Land Cruiser 70 Series Models: BJ70, BJ73, BJ74, HZJ73, KZJ73 Explained

The 70 Series was never sold new in the US, which is exactly why it fascinates American Land Cruiser fans. Thanks to the 25-year rule, more and more of them are crossing the border: BJ73s, BJ74s, HZJ73s and KZJ73s show up in import listings, overland builds and trailheads. The codes all look alike, but the trucks behind them can be quite different under the hood. Here's how to make sense of them.

The 70 Series at a glance

The 70 Series took over from the 40 Series in 1984. It's Toyota's "Heavy Duty" Land Cruiser line, the tough work trucks, and it is still built in some countries today. For the story of its predecessor, read our FJ40 history.

As with the 40 Series, the code reads in three parts: the first letter or letters for the engine, J for Land Cruiser, and the digits for series and wheelbase. The first digit is a 7; the second tells you the length:

• 0: short wheelbase (BJ70, LJ70, HZJ70, KZJ70, FJ70);
• 3 and 4: medium wheelbase (BJ73, BJ74, LJ73, HZJ73, KZJ73, FZJ73);
• 5, 6, 7, 8, 9: long wheelbase (HZJ75, HZJ78 and others).

All the engine letters are covered in our guide to Land Cruiser model codes.

70 Series models at a glance

BJ70, BJ73 and BJ74: the diesel BJs

BJ70 and BJ73: the 3B engine

The BJ70 and BJ73 carry over the 3.4-liter 3B four-cylinder diesel, about 90 hp, already known from the BJ42 in the 40 Series. The BJ70 is the short version, the BJ73 the medium wheelbase. Simple and non-turbo, they're loved for mechanicals that any patient owner can work on.

BJ74: the 3.4-liter turbo

The BJ74 uses the 13B-T, a 3.4-liter direct-injection turbo diesel. Same medium wheelbase as the BJ73, with a more modern and stronger engine.

LJ70 and LJ73: the Light Duty branch

The LJ70 and LJ73 are a special case. They use a 2.4-liter 2L-T turbo diesel, roughly from 1985 to 1990, and belong to the lighter "Light Duty" line. That branch is the ancestor of the Prado. Their wheelbases follow the 70 Series pattern (short for the LJ70, medium for the LJ73).

HZJ73 and KZJ73: inline-six or turbo

HZJ70 and HZJ73: the 1HZ six

From 1990, the 70 Series gets the 4.2-liter 1HZ diesel inline-six, about 130 hp. The HZJ73 is the medium wheelbase version, the HZJ70 the short one. The 1HZ is naturally aspirated: no turbo, lots of torque, and a reputation that makes it a favorite for long-distance overlanding.

KZJ70 and KZJ73: the 1KZ-T turbo

From roughly 1993 to 1996, you'll also find the 1KZ-T, a 3.0-liter turbo diesel of about 125 hp, in the KZJ70 and KZJ73. They get close to HZJ power from a smaller engine, thanks to the turbo.

BJ73 vs HZJ73: what really changes

This is the comparison buyers ask about most.

So BJ73 vs HZJ73 is above all about the engine: the HZJ73 is clearly stronger on the highway, the BJ73 older and simpler. The body, on the other hand, doesn't change in any way that matters for a soft top: same medium wheelbase, same tub, same rear closure. One top fits both.

Importing a 70 Series into the US

Because the 70 Series was not sold new here, every truck you'll find is an import. The federal 25-year rule generally lets older vehicles in without meeting current US standards, and each model becomes eligible as it reaches that age. Rules and state titling practices can change, so ask for the complete import file, make sure the title is clean, and check with your state's DMV and your insurer before you buy.

Listings aren't always accurate either. An HZJ73 is sometimes advertised as a BJ73, or the other way around. Trust the ID plate, not the ad.

Why 70 Series owners love a soft top

Many imported BJ73s, BJ74s, HZJ73s and KZJ73s arrive with a hard top, factory steel or fiberglass, which keeps out cold, noise and thieves.

A soft top brings something else: open-air driving on nice days, a lighter truck and a look closer to the classic canvas-topped versions. Plenty of owners keep both and swap with the seasons. Our soft top vs hard top comparison goes through the pros and cons point by point.

One soft top for the 70 Series

Our 70 Series full soft top fits the following models: BJ70, BJ73, BJ74, HZJ70, HZJ73, KZJ70, KZJ73, LJ70, LJ73, FJ70, FZJ73. All of them share the same rear closure.

• roof, sides, rear window and large side windows;
• UV-treated vinyl, waterproof and easy to clean;
• cut to Toyota's original pattern and handmade by Land Cruiser upholstery specialists in our workshop in Medellín, Colombia (About us);
• mounts on the original bows and factory fasteners, with no drilling or modification;
• YKK marine-grade zippers, stainless hardware, welded seams;
• tan or black, clear or lightly tinted windows.

It ships without bows, with its hardware, and with free tracked shipping to the US in 1 to 4 weeks. All the details are in our Land Cruiser 70 Series soft top article.

Identify your 70 Series before ordering

Before buying a top or any part, confirm the exact code:

1. the ID plate in the engine bay shows the model code;
2. the frame number is stamped on the chassis and should match your import and title paperwork;
3. your title and import documents often list the model code or frame number.

A truck may have been re-engined: a BJ73 with a different engine is still a medium wheelbase, and the top stays the same. If in doubt, send us a photo of the side and rear through our contact page, or go straight to the Land Cruiser 70 Series soft top.

Not sure which top fits your truck? Send us a photo of your Land Cruiser and we'll get back to you quickly.