The Land Cruiser FJ70 was considered one of the most reliable and trustworthy vehicles ever made, and the five-seater version made its way onto the harshest and most remote areas on Earth.
Toyota needed a replacement for the aging FJ40 lineup, which had been on the assembly lines since 1960, so it came with this: the FJ/LJ70 model. It was not only longer and more comfortable but also benefited from better engines. It was available in a few wheelbase versions and lengths, and the five-seat model with a longer cabin and two side doors was also used as a troop-carrier and was also known as the "Troopie."
The design was obviously not on top of Toyota's priority list when it made the FJ70. Thus, the flat front fascia featured a rectangular black plastic mold that served as a grille and featured round cutaways for headlights. To comply with safety regulations but keep the production costs down, it placed the parking lights and the blinkers on the corners. Behind the doors needed for the driver and side passenger, the automaker installed two side windows. At the same time, at the back, the automaker installed side-hinged doors to access the rest of the cabin.
Inside, it was cramped and a statement of form-follow-function. The dashboard was flat, with a squared instrument cluster placed in front of the driver. Depending on the version, the center stack accommodated the HVAC controls and a stereo. Apart from the front seats, the automaker offered the vehicle with side-mounted, inward-facing benches. Depending on the length version, it could carry up to six passengers on them.
Toyota produced the FJ70 with a wide range of gasoline and diesel engines, depending on the market. The base version featured the 2F unit with a carbureted inline-six, 4.2-liter gasoline.