70 Series Land Cruiser years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Every Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series model year: which ones owners and specialists recommend, which have documented problems, which carry recalls, and what they sell for now.
Unsealed 4X4 says many enthusiasts prefer the 2007–2016 V8s, which don't have a DPF, but that service history matters more than the year. For US imports, the age rule means older trucks, typically with the 1HZ, 2H, 3B or 13B-T diesels or the 3F and 1FZ petrol sixes.
At a glance
70 Series Land Cruiser year by year
| YEAR | VERDICT | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | — | 70 Series replaces the 40 as the heavy-duty Land Cruiser: short, medium and long wheelbases, leaf springs front and rear |
| 1985–1987 | — | BJ70 sold in small numbers in Canada (3B, later 13B-T); diesels switch from 12 V to 24 V for the 1986 model year |
| 1990 | — | 4.2 L 1HZ diesel straight-six arrives (HZJ7x) and stays in production for decades in less-regulated markets |
| 1992 | — | 4.5 L 1FZ petrol straight-six replaces the 3F (FZJ7x) |
| 1999 | — | Second facelift: coil-sprung live front axle, longer rear leaf springs, 5-stud wheels; pickup becomes the 79, Troop Carrier the 78; short wheelbase dropped in most markets |
| 2004 | — | Japanese sales end in June because the 70 can't meet Japan's NOx and particulate law |
| 2007 | Sweet spot | Big facelift for the 4.5 L 1VD-FTV turbo-diesel V8: wider front track and chassis, flat front fenders gone, 76 four-door wagon and GXL grade added. Unsealed 4X4 says many enthusiasts favour the 2007–16 V8s, which are simpler because they have no DPF |
| 2009 | — | 4.0 L 1GR-FE V6 replaces the 1FZ in petrol markets |
| 2012 | — | Double-cab HZJ79 pickup added on the long 3,180 mm wheelbase |
| 2014 | — | Limited '30th Anniversary' GRJ76 wagon and GRJ79 double cab return to Japan for one year (V6, 5-speed manual) |
| 2016 | — | From late 2016 (Euro 5), the V8 gets a diesel particulate filter and piezo injectors; the single-cab ute gains curtain and knee airbags and a stronger chassis for a five-star ANCAP rating. The DPF is the most-discussed fault on later V8s |
| 2023 | — | 2.8 L 1GD-FTV four-cylinder with 6-speed automatic added alongside the manuals; LED headlights, 40-Series-style gauges. The 70 returns to Japanese showrooms in November |
| 2024 | — | Australian V8 wagon, Troop Carrier and GX utes end production in September; GXL V8 utes continue to late 2025. A 5-speed manual 2.8 arrives in October |
“Sweet spot” means owners and specialists recommend those years; “Beware” means documented problems; “Recall” means check the recall was done rather than walk away.
What a 70 Series Land Cruiser costs (October 2026)
Every US truck is a 25-year gray import, so condition and paperwork drive the price. Diesel Troop Carriers and clean, low-kilometre 79 pickups bring the most.
| Project / needs work | $13k–20k |
|---|---|
| Driver | $20k–37k |
| Excellent / low-km | $40k–56k |
Based on 17 Bring a Trailer sales, April–October 2026, from a $13,250 1992 LJ77 to a $55,600 27,000-km 1999 HZJ79 double cab. HZJ75 Troopies sold for $29k–42k.
Best years are buyer consensus from owners, specialists and forums, not spec sheets. See all Land Cruiser years to avoid across every generation.