CadGaragePro 3D scans of trucks and 4x4s · 1:1 · mm

Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series generations by year

Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series generations covered here: 70 Series (1984-present), incl. 79 single and double cab ute, 76 wagon, 78 Troop Carrier. The table gives the first and last dates by market, and each generation lists its codes, facelifts, how to tell it apart and the sources.

Not sure which one you have? Use the which generation do I have finder.

Years by market

Generation AustraliaUnited StatesEurope and the UKSouth AfricaThailand
70 Series (1984-present), incl. 79 single and double cab ute, 76 wagon, 78 Troop Carrier 1985 to todayNot soldNot confirmedNot confirmedNot confirmed

"Not confirmed" means we found no source we could open for that date; "Not sold" means the generation was not offered there. Dates are first and last sale or production as the sources give them.

70 Series (1984-present), incl. 79 single and double cab ute, 76 wagon, 78 Troop Carrier

Codes: J70, 71/73/74/75/77 (early bodies), 76 (wagon, from 2007), 78 (Troop Carrier, from 1999), 79 (cab-chassis ute, from 1999; double cab from 2012), HZJ79, VDJ76/VDJ78/VDJ79 (V8), GDJ (2.8 four-cylinder, code unverified). Also called: LandCruiser 70, LC79, Troopy (78), Land Cruiser Pick-up.

How to tell it apart: Boxy ladder-frame workhorse; 1984-2007 has a narrow nose with separate guards, 2007-2023 a wider flat nose with a bonnet scoop for the V8, and from late 2023 round LED headlights with TOYOTA lettered across the grille.

  • 1999 update (coil front, 78/79 bodies) (1999 (Toyota global); Aug 1999): Front leaf springs replaced by coil springs; pickup became the 79 and troop carrier the 78; bigger cabin.
  • 2007 V8 redesign (AU 28 Mar 2007 (GoAuto); Toyota global lists 2007): Wider front end to fit the 4.5 V8 turbo diesel: new grille, headlamps and bumpers, separate fenders removed; 76 wagon added, 73 dropped.
  • 2009 airbags (AU Aug-Sep 2009): Driver and passenger airbags with a 200 Series-style dashboard.
  • 2012 double cab (Aug 2012 (Toyota global); AU Sep 2012): First double cab 79 pick-up.
  • 2016 safety and emissions update (AU late 2016): Stability control and spec upgrades, engine tweaks (GoAuto). Visible change not confirmed.
  • 2023 facelift (2.8 four-cylinder) (AU Oct-Dec 2023): Black mesh grille with TOYOTA lettering instead of the badge, round LED headlights, new vents and bulged bonnet; 2.8 1GD with 6-speed auto.
  • V8 dropped (Announced Jul 2024): Range becomes four-cylinder only; 5-speed manual added Dec 2024.

Our files for this generation: Toyota Land Cruiser 79 J70.

Market notes and sources
  • Australia: Launched globally Nov 1984 (Toyota global). Australian launch month not confirmed by an opened source.
  • United States: Wikipedia: the 70 series was not offered for sale in the US (single source).
  • Europe and the UK: Wikipedia: built in Portugal from mid-2015 mainly for Africa; not reintroduced in Europe due to emissions certification. EU sale dates not confirmed.
  • South Africa: No opened source gave SA dates.
  • Thailand: No opened source.

Not confirmed: Australian launch month in 1985.; South Africa, Europe and Thailand sale dates.; Visible changes in the 2016 update.; Japan re-release in 2023 (not covered by opened sources).; Code for the 2.8 four-cylinder models (commonly called GDJ79/GDJ76) not confirmed in an opened source..

  1. Toyota Global, Land Cruiser heavy-duty evolution: Nov 1984 launch, 1999 coils, 2004 Japan end, 2007 redesign, Aug 2012 double cab, 2014 Japan
  2. GoAuto, Toyota LandCruiser 70 page: AU 28 Mar 2007 V8, 2009 airbags, 2012 double cab, 2016 update, Oct 2023 2.8, Jul 2024 V8 end, Dec 2024 manual
  3. GoAuto New Car Diary, LandCruiser: AU 70 update Sep 2016
  4. myNRMA, 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series launch review, 7 Dec 2023: 2023 facelift visible changes
  5. Wikipedia, Toyota Land Cruiser J70: codes, Aug 1999 date, US not sold, Portugal production

Questions about fitting a part to one of these generations, or a small CAD job? Ask us.

Other models