BOXY TRUCKS
A white 300 Series Land Cruiser driving across red sand dunes under a pale blue sky in the UAE desert
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER · J300 · 2021–PRESENT · NOT SOLD IN THE US

Land Cruiser 300 Series

VJA300FJA300GRJ300VJH300V35A-FTS 3.4 TWIN-TURBO V610-SPEED AUTO

“This is the Land Cruiser the rest of the world gets and America has to admire from a distance. It's lighter, stiffer and quicker than the 200, and its engineers used a 30-year-old 80 Series as the benchmark. The only way to buy one in the US is with a Lexus badge on the front.”

PART 01

Overview

Where it came from, why it matters, and how it changed year to year.

The story

Toyota unveiled the J300 on 9 June 2021 to replace the 200 Series, which had been on sale since 2007. The V8s are gone. In their place is a pair of twin-turbo V6s: a 409-hp 3.4-liter petrol and a 304-hp 3.3-liter diesel. The truck rides on a new body-on-frame platform and weighs about 200 kg less than the 200. It went on sale in the UAE and Kuwait within weeks, then Japan, Australia, South Africa and much of Asia. It has never been sold in the US or Canada. Wikipedia cites slow sales of the 200 and limited production capacity. North America gets the truck as the LX 600 instead.

BENCHMARKING THE 80

Chief engineer Takami Yokoo made an unusual choice for a flagship launch: he compared the new truck to a 30-year-old one. 'We actually used the Land Cruiser 80 as a guidepost,' he told reporters, adding that 'even 30 years after it first appeared, it has the best rough road performance of any Land Cruiser.' The team kept the wheelbase that started with the 80 Series, and Yokoo summed up the brief as being 'the partner that will get you home safely, no matter where you go.'

To find what needed fixing, Toyota drove the outgoing 200 around Australia. The trip showed that drivers got tired, so the engineers changed the suspension geometry to make it smoother on pavement. Laser welding that joins two types of metal increased torsional rigidity and helped take out about 200 kg (440 lb). The engine sits lower and further back, and a V6 replaces the V8, so the nose is lighter. Dakar Rally driver Akira Miura did test driving and reported much better control and balance.

WHAT'S UNDER IT

The platform is GA-F, which the 250 Series and the Lexus GX later shared. Most markets get the V35A-FTS 3.4-liter twin-turbo petrol V6 (VJA300) or the F33A-FTV 3.3-liter twin-turbo diesel (FJA300), both with a 10-speed automatic. Some markets also keep the old 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 with a six-speed (GRJ300). The chassis gets an upgraded Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), adaptive variable suspension, Multi-Terrain Select with new Deep Snow and Auto modes, and an underbody camera.

For the first time there's a GR Sport. Auto Bild described it as inspired by the Dakar Rally, and it is the version to have off-road: it has front and rear locking differentials, while the standard truck has only a center lock. Ground clearance is 230 mm and the approach angle is 32 degrees, and overall length, width and wheelbase are largely the same as the 200's. ANCAP's 2022 rating scored it 89 percent for adult occupants and 88 percent for children.

THE WAITING GAME

Demand overwhelmed supply. In January 2022 Auto Bild reported that Toyota's Japanese website was telling buyers to expect waits of up to four years, a backlog it compared to the Mercedes G-Class's. Germany wasn't expected to get the 300 at all, and kept the older J150 Prado instead. A hybrid, the VJH300, arrived in 2025, launching first in the UAE with a new front end. Japan got an updated range with the hybrid on 1 October 2026, according to Wikipedia.

THE AMERICAN WORKAROUND

For Americans, importing a 300 isn't a realistic option, because of the 25-year rule; one IH8MUD member worked out that 2047 is the first year a 2022 truck becomes legal. The practical answer is the LX 600, unveiled on 13 October 2021 on the same platform with the 409-hp V35A and a 10-speed. The 457-hp LX 700h hybrid followed, and the LX 700h Overtrail, announced in October 2024, has front, center and rear lockers like a GR Sport.

Being the US version has a downside: the US recalls. NHTSA campaigns 24V381 and 25V767 cover V35A engines in the Lexus LX, Tundra and some GX 550s in which machining debris can damage the main bearings, causing knocking, rough running or a stall. 25V767 alone lists 9,895 LX models built between February 2022 and April 2024. Separately, Lexus is updating transmission software on about 4,400 2025–26 LX 600s. The sources here don't say whether overseas 300s with the same engine are covered, so owners outside the US should check with their local Toyota distributor.

SIDEBAR · THE 300 YOU CAN BUY HERE

LX 600 and LX 700h: a Land Cruiser with a Lexus badge

Mechanically, the LX 600 is the 300 Series with a Lexus body and interior: same GA-F frame, same 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 (409 hp, 650 Nm), same 10-speed. Lexus adds trims Toyota doesn't offer, including an F Sport, a four-seat Ultra Luxury and, since late 2024, the LX 700h Overtrail with three lockers. Wikipedia counts about 7,000 US LX sales a year since 2023.

Many of the owners in IH8MUD's 300-series section drive LXs, and they've taken it on the trail with Slee skid plates and sliders, 35-inch tires, and even 74Weld portal axles. If you live in North America and want a 300, this is how you get one.

A white 300 Series Land Cruiser driving across red sand dunes under a pale blue sky in the UAE desert
300 SERIES · DUNE DRIVING, UAE
Rear view of the same white 300 Series Land Cruiser GXR spraying sand as it climbs through soft dunes
300 SERIES GXR · SOFT SAND, UAE
A black 300 Series Land Cruiser with muddy tyres parked on a dirt lot at an outdoor event in the Philippines
300 SERIES · DIRT LOT AT AN OUTDOOR EVENT
A South Australian Ambulance Special Operations 300 Series Land Cruiser with bull bar, roof rack, light bar and all-terrain tyres at a city intersection
300 SERIES · SA AMBULANCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS (ON STREET)

Year by year

What changed, model year by model year. Sweet spot Beware

  1. 2021Unveiled 9 June 2021 on the GA-F frame, about 200 kg lighter than the 200. V8s are dropped for the 3.4 V35A-FTS twin-turbo petrol V6 and 3.3 F33A-FTV twin-turbo diesel V6 with a 10-speed automatic
  2. 2021Japan sales from 2 August; GR Sport added, the first Land Cruiser grade with front and rear diff locks on top of the centre lockSweet spot
  3. 2021Australian launch on 5 October in GX, GXL, VX, Sahara, GR Sport and Sahara ZX grades
  4. 2024February: Toyota pauses shipments of the F33A-FTV diesel and the 300s and LXs that use it after Toyota Industries finds irregularities in engine certification testing
  5. 2024The smaller J250 takes over the Land Cruiser name in North America; the 300 is never offered in the US or Canada
  6. 2025Hybrid powertrain introduced, debuting in the UAE with a redesigned front fascia
  7. 2026Updated Japanese range from 1 October: hybrid in ZX and GR Sport; diesel in ZX, GR Sport and GX
  8. 2026Performance Hybrid reaches Australia in GR Sport and Sahara ZX grades: 3.4 twin-turbo V6 plus a 36 kW motor, 341 kW/790 Nm combined, 3,500 kg towing
PART 02

Specs & capability

How it’s built, what it can do, and what fits under it.

How it’s built

The 300 keeps the formula that made the name: a separate ladder frame, full-time four-wheel drive with low range, and stabilizer bars that are hydraulically linked by E-KDSS. Toyota rebuilt everything around that formula. The frame is lighter and stiffer, the twin-turbo V6 sits lower and further back, and there's a 10-speed automatic, adaptive dampers and a camera that shows what's under the truck.

CHASSISGA-F (TNGA-F) ladder frameRedesigned to be lighter and more rigid; length, width and wheelbase are largely the same as the 200's.
WEIGHTAbout 200 kg (440 lb) lighter than the 200Laser welding of mixed metals; Toyota also claims a lower center of gravity and better weight distribution.
ENGINES3.4 L twin-turbo petrol V6 · 3.3 L twin-turbo diesel V6V35A-FTS: 409 hp / 650 Nm. F33A-FTV: 304 hp / 700 Nm. Some markets keep the 4.0 L 1GR-FE.
TRANSMISSION10-speed automatic (AWR10L65)GRJ300 (1GR-FE) keeps the 6-speed AC60F.
SUSPENSIONE-KDSS + adaptive variable suspensionUpgraded hydraulic stabilizer-disconnect system for articulation; Multi-Terrain Select with Deep Snow and Auto modes.
LOCKERS & GEOMETRYCenter lock standard; front + rear on GR Sport230 mm ground clearance, 32° approach, up to 26.5° departure.

Variants & engines

YEARSPLATFORMENGINEOUTPUTWORTH KNOWING
2021–presentVJA300V35A-FTS 3.4 L twin-turbo V6 (petrol)409 hp / 650 Nm10-speed auto. Replaces the V8s.
2021–presentFJA300F33A-FTV 3.3 L twin-turbo V6 diesel304 hp / 700 Nm10-speed auto. Wikipedia lists the figures from 2022.
2021–presentGRJ3001GR-FE 4.0 L V6 (petrol)≈ 271 hp / 385 NmCarried-over naturally aspirated V6 with a 6-speed auto, for some markets.
2025–presentVJH300V35A-FTS 3.4 L twin-turbo V6 hybrid457 hp / 790 NmDebuted in the UAE with a redesigned front end; on sale in Japan from 1 October 2026.
2021–presentGR SportPetrol or diesel V6 (by market)—First GR Sport Land Cruiser: front and rear lockers, extra body adhesive, about 5 mm shorter.
2022–presentLexus LX 600 / 700h (J310)V35A-FTS 3.4 L twin-turbo V6 (+ hybrid on 700h)409 hp (600) · 457 hp (700h)The North American 300. LX 700h Overtrail has three lockers.

Capability numbers

Towing3,500 kg (7,716 lb) brakedsame as the 200
Ground clearance230 mm (9.1 in)Wikipedia; Toyota NZ's preliminary figure was 235 mm
Approach / departure32° / 25°Australian-market spec; Wikipedia gives up to 26.5° departure depending on version
Wading depth700 mm (27.6 in)Toyota NZ preliminary figure, as reported by CarMag
Curb weight2,310–2,645 kg (5,093–5,831 lb)Wikipedia, varies by market and grade

Wheels & tires

FACTORY TIRES
18-inch wheels on base grades; 20-inch on top grades (market-dependent)
Bolt pattern5x150
LIFTBIGGEST TIREWHAT IT TAKES
Stock275/70R18 or 285/70R18 (about 33.3–33.7 in)IH8MUD owners report no rubbing on stock suspension. One LX owner on 275/70R18s had no rub at any AHC height or at full lock.
Stock + wheels295/70R18 to 35 in295/70R18s on stock wheels have been reported on an LX 700h Overtrail. Dissent Off-Road told a member that 35s on a +40 mm offset wheel fit with minimal to zero trimming.

Forum consensus, not a guarantee: wheel offset, tire brand and suspension wear all change clearance. Confirm before you buy.

Production & special editions

The 300 has been built in Japan since March 2021. Long order books early on meant wait times of years in some markets.

ProductionMarch 2021 – present
AssemblyJapan (Yoshiwara and Tahara plants)
Chief engineerTakami Yokoo
PART 03

Buying one

What to pay, what to check, and how to tell a good one from a clone.

What they cost

The 300 has never been sold new in the US, so these are Australian list prices before on-road costs. Diesel grades run from GX to Sahara ZX, and the Performance Hybrid comes in GR Sport and Sahara ZX.

GX dieselA$99,340
VX dieselA$123,510
GR Sport dieselA$147,160
Sahara ZX dieselA$147,910
Performance Hybrid GR Sport / Sahara ZXA$156,060 / A$156,810

2026 range pricing from CarExpert (15 July 2026), which also lists the GXL at A$111,820 and the Sahara at A$140,310. Used values aren't tracked here. Prices move; checked July 2026. See live listings below.

What to check before you buy

  1. 01
    Accept that it's an LX in the USThe 300 isn't sold in the US or Canada and can't be legally imported under the 25-year rule for a long time. For North American buyers, the LX 600 or LX 700h is the 300 Series you can actually buy.
  2. 02
    Run the VIN against the V35A recallsNHTSA campaigns 24V381 and 25V767 cover V35A engines in which machining debris can damage the main bearings, causing knocking, rough running, a no-start or a stall. 25V767 lists 9,895 2022–2024 LX models built from 26 February 2022 to 2 April 2024; 24V381 covered earlier engines. Ask whether the engine has already been replaced, which several IH8MUD members' trucks have had.
  3. 03
    Check the transmission software recallNHTSA 26V094000 (Lexus 26LA01) covers about 4,400 2025–26 LX 600s: if a transmission solenoid fails, the transmission and engine ECUs can lose communication and the transmission can damage itself. Dealers update the transmission ECU software for free. In Australia, Toyota recalled 11,020 300s built from February to December 2025 for the same kind of fault. A failed solenoid can let the transmission over-rev, damaging it or leaking fluid onto the hot exhaust; dealers reprogram the transmission ECU (CarExpert, February 2026).
  4. 04
    Test-drive in traffic, not just on the highwayOwners of 2022–24 LX 600s describe a clunk into first gear and hesitation when accelerating from a rolling stop. Some blame the pre-collision system intervening. Drive one through a few stop-and-go junctions before you buy. Owners say the LX 700h hybrid doesn't do it.
  5. 05
    Work the rear hatchOne IH8MUD owner's power hatch beeped and refused to close. The cause was a sticking left-side pinch sensor, which was replaced. Open and close it several times.
  6. 06
    AHC or not, and which locker count?Many LX trims have height-adjustable AHC suspension, and armor is specific to it: Slee sells separate non-AHC LX 600 sliders, for example. Overtrail and GR Sport trucks have front and rear lockers; standard trucks have only the center lock. Know which one you're buying.
  7. 07
    Ask about fluid changesOwners on IH8MUD do early differential and transfer-case changes (around 20,000–30,000 miles) after reports of debris in Tundra differential oil. Records of early oil and gear-oil changes, or oil-analysis reports, are a good sign.
  8. 08
    Diesel: how was it driven?Ask whether a diesel 300 lived in town or towed heavy. Short trips are hard on the DPF and EGR, and heat soak from heavy towing or sand work is linked to bearing wear (Unsealed 4X4). Check the oil level, ask how much it uses between services, and confirm software updates and recall work are done. Look at the fuel-filter area for damage or a guard.

Spotting the real thing

No 300 was ever sold new in the US, so any 'Land Cruiser 300' advertised there is either a Lexus LX or an import with a registration problem.

  1. ID
    Model codesVJA300 = 3.4 V35A-FTS twin-turbo petrol V6. FJA300 = 3.3 F33A-FTV twin-turbo diesel V6. GRJ300 = 4.0 1GR-FE V6 with a 6-speed automatic. VJH300 = V35A hybrid.
  2. ID
    GR Sport lockersThe GR Sport has front and rear diff locks. Standard 300s lock only the centre diff, so check the switches if lockers matter to you.
  3. ID
    US siblingThe Lexus LX 600 / LX 700h (J310) is the 300's US-market twin, on the same frame and powertrains. It's the only legal way to own this platform new in the US.

Recalls & service bulletins

Notable recalls
10-speed transmission can over-rev (Australia) ↗Built Feb–Dec 2025 · Toyota Australia recall, Feb 2026If a linear solenoid fails, the transmission ECU may not tell the engine ECU, so the transmission can over-rev in some gears. That risks transmission damage, loss of power, and fluid leaking onto hot exhaust parts. Dealers reprogram the transmission ECU in about 30 minutes; 11,020 vehicles.
Can creep forward in neutral (Australia) ↗Built Jul 2021–Jan 2024 · Toyota Australia recall, Feb 2024A brake clutch disc in the 10-speed may not disengage in neutral, so the vehicle can creep at up to about 6 km/h on flat ground without the brake applied. Free software update; about 28,400 LandCruiser 300s and Tundras.
Stability control may not default to on (Australia) ↗Built Mar 2021–Apr 2022 · Toyota Australia recall, Apr 2022A software error can stop VSC defaulting to on at the next start if it was switched off and the brake was held between shutdown and restart (non-compliant with ADR 88/00). Free software update of about an hour; shared with the Kluger, RAV4 Hybrid and Mirai.

Importing & legality

Toyota has never sold the J300 in the United States or Canada, citing slow 200 Series sales and limited production capacity. The Lexus LX is the US version of this platform.

Under the NHTSA 25-year exemption, the earliest 300s (production began in 2021) won't be eligible for US import until the mid-2040s. Until then the only route is a registered importer converting and certifying the vehicle, which in practice is almost never feasible.

Rules change and vary by state and country. Confirm with your DMV and a licensed importer before you buy.

The one you’ll own someday

For sale now

2022–2024 · USLexus LX 600 (check V35A recall status)
AutoTempest ↗Bring a Trailer ↗
2025–2027 · USLexus LX 600 / LX 700h (latest)
AutoTempest ↗Bring a Trailer ↗
2021–2026 · globalToyota Land Cruiser (300 not sold in the US; listings will be 200/250)
AutoTempest ↗Bring a Trailer ↗
PART 04

Owning one

Baseline service, the repairs you’ll actually do, and where the manuals live.

Post-purchase baseline

After you buy it

Toyota never sold the 300 in the US, so the specs below are for its US twin, the Lexus LX 600 (same V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed). They come from AMSOIL's LX 600 lookup and service-data figures posted by IH8MUD owners. Diesel (F33A-FTV) and hybrid trucks differ, and service intervals vary by market, so check your owner's manual. Baselining matters more than usual here because of the V35A machining-debris recall.

Engine oil & filterSAE 0W-20 · ≈7.7 qt with filter · drain plug 30 ft-lb, new plug and gasketAt purchase. Toyota Australia's schedule is every 6 months or 10,000 km (CarExpert, 2026); for a US LX and other markets [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]. Many owners shorten it and send samples for oil analysis.

On a US LX 600, check that engine recall 25LA07/25LB07 has been done. Repeat oil analysis every few changes and keep the reports.

Parts
Oil filterRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
Oil drain plug gasketRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
OEM oil filter diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
Engine air filterOE-type panel filter · interval [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]At purchase; more often in dust
Parts
Air filterRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
OEM air cleaner diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
Cabin air filterOE-typeAt purchase
Parts
Cabin air filterRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
Spark plugs (petrol) / glow plugs (diesel)OE-type iridium plugs (V35A) · interval [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]Per the maintenance schedule

It's a twin-turbo engine, so don't assume a 120k plug interval.

Parts
Spark plugsRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
OEM ignition coil & spark plug diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant or equivalent · ≈11.7 qtInspect at purchase; replacement [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]
Parts
Coolant / antifreezeRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
Automatic transmission (10-speed)Toyota Genuine ATF WS · ≈12.2 qt total fillToyota calls it lifetime fill. Owners drain-and-fill or do a staged exchange at 20,000–30,000 mi.

There's a strainer, not a serviceable filter, and no dipstick. The level is set at a specified ATF temperature, read with a scan tool, through the check plug. One LX 700h owner got about 5 qt out of the pan. On a 2025–26 LX 600, check that the transmission recall has been done.

Parts
ATF WS-type transmission fluidRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
Transmission strainer/filterRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
OEM oil pan & strainer diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
Transfer caseToyota Genuine Transfer Gear Oil LF 75W · 1.89 qt · plugs 37 N·m (27 ft-lb)Owners suggest 30,000–40,000 mi at most

Remove the fill plug first. The plug washers are flat, not crush washers. Removing the skid plate means loosening two bolts.

Parts
Gear oilRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
OEM transfer case diagram (plugs & washers)LexusPartsNow ↗
Front & rear differentials75W-85 GL-5 (Toyota LT) · front 1.23 qt, plugs 39.2 N·m (29 ft-lb) · rear with LSD 5.55 qt, plugs 49 N·m (36 ft-lb)At purchase; change the front about twice as often as the rear

The front holds just over 1 qt and comes out dirtier. Trucks with a limited-slip rear need LSD-rated oil (one F Sport carries an 'LSD only' tag). Washers: copper on the front drain, crush-type on the front fill and on the rear drain and fill.

Parts
Gear oilRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
OEM front differential diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
OEM rear differential diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
Driveshaft grease pointsChassis grease at every zerk (about four)Whenever the skid plate is off

An owner found the front zerks hard to reach (frame and exhaust in the way). One took three pumps before grease showed at the seals.

Parts
OEM propeller shaft & U-joint diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
Search driveshaft grease points for the Land Cruiser 300 SeriesAmazon ↗
E-KDSS / AHC suspensionSealed hydraulic systems · fluid [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]Inspect at purchase

Check the cylinders, lines and accumulators for weeping. Lexus trucks with AHC: make sure every height mode works.

Parts
OEM height control / leveling diagramLexusPartsNow ↗
Search e-kdss / ahc suspension for the Land Cruiser 300 SeriesAmazon ↗
Brake fluidDOT 3 or DOT 4 (FMVSS 116)Flush at purchase if the history is unknown
Parts
Brake fluidRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
12 V batteryOE-size batteryTest at purchase
Parts
BatteryRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
Drive beltAutomatic tensionInspect at purchase
Parts
Drive beltRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗
For the hands-on owner

Common repairs

The jobs owners actually end up doing, rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Always confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, and work safely — support the truck on stands, never just a jack. You do this work at your own risk; see the disclaimer. Some parts links are affiliate links.

Transfer case and front diff fluid service
DIFFICULTY · 2 / 5TIME · ≈ 1.5 hoursSHOP COST · Fluid and washers
SYMPTOMSScheduled service. One IH8MUD owner also reported less low-speed 'rocking' in traffic after changing the transfer-case fluid at 19,500 miles.
THE FIXRemove the skid plate (two bolts to loosen, per one owner). Always remove the fill plug first, then drain and refill. Figures an owner posted from the service data: transfer case 1.89 qt, plugs 37 N·m (27 ft-lb); front diff 1.23 qt, plugs 39.2 N·m (29 ft-lb); rear diff (with limited-slip) plugs 49 N·m (36 ft-lb). The factory transfer-case fluid is Toyota LF 75W. While the skid is off, grease the driveshaft zerks.
TOOLS & PARTSSocket set · torque wrench · fluid pump · Toyota LF 75W (transfer) and the specified gear oil · new washers: copper for the front drain, flat for the transfer case, collapsible for the front fill and rear drain/fill (as identified by an owner) · grease gun.
WHERE TO BUY PARTSGear oil — LX 600 (US twin of the LC300) · RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗OEM transfer case extension housing diagram (plugs & washers) · LexusPartsNow ↗OEM front differential diagram (drain/fill plugs & gaskets) · LexusPartsNow ↗OEM propeller shaft diagram (grease zerks) · LexusPartsNow ↗
Early oil change and oil analysis
DIFFICULTY · 1 / 5TIME · ≈ 1 hour plus lab turnaroundSHOP COST · Oil, filter and a lab kit
SYMPTOMSA new or new-to-you V35A truck, especially one built before the recall fixes.
THE FIXMany owners change the factory fill early, around 1,000 miles, and send a sample to a lab such as Blackstone. One owner found heavy machining debris in a 2024 GX's oil at 800 miles and much less in a December 2024-build LX at 1,000 miles. Others report high iron and copper at the first change that settled to normal by the third. Repeat the analysis every few changes and keep the reports.
TOOLS & PARTSSocket set · filter wrench · 0W-20 oil (owners report running 0W-20; check your manual) · oil-analysis kit.
WHERE TO BUY PARTSOil filter — LX 600 V35A · RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗Oil drain plug gasket · RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗Oil analysis kits · Blackstone Laboratories ↗Amazon ↗
ATF drain-and-fill
DIFFICULTY · 3 / 5TIME · ≈ 2–3 hoursSHOP COST · Fluid (one owner estimated about 12 qt for a full exchange)
SYMPTOMSRough or erratic shifts on a truck with 'lifetime' fluid, or towing and hard off-road use.
THE FIXThe 10-speed uses thin Toyota WS fluid and has a strainer, not a serviceable filter. An IH8MUD member argues that the lifetime-fill recommendation lets wear metals build up in the valve body. Owners do a drain-and-fill or a staged exchange with WS or a WS-compatible fluid, then set the level with the factory temperature-based check procedure. If you don't have the procedure and a scan tool to read fluid temperature, have a shop do it.
TOOLS & PARTSSocket set · fluid pump · scan tool (Techstream or similar) to read ATF temperature · Toyota WS or a WS-compatible fluid · service manual.
WHERE TO BUY PARTSATF WS-type transmission fluid · RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗Transmission strainer/filter · RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗OEM oil pan & strainer diagram (drain/check plugs, gaskets) · LexusPartsNow ↗
Rear hatch won't close
DIFFICULTY · 2 / 5TIME · ≈ 1 hourSHOP COST · Pinch sensor plus labor
SYMPTOMSYou press the hatch button, it beeps once as if it's going to close, then beeps twice and doesn't move.
THE FIXFirst, clean the rubber pinch strips along both sides of the hatch opening and check nothing is caught in them. On the IH8MUD owner's truck the left-side pinch sensor was sticking, and replacing it fixed the problem. Under warranty, let the dealer do it.
TOOLS & PARTSTrim tools · replacement pinch sensor (left or right as diagnosed).
WHERE TO BUY PARTSOEM back door diagram — 'Sensor Assy, Power Back Door' LH/RH (pinch sensors) · LexusPartsNow ↗
Driver's-side windshield rattle
DIFFICULTY · 1 / 5TIME · ≈ 30 minutesSHOP COST · Free; a little foam
SYMPTOMSA rattle at the bottom corner of the windshield.
THE FIXTwo owners traced it to leaves trapped under the hood near the hinge and in the well where the wiper linkage connects. Open the hood, vacuum out the debris, and fit a strip of foam to keep leaves from getting back in.
TOOLS & PARTSShop vacuum · closed-cell foam strip.
WHERE TO BUY PARTSClosed-cell foam strips · McMaster-Carr ↗Amazon ↗OEM cowl panel & windshield diagram · LexusPartsNow ↗
Tame rolling-stop hesitation
DIFFICULTY · 1 / 5TIME · ≈ 15 minutesSHOP COST · Free (or an OBD tool)
SYMPTOMSDelayed or missing throttle response, or a clunk into first, when accelerating from a rolling stop. Owners say it's worse in Sport and Sport+ modes.
THE FIXAs an interim fix until Lexus updates the software, owners set the pre-collision system (PCS) to its minimum distance using the screen in front of the driver; turning PCS off also works but loses a safety system. Some use Carista to keep the PCS setting across restarts (and to quiet the ventilated-seat fans). Make sure any software recall is done first.
TOOLS & PARTSNone, or an OBD-II dongle with Carista.
WHERE TO BUY PARTSCarista EVO OBD2 scanner · Carista ↗Amazon ↗
Diesel: keep the DPF and EGR healthy
DIFFICULTY · 2 / 5TIME · A weekly highway run; an intake clean is a workshop jobSHOP COST · Workshop labor for the intake clean
SYMPTOMSLoss of power, a check-engine light or limp mode on an F33A diesel, sometimes with extra smoke and fuel use.
THE FIXUnsealed 4X4 puts most of it down to town driving: repeated stop-start trips can stop the DPF from finishing a regeneration, and the EGR slowly chokes the intake manifold. Its advice is a highway run at least weekly and an intake clean, chemical or manual, at least once a year. The same article reports failures of the 'seventh injector', which sprays diesel into the exhaust to help regeneration. They bring limp mode, smoke and a fault code the dealer has to clear. A Toyota technician told Unsealed it happens to most trucks at around 20,000 km, which the author says he can't verify. Toyota can reportedly tune the problem out, though some owners say it comes back. Make sure all software updates are done.
TOOLS & PARTSOBD-II scanner to read codes · workshop for the intake clean
WHERE TO BUY PARTSOBD-II scanner (search) · Amazon ↗Diesel intake cleaner (search) · Amazon ↗
Diesel: guard the exposed fuel filter
DIFFICULTY · 1 / 5TIME · ≈ 5 minutes for a bolt-on guard (maker's claim)SHOP COST · GMF4x4 FG-2014 guard A$160 (Frankies Auto Electrics, 2026)
SYMPTOMSThe engine cuts out off-road and there's a pool of diesel near the right rear wheel.
THE FIXUnsealed 4X4 says the diesel's plastic fuel filter sits by the rear wheel arch, where rocks and sticks can hit it, and recommends an aftermarket protection plate. GMF4x4's FG-2014 is 3 mm powder-coated steel. It bolts on with the supplied hardware and needs no drilling or cutting. If the filter or housing is already cracked, replace it and follow the workshop manual's fuel-priming procedure before you try to restart.
TOOLS & PARTSBasic socket set
WHERE TO BUY PARTSGMF4x4 FG-2014 fuel filter guard, LC300 · Frankies Auto Electrics ↗Amazon ↗
Asked on every forum

Land Cruiser 300 Series questions, answered

What's the biggest tire I can fit without a lift?

IH8MUD owners report 275/70R18 (about 33.3 inches) and 285/70R18 KO3s (about 33.7 inches) with no rubbing on stock suspension. One LX owner with 275/70R18s had no rub at any AHC height, at full lock, in drive or reverse. 295/70R18s on stock wheels have been reported on an LX 700h Overtrail, and Dissent Off-Road told a member that 35s on a +40 mm offset wheel fit with minimal to zero trimming.

SOURCE · IH8MUD
Can I buy a 300 Series in the US?

Not new. It isn't sold in the US or Canada, and the 25-year import rule rules out bringing one in for decades. The Lexus LX 600 and LX 700h are the same truck under the skin and are sold in North America.

SOURCE · WIKIPEDIA · IH8MUD
Why didn't Toyota sell it in America?

Wikipedia cites slow sales of the 200 Series and limited production capacity. The smaller 250 took over the Land Cruiser name in the US for 2024.

SOURCE · WIKIPEDIA
Which engines are there?

It depends on the market: a 3.4-liter twin-turbo petrol V6 (409 hp), a 3.3-liter twin-turbo diesel V6 (304 hp), a carried-over 4.0-liter V6 in some places, and since 2025 a 457-hp V6 hybrid. All but the 4.0 use a 10-speed automatic.

SOURCE · WIKIPEDIA
Does it have lockers?

Every 300 has a lockable center differential. The GR Sport adds front and rear lockers. On the Lexus side, the LX 700h Overtrail has all three, and Wikipedia also lists a Japan-only LX 'Offroad' trim with three.

SOURCE · WIKIPEDIA
How much lighter is it than the 200?

About 200 kg (440 lb), thanks to the redesigned GA-F frame and laser-welded mixed-metal construction. The V6s are also lighter than the V8s they replaced and sit further back.

SOURCE · WIKIPEDIA · JAPANESE NOSTALGIC CAR
Is the twin-turbo V6 reliable?

The US LX 600 shares the V35A with the Tundra, and both are covered by recalls 24V381 and 25V767 for machining debris that can ruin the main bearings. Later engines were built with improved processes or an improved main bearing, and some are still under investigation. Owners routinely do early oil changes and oil analysis.

SOURCE · NHTSA · IH8MUD
What did Toyota use as the benchmark?

The 80 Series. Chief engineer Takami Yokoo said the 80 still had 'the best rough road performance of any Land Cruiser,' and the 300 keeps the wheelbase the 80 introduced.

SOURCE · JAPANESE NOSTALGIC CAR
How long was the waiting list?

In January 2022 Auto Bild reported Toyota Japan quoting waits of up to four years for new orders.

SOURCE · AUTO BILD
How safe is it?

ANCAP's 2022 rating, aligned with Euro NCAP, scored 89% for adult occupants, 88% for child occupants, 81% for vulnerable road users and 77% for safety assist.

SOURCE · WIKIPEDIA · ANCAP
What fluids and capacities does it take?

From service data posted by an IH8MUD owner: transfer case 1.89 qt of Toyota LF 75W, front diff 1.23 qt. Owners also report using 0W-20 engine oil. Check your own service manual, since markets and drivetrains differ.

SOURCE · IH8MUD
Is the V6 diesel reliable?

Mostly, but it has known issues. Unsealed 4X4's 2026 round-up of owner reports lists DPF and EGR trouble in town driving, oil consumption of up to 1.7 L between services, seventh-injector faults, and a torque dip at about 2,200–2,500 rpm when towing over 3 t, which a Toyota ECU update fixes or at least minimises. It also reports bearing failures linked to heat soak in the hot-vee layout under hard work such as sand driving and heavy towing, though it calls their incidence 'statistically low'. In February 2024 Toyota paused F33A-FTV engine shipments after Toyota Industries found irregularities in certification testing.

SOURCE · UNSEALED 4X4 · CAREXPERT
PART 05

Building one

Who makes the good stuff, where owners gather, and who to watch.

Common modifications & who does them

ARMOR: SKIDS & SLIDERSSkids and rock sliders are the first job on any 300 or LX that leaves the pavement. Make sure sliders match your suspension (AHC or not).
Slee Off-Road — skid plates ↗Slee Off-Road — sliders ↗Dissent Off-Road — LX 600 / LX 700h ↗
BUMPERS & RECOVERYA winch bumper gives you a winch mount, and aftermarket recovery points give you rated places to attach a strap.
Slee Off-Road — front bumpers ↗Slee Off-Road — recovery points ↗Dissent Off-Road — LX 600 / LX 700h ↗
PORTAL AXLESThe extreme route to 37s: portal hubs lift the truck without touching the suspension geometry. IH8MUD has several LX builds on portals, and Slee runs one.
74Weld ↗
LOCKERSStandard 300s and LX 600s have only a center lock. Adding front and rear lockers matches a GR Sport or LX 700h Overtrail.
ARB Air Locker ↗
STORAGE & SLEEPINGOwners pull the third row and fit drawers and a fridge slide for overland trips.
Slee Off-Road — drawer systems ↗Slee Off-Road — roof racks ↗
Resources

Channels, accounts & forums

All Land Cruiser resources →
YouTube channels
YTSlee Off-RoadLX 600 / 300 BUILDS & PORTALSYTDissent Off-roadLX 700H PORTAL BUILD & ARMORYTAlways TouringLC300 TOURING BUILD
Instagram accounts
IG@sleeoffroadLAND CRUISER & LX BUILDSIG@dissentoffroadLX 600 / 700H ARMORIG@ih8mudLAND CRUISER COMMUNITY
Forums & message boards
IH8MUD — 300-Series / LC300 / LX600 / LX700h ↗The main English-language 300 forum: LX builds, recalls, and gray-market LC300 owners.IH8MUD — 300/600/700 issues, problems and solutions ↗A running list of owner-reported faults and fixes.IH8MUD — 300 Series wheel and tire fitment database ↗Crowd-sourced fitment spreadsheet by size, offset and AHC height.IH8MUD — V35A engine recall (25LA07/25LB07) ↗Recall documents and owner updates on the engine campaign.
SourcesWikipedia — Toyota Land Cruiser (J300 section)Wikipedia — Lexus LXJapanese Nostalgic Car — Toyota benchmarked the 80-series for the new Land Cruiser 300Auto Bild — Toyota Land Cruiser J300 (2022): Vier Jahre LieferzeitNHTSA — Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V767 (V35A engines)IH8MUD — 25LA07/25LB07 interim notice, engine recallIH8MUD — LX600 2025–2026 transmission recallIH8MUD — 300/600/700 issues, problems and solutionsIH8MUD — 300 Series wheel and tire fitment databaseIH8MUD — Largest tire sizeIH8MUD — Importing LC300 to USAIH8MUD — Transfer case fluid changed, changed specIH8MUD — Transmission fluid changeIH8MUD — LX700h early diff/trans oil changeIH8MUD — V35A-FTS oil analysisIH8MUD — Japanese V35A-FTS bearing issuesSlee Off-Road — Videos (incl. 'Life with 74 Weld Portal Axles')Dissent Off-Road — LX600 & LX700h partsAMSOIL — 2023 Lexus LX 600 3.4L V35A-FTS fluid lookupNHTSA — Recall 26V094000 (2025–26 LX 600 transmission ECU), campaign lookupNHTSA — Recall 24V381000 (V35A main bearings), campaign lookupUnsealed 4X4 — Toyota LandCruiser 300 problems: the faults, fixes and what to look forFrankies Auto Electrics — GMF4x4 FG-2014 LandCruiser LC300 fuel filter guardCarExpert — Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series recalled due to fire riskCarExpert — Toyota LandCruiser, HiAce, Lexus LX production stopped over engine scandalCarExpert — 2026 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Performance Hybrid reviewWikipedia — Toyota Land Cruiser (J300 section)Wikipedia — Grey import vehicle (US 25-year rule)CarMag — Toyota Land Cruiser 300 off-road specs releasedCarExpert — 2021 Toyota LandCruiser towing & off-road capacity70 Series Store — 79 Series stud pattern (5x150 shared with 100/200/300 Series)IH8MUD — 300 Series wheel and tire fitment databaseIH8MUD — Largest tire sizeIH8MUD — Importing LC300 to USAAuto Bild — Toyota Land Cruiser J300 (2022): Vier Jahre LieferzeitWikipedia — Lexus LX (J310 US sales, LX 700h Overtrail)CarExpert — Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series recalled due to fire risk (Feb 2026)CarExpert — Toyota LandCruiser, Tundra recalled (Feb 2024)CarExpert — Multiple Toyota models recalled (Apr 2022)CarExpert — LandCruiser, HiAce, Lexus LX production stopped over engine scandal (Feb 2024)CarExpert — 2026 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Performance Hybrid review (pricing)