The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series is the Land Cruiser in its purest form: a separate ladder chassis, solid axles, a big unstressed engine and a body built to be used. It is also the model we import more than any other. This guide explains the different 70 Series versions, the engines and model codes, what to check before you buy and how to bring one into the UK. For the wider family, see our Toyota Land Cruiser buyer's guide.
What is the Land Cruiser 70 Series?
Toyota launched the 70 Series in 1984 as the successor to the 40 Series. It kept the 40's working character, a tough body on a separate chassis with selectable four-wheel drive and low range, but added a roomier cabin and better everyday manners. While the 60 and later 80 Series became comfortable family station wagons, the 70 stayed a working vehicle, and that is exactly why people love it.
It was built in an unusually wide range of wheelbases and body styles, and Toyota kept making it for decades. In Japan many were bought by businesses and private owners who serviced them carefully and kept them for years, which is why Japan is such a good place to find one today.
Wheelbases and body styles
The second number in the model code tells you the length. This matters more than anything else when choosing a 70 Series, because it decides how the vehicle drives, parks and carries.
| Length | Codes | Typical bodies | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | 70, 71 | Soft top, FRP top, hardtop | Fun, open-air use and tight trails |
| Medium | 73, 74 | FRP top, hardtop (van) | The all-rounder: compact enough for everyday use, roomy enough for real trips |
| Long | 75, 77, 78, 79 | Wagon, van, Troop Carrier, pickup | Families, load space, overland and camper builds |
The FRP top is a fibreglass removable hard top, and one of the most sought-after configurations. A V at the end of the code (for example HZJ73V) usually means the vehicle was registered as a van in Japan, which is common on 70 Series wagons and FRP tops.
70 Series engines
The letters before the J tell you the engine. These are the ones you will meet most often in Japanese-market 70 Series:
- 1HZ (HZJ): a 4.2-litre naturally aspirated straight-six diesel with mechanical injection and around 135 PS. Simple, smooth and famous for covering huge mileages with nothing more than regular servicing. It arrived in the 70 Series around 1990 and is the engine most buyers want.
- 1PZ (PZJ): a 3.5-litre five-cylinder diesel from the same family. Less common, with its own following, especially with a manual gearbox.
- 3B and 13B-T (BJ): the earlier four-cylinder diesels, the 13B-T with a turbo. Found on 1980s 70 Series, and simpler and slower than the later engines.
- 2H (HJ): the 4.0-litre six-cylinder diesel used in the 60 Series and in export versions such as the HJ75.
The most popular 70 Series models
HZJ73: the one most people want
The HZJ73 combines the medium wheelbase with the 1HZ six-cylinder. It is the sweet spot of the range: big enough for a family weekend away, small enough for UK lanes and car parks, and powered by the engine everyone wants. Look out for the ZX grade, the higher trim, often with chrome bumpers, alloy wheels and extra equipment, and for FRP top versions.
We currently have two on the way from Japan: a 1991 HZJ73V ZX with a 5-speed manual and FRP top, one of the earlier 1HZ-engined 70s, and a remarkably original 1995 HZJ73 ZX FRP Top with three owners from new.
HZJ77 and PZJ77: long-wheelbase wagons
The 77 is the long-wheelbase wagon, with more room in the back for passengers and luggage. With the 1HZ it becomes the HZJ77, and with the five-cylinder 1PZ the PZJ77. Our 1992 PZJ77V LX is a rare example with a 5-speed manual and its original roof rack and ladder.
75 Series Troop Carrier and pickup
The long 75 was built as a pickup and as the Troop Carrier, the "Troopy", whose big boxy rear makes it a favourite base for overland campers. We sold a 1988 HJ75 Troopy camper conversion with the 2H engine, and we are always happy to look for another.
Manual or automatic?
Most enthusiasts look for a 5-speed manual, which suits the 1HZ's relaxed torque and is the more traditional choice. Automatics exist and make for an easy, comfortable drive, especially in traffic. Neither is wrong; it depends on how you will use the vehicle. Manual cars with the 1HZ or 1PZ are generally the most in demand.
What to check before you buy a Land Cruiser 70
- Chassis. Look along the chassis rails, at the rear crossmember, the spring hangers and the body mounts. Surface rust is normal on a working vehicle; thinning or holes are not. Fresh paint or underseal deserves a closer look.
- Body. Check the wheel arches, sills, door bottoms, the floor and the windscreen frame. On FRP tops, look for cracks and leaks around the seals.
- Engine. A healthy 1HZ starts easily, idles smoothly and does not smoke excessively once warm. Ask about the timing belt and service history, and look for leaks around the injection pump.
- Four-wheel drive. Check that 4WD high and low range engage, and that the free-wheeling front hubs lock and unlock. Oil weeping from the front swivel hubs is common and worth noting.
- Steering and suspension. Leaf springs, bushes, shock absorbers and the power steering box all wear. A test drive tells you a lot.
- Originality. Lift kits, big tyres and engine swaps are common. A standard, unmodified 70 Series is increasingly rare and usually worth more.
- Mileage. Japanese cars show kilometres. Check the recorded history and that the mileage fits the condition.
Buying a 70 Series from Japan
Japan is the best source of right-hand drive 70 Series with the 1HZ and 1PZ engines, which were never sold new in the UK in most of these specifications. Auction sheets and dealer records often document the condition, mileage and maintenance. Our guide to importing a Japanese car to the UK explains shipping, customs and DVLA registration. Older vehicles in original condition may also qualify for reduced import VAT as historic vehicles, which is worth checking for early-1990s 70 Series.
How much does a Land Cruiser 70 Series cost?
Prices depend on the engine, gearbox, body, condition and originality. A clean, original HZJ73 with the 1HZ and a manual gearbox commands a premium, and rarer specifications such as a manual PZJ77 are in demand too. Our current 70 Series, all imported from Japan, range from £23,995 to £26,995. When we source a car for you, we work to your total UK budget, including shipping, import costs and registration.
Once you own one, an agreed-value insurance valuation is worth considering, as standard policies rarely reflect what a good 70 Series is worth.
Land Cruiser 70 Series FAQs
Is the Land Cruiser 70 Series reliable?
The 70 Series, and especially the 1HZ engine, has a reputation for durability earned in some of the toughest conditions in the world. As with any older vehicle, condition and maintenance history matter more than the badge.
Can you use a 70 Series every day?
Yes, many owners do. It is noisier and firmer than a modern SUV, but a medium-wheelbase HZJ73 is surprisingly easy to live with, and the view from behind the wheel is hard to beat.
What is the difference between the HZJ73 and HZJ77?
Both use the 1HZ diesel. The HZJ73 is the medium wheelbase and the HZJ77 the long wheelbase, which gives more rear passenger and luggage space at the expense of a bigger footprint.
Find your Land Cruiser 70 Series
See the Land Cruisers available now and arriving soon, or tell us exactly what you are looking for. Our Japanese car sourcing service starts with your brief and your total UK budget, and we will look for the right 70 Series in Japan. Start your Land Cruiser search.