Toyota's Jeep.....40/45 Series
All pictures are of the overseas foreign version (non-North American) of the LC40 series unless otherwise noted.
Click on images for larger view.
Toyota continued to produce the 40 series in Brazil after it was discontinued for the rest of the world in
1984.  The Brazilian 40 was produced through 2001.   For more info, please visit my
Toyota Landcruiser
Bandeirante page.
The major variations of the 40/43/45 series Landcruisers used the F series
petrol and B series diesel engines.  For more info, please visit my
Landcruiser Engines and Transmissions Page
Foreign Lancruiser 40/45 series Engines
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The F series (F and 2F) engines were the petrol
engines that could be found in the 40 series.
The B series engines (B, 2B and 3B) were the
diesel engines that could be found in the 40
series.
Foreign Lancruiser 40/45 series interior
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The interior of the 40/45 series did not change much over the 25 year production run (not including
the Brazilan model).   1980s models did get some extra features such as air conditioning, power
steering, a more modern steering wheel and slighly nicer trim pieces.  Note the tool kit (far right
picture) that came from the factory.
Diagram of the rear suspension
Diagram of the outer front CV birfield
BJ40 French Advertisement.  Can you read French?  Click on image for larger view.
Fire and Rescue 40 series trucks
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A 1963 45 series fire truck, probably from Japan.  Landcruiser fire trucks are very common in
Japan.
These pictures were borrowed from www.owens-export.com
These fire trucks were originally from Denmark.  The conversion to
firetruck was done by Meisner-Jensen in Odense Denmark.   They were
used by the Danish fire and rescue company called "Falck" (Falcon in
danish).

New information about these trucks couristy
www.tango-bravo.dk
A 45 series tow truck
from
Australia.
Factory stock or with minor modifications 40/45 series
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Toyota Promotional pictures of European and Japanese 40 series Landcruisers
Pictures of privately owned 40 series from Europe, Japan and Australia as well other foriegn
countries.
The below three pictures are courtisy of www.tango-bravo.dk
Canadian BJ42
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This is a 1981 BJ42.  What makes these rigs so interesting is that they are the closest Americans
will ever get to a factory diesel 40 series.   Canada imported a number diesel Landcruisers, while
American never imported a single one.   A stock BJ42 in good condition can get over 30 mpg!  
While the U.S. stopped importing the 40 series around 1982, they were still imported into Canada,
as well as the rest of the world through 1985.  A BJ42s have made it across the border into the
United States and thus they are one of the few foreign Landcruisers that one might have a chance
at finding here in the states.
Factory PTO winch
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Starting with the early Landcruisers, Toyota incorporated a military option in the civilian version
of the Landcruiser, a Power Take Off (PTO) winch.   These winches operated off of the transfer
case and provided plenty of pulling power.  They could also be run all day long.  The only
disadvantage was they would not run if the engine was not running.  I'm not sure when Toyota
quit selling these, but they seem to be far more common on the very early model 40 series models
(early to late 1960s) rather than the later models.
Highly modified foreign Landcruiser 40/45 series.
Click on images for larger views
Most of these highly modified cruisers were built for the Tuff Truck competition in Australia.  As can be seen, the V-8 is favored among
many Australian 40 series owners as well as here in America.
A 45 series from Australia.  Heavily modified for competition and serious 4 wheeling.
These BJ40 pictures were sent to me from Ebi in Germany.  The grey one is a 1979 Land Cruiser.
Landcruiser 40/45 series off road and stuck shots.
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Crusiers off roading in Australia shown below.
Below are Crusiers off roading in Japan....no kidding.
LANDCRUISER  SERIES
With the appearance of the FJ20 series, the reputation of the Land Cruiser was secure, especially in
non-Japanese markets. From this point on it was a matter of pursuing higher output, better performance,
and making improvements and refinements throughout.

In 1960, the FJ-type took an evolutionary step into the 40-series. Though there was little change in the
external appearance of the vehicle, production techniques were modernised with the introduction of
large-scale press equipment, and changes were made in processes, such as the way panels were assembled.

At the beginning, there was only the basic body type with a hood, and a light van. There was also a metal
top specialty version with a design inherited from the 20-series. But the 40-series expanded, and became
rich in wheelbase variations, included the short wheelbase FJ40 (soft top and light van model), the middle
wheelbase FJ43, and the long wheelbase FJ45 . While the FJ28 had a soft top, hard top and light van
model, the FJ43 came in only two variations, a soft top and hard top model. The FJ45V was a van type, and
there was also a pickup model made for export.

In 1967 the demand for estate cars increased significantly, and the FJ45V was replaced with a new FJ55V
that had a wheelbase of 2.700mm. An export model with an H-type 6-cylinder, 3,576cc diesel engine also
debuted.

In 1974, the BJ-series debuted, which put a B-type diesel engine in the 40 series. At the time, a 2.8-litre
piston displacement was thought of as the upper limit for a 4-cylinder diesel engine, but the B-type
extended the piston capacity to 3.0 litres, and was developed for installation in 2-ton trucks. As a result, the
weight in the Japanese market shifted from the FJ to the BJ in the 40 series.

The appearance of the BJ40 series was epoch-making for the Japanese domestic 4x4 market. Before that,
the FJ 4-litre petrol engine had been classified by the Japanese registrati on system as a large vehicle,
making it more expensive to maintain and a heavy tax liability for individual owners. However, with the
diesel engine, it was reclassified as a compact vehicle, making it more affordable for individuals.

The 40-series went on to enjoy a successful 24-year run before being replaced in 1984 with the 70-series in
most markets.   However, the 40 series would still continue in production in one final market, Brazil, though
2001.
















The 40-series lineup included the short wheelbase FJ40 (soft top and light van model), the middle
wheelbase FJ43, and the long wheelbase FJ45. The FJ28 had three variations, a soft top, hard top and light
van model. The FJ43 came in only soft top and hard top models.

The FJ45V was a van type and there was also a pickup truck model for export.

The side body panels on the 40-series were straight rather than curved, making the vehicles more roomy
inside. Both front and rear bench seats had room for three people. The FJ40V was styled as a top-heavy
box-like extension of the panelling on the soft type.

To reduce the added weight, resinous materials were used for the roof instead of steel panelling. The high
roof was designed for improved visibility, al so enhanced by an additional rear co rner window. The unique
styling proved very popular.

The FJ43 had a 3-speed manual transmission column shift and a 2-speed transfer lever switch on the
instrument panel. This left more room on the floor, which, when added to the seat configuration of one
narrow driver's seat with a bench-type passenger seat, made it possible to carry three people.

While retaining the tough Land Cruiser image, the 40-series began adding passenger-car features.

The top LX grade of the BJ42 featured a crash pad in the dashboard to protect passengers in the event of a
collision. It added a switch panel for cosmetic appeal, a digital clock and a tachometer. Zebra pattern seat
fabric was standard on the LX grade, and it had resinous panelling on the walls as well as carpeting on the
floors.

The FJ43 had a whe elbase 145mmm longer than the FJ40, and the extra room was allotted to an extended
luggage compartment. The rear gate opened out from the centre, and its lower half was made of steel.
The short wheelbase 40 series.  This
is the most commonly found
Landcruiser in most markets.
The mid wheelbase 43 series.
The longer wheelbase 45.  The wagon
van is shown, but a pick-up truck in
this wheel base was also offered in
some markets
FJ and BJ 45 pick-up - long
wheelbase
FJ-45 wagon - long wheelbase
BJ-43 jeep - mid wheelbase
FJ and BJ 40 jeep - short wheelbase
Landcruiser 45 series station wagons from the early 1960s.   Toyota first began producing
Landcruiser wagons when it introduced the 35 series in the late 1950s, which looked very similier
to the above pictures.  When the 60 series was introduced, the wagon continued in production.  
Toyota, later decided to produce a completely seperate wagon model based on the Landcruiser
frame.  Introduced in 1967, it was called the 55 series.  With the introduction of the 55 series, 45
series wagon production ceased.
For more info please visit my
Landcruiser Engine Page