Toyota Land Cruiser 80, the old legendary SUV

Toyota Land Cruiser 80 is a real SUV, a jeep that is not afraid of forest roads and mountain rivers. The model was created in the 90s. But among modern cars of a similar class, it is difficult to find a car with similar characteristics. Comfort, reliability, cross-country ability - this is what distinguishes the Land Cruiser 80 series.

In the 80s, engineers at the Toyota plant set out to develop a jeep that could drive equally well in all weather conditions and on various road surfaces (or not). In 1986, a military conflict occurred between Chad and Libya.

And then Japanese engineers saw their products in conditions that could not be called harsh. Anti-aircraft guns were installed on Toyotas, large loads were transported across the desert, and the cars withstood any load.

Taking into account all the developments, the engineers created a car that was not inferior to the Hilux. And no matter how they tried to “kill” this model in the famous TV program Top Gear, they drowned it, threw it off the house, and set it on fire.

Pre-styling versions of the 80th Land Cruiser (model production began in 1989) are distinguished by the fact that there is a large Toyota inscription on the radiator grille. Starting in 1995, the plant installed a logo instead.

But the Land Cruiser 80 may still have “sores” that a potential buyer should be aware of. You can buy them only on the secondary market, they have a lot of mileage, and some, perhaps, once rode through the deserts with anti-aircraft guns.

Minor problems, causes and solutions

Small problems still do not escape SUV owners. On the Land Cruiser 80 STD or GX, the seal of the rubber bands on the rear door and windshield may be compromised. But usually this is not a defect of the manufacturer, but the result of insufficient qualifications of the technician who replaced the glass.

They forget about the sealant, as a result of which the windows leak water when it rains. This not only causes discomfort during the trip, but also may damage the electrical system.

Sometimes you can observe souring of the antenna on the Toyota Land Cruiser 80. Prevention is powerless; you will have to disassemble the unit and clean it thoroughly. Sometimes the radiator in the interior heater gets clogged. At the same time, the stove begins to work very weakly. Also, the duralumin and copper tubes that connect the units of the stove and air conditioner can collapse when exposed to moisture. And if there is a hatch, it is sometimes necessary to clean the drain channels, which can also become clogged.

From a position of strength

The Land Cruiser 80 never experiences a lack of power from the six-cylinder naturally-aspirated diesel engine with a displacement of 4.2 liters. The engine pulls like an elephant. You don’t even have to think about choosing manual transmission gears. Although it is pleasant to change gears, the “box” has exceptional shift clarity, a long lever and a comfortable knob. The sports steering wheel works just as well: excellent feedback and moderate heaviness.

The Land Cruiser 80's cross-country ability is quite high, despite the long wheelbase: it is perfectly compensated by large wheels and a slight lift. All-wheel drive is always connected, so before storming difficult areas, you only need to engage a lower gear in the transfer case. There is also a center differential lock.

On asphalt, the Land Cruiser 80 rides smoothly and comfortably, only occasionally swaying on its large wheels. It is not for nothing that this model, but in a more equipped configuration, is considered one of the most comfortable SUVs in the world.

Which finishing option is better?

Most of the basic cars have velor interior trim. You can't call it bad, but it's not perfect. Some motorists say that the best finishing option is leather. Yes, it's beautiful, but it's far from practical. The problem is the age of the car - after all, the newest one is almost 30 years old. And the skin needs care, otherwise it will dry out and become cracked.

The comfort of the skin is also debatable - in the summer it heats up in the sun, in the winter it freezes terribly. Sitting on such seats is problematic. Leather interior can be found on Land Cruisers 80 VX. It is rare on other modifications. The best finishing option is velor. Soft, warm, and if handled carefully, durable.

Let's hit the road!

The authority of the Toyota Land Cruiser 80 SUV is high. It is confirmed not only by the appearance of a real “macho”, but also by excellent driving performance both on and off the road. Driving this large and powerful car is a pleasure, but the fact that it is not rich in luxury items... So without them it is even calmer on long trips through difficult places.

If it were up to me, I would go without hesitation.

Konstantin BATSAZOV. Photo by Anatoly GORNOSTALEV

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Transmission types and their features

The SUV can be equipped with plug-in and permanent all-wheel drive. In the Land Cruiser 80, the front axle is a problem area. For prevention, it is necessary to replace drives and related elements every 120-150 thousand km. The cost of such repairs is high, so many owners get away with only replacing grenades, anthers and support bearings.

This option is suitable if you plan to sell your car soon. But if you want to drive it for several more years without problems, then you need to repair the entire drive, including the gearbox.

This node doesn't really like high speed. Yes, you can accelerate to 150 km/h and the ride will be comfortable. But the car was designed for other purposes; its element is off-road, on which you cannot travel quickly.

Traveling at low speeds can significantly increase the life of the axle gearbox. As for the suspension springs, they can sag. If they are in good condition, then you can install 32” wheels without a lift.

The gearbox on the 80 series is mechanical, the reliability of the rear axle and transfer case is high. But automatic transmissions sometimes frighten drivers with shocks when moving from 3rd to 4th speed. Typically, such a breakdown is solved by replacing the lubricant on the crosspieces and cardan shafts.

Read: Toyota Land Cruiser J100 review, specifications

Engines Toyota Land Cruiser 80

The Land Cruiser 80 was equipped with 6-cylinder engines that ran on gasoline or diesel. On some modifications you can find a turbodiesel. Here are the engines that were installed on the 80 series Kruzaks:

1. Carburetor with a volume of 4 liters and a power of 155 hp. With.
2. Carburetor with a volume of 4.5 liters and a power of 190 hp. With.
3. Injection volume 4.5 liters and power. 205…215 l. With.
4. Diesel engines with a volume of 4.2 liters and a power of 120-135 hp. With. (depending on modification).
5. Turbodiesel engines with 24 valves and a power of 165 and 170 hp. With.

Engines 80 Kruzak

The six-cylinder in-line engines of the Land Cruiser 80 are famous for their reliability . Toyota was equipped with gasoline carburetor and injection units, diesel and turbodiesel. All of them had a six-cylinder in-line design.

3F-E is a 4 liter petrol engine without modifications, migrated from the sixtieth series. It was equipped with a fuel injection system and produced 155 hp. Until 1992, it was installed on cars sold in Australia .

Toyota 3F-E engine (link to image source)

1FZ-F. Gasoline , carburetor engine with a volume of 4.5 liters. and a power of 190-205 horses . From 1992 to 1997 , “Cruisers” equipped with it were supplied to the Chinese , Arab and African markets.

1FZ-FE. It differed from the 1FZ-F only in the presence of an injector and slightly more power ( 205-215 hp ). A popular reliable motor, presented in all world markets until 2008 .

Engine Toyota 1FZ-FE

1HZ and 1HD-T. The arrival of the Land Cruiser 80 on the market was marked by the appearance of two new generation diesel engines. In-line six-cylinder diesel engines with indexes received thicker walls between the cylinders. All parts that are not subject to heavy loads are made of durable plastic .

Characteristics of Land Cruiser 80 with naturally aspirated diesel engine 4.2 1HZ.

Toyota 1HD-T engine
Innovations have reduced the weight and dimensions of the engine, but have not affected its strength. Both new engines had minimal fuel consumption, a volume of 4.2 liters . 1HZ - naturally aspirated with a power of 120-135 hp. , 1 HD-T - turbodiesel developing 165 horses .

Engine Toyota 1HZ

1HD-FT. An upgraded 24- valve version 1HD-T turbodiesel Installed on cars 1995-1997 , had a power of 170 hp. and volume 4.2 liters .

Engine Toyota 1HD-TF

Specifications

As an example, consider the Land Cruiser 80 with a turbodiesel and a 4.2-liter engine with a power of 135 hp. With. and all-wheel drive. The body of the five-door SUV has a length of 4.97 m, a width of 1.83 m, and a height of 1.96 m. The ground clearance is 22 cm, thanks to this clearance the vehicle's maneuverability improves.

The trunk volume is 832 liters, which is quite a lot. Enough for trips on hunting, fishing or with the family to the sea. And if the rear row of seats is folded, the luggage compartment volume increases to 1368 liters. The total vehicle weight is 3006 kg, curb weight is 2220 kg. Gearbox is either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. With proper and careful use, these boxes are almost eternal.

Disc brake system, front ventilated. Timely replacement of pads and maintenance of the system is the key to its uninterrupted operation. Diesel engines are not demanding on fuel - even if it contains a lot of impurities, no problems will arise. The main thing is to carry out timely maintenance. Then the engine will work perfectly.

Characteristics

Let's take as an example the technical characteristics of the Land Cruiser 80 with a 4.2 l/135 hp turbocharged diesel engine. and permanent all-wheel drive. This is a full-size five-door SUV. Body length - 4.97 meters, width - 1.83 m, height - 1.96 m. Cross-country ability is ensured not only by the presence of all-wheel drive, but also by a ground clearance of 22 cm.

The car has a convenient large trunk with a volume of 832 liters. If you fold the rear row of seats, we get a more impressive 1368 liters. This is quite enough to take a couple of tents, a folding barbecue and other things out of town. The curb weight of the vehicle is 2.22 tons, and the gross weight is 3.06 tons.

This modification was produced with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. Both boxes, as mentioned above, have a good margin of safety and last a very long time if used correctly.

A disc type brake system was used. The brakes on the front wheels are ventilated. Complaints about brake failures occur only among those owners who forget to check the condition of the system in a timely manner.

The car is considered an expedition vehicle and is not suitable for trophies. It is also quite possible to use it as a family station wagon, which you can drive around the city, to the country, and for any work purposes.

The most obvious advantage of a diesel engine is that it runs quite successfully on domestic fuel. If the car's maintenance is carried out regularly, the engine will work properly.

How to choose Land Cruiser 80

In any case, buying an old car is playing the lottery. Often you come across cars that have only been cleaned up externally before being sold - tinted, washed, oil leaks removed, etc.

And upon inspection, you may not see that the suspension is falling apart before your eyes or that the engine has traveled more than two million kilometers off-road. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to use one of two options:

1. Try to find a Toyota Land Cruiser 80 with low mileage. Often in the 90s people bought such cars “to show off.” Consequently, we rode them around the city and nothing more. The car has not experienced off-road or aggressive use, so the engine and suspension will be in good condition.
2. Hire a specialist who will conduct a complete diagnosis and inspection of the car.

Drive car

For Toyota Land Cruiser 80 there are three types of drive:

• Part time 4WD;
• 2 types of Full time 4WD.

The Part time 4WD transmission automatically engages front-wheel drive in difficult road conditions. If you drive all-wheel drive constantly, the system will fail within two years.

For constant all-wheel drive, it is recommended to choose an SUV with a Full time 4WD transmission. It allows you to drive in all-wheel drive without damaging the car. The third type of Full time 4WD involves locking the front and rear differential.

What will have to be changed

Maintenance must be carried out in a timely manner, otherwise various breakdowns may gradually appear. It is recommended to replace silent suspension blocks every 150 thousand km. It is advisable to make repairs when purchasing a car. You can also install new rods and shock absorbers. In this case, you can completely forget about the suspension for the next at least 5 years.

The steering gear may become unusable. Repairs are expensive, it’s easier to buy a new one or a used one from disassembly. As practice shows, even a high-quality gearbox repair will last for a maximum of 10 thousand km. mileage

After this the problem appears again. Sometimes the hydraulic power steering pump breaks. To increase the resource of this unit, you need to remember two rules - change the fluid in a timely manner and do not overextend the steering wheel in extreme positions.

Age and mileage of Toyota Land Cruiser 80

Production of the model started in 1989. If you happen to find a car from the first production, its condition is unlikely to be good. How to choose a car that can drive for several years without repair?

Look at the story, you often come across Toyotas that have had only one owner. Usually people take good care of their cars. And if maintenance was carried out in a timely manner, this will be visible in the appearance of the machine.

During operation, most car owners change silent blocks, shock absorbers, and repair the front axle. Rarely, but you have to sort out the steering. If the car has not been looked after, you will have to invest a tidy sum, a very large one.

If the mileage exceeds 350 thousand km, then it is difficult to find defects with the naked eye. Spend some money and hire someone who will thoroughly inspect the car and give it a test drive. And special attention should be paid to machines on which gas equipment is installed.

According to the law, you can register a car if all the equipment has documents and a technical inspection has been carried out. A note in the vehicle's passport indicating that LPG is installed will be a plus. Gas-powered cars are common, since the cost of fuel is low and the consumption is approximately the same as when driving on gasoline.

All owner reviews about Toyota Land Cruiser 80

At one time, in 1997, for work there was a need for a reliable, trouble-free and powerful SUV. The Internet and reviews were problematic back then, but various auto reviews in magazines were common. After gathering information from magazines and talking with competent people, we chose Krusere. Studying the offers of dealers and what they had in stock, we settled on one of the Moscow showrooms. Upon arrival, we went with the manager to the parking lot to get acquainted with the chosen car (the budget was somewhat limited). In this situation, the result was an option with a vinyl interior, steel wheels, without extensions, with a standard radio and a manually pulled out antenna. Not being spoiled by comfortable cars back then, I was happy about that too. But my curiosity got the better of me and I told my guide to open the rest of the Cruisers. We studied car after car as we moved towards the far corner. Getting out of the next car I studied, I saw in the corner what I was ultimately going to sculpt from the semi-finished product that was originally chosen for purchase. My heart began to beat a little faster and I, fearing that it would be a VX package (only a piece of the car was visible), nevertheless asked a question to the seller, who said that it was a GX and named the price. The price was a little out of budget (it was initially agreed with the manager about 53 thousand greenbacks, but this one cost about 56 thousand greenbacks). Without losing hope, I immediately requested an inspection of this particular device. When we approached it, I immediately began to note for myself the advantages that we would receive by purchasing HIS, and not the one we had originally chosen:

• By installing fender flares, we would have to change the bumpers too! Because in configurations that come from the factory without extensions, the bumper is obviously installed less wide, and when installing extensions in the place where the extension and bumper meet, the extension sticks out about one and a half centimeters, or even two... Ugly.
• What immediately caught my eye were the standard aluminum running boards, which were not on that car and which also would have had to be installed (and we didn’t even count them then).
• We get into the car... The interior is no longer vinyl, but fabric. Somehow it’s more pleasant to the eye and to the touch, and it’s more pleasant to sit on fabric seats...
• It is no longer the simplest and cheapest radio with inaudible speakers, but at the very least a simple tape recorder with more or less tolerable speakers.
• You don’t have to drag the antenna by hand, like you used to do on pennies in the 70s :) For this purpose, a button for the antenna has already been installed in this package.

Having noted all the arguments for myself, I called the decision maker (decision maker). The man was in a great mood and almost immediately gave the go-ahead. I was happy and “digged the ground,” wanting to pick up the Cruiser as soon as possible.

Now I'm finally driving. There is complete delight in my soul!!! Until that moment, I had never driven an SUV (I somehow immediately forgot about the UAZ in the army), I plunged headlong into studying this beauty. I started the engine and enjoyed the sound of the engine for the first couple of minutes, closing my eyes. It somehow reminded me of the sound of the surf. It is the sound of waves rushing onto the shore... Not growling or rumbling, but the sound of the surf. Having had my fill of the first sounds, I carefully (the dimensions were absolutely unusual for me at that time) left the site and headed to St. Petersburg. Since I still needed to break it in, I overclocked it to 120 only a couple of times and then only a little. Up to this point, having basically driven only passenger cars, I first tried to avoid every even the smallest hole on the road, but as I got closer to St. Petersburg, I simply began to forget about these dimples and other irregularities on the road, because... With every kilometer I gained more and more experience from communicating with this all-terrain vehicle.

Now let's move on to more mature impressions of driving a Toyota, after experience with it for 2 years and after driving about 100,000 km.