As a typical model of medium and large SUVs, Toyota Land Cruiser has always been loved by consumers, especially those with off-road feelings. From the original Jeep to the Land Cruiser that appeared on the auto market today, it has always been known for its solidity and durability. If the prototype is counted, the Land Cruiser has a history of 68 years. There are many off-road vehicles of different ages. Everyone is willing to empty their wallets for it. Some people say that looking at a thing, first understanding its history can naturally explain its present, so now let’s take a look at the past and present of this model. Today we will talk about the sixth-generation LC70/80 series of Rand Cruiser.
The sixth generation model: LC70/80 series
A car has a history of 28 years since it was launched. It is a classic among the classics among the off-road population. This is the only model in the world that has been on the market for more than 20 years and has been continuously mass-produced by the manufacturer. It is the Toyota LC70 , in the hearts of many off-road people, he is the well-deserved king of off-road. In November 1984, the 70 series was finally born after a comprehensive improvement on the image of the 40 series. This model has many versions in the world and has won the reputation of “the best four-wheel drive across Japan”. The gasoline engine is upgraded to a 4.0-liter 3F type, and the four wheels of the short-axle version are equipped with coil springs to enhance driving comfort, and the 70 series is also the first four-wheel drive model equipped with an automatic transmission produced by a Japanese manufacturer.
At the end of 1989, the 80 series was put into production, slowly replacing the 60 series, and the cumulative global sales volume has reached 2 million. At that time, all models sold in North America and Europe were equipped with full-time four-wheel drive systems, while part-time four-wheel drive systems were still available in the Japanese, African and Australian markets. Models produced in 1990-1991 had an open center differential that locked at high speeds and automatically at low speeds. After 1992, ABS-capable models were equipped with a lockable viscous-coupled center differential that could transfer up to 30 percent of torque to non-spinning axles.
The evolution from the 60 series to the 80 series is moving in a more luxurious direction. While maintaining the leading position in luxury and high technology, the luxurious interior of the special edition continues the Rand Cruiser’s excellent trekking ability on the world’s most difficult roads, and it has become popular in China.
In Xinjiang today, there are many 80 series models with a length of 500,000 or even 1 million kilometers that have not been overhauled and are still running. In 1996, the Lexus LX450 was born based on the LC80. It is a medium-sized SUV, and it enhances the sense of luxury to the extreme.
Until 1999, Toyota fully upgraded the 70 series. The elastic elements of the front axle were changed to coil springs, and the leaf springs of the rear axle were lengthened to improve the comfort of the vehicle and increase the travel of the rear wheels. The hub bolts were changed from 6 down to 5. Driveline changes are minor, but durability has been enhanced. The long-wheelbase version has new uses as a military transporter and pickup.
