Why The 80 Series Land Cruiser Is One Of The Best 4x4s Ever Made

Summary

• The 80 Series Land Cruiser had an iconic design, boasting durable engines, solid axles, and advanced capabilities for off-roading adventures.
• Luxury features like automatic transmission, A/C, and leather seats elevated the rugged 80 Series, making it a versatile and comfortable vehicle.
• Compared to competitors like the Jeep Cherokee, Range Rover, and Chevy Suburban, the Land Cruiser excelled in utility, towing capacity, and ground clearance.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is synonymous with off-roading and adventure, and for good reason. The Land Cruiser, which originally served as a bare-bones utility vehicle, boasted robust construction and tough components that enhanced its capability and ruggedness in the face of any terrain. Due to its uncompromising capability, the Land Cruiser earned itself a raving fan base that includes fans from every generation and every model.

The 80 Series, or FJ80, Land Cruiser went on sale in 1989 and ended in 1998. In that timeframe, the 80 Series played a part in revitalizing the adventure, off-roading, and overlanding hobbyists’ interest in a comfortable utility vehicle. As the 80 Series aged, it became more sought-after for its special blend of capability, toughness, reliability, and comfort, and is still a highly sought-after vehicle that can sell for upwards of three figures in the right condition. Let’s see why.

The 80 Series Is A Timeless Machine, Both Esthetically And Mechanically

Firstly, we have the engines. Granted, the petrol examples in the U.S.-spec models were a bit underwhelming. They didn’t have much power; they used a lot of fuel, but they were indestructible. The diesels were great. They had torque down low, and the power needed to move the big Land Cruiser both on the pavement and off-road. Also, they were a bit more fuel efficient and just as reliable as the petrol variants. They are considered by many as some of the best diesel engines ever made.

The 80 Series Took Capability Seriously

Contributing to the main reason the 80 Series became so famous was its capability and durability. It was the first Land Cruiser to feature two coil-spring solid axles, which gave a better ride quality and more wheel articulation than the previously used leaf springs. Some models of the 80 also came equipped with two diff locks — one on each axle, along with the standard center-locking differential. This made the vehicle extremely capable off-road and able to crawl like no other utility vehicle before it.

The solid axles also provided durability and ease of maintenance. If something went wrong in the middle of nowhere, the 80 could be fixed with basic tools. However, these cars rarely go wrong, thanks to their design, quality of materials, and the fact that they were immensely over-engineered. The 80 could also be modified easily with larger tires and suspension lifts, making it very popular in the off-road world thanks to the various ways it could be optioned.

Luxury And Comfort Were Also A Focus, Albeit Smaller Ones Than Adventure

Customization was, and is, a big part of automotive trend-setting features, as buyers love to express themselves through their vehicle, which includes its abilities and cosmetics. The interior also played a big role, given the luxurious version of the 80 Series came with a fridge in the center console, A/C, an auto transmission option, heating both for the front and rear portions of the cabin, and space for eight. When new, the cabin was also quiet during road driving, giving it a sweet daily driver-esque quality when taking it easy.

80 Series Land Cruiser Key Features

• Optional Automatic transmission
• Leather seats
• Cruise control
• A/C
• Front and rear heating

The comfortable 80 Series offered many modern fittings that made daily driving more viable. These include an updated control panel with a more user-friendly interface, more contemporary amenities and creature comforts, a more effective sound deadening design, and rugged suspension, which provides a well-articulated and cushioned drive when on the road; perfect for those pesky potholes.

The Japanese brand took luxury a step further by re-branding the 80 Series as the Lexus LX 450, which was a more cushioned, posh version of the Land Cruiser. The 1996 LX 450 displayed respectable capabilities, though it didn’t display the “go-anywhere” attitude the LC does.

The 80 Series LC Boasted Some Of The Best Off-Road Manners Before, And Arguably Since

The 80 Series Land Cruiser is unlike many modern utility vehicles in that it was one of the last North American market production SUVs to feature a solid front axle. The 100 Series that followed the 80 Series switched to independent front suspension, which divided the Land Cruiser community, with some praising the progress on Toyota’s part, and others bemoaning the change behind claims of it making the LC less willing to handle tougher terrain than its solid front axle predecessor. Though that’s neither here nor there, as the 80 Series retained the solid front axle for the entirety of its production run.

1997 Land Cruiser 80 Series Specs

The body on fully-boxed frame and rugged chassis allowed for more off-road-inspired upgrades and customizations that would be easily integrated into the vehicle’s dynamics. This includes the large off-road tires and aftermarket lift kits, which are both very popular upgrades in the off-roading world, as they easily extend the adventure capabilities of the vehicle. Adventures which could include rock climbing, water fording, mud bogging, and even dune hopping; the 80 Series literally does it all.

The Changes That Came During This Iconic Era

As the 90s rolled on, the 80 Series LC expertly adapted to the growing demand and changing trends surrounding rugged vehicles, particularly SUVs. 1993 brought more horsepower to the rugged SUV, bumping it up to a 212 horsepower 1FZ-FE inline-six from the previous model’s 155 horsepower 4.0-liter 3F-E unit.

This was much needed, as the heavy utility vehicle struggled to show any get-up and go, despite displaying ample motivation to tackle tough terrain. Along with a more powerful engine, 1993 brought the 80 Series 16-inch alloys, rear disc brakes, and a full-floating rear axle. 93′ was also the first year to feature the front and rear lockers.

1995 introduced a new transmission, the A343F, which replaced the previously employed A442F “bus” transmission found on the ’93 and ’94. The 1993 and ’94 80 Series Land Cruisers used the same transmission found on the Toyota Coaster, a 30 passenger bus of the same era.

Some argue the “bus” transmission was more durable, but the fact is that either transmission can handle anything the Land Cruiser can throw at it. An auto transmission option was also made available at this time, which was considered a luxury in terms of rugged utility vehicles.

Vehicles that Came Close to the 80 Series Land Cruiser

The 80 Series Land Cruiser is a model that is very hard to match in terms of all-around versatility, ruggedness, and design prowess, though there are a few that can at least get the 80’s attention. Those models include the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, and the 1997 Range Rover Discovery II. These models display a sense of adventure and toughness that makes for a very confident utility vehicle, and in the Range Rover’s case, a confident, and classy, utility vehicle.

Land Cruiser 80 Series V.S. Its Competitors

The Jeep Cherokee’s 4.0-liter six-cylinder mill produces around 190 horsepower, though its towing capability isn’t affected by this lack of muscle, as it still pulls up to 5,000 pounds like the 80 Series. That said, the Jeep’s payload cap is a bit less than the 80 Series, as is its ground clearance, only offering 7.8 inches in that department. 4-wheel drive and light construction make the Jeep Cherokee a fun vehicle to trailblaze in, though if you’re looking for max utility, there’s nothing better than the 80 Series LC.

The 1997 Range Rover puts up more of a fight in terms of capability and max utility. With its 4.0-liter V-8, the Range’s 236 horses go to all four wheels, allowing it to tow up to 7,700 pounds. While impressive, the Range’s payload taps out at 1,170 pounds, and it only clears 8.4 inches from the ground to the chassis.

Lastly, the big bad ’97 Suburban, which offers the best of space and cargo, along with ample utility aspects that make it a jack of all trades. Also, it can haul up to 10,000 pounds, with a payload cap of 3,357 pounds. Suffice to say, the ‘Burban is an all-American workhorse that isn’t afraid of a little hard work. That said, the Suburban weights more than the Jeep Cherokee, the Range Rover, and the 80 Series LC, and it also carries the lowest ground clearance, only standing 7.6 inches from ground to chassis.

The Land Cruiser lives on in the modern market, though it’s a shadow of its former self. Having gone through various design and direction shifts throughout its lifespan, the Land Cruiser has taken on various roles in Toyota’s line-up, though recently it’s catering more toward the rugged nature that made it a homerun in the 1980s. Which is something worth smiling about!