FJ40, BJ40, FJ45, HJ47, BJ73, HZJ73, KZJ73, LJ70... At first glance, Land Cruiser model codes look random. They're actually very consistent. Once you know the rules, you can read any listing and know right away which engine and which chassis length you're looking at, even on an imported truck you've never seen before.
How Land Cruiser model codes work
A Land Cruiser code reads in three parts:
- the first letter or letters: the engine family;
- the J: Land Cruiser;
- the two digits: the series (4 for the 40 Series, 7 for the 70 Series), then the version, which mostly reflects the wheelbase.
Take the FJ40: F (gas inline-six, the F or 2F engine), J (Land Cruiser), 4 (40 Series), 0 (short wheelbase). Now the HZJ73: HZ (the 1HZ six-cylinder diesel, 4.2 L), J (Land Cruiser), 7 (70 Series), 3 (medium wheelbase).
There's some history behind the letters, too. Toyota's very first model, in 1951, was called the "Toyota Jeep BJ". It was renamed Land Cruiser in 1954, since Jeep was a Willys trademark. In Europe, people still call old diesel Land Cruisers "Toyota BJ" to this day.
The engine letters
Here's what the letters mean on the 40 and 70 Series.
| Letters | Engine family | Example engines | Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | gas inline-six | F 3.9 L, 2F 4.2 L, 3F 4.0 L | FJ40, FJ43, FJ45, FJ70 |
| B | 4-cyl diesel | B 3.0 L, 2B 3.2 L, 3B 3.4 L, 13B-T 3.4 L turbo | BJ40, BJ41, BJ42, BJ70, BJ73, BJ74 |
| H | 6-cyl diesel | H 3.6 L, 2H 4.0 L | HJ45, HJ47 |
| HZ | 6-cyl diesel | 1HZ 4.2 L | HZJ70, HZJ73, HZJ75, HZJ78 |
| KZ | 4-cyl turbo diesel | 1KZ-T 3.0 L | KZJ70, KZJ73 |
| L | 4-cyl turbo diesel | 2L-T 2.4 L | LJ70, LJ73 |
| FZ | gas inline-six | 1FZ 4.5 L | FZJ73 |
| J | Land Cruiser | — | all |
Why HZJ has two letters
The HZJ code puzzles people because it has two letters before the J. That's simply because the engine is called the 1HZ: a 4.2 L six-cylinder diesel, about 130 hp, fitted to the 70 Series from 1990. Same idea for KZJ (1KZ-T engine) and FZJ (1FZ engine).
In the US, you'll mostly meet the F family: the FJ40 was the 40 Series Toyota sold here. The diesel BJ versions were not part of Toyota's official US lineup, and the 70 Series was not sold new in the US. Many of both have since been imported, some thanks to the 25-year rule, so knowing the diesel codes is increasingly useful.
The digits: series and wheelbase
The first digit is the series, the second is the version. For body parts and soft tops, this is the part of the code that matters most, because it tells you the length of the body.
40 Series (built in Japan 1960 to 1984)
| Last digit | Wheelbase | Models |
|---|---|---|
| 0, 1, 2 | short, 2,285 mm (90 in) | FJ40, BJ40, BJ41, BJ42 |
| 3, 4, 6 | medium, 2,430 mm (95.7 in) | FJ43, BJ43, BJ44, BJ46 |
| 5, 7 | long, 2,950 mm (116 in) | FJ45, BJ45, HJ45, HJ47 |
On the short wheelbase, the last digit follows the engine: 0 for the 3.0 L B in the BJ40, 1 for the 3.2 L 2B in the BJ41, 2 for the 3.4 L 3B in the BJ42. The body doesn't change. We cover these details in FJ40 vs BJ40 vs BJ42.
70 Series (from 1984)
| Last digit | Wheelbase | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | short | BJ70, LJ70, HZJ70, KZJ70, FJ70 |
| 3, 4 | medium | BJ73, BJ74, LJ73, HZJ73, KZJ73, FZJ73 |
| 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | long | HZJ75, HZJ78... |
What the code tells you in practice
With those two tables, you can decode most listings:
- FJ40: gas inline-six, 40 Series, short wheelbase;
- FJ45: gas inline-six, 40 Series, long wheelbase, often a pickup;
- HJ47: six-cylinder diesel, 40 Series, long wheelbase;
- BJ73: 3B four-cylinder diesel, 70 Series, medium wheelbase;
- KZJ73: 1KZ-T turbo diesel, 70 Series, medium wheelbase.
For a mechanical part (filter, gasket, pump), the engine letters matter. For a body part or a soft top, the series and wheelbase matter. That's why one top fits both an FJ40 and a BJ40, or both a BJ73 and an HZJ73: different engines, same body.
How to identify your truck
Your Land Cruiser's code shows up in several places. Cross-check them if you can, especially on an older or imported truck that may have been modified.
1. The ID plate
The Toyota ID plate sits in the engine bay. It shows the model code (for example FJ40 or HZJ73), often followed by extra letters and digits that specify the trim. On a 50-year-old truck it may be painted over or oxidized: a soft cloth and a flashlight usually do the trick.
2. The frame number
The frame number is stamped directly on the chassis. It's the truck's official identity and should match its paperwork. You may need to clear some mud or rust to read it.
3. The engine
The engine code (F, 2F, B, 3B, 1HZ...) is stamped on the block. It confirms the original version, unless the engine has been swapped, which is common on old Land Cruisers.
4. Send us a photo
If the clues don't line up, or you're unsure about the body, send us photos of the back and side of your truck plus the ID plate through our contact page. We'll tell you which top fits and which rear closure to pick.
Which soft top for your code?
Once you know your model, choosing is quick:
- FJ40, BJ40, BJ41, BJ42 (40 Series, short wheelbase): our FJ40 / BJ40 / BJ42 full soft top, with drop tailgate or rear barn doors;
- BJ70, BJ73, BJ74, HZJ70, HZJ73, KZJ70, KZJ73, LJ70, LJ73, FJ70, FZJ73 (70 Series, short and medium): our 70 Series full soft top;
- HZJ75, HZJ78 (70 Series, long wheelbase): no standard top, contact us;
- FJ43, BJ43, BJ44, BJ46, FJ45, BJ45, HJ45, HJ47 (40 Series, medium and long): no top available yet, contact us.
Our tops are UV-treated vinyl, cut to Toyota's original pattern and handmade in Colombia by Land Cruiser upholstery specialists. They mount on the original bows and fasteners, with no drilling. To go further, read the FJ40 soft top buying guide or our guide to the Land Cruiser 70 Series soft top.
FAQ
What does FJ mean on a Land Cruiser?
F is the gas inline-six engine family (F, 2F, 3F) and J stands for Land Cruiser. An FJ is a gas six-cylinder Land Cruiser. The digits that follow give the series and the wheelbase, so an FJ40 is a short wheelbase 40 Series.
What is the difference between FJ and BJ?
FJ means a gas inline-six, BJ a four-cylinder diesel (B, 2B, 3B or 13B-T). With the same number, such as FJ40 and BJ40, the body and chassis are identical.
What does HZJ stand for?
HZ refers to the 1HZ engine, a 4.2 L six-cylinder diesel used in the 70 Series from 1990, and J means Land Cruiser. An HZJ73 is a medium wheelbase 70 Series; an HZJ75 or HZJ78 is a long wheelbase.
Where do I find my Land Cruiser's model code?
On the ID plate in the engine bay. The frame number stamped on the chassis lets you cross-check with the paperwork, and the engine code on the block confirms the original version. If in doubt, send us a photo through the contact page.
Not sure which top fits your truck? Send us a photo of your Land Cruiser and we'll get back to you quickly.
