40 Series Specific Info

Production Timeline (US/Canada)

Although production of the 40 Series Land Cruiser stopped in 1984, there is still a _COPY_ in production. It is manufactured in Brazil and is called a Bandeirante. It features a body/frame which is a copy of a Land Cruiser and is powered by a Mercedes diesel motor.

55 Series Specific Info

Many of the changes on the 40 series timeline also apply to 55 series.

80 Series Specific Info

Full time 4wd

All 80 series Cruisers sold in North America and Europe are full time 4wd. In Africa and Australia, a part-time system is still available. 80's produced between '90-'91 have an open center differential which is lockable in 4HI and automatically locked in 4LO. From '92 on, vehicles with ABS had a viscous coupling that sent a maximum of 30% torque the non-slipping axle. The differential is lockable in 4HI and automatically locked in 4LO.

Locking Differentials

Locking differentials were available as options in all 80 series. From 94 on, they were standard in North America. The operation of the lockers is very elegant. When the differential lock dial is turned to the "Locked" position, it switches on a small electrical servo. The servo pushes on a dog clutch which is meshed with the splines on the axle shaft. The dog clutch slides along the axle shaft and engages on the side of the differential carrier. The axle is then completely locked. They were offered from the procuction date 8/92 onwards.