Main differences between KZJ70 & 2dr 70 Series (1 Viewer)

[PureLife]

Hello everyone,

I am fairly new in the world of 70 series and I am hoping someone can clarify (and educate me) on the main differences between my KZJ70 and the similar 2dr 70 series I have pictured below.

From my understanding, there are 3 main differences:
1) Engine: my KZJ70 has a 1KZ-t engine vs. Not sure what the 2dr 70 series has
2) Rear axle/differential: KZJ70 has an 8.0" vs 9.5" in the 70
3) Suspension: KZJ is coil sprung while I couldn't find any info on the 2dr 70 series whether they are also coil sprung or leaf sprung like its larger 76 series


The frame from a KZJ70 and a normal 2dr 70 series I heard were the same? Can anyone confirm?
The front axle/differential are fairly the same even up to the 80 series


Here are a few pick of my KZJ70, I love it. Never owned a 4x4 this short before haha








And this is the 2dr 70 series you can buy in UAE



Cheers

 

[Tigris]

That thing (KZJ70) is flipping adorable! I bet it's an absolute joy to drive

The differences you've highlighted are certainly among the most relevant. I do think (could be wrong ) that the frame on the later wide body 70s (post the introduction of the 1VD-FTV) were also slightly widened in order to accommodate the large V8. I do also think that this change may have effected the front axle dimensions as well.

Cheers!

 

[Paddler Ed]

KZJ/RJ/LJ70 are all "light" for the want of a better description; coil springs, Hilux engines. Also came as a LWB wagon (76). Sold in Australia as a SWB named the Bundera and the UK as a Land Cruiser II, in Japan as a Prado (both SWB and LWB wagon). Often more lux inside as well. Electric windows, full size door cards, carpet and nice seats.

FJ/BJ/HJ/HZJ/PZJ/FZJ/HDJ/VDJ/GRJ70 are all "heavy" and are the same as the Land Cruiser Ute and Troopy. Often basic inside (both my BJ70 and FJ73 have/had vinyl interiors, manual windows, one speaker, some seats, and not much else. Bare metal interior trim on the doors as well.

Differences beyond the suspension is also the nose; the SWB has a shorter nose to suit the 4 cylinders, whilst the heavies are longer (and later on wider) to suit the bigger engines. The wider, as @Tigris mentioned, front leaves the newer ones with an unequal track that some find unstable - this applies to all with the full width grill whichever engine they came with.

Buschtaxi show it nicely: Land Cruiser History - Buschtaxi.net - https://buschtaxi.org/land-cruiser-history/ and show how the light 70s are the ancestors of the Land Cruiser Prado now.

Hope that helps,

Ed

 

[FJ73Texas]

the SWB has a shorter nose to suit the 4 cylinders, whilst the heavies are longer (and later on wider) to suit the bigger engines. The wider, as @Tigris mentioned, front leaves the newer ones with an unequal track that some find unstable - this applies to all with the full width grill whichever engine they came with.

The SWB body itself doesn't mean it has a "shorter nose". For example a HZJ70 or HZJ71 is still suited to handle the more heavy duty engines as opposed to the KZJ70.

 

[PureLife]

That thing (KZJ70) is flipping adorable! I bet it's an absolute joy to drive

The differences you've highlighted are certainly among the most relevant. I do think (could be wrong ) that the frame on the later wide body 70s (post the introduction of the 1VD-FTV) were also slightly widened in order to accommodate the large V8. I do also think that this change may have effected the front axle dimensions as well.

Cheers!

I know! haha. Wife and I needed a 4x4 that was capable and easy to park in Portugal. We're glad we got it because if it were a KZJ77, it would not have been to fit in the garage let alone parking it on the street!

It is a blast to drive, but ad soon as we hit a hill (it's pretty much all steep inclines in Madeira) I need to downshift, I'm definitely maxing out the gears with 33" tires. I need to regear if I want to go any bigger (34's are my favorite size - 285/75/17)

Here's a clip climbing my way up this section. I gad to remove one of the front arm bolts and sway bar link to get it to articulate enough. I still had to use the sidewall since it has no locker.....yet..

KZJ/RJ/LJ70 are all "light" for the want of a better description; coil springs, Hilux engines. Also came as a LWB wagon (76). Sold in Australia as a SWB named the Bundera and the UK as a Land Cruiser II, in Japan as a Prado (both SWB and LWB wagon). Often more lux inside as well. Electric windows, full size door cards, carpet and nice seats.

FJ/BJ/HJ/HZJ/PZJ/FZJ/HDJ/VDJ/GRJ70 are all "heavy" and are the same as the Land Cruiser Ute and Troopy. Often basic inside (both my BJ70 and FJ73 have/had vinyl interiors, manual windows, one speaker, some seats, and not much else. Bare metal interior trim on the doors as well.

Differences beyond the suspension is also the nose; the SWB has a shorter nose to suit the 4 cylinders, whilst the heavies are longer (and later on wider) to suit the bigger engines. The wider, as @Tigris mentioned, front leaves the newer ones with an unequal track that some find unstable - this applies to all with the full width grill whichever engine they came with.

Buschtaxi show it nicely: Land Cruiser History - Buschtaxi.net - https://buschtaxi.org/land-cruiser-history/ and show how the light 70s are the ancestors of the Land Cruiser Prado now.

Hope that helps,

Ed

So, the difference between the "light" and "heavy" frames is only the length of the "nose" to accommodate the heavier 6cyl engines? i.e. is the rest of the frame built as strong?

My future plans for this KZ is to keep it a 4cyl. but swap a 15bf engine and turbo it from a Toyota Dyna 280. Also, swap the rear end with a 9.5" and 4 link it. This is waaay in the future though haha.

Oh, and I confirmed that the swb LC70's has, what looks like, the same front suspension as the KZJ, but are leaf sprung in the back

The SWB body itself doesn't mean it has a "shorter nose". For example a HZJ70 or HZJ71 is still suited to handle the more heavy duty engines as opposed to the KZJ70.

It would be nice to see both frames side by side to see the difference.

 

[Tigris]

@PureLife

For sure man. My KZJ78 is more than capable and peppy for what I do with it, granted I live if flatville Florida but I have driven literally every possible iteration of the land cruiser lineup from all regions less for the 20 series, and IMO the 1KZ-TE has the grunt and then some.

As I'm sure you know by now, heat management is of importance if you find yourself driving with your foot on the floor up hill often, or towing heavy. So keep an eye on the health of your cooling system and maybe consider some not-too-invasive upgrades like a 2.5"-3" downpipe/exhaust, maybe an intercooler, injectors rebuild, things like that.

Enjoy that sweet ride!

Cheers

 

[PureLife]

Haha, that's good to know!

Yes, I have read about keeping an eye on engine temp. The first thing I did when I got the KZ was to replace all the fluids including the coolant. It's rock solid and hasn't given me an issue. I try to be easy, making sure I don't lug the engine going up hills. I read somewhere that keeping the engine at higher RPM's going uphill, helps keep EGT and engine temps low. Speaking of EGT, I will eventually install EGT, Coolant temp and Boost to better monitor the engine. I just haven't seen a good stock looking solution. Not a huge fan of putting gauges all over the interior.

From what I understand, my '94 KZ has a 1KZ-T, not the TE.

I like the idea of larger DP+ exhaust and an intercooler to bump up the power and make it run better. We'll see what the future has in store for Peanut (that's what my wife nicknamed it haha).

 

[Paddler Ed]

The SWB body itself doesn't mean it has a "shorter nose". For example a HZJ70 or HZJ71 is still suited to handle the more heavy duty engines as opposed to the KZJ70.

I should have written light instead of SWB.... apologies. I knew what I meant, and it probably should have read as:

"Differences beyond the suspension is also the nose; the light has a shorter nose to suit the 4 cylinders, whilst the heavies are longer (and later on wider) to suit the bigger engines."

So, the difference between the "light" and "heavy" frames is only the length of the "nose" to accommodate the heavier 6cyl engines? i.e. is the rest of the frame built as strong?

I *think* so, but not 100%. Easiest way is to look at things like cross member part numbers on ToyoDIY to see if they are common part numbers.

 

[JuanJ]

I know! haha. Wife and I needed a 4x4 that was capable and easy to park in Portugal. We're glad we got it because if it were a KZJ77, it would not have been to fit in the garage let alone parking it on the street!

It is a blast to drive, but ad soon as we hit a hill (it's pretty much all steep inclines in Madeira) I need to downshift, I'm definitely maxing out the gears with 33" tires. I need to regear if I want to go any bigger (34's are my favorite size - 285/75/17)

Here's a clip climbing my way up this section. I gad to remove one of the front arm bolts and sway bar link to get it to articulate enough. I still had to use the sidewall since it has no locker.....yet..


So, the difference between the "light" and "heavy" frames is only the length of the "nose" to accommodate the heavier 6cyl engines? i.e. is the rest of the frame built as strong?

My future plans for this KZ is to keep it a 4cyl. but swap a 15bf engine and turbo it from a Toyota Dyna 280. Also, swap the rear end with a 9.5" and 4 link it. This is waaay in the future though haha.

Oh, and I confirmed that the swb LC70's has, what looks like, the same front suspension as the KZJ, but are leaf sprung in the back







It would be nice to see both frames side by side to see the difference.

Hello,

Back in the day, between 1985 and 1994, 70 Series Land Cruisers were available in Heavy Duty and Light Duty.

Heavy Duty 70 Series had leaf springs, a longer nose to accommodate a bigger engine, and a beefy drive train. Light Duty 70 Series had coil springs, a shorter nose for a smaller engine, and a smaller drive train.

It is worth mentioning that Light Duty 70 Series were light in name only.

Light Duty trucks became the 90 Series Prado and its descendants.

The newer model Heavy Duty 70 Series has a coil sprung front axle.

The 1KZ-T engine is reliable and chugs along. It is the 1KZ-TE that has problems.

Your truck is a VX grade, i. e., the top-grade specification, and it appears to be in great shape.

I would keep it as it is. I would fit a rear locker and good tires.





Juan

 

[AirheadNut]

In terms of frame strength, it is my understanding that the main components of the frame are essentially the same between the light and heavy duty 70-series. The differences lie in things like the shorter front frame horns, different suspension mounts, etc.

 

[PureLife]

Hello,

Back in the day, between 1985 and 1994, 70 Series Land Cruisers were available in Heavy Duty and Light Duty.

Heavy Duty 70 Series had leaf springs, a longer nose to accommodate a bigger engine, and a beefy drive train. Light Duty 70 Series had coil springs, a shorter nose for a smaller engine, and a smaller drive train.

It is worth mentioning that Light Duty 70 Series were light in name only.

Light Duty trucks became the 90 Series Prado and its descendants.

The newer model Heavy Duty 70 Series has a coil sprung front axle.

The 1KZ-T engine is reliable and chugs along. It is the 1KZ-TE that has problems.

Your truck is a VX grade, i. e., the top-grade specification, and it appears to be in great shape.

I would keep it as it is. I would fit a rear locker and good tires.





Juan

I'm so glad the 70 Prado kept the LC frame. I had a GX460 in Canada (lifted, bigger tires, rock sliders ect.) and always wished it had the heavy duty, suspension, control arms, steering, etc. from the LC200

It is in great shape, the previous owner tastefully reupholstered the interior and painted any grey interior pieces black.



I got the tires out of the way (Cooper ST Maxx 33"). As for the lockers, I got the switches set up today, but have to wait a little bit more for the lockers haha. I love using stock switches and repurposing them

In terms of frame strength, it is my understanding that the main components of the frame are essentially the same between the light and heavy duty 70-series. The differences lie in things like the shorter front frame horns, different suspension mounts, etc.

Thanks everyone for all the info!

 

[Tigris]

I like what you did with the OE switches. I used this neat trick on other Land Cruisers before. I always used the white vinyl decal transfers on the inside of the switches' "windows" after polishing the clear plastic parts on both sides and then applied acrylic black paint and sharpie on the masked portions. The results were always completely factory looking which is the only look I can tolerate on such things lol.

 

[PureLife]

@Tigris

very cool, do share some pictures!