Fj55 Project Truck: 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser
These days, its hard to find anything resembling a cheap Toyota Land Cruiser. Almost every generation has exploded in value, and to be fair, its one of the few vehicles that is wholly deserving of the prices it commands. Land Cruisers are notoriously overbuilt both from a reliability standpoint and due to their off-road prowess. Finding an affordable one that isnt a total heap is a tall task these days, so you may be better off buying a project with good bones if you want to get in cheap. This 1972 Land Cruiser listed here on craigslist needs everything but its not too rusty and its just $3,500.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mark_K for the find. The FJ55 is an interesting chapter in the history of the Land Cruiser, as it was certainly everything a Land Cruiser was meant to be: utilitarian, dirt-simple, and go-anywhere four-wheel-drive. But while the short wheelbase FJ40 became an off-road sensation seemingly overnight, the FJ55 didnt get as much of the limelight. And unlike the FJ40, restoring one isnt necessarily money in the bank. I recall reading an article by an Automobile magazine editor who poured buckets of cash into his restoration, running into obsolete parts issues everywhere he turned, and barely breaking even when it went to auction.
Toyota Land Cruiser Design
The redesigned 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 should use a ladder-frame variant of the brands widespread TNGA platform. The platforms modern and lightweight design should provide multiple benefits for the new-generation Land Cruiser including implementation of the modern tech systems and a hybrid powertrain.
The prototype version hasnt yet been spotted when it comes to the models appearance. Reports indicate that the new-generation Land Cruiser should come with evolutionary styling changes. The model should adopt bolder front-end styling with the new grille and headlights. Reports also indicate that the new version should measure 4950 mm in length 1870 mm in height and 1980 in width.
Toyota Land Cruiser 70
The silver lining for those people is they might not have to wait until then provided Toyota finds a way to ramp up production of the Series 70. As with just about every other vehicle out there, global supply chain issues have slowed down production of the Land Cruiser. The all-terrain vehicle will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024 when the latest orders received from Down Under will be completed.
Toyota Australia still sells an SUV version of the J70. It has a 4.5-liter turbodiesel V8 engine like the others, while the GXL trim level is a tad more luxurious without losing the 4×4 capabilities. There’s also the GX serving as the workhorse with a truck bed, so it’s safe to say there are surprisingly enough options to choose from given the vehicle’s age.
Ok, but why are some people still fascinated by a truck that came out in the first half of the 1980s? Well, it’s practically indestructible, and if something does break, the Land Cruiser Series 70 is easy to work on. Pricing is also a factor since it starts at a little over 100,000 AUD while the latest Series 300 begins from approximately 150,000 AUD.
The Latest LC And Its Posh Equivalent:
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New Toyota Land Cruiser Converted In Dual
An Australian company called Creative Conversions can transform the Toyota Land Cruiser Series 300 into a dual-cab pickup for those who are not satisfied with the practicality of the standard SUV bodystyle.
The process is not as simple as cutting a few bodypanels, since the conversion from a passenger SUV to a NB1 commercial Dual Cab vehicle requires the extension of the wheelbase in order to make room for a proper-sized bed. The company is offering three different options to Land Cruiser owners, designed to cover the needs of those who will use the truck for towing, touring, or working.
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Everything starts by chopping off the rear end of the Land Cruiser, exposing its ladder-frame chassis. This is also being cut, allowing the wheelbase to expand from 700 mm to as much as 800 mm . The longer vehicle is then able to receive a rear bed attachment, which in combination with expanding the rear overhang can measure between 1,800 mm to 2,100 mm long.
Creative Conversions which is based in Queensland also upgrades the permitted gross vehicle mass figures, increasing them from the stock 3,500 kg to 3,800 kg or 4,495 kg . Likewise, towing capacity can be increased from 3,500 kg up to 4,200 kg .
Toyota Land Cruiser Overview

While the 300-series LandCruiser is new from the ground up, much of the design has remained unchanged. Important markings such as length, width, height, and wheelbase were adopted from the 200-series LandCruiser.
Like all the new things underneath the new sheet metal, the interior of the new LandCruiser has also been completely redesigned.
But here too there is more than just a few familiarities. The interior is quite similar overall, with a length of almost 5m that provides plenty of space in the first and second rows.
You also get LED headlights, keyless entry, and start, two-zone climate control, and a rear-view camera. Plus, it has a touchscreen thats a third larger , as well as smartphone integration, an electric parking brake, and one-touch window lifters throughout.
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Toyota Land Cruiser Release Date And Price
Starting now and also into the near upcoming, the Japanese people Giant car has in fact not yet acknowledged the power obtain day for the 2024 Toyota land Cruiser. A big part of the capabilities as well as inside business fight that the car lands in car store reveal lands too. It is most likely to be confronted with the general public at the last idea of 2023. Ultimately, case study of the bottom has really been evaluated to remain the area of $85,000.
What Powers The 2022 Land Cruiser
The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser also comes with a Multi-terrain monitor, which displays obstacles as viewed from the drivers viewpoint, and a multi-terrain select function that automatically judges the road surface and selects the driving mode.
It comes with two new engine options one diesel and one gas. Both V-6 engines displace at 3.5 liters and feature twin-turbos.
The gasoline option churns out 409 horses and 479 pound-feet of torque, whereas the oil-burning mill cranks 304 ponies and 516 pound-feet of twist.
Both the engines are paired to a ten-speed automatic gearbox.
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Toyota Land Cruiser Powertrain
The redesigned, global 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser will focus on its off-road capability and benefit from the use of the new TNGA platform. Like the next Lexus LX, the upcoming Land Cruiser should also get new powertrain solutions including diesel and petrol units and eventually the hybrid version.
The new-gen Land Cruiser should use a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired likely with the six-speed automatic transmission. The Lexus-sourced 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 petrol unit should replace the current V-8 engine. The new, turbo petrol engine should also be a part of the hybrid setup. The petrol-powered Land Cruiser will likely use an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The current Land Cruiser relies on the 4.5-liter turbodiesel V-8 engine good for 200 kW and 650 Nm of torque. The 200 Series model uses also a 227-kW 4.6-liter V-8 petrol unit. The US-spec model gets the power from the 381-hp 5.7-liter V-8 engine.
The Venerable Truck Is Getting An Update This Year To Comply With Stricter Safety Regulations
One of the oldest vehicles on sale, the Land Cruiser Series 70 was launched when many of us weren’t even born yet. The venerable off-roader came out in 1984 and it’s still going strong 38 years later. So much so that Toyota will be updating the truck yet again by the end of the year in Australia to comply with stricter side-impact crash regulations. Since the company is pouring money into the ol’ pickup, it means the J70 will be sticking around.
As a matter of fact, demand for the reputable Land Cruiser has generated a waiting list long enough to keep Toyota busy for more than two years. Indeed, Australian magazine Drive cites local dealers who have done the math based on the current production rate and projections and they claim existing orders will be fulfilled at some point in 2024.
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Toyota Land Cruiser Reviews
The Toyota Land Cruiser has grown with every generation and has rightly earned the nickname Land Crusher. But the new generation 2022 Land Cruiser 300 has lost some of its weight.
With a new TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, the new Toyota land cruiser 2022 SUV will be about 440 pounds lighter than its predecessor and it is one of the best 8 Passengers SUV.
Toyota says the weight loss and the new 10-speed transmission will improve efficiency by about 10 percent.
As expected, the earlier part of the best V8 vehicles, the Toyota Land Cruiser replaces its V8 engine with V6 twin-turbo engines paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission.
Availability And Full Specs
At the time of writing, theres no telling how much the 2022 Tundra will cost. Specifics on trim level loadouts also arent currently available. Toyota simply says the truck will go on sale later this year, and that it will announce pricing closer to the on-sale date.
Here are the specs:
- Standard i-FORCE 3.5L twin-turbo V6 produces up to 389 horsepower, 479 lb.-ft.
- Available i-FORCE MAX powertrain produces up to 437 horsepower, 583 lb.-ft.
- Up to 12,000lb. maximum towing capacity
- Bold exterior styling complements spacious, well-equipped interior
- Available 14 touchscreen highlights all-new Audio Multimedia system
- 12.3 Instrumentation Panel display available
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 active safety standard on all grades
However, the brand did release a massive amount of minutely detailed information about the redesign today. You can read the laundry list of specs and features at Toyotas Tundra landing page.
By Sam Anderson
Sam has roamed the American continent to follow adventures, explore natural wonders, and find good stories. After going to college to be a writer, he got distracted by rock climbing and spent most of the next decade on the road, supporting himself with trade work. He’s had addresses in the Adirondack Mountains, Las Vegas, and somehow Kansas, but his heart belongs in the Texas hill country.
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Toyota Claims It’s Still Powerful Still Indestructible
The Land Cruiser has been getting a lot of attention lately, mainly because Toyota recently launched the all-new 300 Series internationally and phased out the model altogether in the United States. It might come as a surprise to some, but the 70 Series is still going strong, despite being originally launched way back in 1984. Not only that, but it’s getting an update next year in Australia where it remains quite popular.
Available as a pickup truck in single cab and double cab flavors alongside the five-door Wagon and two-door Troop Carrier body styles, the LC70 will receive hardware improvements within the next 12 months. Australian magazine Motoring has learned from local Toyota representatives the reputable off-roader will get a safety upgrade as well as an increased payload capacity.
Toyota Land Cruiser Lc76 Wagon Specs

- Base price : $67,400 AUD
- Powertrain: 4.5-liter turbodiesel V8 | 5-speed manual | four-wheel drive, dual-range
- Horsepower: 202 @ 3,400 rpm
- Torque: 317 lb-ft @ 1,200 to 3,200 rpm
- Curb weight: 4,994 pounds
- Zero-to-60 mph: Not quick
- Fuel economy: 10.7 L/100km combined
- Quick take: A rugged, no-nonsense rig for getting the job done, sans any fancy window dressing.
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The New 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Price And Concept
The New 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Price and Concept. Toyota popular land Cruiser bike is one of the most expensive SUV it utilizes, starting over the three-push Sequoia. Never like many SUVs, the Toyota land Cruiser still uses a body-on-outline structure and also is worked well around the corner of extreme scenery capability, making it a differ among the ablest gizmos when the road ends.
Precisely what is by all records the latest style among ads is that prior to of the appearance of some truck there ought to be some dropped information. An identical circumstance is with Japanese people producer Toyota. The Aichi-based company didnt remember some images that expose Toyota land Cruiser 2024 , or what it should look like when it comes across a renovation. The improvements are the gravest ahead of time, where we could talk about any small upgrade happened. The front lights are product new, and also they never once again increase to decreased end of the top sash.
The grill keeps being complicated, chrome-made, yet now it mixes much more nicely with lighting packages. The later ones are presently missing out on awareness and look much more immediately required. The LED lighting are main on all cuts, anyhow in Asia.
No V8 But A Beastly Range Topper
The 2022 Tundra will also offer the Land Cruisers two different powerplant configurations. The lack of a V8 is bound to raise some eyebrows, but Toyota drops in a proprietary upgrade to assuage concerns.
The base unit is a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 that delivers 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. But it gets burly if Toyota equips it with its bell-housing motor system, the i-FORCE MAX. Check out this press release from Toyota to read into how the ingenious system works.
For our purposes, the output is the important part: 437 horsepower and a massive 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm.
Both configurations get the Land Cruiser 300s 10-speed automatic transmission.
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The Toyota Tacoma Truck Has The Potential To Be A Long
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If Toyota can figure out how to reduce the weight, increase the fuel numbers, and still provide an off-road-ready vehicle, it will win all of the sales. When it came to the Land Cruiser SUV, Sweers noted that even though it isnt available for sale in the U.S., it still has an impact on the current lineup. All of the new Toyota trucks are built to Toyota QDR, which stands for Quality, Durability, and Reliability. People might not be buying a Land Cruiser, but the Land Cruiser is a good indication of how well Toyota QDR works.
If the Land Cruisers doesnt work in the U.S., perhaps the new Toyota Tacoma truck will have everything buyers need. Toyota is one of two automakers known for making vehicles that last 200,000 miles or more. Most buyers arent looking for a two-year lease and to trade it in after that. These buyers want a reliable Toyota truck or SUV that will breeze past 200,000 miles. Plus, Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs are known for retaining value over the years.
Whats New Under The 2022 Land Cruisers Skin
The 2022 Land Cruiser rides on a new GA-F platform based on the TNGA that underpins other Toyota products like the Tundra.
This new body of frame structure witnesses a weight reduction of around 440 pounds when compared to the previous model. The automaker has upped its off-roading capabilities by improving the basic suspension setup and adopting an electronic kinetic dynamic suspension system.
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Toyota Land Cruiser Release Price
The 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser should debut in mid-2022 and go on sale later in the year. If reports about the downgraded in-cab premium level turn out to be true, the model should cost significantly less than the current model.
We will see if Toyota will retire the Land Cruiser on the American market after the 2022 model year as the report claims.
How Different Is The 2022 Land Cruiser On The Outside And Inside
The new Land Cruiser looks quite different from the model it replaces, but you cant confuse it for anything but a Land Cruiser. The grille is a lot more prominent and boxier. The bumper and lights are positioned in a way they dont get damaged while off-roading. The side profile is pretty much the same, which more or less is the case with body-on-frame builds. The tailgate loses the chrome bar for good and also features a redesigned bumper.
On the inside, things are quite different. A landscape-oriented touchscreen system graces the center console. Fortunately, Toyota hasnt gone all touch here as the waterfall layout features a lot of buttons, knobs, and switches. Makes sense to keep an off-roader a little old-school instead of going all Tesla on it. The chunky steering wheel and the short-and-stout gear shifter look swell and will be a delight to use.
You no more have to flip the third-row seats towards the windows for more cargo space. The 2022 Land Cruisers last row can be flipped down flat down and will be much easier to deploy. Toyota is yet to give out the dimensions, so were still not sure if its any more spacious than it already is.
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