Note to Readers:
This and my other Foreign and Military Toyota 4x4 pages are currently undergoing a much needed update and
renovation.  When complete, I plan to research and locate more information to add to these pages.  If you'd like to
contribute photos of your own or additional information or corrections, please EMAIL me anytime.  Thank you.
Latest Update:  April 26, 2005
Note:  The following text is largely from Toyota, during it's 50th anniversary of the Land Cruiser, with several modifications, corrections and additions from myself.
By 1989, the 60 series was getting old in design.   Overshadowed by much more modern designs, the 60 series looked
like something that originated from the 1970s, which it actually did.   The 1990s were on the horizon and such an old
outdated design would just not do anymore.    

The 60-series was being driven more for leisure or family use as a town car than as a hardcore off-road vehicle.  Over
time, demand had increased for more fashionable and passenger car-like characteristics.   The 60 series tried to evolve
to meet these demands of a luxury sport utility vehicle, but its hardcore roots, frame and suspension could only go so
far.   Thus an all new design, from the ground up was needed.  

The transition of the 60-series into the 80-series was more drastic than that from the 50-series to the 60-series. A
number of new technologies were introduced, making the transition more revolutionary than evolutionary. The aim of
the 80-series was to be at the forefront of both technology and luxury.

Toyota began the new design by immediately discarding the leaf spring suspension which has supported the full size
Land Cruiser for almost 40 years.    New axles would be designed as well as a new coil spring suspension front and
rear.   The rear axle would be similar to the axle found in the 60 series, but the front axle would be an all new design
from the outer knuckles to the center differential.    The new suspension was designed to be as comfortable as possible
and dramatically improve handling.  Off road ability was not largely sacrificed and the new design was a major success.  
 So successful in fact, that 9 years later, the Land Cruiser 78 series work truck, which is a hardcore off road vehicle,
would be redesigned to use the same front suspension.

The exterior would undergo a complete design change.   Some accents were left to remind owners that were still driving
a Toyota Land Cruiser wagon, but there would be no mistaking an 80 series for a 60 series.   The lines were much
smoother and the overall design, far more modern.    The interior was all new as well, incorporating some of the basic
round dash and modern design features introduced in the new Toyota trucks and 4runners of the day.    In 1994 the
interior would undergo another design change in keeping with the times, but this was slight and involved mostly only the
dash.

For all but one model, it came with a full-time all wheel drive 4x4 power train.  In August 1996, all models took on ABS
and airbags as standard equipment.    In 1993, a new feature that propelled the new Land Cruiser into off road history
was offered.   Front and rear electric differential lockers.   Although optional and somewhat rare in some markets, the
new feature made up for any reduced off road capability, if any existed, and turned the 80 series into one of the most
formidable stock off road vehicles in history.  

The 80-series was born in the favorable environment of an economic boom. However, it did not suffer when the boom
cycle ended -- the 80-series lasted for nine years, getting larger and more luxurious until it was eventually replaced in
January of 1998 with the 100-series Land Cruiser. The transition to the next generation was made when the 80-series
still enjoyed a high level of popularity, much the same as had happened earlier when the 60-series made way for the
80-series.

The 80-series wagon featured two types of rear gates. The higher grade model opened vertically, while the basic model
opened out from the middle, like the ambulance doors of earlier model 40 series Land Cruisers.   It was easier to get
luggage out from the middle opening gate, but this also restricted the rear field of vision. The rear window also came
with a windshield wiper, one for each window on the center-opening type.

The cargo space on the 80-series wagon could be enlarged by folding the second and third seats. The second seats
folded down, while the third seats folded up along the sides of the vehicle, retaining the limited rear vision that this
arrangement produced in the 60-series. On the other hand, the cargo space had a wide floor area and the body was
large enough to handle bigger loads.

Because the 80-series models had a low side step and a long rear overhang, the body tended to scrape the ground in
serious off-roading.   In city driving, however, the large steering angle made it easier to drive.   The 80 series was still
an off road capable SUV, because of its solid axles and later optional electric lockers front and rear.   A very minor lift,
removing the side steps and slightly larger tires would easily turn the 80 series into an unstoppable off road machine.  

There were few differences between the North American and overseas model 80s, with the exception that American
models only got the petrol engine and an automatic transmission.  Oversea models had a diesel engine and an optional
second reserve petrol tank in some models as well as an available manual transmission. Some low end models also may
have included part time transfer cases and manual locking hubs.     

The 80 series is distinguished in North America, as being the last highly off road capable Land cruiser imported here,
because all of the newer 100 series Land cruisers here are IFS and come with few off road optional accessories.  In
addition the 70 series Land Cruisers are not sold in North America.

As a side  note, the 80 series is actually not dead.  It's still in production.

For most markets the last 80 series was sold in 1997-1998.   However, production still continues in some very small markets,
such as Venezuela, where the Land Cruiser is produced in that country for that particular market.   See below for more info.  In
addition, the 80 series frame and solid axles, front and rear, are used on based model of the new Landcruiser 100, sometimes
referred too as the Land Cruiser 105, and only available in Australia, South American and a few other select markets.
Land Crusier Series 80 Tech and Specs
Click on images for larger view
The Land Cruiser 80 introduced a
whole new techincal era for the
Toyota Land Cruiser series.  
New features, including front and
rear coil springs (although the
light duty Bundera was the first
Land Cruiser to use coil springs),
ABS, full time 4 wheel drive on
some models and front and rear
electric lockers.   Despite the
gadgets, this Land Cruiser
continued to prove highly capable
off road and one of the last truely
capable Land Cruiser models.
Rear coil springs of the
LC80 series
Land Crusier Series 80 Interior and dash
Click on images for larger view
An early model dash (1989-1994)
A late model dash (1995-1997)
Land Crusier Series 80 Reviews and Brochure
All reviews posted on Brian894X4.com for easier viewing
Land Crusier Series 80 off road and other pictures
Click on images for larger view
Land Cruiser 80s highly modified, unusual and camper conversions
The following pictures of camper conversions were done by innovation-campers, a German company.  Also, a lifted 80
series and a pick-up version.  Although completely unheard of in the United States, pick-up versions of the Land
Cruiser 80 are quite common in places like Australia.
Click on images for a larger view.
These three pics on
the left were sent in
by SSgt. Randy
Ellison, USMC who
is stationed in
Japan.
Below:  These South American Land Cruiser 80 series pictures are from
www.funrace4x4.com
These three pics on the left
were sent in by Khaled
Soliman of Egypt of his
1995 80 series with a factory
carburated 4.5 liter engine.
A current model Land Cruiser 80 series?
Click on images for larger view
The Landcruiser 80 series was discontinued in 1997-1998 when the new 100 series introduced.   That is, discontinued in
most markets.   Production actually continued in some markets and continues to this day.  In particular, Venezuela.   
Toyota produces Landcruisers for Venezuela and some South American countries in Venezuela.   Toyota likely did not
want to spend the money required to update the manufacturing plants for the new 100 series model, given that sales are
relatively low in that market.   So, the old 80 series is still being produced today in that market.
Land Cruiser 80 series Police car?
Click on images for larger view
Landcruisers were even used as police cars in some countries. The two above
models are of a later model 80 series equipped as a  police car from Denmark.
This is a Police Land Cruiser from a
South American country.
Land Cruiser 80 series pick-ups, traybacks & conversions
Click on images for larger view
Land Cruisers are often converted in overseas countries to suit commerical needs.   It begs the question why all the trouble would be made to convert a
Land Cruiser 80 series SUV to a pick-up when a Land Cruiser 78 series pick-up is readily available to purchase new.   But one major difference between
the Land Cruiser 80 and 78 is the luxury and comfort of the 80 series.
Believe it or not, this is a Landcruiser series 80.  Actually highly modified into an
extra cab pick-up.  Other than it appears to be from Australia, nothing else is
known about it.  If you know more, please email with details.
This is one of the many double cab pick-up conversions of the Landcruiser 80 series.  Conversions like this are fairly common in
places like Australia.   There are several companies in Oz that can perform the conversion.
Copyright © 2003-2005 Brian McCamish,  All Rights Reserved - Only content that is specifically owned by me
is copyright to me.  Most of the content in this section and related pages are owned by others and are therefore copyright to the original owners.

Note about the photos on this site:
Every effort has been made not to include other's photos without the proper permission and credits, however, if you see any photos which belong to you
and that I don't have permission to use, I apologize.   If you send me an Email, I will remove the photos immediately or give proper credit, which ever
you wish.
Brand new 2003 Toyota Landcruiser 80 series from Venezuela.  This model is still being sold as a 2005 model in relative low
production rates.