I have about a dozen friends who send me pictures of interesting cars they on the road. Some are snoozers and some are mildly interesting. And then there are some really special. I would consider this right-hand-drive two-door Land Cruiser 70-series to fit into the really special category.
Over the last few years the popularity of Land Rover Defenders in Boston has skyrocketed. In the summer I often see two or three per day and I don’t even drive that much. Jeep Wranglers have become common family vehicles. I am beginning to see more and more modified 4Runners, like my own. I’ve seen a few modified Land Cruisers of various ages, too. It’s like everyone is going on an expedition to the Berkshires or Cape Cod.
It is therefore no surprise that someone would be buy an imported 70-series Land Cruiser if for no other reason than to be different. And that is great!
While many of us may love Defenders, Wranglers, and Tacomas, seeing something different is always cool. Bonus points if the vehicles was not sold in North America, or at least not in this format.
This appears to be, and please correct me if I am wrong, a late 80’s or early 90s, 73 or 74 model, given what looks to me a middle length wheelbase. I think there is a diesel badge on the bottom of the left rear door. That would be either the 1HZ or 1PZ engine, which would make this the HJ73 or HJ74 or model. But I’m totally guessing here.
Judging by the fact that this is a right-hand-drive model, it has likely from Japan or Australia. I have no idea of confirming which it might be. The winch looks to be a Japanese affair but everything else screams Australia.
One thing that stick outs to me is the removable hardtop. Most of the ones I have seen have had a metal body. The weird part is the rear doors – they’re full length. What happens to the doors once the hard top is removed? Does to the top half of the rear doors magically unbolt and I just can’t see the line?
I got to find this truck on my own and take a closer look. Also, damn I want one so badly. A long-wheel-base Land Cruiser was the other vehicle, along the Defender 110 Td5 that I spend several weeks in Africa in.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/01/four-weeks-africa-land-rover-defender/
V.I.S.I.T: RHD Toyota Land Cruiser 70
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7 responses to “V.I.S.I.T: RHD Toyota Land Cruiser 70”
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As a Rover enthusiast and current owner of an 800 and a 400, but also the previous owner of a one million km Corolla, I would rather have this than a Defender of the same age.
You can still buy them new here in NZ, only available as 5 speed only, no automatic at all, LWB with a 4.5 litre V8 Common Rail Turbo Diesel engine. Delivering 151kW at 3400rpm and an impressive 430Nm of torque from only 1200rpm. And with a variety of practical bodies. Configure your own here…https://www.toyota.co.nz/new-car/land-cruiser/land-cruiser-70/
Yes, I know, NZ is a utopian paradise.
http://www.lcv.co.nz/images/cruiser%203.jpg?crc=3774274349-
I’d give one of my testicles for a new 70 Wagon.
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It might be easier to move to NZ? Where we still have deserted beaches.
https://s3.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-toyota-landcruiser-70-series-wagon-lifestyle-hero-1.jpg
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You are pretty spot on with your identification. 73 vs 74 is not something I have retained in my brain but there was a shorter wheelbase version (which evolved into the GX/Prado/4Runner platform.
The oval badge came in the early 90s, by which time this body was not sold in Australia, not did we get the chrome grille at least until much later – although that may have been swapped. I dare say the bonnet mascot also indicates JDM and I wonder if it is a PTO winch?
The front doors are also full height, so I guess you just have to make choices when you remove bodywork. It will have been a carryover from the 40 series that you do see without roofs and I expect that half doors exist in theory at least. Never really see 70 series topless although it can be done with the pickup too.-
Yea, I’m thinking the grill could have been swapped and the hood ornament is just weird.
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I’m thinking possible Japanese. We did have the Land Cruiser “Bundera” here. SWB 70 series on coil springs. But this looks too late for that, particularly with the Land Cruiser script on the fiberglass top. This has a distinctly JDM look to it.
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Those little black marks under the rear licence plate look like JDM.
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