Toyota Land Cruiser 105 - review, features, specifications and reviews

Toyota Land Cruiser is perhaps one of the most famous all-wheel drive SUVs in Russia. The history of this model dates back to the distant 50s of the last century. The first Cruiser to be released was called the J40. The Cruiser series of SUVs has been constantly improved and refined. So, in 1997, the Land Cruiser 100 and 105 were presented at the Tokyo International Motor Show. In today’s article we will pay attention to the second body – we will find out its characteristics and features.

Description

Land Cruiser 105 is a framed all-wheel drive Japanese jeep, mass-produced from 1998 to 2007. The car is a more “off-road” version of the 100th body. By the way, unlike the Toyota Land Cruiser 100 B, the 105th body was not produced for the Japanese domestic market. The main direction is the market of North America and the Middle East.

For almost 20 years, the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 has been associated as a car designed to work, conquer peaks, without fatigue or obstacles. Among the owners of these frame SUVs there are many who love active recreation, fishing and hunting with long trips. Also, this machine is bought for off-roading, because its design and the presence of standard locks are completely suitable for this.

Standard car sleeping bag with integrated table for Toyota Land Cruiser 105

Car sleeping bag for Toyota Land Cruiser 105 with an integrated folding table. The table has dimensions of 88x88x75 cm; when folded, it is compactly located in a specially provided compartment.

The integrated table can be removed half and two thirds, allowing it to be used as a pull-out camp table

The use of specially designed connecting connectors ensures the ideal geometry of the supporting frame and increased reliability of the connected elements of the sleeping bag frame

The side elements of the stationary part of the sleeping bag provide access to the space above the wheel arches

The use of special hinges allows you to conveniently access the space around the wheel arches

The slings of the vertical removable elements of the sleeping bag can be used as points for fixing the load; the hooks of the net for the load or tie elements can be hooked onto them

The vertical elements of the stationary part of the sleeping bag can be easily removed and installed if necessary. We specifically came up with this concept of access to this part of the luggage space from the rear open doors. These removable elements of the sleeping bag also take on the weight of the sleeping person, distributing the load onto the supporting frame of the car organizer. Rotary hinges do not allow achieving such a result, because under pressure from above, they begin to sag and do not provide any functionality other than aesthetics.

A folding plastic travel table that is not afraid of either water or sunlight. The white color prevents the tabletop from overheating in the sun, and the steel frame with a high-quality paint coating ensures the strength and stability of the entire structure. The sibling of this table lived on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan throughout the summer of 2021 as an experimental sample for observation. In a maritime climate, almost everything can rust; on the table, only the ends of the bolts were covered with rust. The table survived not only the gentle maritime climate, but also all the holidays of life, in the epicenter of which it repeatedly found itself

The sleeping bag section for larger items is located behind the drawers.

In the transport position, the folded car sleeping bag is compactly located in the luggage compartment of the Toyota Land Cruiser 105. At the same time, we always have free access to both the integrated table and the drawers

The frame of a standard sleeping bag distributes the load most optimally and is manufactured in such a way as to be as light and durable as possible, which allows the sleeping bag to be used without problems for many years.

All elements of the sleeping bag are laminated with special automotive plastic.

The table, located in a specially designated compartment of the car sleeping bag, has dimensions of 88x88x75 cm when unfolded. Four adult lovers of nature, fishing rods and green tea can easily fit at such a table.

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Appearance

In general, the bodies of the Cruisers are very similar. Like the 80, the Land Cruiser 105 has the same boxy shape, lines and muscular wheel arches with equally massive wheels. However, unlike the previous generation, the 105th body received a slightly different form of optics and radiator grille.

Many people wonder: what is the difference between the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 SUV and the 100? The main differences concern the bumpers. On the 105th body they were not painted in the main color and were black. This model also featured single brake lights at the rear. Among the main differences at the rear, it is worth noting the rear swing gates. The 100th body has a folding solid door.

Five years after mass production, the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 SUV experienced its first restyling. So, the radiator grille has changed. It has become a little wider and now contacts directly the front bumper (previously there was a metal strip in this place).

In 2005, the Toyota Land Cruiser underwent another update. So, the head optics have changed. The high-low beam lamps are placed horizontally. The radiator grille and rear brake lights have changed. By the way, the turn signals are made monolithic with the headlight.

In general, the Toyota Land Cruiser has a brutal, truly masculine appearance. Many owners carry out additional tuning, namely installing:

• Power bumpers front and rear.
• Mud tires.
• LED chandelier.
• Overhead rack.
• Snorkel.
• Winch.

With such equipment, the car definitely attracts attention, reviews say. But this is not done for this purpose at all - the car is professionally prepared for competitions. Just off-road enthusiasts also engage in similar tuning. After all, the 105th “Cruiser” is more prone to off-road conditions than the “weaving”.

Appearance TLC 105

Land Cruiser 105
All bodies “cruiser” family have common features. Land Cruiser 105, like its brothers, is massive, muscular, moderately angular, but differs in the shape of the headlights and radiator grille .

If you put the TLC 100 and 105 versions , they no longer seem like twins. There are differences from the 100 Kruzak: unpainted bumpers, single brake lights, hinged tailgates.

Hinged tailgates Land Cruiser 105

In 2003, the first restyling was carried out , but it had little effect on the appearance of the car. The radiator grille was only slightly .

The second modernization in 2005 brought a little more external changes. The headlights, radiator grille, and rear lights have changed .

Second modernization of Land Cruiser 105 2005

Many people buy a Land Cruiser 105 for off-road driving and equip it with additional equipment. tuning list includes:

• mud tires;
• reinforced bumpers;
• roof rack;

  
  Roof rack Land Cruiser 105

• additional lighting;
• winch;
• snorkel.

Snorkel on Land Cruiser 105

Cars equipped in this way participate in off-road competitions, and their appearance becomes even more brutal and impressive.

Dimensions, ground clearance

The car has very immodest dimensions. Thus, the total length of the body is 4.89 meters, width – 1.94, height – 1.89 meters. The wheelbase is 2850 millimeters. The turning radius is 5.5 meters. Ground clearance - 23 centimeters. But this is far from the limit, the owners say. By installing high-profile mud tires here, you can raise the car another couple of centimeters without modifications. The car also has good geometric cross-country ability, despite the long wheelbase. And after installing power bumpers, the Toyota Land Cruiser becomes an all-terrain vehicle, the owners note.

Salon

One of the differences of the 105th body is in the interior. So, this model has a simpler, “working” interior. Here you will never find a leather interior. Sometimes the Land Cruiser came with mechanical windows and one airbag. The interior is mostly velor, with a minimal number of options. The exception is the Land Cruiser 105 GX. This is the maximum configuration of the SUV, which includes a fabric interior, air conditioning and power accessories.

Thanks to the long body, the salon can accommodate up to eight people. Moreover, everyone will not experience discomfort - there is plenty of space inside. The floor in the cabin is flat, which is also a plus. The seats, despite the modest upholstery, are quite comfortable. All adjustments are mechanical. By the way, the car has two gearshift levers. One is responsible for the gearbox, and the second is responsible for the transfer case. The locks are activated via a lever located near the driver's left knee.

Despite the more budget version, the quality of sound insulation in the Land Cruiser 105 is at a high level, as reviews say. Inside, you can’t hear the roar of the engine or the sounds of the suspension and gearbox.

Land Cruiser 105: technical specifications

This model does not have such a variety of engines as the “hundredth”. Under the hood of the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 is a diesel power unit with 135 horsepower. This is a 1HZ inline six-cylinder engine. Engine displacement is 4163 cubic centimeters. The diesel Land Cruiser 105 develops such low power due to the absence of a turbine. We also note that the engine has the simplest design with a cast iron block, “wet” liners and a 12-valve timing mechanism (where each cylinder has one intake and one exhaust). The piston diameter is 94 millimeters, the stroke is 100. At the same time, the engine has a high compression ratio of 22.7. The torque of the power unit is 280 Nm at 2.2 thousand rpm.

There were several transmissions. Initially it was a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. But during the first restyling (remember, this was 2003), a more economical five-speed automatic appeared in the lineup.

What are the performance characteristics of the Land Cruiser 105? Acceleration to hundreds takes 13.6 seconds. Maximum speed is 170 kilometers per hour. Fuel consumption, according to passport data, in the city is 14.1 liters. On the highway the car consumes about 11.1 liters. The total volume of the tank is 95 liters. We also note that some versions for the Middle East were equipped with an additional 50-liter tank.

Review of Toyota Land Cruiser 105 modified for off-road use

Since the car and travel became synonymous, its concept has undergone significant changes. Even a decade ago, active recreation with long trips did not, in theory, involve many basic things. Now it is quite logical that they appeared, and, most importantly, there is an understanding of what expeditionary transport should be. Some things were borrowed from foreign experience, some were thought up locally, taking into account the specific operating conditions. We will look at the image of a raid vehicle using the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 as an example.

According to many lovers of wild recreation, the “foot” is the ideal option for road trips. Dimensions, reliability, which the car owes to the old guard of aggregates, and solid axles, which determine the minimum of weak links in the suspension, play a role. And not least the years of manufacture. Land Cruiser 80 was removed from the assembly line back in 1997, and the TLC105 was produced (as is known, only in the left-hand drive version) until 2006. The reason is that the 4.2-liter 1HZ does not meet economic standards. By the way, if you do not take into account the high cost for used copies, this diesel engine is one of the negative qualities of the jeep. No other engines were installed on it, and the 1HZ exists only in a naturally aspirated version and develops 135 horsepower. True, as we were told in (where, in fact, the Cruiser shown in the pictures was built), there are already some outlines for its “supercharging”. Those who are not ready to pay about $7-8 thousand for an Australian turbo kit can count on installing a turbine from 1HD-T. In this case, you will also have to replace the fuel equipment, acquire a boost corrector and, if desired, even change the head to a 24-valve one from 1HD-FT - along with the work, it will still cost less (our LC105 will probably be the first).

From a brief acquaintance it is difficult to judge the dynamic capabilities of the jeep, however, according to the owner, on 33 wheels, acceleration around 100 km/h is a difficult task. It became a little easier when the permanent all-wheel drive was replaced with Part Time (this was installed on the Arabic versions).

Middle Eastern modifications of the version are generally capable of sharing many elements unknown in Russia. For example, a gate for the spare wheel on the door, a ladder to the roof and, most importantly, a 50-liter additional tank in the rear overhang, which allows you to take another spare wheel on a raid.

Everything else can be done with us. For example, a power body kit, which in an “expedition vehicle” does not include an external frame (the sills can be made hollow to store technical fluids), or a roof rack, or protection from below (not everything covers the units, but steering rods are sacred). You should not ignore the snorkel and the breathers located in the engine compartment - jeeps “bathe” not only in trophies. Mandatory element and winch.

She only helped us with the cable extension - when dealing with a heavy SUV, it is important not to overestimate its capabilities. After checking the trajectory, it is better to take difficult sections at speed, since it is advisable not to create a monster with huge ground clearance. And don’t use tires with too bad a tread - on expeditions, smooth running, tire life, and acoustic comfort are important. Alas, any “radial”, including the BF Goodrich Mud Terrain, easily turns into a slick in the mud.

For preferential movement at high speeds, special attention must be paid to the elevator. Gone are the days when it was assembled from home-made parts. Branded kits are now offered. All that remains is to choose the amount of lift. In our case, the owner opted for Tough Dog shocks, which provide 4 inches of lift. The rear springs were chosen to be of a similar size. But the front ones had to be installed with two inches and a spacer (otherwise the nose would ride up excessively), and to compensate for the weight of the diesel engine and winch, they were selected from the toughest ones (Tough Dog also has such a choice). Does it make sense to address 6-inch whales? Only if the owner is ready to put up with significant rolls and generally significantly changed behavior on the road.

After all, even with four inches and with a castor kit installed (it is mandatory for a road car to have it, otherwise the lost castor will lead to inadequate handling; the second way to bring the angle of the kingpins to the factory one is spacers above the rear mounts of the trailing arms), the SUV becomes rolly , and responds to steering turns with laziness and delay. In order to at least somehow maintain driving performance, there is no need to give up anti-roll bars - it is enough, again, to build spacers between them and the body. The Panhard rods will have to be split and extended - the standard ones will “roll out” the bridges from under the frame to the side. In general, suspension and body lift (lifting the body relative to the frame is also an option) directly depends on the outer diameter of the wheels. If two inches include 32nd or 33rd “rubber” with trimming or without body iron, why fence a tall structure?

Some people choose size 35 - in raid modes, such wheels can irritate due to seriously increased unsprung masses and even greater lateral tire slip when cornering. However, the decision here is rather individual.

The same can be said about additional lighting equipment (4 Hella “xenon lights” were installed on the roof of the LC105 using a cross member of rails from a Honda Avancier), a Webasto pre-heater, a Separ fuel filter, a radio station and a compressor with a receiver for inflating the wheels. Things are not to say super necessary. But expeditions are not limited to summer ones; manually raising the pressure in off-road tires is a long and arduous task, and the connection between cars in a convoy, as practice shows, helps to avoid many unpleasant discrepancies.

However, if all this equipment can vary depending on the practical and financial requirements of the owner, then hardly anyone will consider a sleeping place in the trunk unnecessary. Perhaps only those who, at some genetic level, are accustomed to spending nights in a tent. Now a “sleeping bag” can be ordered from Japan; it’s easier to make it in Irkutsk. Boards, plywood, soft filler and leatherette are used to create a flat surface one-third the height of the cargo compartment, which allows you to lie down at full height when the sofa is folded. At the same time, either an empty volume or retractable lockers for luggage are arranged under it. Or something in a combined form.

It cannot be said that the current image of an expedition vehicle has moved quite far away from the standard SUV. In fact, this is a universally prepared vehicle, which is by no means designed for quite serious off-road conditions and which, at the same time, can be used to travel autonomously for a long time. Of course, a jeep is not a camping vehicle. However, for destinations that are abundant in Siberia and in general in the eastern part of our country, you will agree that exactly this kind of transport is needed.

Petrol Land Cruiser

We also note that the Land Cruiser 105 for the American market in 2005 received a V-shaped, eight-cylinder gasoline engine 2UZ-FE. It is distinguished by a 32-valve timing mechanism and a VVT-i phase shift system. The cylinder block material is cast iron. The head is aluminum.

The maximum power of this power unit with a volume of 4664 cubic centimeters is 282 horsepower. With this engine, the car accelerated to hundreds in 11.7 seconds. At the same time, it consumed 16.5 liters of fuel in the city. On the highway this figure was around 10 liters.

Frequent breakdowns

If the car is not “raped” by constant off-road driving, but is given a rest from it, then we can call it eternal. The 105 Cruiser engine is quite difficult to destroy, only with complete disregard. Problems may begin with a gasoline engine if the oil is not changed on time. But a diesel engine will “fly” if you regularly use diesel fuel of the worst quality possible.

When buying a car, you should definitely check the transmission. Prolonged slippage can wear out the torque converter lockup. It is not uncommon for there to be a malfunction in the bending of the surface on which the lock operates. If not repaired, this will lead to oil leakage through the pump seal, which may cause the bushing or the pump itself to fail.

After excessively salty winters, the locking mechanisms may become sour. To prevent this, you need to recheck the mechanism every 150-200 thousand km. With frequent and heavy use, it may bend and begin to leak.

Also, it is important to regularly diagnose bridges so as not to miss faults and not contact specialists for restoration.

Reliability

The reliability of Toyota Land Cruiser engines is legendary. This is a practically indestructible engine. As practice shows, the service life of Toyota Land Cruiser engines reaches a million kilometers (both diesel and gasoline). These units do not have design flaws or shortcomings. During their entire service life, they only require regular oil changes. In total, the engine contains 9.5 liters of oil. The replacement schedule is from 7 to 15 thousand kilometers, depending on operating conditions. But since the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 is often purchased specifically for off-road use, it is better to reduce these regulations to the maximum. By the way, the Toyota diesel engine is not at all picky about the quality of Russian fuel.

Interesting fact: the UN organization recognized the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 SUV as the most reliable in its class.

Chassis

The car is built on a durable frame with a longitudinal arrangement of the power unit. Among the differences from the “weaving” is the presence of a dependent suspension at the front. But there were also modifications with torsion bar front suspension. Coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers were used as elastic elements. At the rear there is a classic continuous bridge.

Note that, depending on the configuration, the Toyota Land Cruiser could be equipped with a different number of locks. So, in the STD version there was only a central one. Models GXR1 already had two, and GXR2 – three differential locks. Additionally, the latest version was equipped as standard with an electric winch at the front.

How does this car behave on the move? According to reviews from owners, the suspension of the 105th body is slightly stiffer than that of the “hundredth”. The car reacts more roughly to potholes and road junctions. However, this suspension cannot be called uncomfortable. The car still has a very smooth ride. But for softness you have to sacrifice lateral rolls. The car turns hard due to the dependent suspension design and high center of gravity. But the car holds a straight trajectory perfectly. At high speeds, the car drives like a glove, as noted by owner reviews.

Price

Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the few cars that, after purchase, can be sold for the same price. It is indeed a fact: on average, the price of these models decreases by only 5 percent per year. If we talk about our body, it can be purchased for 1-1.5 million rubles. Moreover, the cost can sometimes exceed the price of a more luxurious “weave”. But as a rule, these are models already prepared for off-road, with a winch, all the locks and power bumpers.

Despite the high cost, these cars are very popular in the secondary market. There is a stable demand for them. Therefore, even after driving such a car for a month, selling it will not be difficult. However, there are few such owners. After driving a Cruiser a couple of times, you start thinking about permanent ownership of such an SUV.

Problems TLK 105

Land Cruiser 105
If you don’t use the car every day, driving through forests, swamps, and at least sometimes drive onto the asphalt and let it catch its breath, then the service life can be called unlimited .

Proper maintenance and reasonable attitude guarantee unsurpassed reliability of the Land Cruiser 105.

An engine can only be sent for major repairs if it is handled with complete disregard. A diesel engine can be brought to this state by frequent use of fuel of the poorest quality . A gasoline engine will cause problems if you do not follow the oil change schedule .

When purchasing a Land Cruiser 105 on the secondary market, you should inspect the condition of the transmission . In off-road conditions with long slips, increased wear of the transformer blocking device occurs. The plane in which the blocking operates is often deformed. If this problem is not corrected in a timely manner, the pump seal will begin to leak oil , which may cause the bushing or the pump itself to break.

Land Cruiser 105 in winter

After winter use , due to the abundant amount of reagents on the road, the locking mechanisms may begin to jam . To avoid such problems, it is necessary to overhaul the 150-200 thousand kilometers .

During extreme off-road driving, the unit may become deformed or leak.

the condition of bridges from time to time . Timely diagnosis will help identify emerging problems at an early stage and eliminate them at low cost.

Otherwise, the Land Cruiser 105 does not cause problems; it is valued for its service life and reliability.

Let's sum it up

So, we found out what a Toyota Land Cruiser is. Among its main advantages are:

• Brutal appearance.
• Corrosion-resistant body.
• Resource engine.
• Reliable transmission.
• Indestructible pendant.
• Spacious interior and roomy trunk.
• Liquidity in the market.

Among the disadvantages it is worth highlighting:

• Modest interior equipment.
• Expensive spare parts.
• High fuel consumption.
• Excessive roll and roll.

This car is ideal for those who want a reliable and comfortable SUV with good off-road performance. Many people doubt which engine to choose. An atmospheric diesel engine is more suitable for those who like to skid off-road - its traction is enough for the eyes. Well, for those who like more dynamic driving, we can recommend the eight-cylinder engine. True, in terms of fuel consumption it is not at all economical. As for the gearbox, it is better to choose a pure mechanic for off-road use. Any automatic transmission does not like overheating, so versions with automatic transmission are more suitable for operation on asphalt terrain.