Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Pickup
The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 series, first introduced in 1984 and still in production today, stands as one of the automotive world's most remarkable stories of longevity. While its stablemates evolved into luxury SUVs, the 70 series remained true to the Land Cruiser's original mission: go anywhere, survive anything, and bring everyone home alive.
The 70 series represents the purest expression of the Land Cruiser philosophy. With solid axles front and rear, a body-on-frame construction using extraordinarily thick steel, and mechanicals deliberately chosen for simplicity and repairability in remote locations, the 70 series is engineered for environments where breakdowns can be life-threatening. Every component is overbuilt, every system is as simple as mechanically possible, and every design decision prioritizes function over form.
Available in an array of body configurations including short-wheelbase wagon, long-wheelbase wagon (Troop Carrier), cab chassis, single cab pickup, and double cab pickup, the 70 series serves roles ranging from military transport to mining vehicle to outback station wagon. The pickup variant, particularly popular in Australia and the Middle East, offers a generous payload capacity and the kind of towing ability that comes from a vehicle designed to cross deserts.
The engine lineup has evolved over the decades while maintaining the philosophy of reliable power delivery. The current 4.5-liter V8 turbodiesel (1VD-FTV) produces 228 horsepower and massive low-end torque. In Japan, a special 2014 re-issue featured the 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 petrol engine and caused such demand that Toyota dealerships held lotteries to determine buyers. Australia, the model's largest market, currently receives the V8 diesel with a 5-speed manual transmission.
The interior is deliberately spartan. Vinyl seats, rubber floor mats, manual everything — the 70 series makes no pretense at luxury. For its devoted following, this simplicity is the entire point. Every surface can be hosed down, every component can be repaired with basic tools, and the vehicle will start reliably in temperatures ranging from Arctic cold to Saharan heat.
The 70 series has become increasingly collectible as automotive enthusiasts recognize it as perhaps the last truly mechanical, no-compromise off-road vehicle in production. The 2014 Japanese re-issue sold out almost immediately, and imported examples command significant premiums in markets where the vehicle is not officially sold, including the United States.
Inspect the chassis and frame rails for rust and previous welding repairs. Check the solid front axle for wear in kingpins and swivel hubs — these are serviceable but indicate how well the vehicle has been maintained. Verify the operation of the manual locking front hubs. For diesel models, check for blue or black smoke indicating injector or turbo issues. Examine the leaf springs for sagging, particularly on pickup models that may have been overloaded. Transfer case and gearbox should shift smoothly through all ranges. Imported examples should be checked for compliance with local regulations. Australian-market examples with the V8 diesel are most sought after. Mileage is less important than maintenance history — well-serviced 70 series routinely exceed 500,000 km.
The 70 series has been in continuous production since 1984 at Toyota's Toyota City plant. It has undergone several updates while maintaining its fundamental design: the original models used inline-6 engines (3B, 2H diesel; 3F, 1FZ petrol), later transitioning to inline-4 turbodiesels (1KZ-TE, 1KD-FTV) and the current V8 turbodiesel (1VD-FTV). The 2014 Japan re-issue was planned as a limited one-year run but demand was so intense Toyota extended sales. The 70 series has never been officially sold in the United States.