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Toyota
LandCruiser
J100 (100 / 105 Series)·
1998-2007
suv-4wd
Top pick
Price (AUD)
$15k-$55k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Torsen) - 100 series IFS, Part-time 4WD (live front axle) - 105 series
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
Two distinct trucks share this body: the 100 series (independent front suspension, full-time 4WD) and the live-front-axle 105 series (part-time 4WD, beloved by remote/outback owners for its solid-axle simplicity). The standout engine is the 4.2L 1HD-FTE turbo diesel; the 105 also offered the indestructible naturally-aspirated 1HZ. Petrol buyers got the 4.5L 1FZ-FE six (early) then the 4.7L 2UZ-FE V8. All are revered for longevity but they are now old, high-km vehicles - condition and service history matter enormously, and the diesel's timing belt and the V8's belt are scheduled items, not lifetime.
Engines & variants
4.2L 1HD-FTE turbo diesel
Engine
4.2L turbo-intercooled diesel I6 (CT20B turbo)
Config
I6 turbo
Displacement
4164cc
Power
151kW @ 3400rpm
Torque
430Nm @ 3200rpm
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Torsen)
Economy
12-14 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 4AT, 5AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Belt-driven camshaft (replace ~100,000km) with gear-driven ancillary train
Pros
- Strong, torquey and genuinely long-lived (400k+ km common)
- Pre-DPF, common-rail-free simplicity
- Huge touring/aftermarket support
- Excellent tow vehicle
Cons
- Timing belt is a scheduled service item - overdue belts are a real risk
- Cracked cylinder heads are a known high-km / chipped / hard-towing failure
- All are old now with very high km
- Thirstier than the smaller modern diesels
Known problems
high
Cracked cylinder head
The 1HD-FTE head can crack between valve seats/injector bores, especially on chipped engines or those worked hard towing in heat - coolant loss and combustion gases in the cooling system are the tells.
Fix: Replacement head (often upgraded). Keep cooling system healthy and avoid over-aggressive tunes.
high
Overdue timing belt
The cam timing belt must be replaced on schedule; a neglected belt risks valve damage.
Fix: Replace belt with tensioner/idlers on interval - confirm history before buying.
medium
Injector and turbo wear
Injectors and the CT20B turbo wear at high km, causing smoke and lost power.
Fix: Diesel-specialist injector service; turbo rebuild/replacement.
4.2L 1HZ NA diesel (105)
Engine
4.2L naturally-aspirated indirect-injection diesel I6
Config
I6 NA
Displacement
4164cc
Power
96kW @ 3800rpm
Torque
285Nm @ 2200rpm
Drivetrain
Part-time 4WD (live front axle, 105)
Economy
12-14 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 4AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Gear-driven timing - extremely robust
Pros
- Mechanically simple, gear-driven, near-indestructible
- Live front axle (105) loved for remote/outback simplicity
- Will run on poor fuel and minimal electronics
- Very easy to repair anywhere
Cons
- Genuinely slow - struggles loaded or in hills
- Noisy and agricultural
- Often aftermarket-turbo'd (verify install quality)
Known problems
medium
Overheating if cooling neglected (esp. aftermarket turbo)
The NA 1HZ runs cool and reliable; many are turbo'd aftermarket, which can cause head/cooling stress if done cheaply.
Fix: Verify any turbo install (intercooler, EGT/boost gauges); maintain cooling system.
medium
Injector pump wear
Mechanical injection pump and injectors wear at very high km.
Fix: Diesel-specialist pump/injector rebuild.
4.5L 1FZ-FE petrol
Engine
4.5L DOHC petrol I6
Config
I6 NA
Displacement
4477cc
Power
165kW @ 4600rpm
Torque
387Nm @ 3600rpm
Drivetrain
Full-time / part-time 4WD (by series)
Economy
18-22 L/100km real world
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 4AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Bulletproof, smooth big petrol six
- Chain-driven, simple, tough
- Cheap to buy; takes LPG well
Cons
- Very thirsty on petrol
- Only on early 100/105; all very high km
- Poor range unless on gas
Known problems
low
Fuel thirst
18-22 L/100km; most run LPG to make it viable.
Fix: Quality LPG conversion or accept the cost.
medium
Age-related cooling/electrical wear
Old vehicles - radiators, hoses, seals and wiring need attention.
Fix: Refresh consumables; thorough pre-purchase inspection.
4.7L 2UZ-FE V8 petrol
Engine
4.7L DOHC V8
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
4664cc
Power
170kW @ 4800rpm
Torque
410Nm @ 3400rpm
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Torsen)
Economy
16-18 L/100km real world
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Belt-driven (replace ~150,000km)
Pros
- Bulletproof Toyota V8, smooth and quiet
- Cheaper to buy than the diesel
- Simple ownership, no diesel emissions gear
Cons
- Thirsty
- Timing belt is a scheduled item
- Lower resale than the 1HD diesel
Known problems
medium
Timing belt interval
The 2UZ uses a timing belt that must be replaced on schedule.
Fix: Replace belt with water pump/tensioner on interval; confirm history.
low
Fuel thirst
16-18 L/100km, worse towing.
Fix: Accept or fit LPG.
Common problems (all variants)
medium
A442F 4-speed auto - towing overheat / wear
The 4-speed auto can overheat and wear when towing heavy without an aftermarket cooler, leading to harsh shifts or failure.
Fix: Fit a transmission cooler, service fluid regularly; valve body/rebuild if shifting poorly.
low
Front wheel bearings / birfields
Front wheel bearings and (105 live-axle) birfields wear with km and off-road use.
Fix: Repack/replace; standard driveline maintenance.
medium
Rust - rear quarters, tailgate, chassis (coastal)
Rust appears on rear arches, tailgate and chassis on coastal/hard-worked examples.
Fix: Inspect carefully; favour dry-climate vehicles.
medium
AHC suspension (where fitted)
Some higher-spec examples have Active Height Control hydraulics that lose pressure and sag with age.
Fix: Globe/pump service or convert to conventional coils.
low
Steering and front-end wear
Idler arm, tie-rod ends and steering damper wear giving vague steering.
Fix: Refresh steering components and alignment.