Locking differential becomes available as an option.
• In May of 1993, Toyota introduces the more environmentally friendly R134 refrigerant in the air conditioners of new models in all markets. However, vehicles with serial numbers before JT3DJ81xxxxx38947 still use R12 as a refrigerant. This is important to note since the two refrigerants are not compatible. 
  

1994

• This year saw the introduction of the limited edition Blue Marlin (FZJ80R) variant into the Australian market. Only 500 Blue Marlin models were produced, and they offered significant improvements over the standard models. Some improvements included:
• Inline six-cylinder DOHC gasoline engines of 4.5 l capacity, producing 212 HP (158 kW) @ 4600 RPM. 
• Both automatic and manual transmissions were available.
• The edition was available only in the dark blue-gray color of the Blue marlin game fish.
• Some additional standard features included central locking, leather upholstery, disc brakes on all wheels, leather covered steering wheel and gear knob, ABS brakes, altimeters, 16” alloy wheels, power steering, chrome plated sidesteps and external handles, limited slip differentials, wheel arch flares, CD players, and to top it off, a custom made, limited edition bull bar.
  

1995

• In this year, all models in all markets had ABS brakes as optional extras, but all models received adjustable seat belt anchors, and driver/passenger air bags. In addition, the well known "T O Y O T A" badging was phased out, and replaced with the now equally well known Toyota logo that has been described as a “bean wearing a hat”, hence the nickname, “Sombrero”.
  

1996

• In the 1996 Dakar Rally, the first and second places for standard production vehicles were taken by a matched set  of two 80 Series Land Cruisers.
• In the American and British markets, all models were fitted with ABS brakes and airbags as standard equipment. 
• Also in this year, the Land Cruiser is replaced in Canada with the Lexus LX 450.  
  

 1997

• During this year, Toyota produced a run of special Collector’s Edition that sported amongst other features:
• Floor mats with a specially embroidered “”Collector’s Edition logo.
• Special “Collector’s Edition Badging on the body and interior.
• Automatic climate control.
• Custom made grey side moldings.
• Customized alloy rims
• Badging in black pearl.
• This edition was available only for the 1997 production year, but the exclusivity of the edition was rather spoiled by the fact that the special features were added to almost all available body colors, unlike the Australian edition that was only available in one color. 
  

1997

• Another limited Edition, known as the "40th Anniversary Limited Edition", is launched in the American market. This run consisted of only 4 744 units, and this time, they were available in only two colors- Antique Sage Pearl, and Emerald Green.
  
• A numbered badge on the centre console.
  
• Exterior badging in black pearl.
  
• Keyless entry.
  
• Running boards.
  
• Factory installed roof racks.
  
• Customised alloy rims.
  
• Automatic climate control.
  
• Specially  "40th Anniversary Limited Edition" embroidered logos on the floor mats.
  
• Optional electrically operated front and rear diff locks.
  

     However, some units did not have all the features listed here, and some had none apart from the exclusive body colors. 1997 also saw the end of electrically operated front diff locks on all models. 

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The End of the 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser.

     The last unit of this legendary vehicle was produced in 2008 in Venezuela, the only country in the world to produce the 80 Series outside of Japan, where production ceased in 1997.

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