Toyota Land Cruiser 100: 1998–2007 Guide

Dark green Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series VX-R with the 4.7 V8, front three-quarter view

The Land Cruiser 100 Series ran from 1998 to 2007, and it's where the Land Cruiser went V8 and got a lot more comfortable. Years here are US model years, which line up closely with global production. Here's what changed by year, which engines it had around the world, the recalls to check, how it rated for safety and what to look for in a used one today.

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Land Cruiser 100 Series at a Glance

Years 1998–2007 US model years

US engine 4.7L V8 230 to 275 hp over the run

Front suspension Independent Solid axle on the 105 Series

Gearbox 4- or 5-speed auto 5-speed in the US from 2003

Diesels 4.2L six 1HZ and turbo 1HD-FTE outside the US

Luxury twin Lexus LX 470 Same platform

What Makes the Land Cruiser 100 Different

The 100 Series replaced the 80 Series in January 1998. Edmunds called it the first Toyota powered by a V8, because the US truck got a 4.7-liter V8 with 230 hp and 320 lb-ft. Toyota also stiffened the structure and made ABS standard.

The big change underneath was independent front suspension with rack-and-pinion steering. As a result, it's far more relaxed on the highway than the 80 Series. However, the IFS gave up some off-road strength, so Toyota kept a solid-axle 105 Series for tough markets like Australia, Africa and South America.

Toyota also introduced Active Height Control (AHC) with this generation, and the Lexus LX 470 shared its platform. Today, a clean 100 is a popular overlanding base because it pairs a soft ride with a famously long-lived V8.

White Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series climbing a sand dune in the UAE desert

230 hp1998 V8
320 lb-ft1998 V8 torque
275 hp2006 VVT-i V8
332 lb-ft2006 V8 torque

What we like

Smooth, durable 4.7 V8
Comfortable on long highway trips
Big aftermarket for overlanding

What to watch

Thirsty V8
Timing belt adds a big service bill
AHC parts are expensive if they fail

Land Cruiser 100 Series Engines and Power

US trucks all had the 4.7 V8, with power changing in 2003, 2006 and 2007. Other markets had inline-six gas and diesel engines too.

Engine	Years	Found in	Output
4.7L V8 (2UZ-FE)	1998–2002	US	230 hp / 320 lb-ft
4.7L V8 (2UZ-FE)	2003–2005	US	235 hp
4.7L V8 (2UZ-FE) with VVT-i	2006	US	275 hp / 332 lb-ft
4.7L V8 (2UZ-FE) with VVT-i	2007	US	265 hp / 310 lb-ft (re-rated)
4.7L V8 (2UZ-FE)	1998–2007	Australia	228 hp (170 kW) / 302 lb-ft (410 Nm)
4.5L inline-six (1FZ-FE)	1998–2002	Australia (105 Series), other markets	221 hp (165 kW)
4.2L inline-six diesel (1HZ)	1998–2007	Australia, Africa, other markets	129 hp (96 kW)
4.2L turbo-diesel six (1HD-FTE)	1998–2007	Europe from 1998; Australia from 2000	202 hp (151 kW)

Edmunds says the 2007 drop to 265 hp was a re-rating under a new test method, and real-world performance didn't change. Outside the US, 5-speed manuals were offered alongside the automatics.

V8 power, then more of it

Land Cruiser 100 Changes by Year

The 100 Series got a facelift for 2003 and another freshen-up with a stronger engine for 2006. Here's the US timeline, plus the key moves in Australia.

1998 Launch in January with the 4.7 V8, a 4-speed automatic, independent front suspension and standard ABS. Toyota also debuts Active Height Control.
2000 50th Anniversary models are offered in several countries. In Australia, the 1HD-FTE turbo diesel arrives in October.
2002 A third-row seat, rear automatic climate control and HomeLink become standard in the US, along with stability control, traction control and a rear limited-slip differential. Night View and rollover sensing debut in some markets.
2003 Facelift with a new front end and dashboard. A 5-speed automatic replaces the 4-speed and power rises to 235 hp. You also get 17-inch wheels, a rear DVD system and available front and second-row curtain airbags. In Australia, the V8 replaces the 4.5 six in October 2002.
2006 VVT-i lifts the V8 to 275 hp and 332 lb-ft. A new grille, headlights and taillights arrive with a tire-pressure monitor, available AHC and 18-inch wheels. Base price is $55,815.
2007 The final year. Side and curtain airbags become standard, and the V8 is re-rated to 265 hp. The 200 Series takes over for 2008.

Our verdict: a 2003 or newer truck gets the 5-speed automatic, and a 2006 or 2007 truck adds the stronger VVT-i V8 and more standard airbags. That said, condition and maintenance records matter far more than the year on a truck this old.

Land Cruiser 100 Series Special Models

Two versions of the 100 Series matter most to buyers, although neither was sold new in the US.

1998–2007

105 Series

Solid front axle Coil springs 80 Series hardware

The heavy-duty version kept solid axles front and rear and carried over most of the 80 Series chassis and powertrain. It was sold in Africa, Australia, Russia and South America, and in Australia the GXL could be had with it.

1998–2007

Turbo diesel (HDJ100)

4.2 turbo six 151 kW Strong resale

The 1HD-FTE turbo diesel is the touring favorite outside the US, and Caravan World says it holds its value well in Australia. Heavy off-road use can crack the chassis near the IFS mounts, so check carefully.

Land Cruiser 100 Series Recalls

The 100 Series had very few US recalls. The main one covers the side curtain airbags on 2003 to 2006 trucks. Australian buyers should also check these local campaigns.

Model years	Campaign	What's affected
2003–2006 (US)	NHTSA 16V-065	The airbag control module may be programmed incorrectly, so the side curtain airbags could deploy unexpectedly. The fix is a new module. Also covers the Lexus LX 470.
Australia, 105 and 100 Series	PRA 2007/9087	Front brake rotor bolts could loosen.
Australia, 2005–2007 Sahara	PRA 2010/11856	Steering shaft snap ring.
Australia	PRA 2006/8591	Bullbar bracket welds could crack.

Notable campaigns only, not a full list. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or with Toyota in your country.

Land Cruiser 100 Series Safety Ratings by Region

Neither NHTSA nor IIHS crash-tested the 100 Series. ANCAP tested it in Australia in 2002.

Region	Program	Rating	What it means
Australia, New Zealand	ANCAP	24.90 out of 37 (2002 test)	Covers wagons built October 2002 to March 2007. It scored 8.90 of 16 in the frontal offset test and 16 of 16 in the side test, and pedestrian protection was rated Poor. ANCAP's listing doesn't show a star count.
United States	NHTSA, IIHS	Not rated	Neither program published crash ratings for the 100 Series.
Europe	Euro NCAP	Not rated	We found no Euro NCAP result.

Ratings apply only to the body style and model years tested, and older scores are not comparable with today's tests.

It's a 1990s design. These results come from a 2002 test and aren't comparable with modern crash scores. Later US trucks with curtain airbags (optional from 2003, standard for 2007) offer better side protection.

Buying a Used Land Cruiser 100 Series

Recalls were rare, but every 100 Series is now well over 15 years old. Budget for the known big jobs and get a pre-purchase inspection.

Timing belt. The 2UZ-FE V8 is an interference engine, so a snapped belt can wreck it. Owners and specialists suggest a belt around every 90,000 to 100,000 miles, with the water pump, tensioner and idlers done at the same time. No records means you should budget for it.
Ball joints and front end. Front lower ball joints wear on high-mileage trucks, and owners report front differential failures, more often on pre-2000 trucks.
AHC and exhaust. If it has AHC, make sure it works properly, because the sensors and actuators are pricey. Cracked exhaust manifolds are common and usually show up as a ticking noise from cold.
Rust, leaks and plastic. Check the frame and underbody for rust on trucks from snowy states, look for rear main and oil pump seal leaks, and replace brittle plastic heater hose tees before they crack.

Dark green 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series, rear three-quarter view

Our picks

Best overall: 2006–2007 (VVT-i V8)
Best value: 2003–2005 with the 5-speed
Toughest: 105 Series (outside the US)

Think twice

Trucks with no timing belt records
Rusty trucks from salted roads
Faulty AHC with no repair budget

Other Land Cruiser Generations

The 100 Series replaced the 80 Series and was followed by the 200 Series in 2008. Jump to either, or see every Land Cruiser generation.

Land Cruiser 100 Series FAQ

What are the best years of the Land Cruiser 100?

2003 and newer trucks have the 5-speed automatic, and 2006 to 2007 trucks add the VVT-i V8 (275 hp, re-rated to 265 hp for 2007). Condition and records still matter more than the year.

Is the Land Cruiser 100 reliable?

Yes, its V8 has a long-life reputation and it had very few recalls. However, budget for the timing belt, front ball joints and cracked exhaust manifolds.

What is the difference between the 100 and 105 Series?

The 100 Series has independent front suspension. The 105 Series kept solid axles front and rear plus much of the 80 Series hardware, and it was sold outside North America only.

Is the Lexus LX 470 the same as the Land Cruiser 100?

Yes, the LX 470 is built on the 100 Series platform with more luxury features. In Japan, it was sold as the Toyota Land Cruiser Cygnus.

Is the Land Cruiser 100 safe?

NHTSA and IIHS never crash-tested it. ANCAP scored it 24.90 out of 37 in 2002, and its results aren't comparable with modern ratings.

How often does the Land Cruiser 100 need a timing belt?

Owners and specialists suggest roughly every 90,000 to 100,000 miles, or sooner if it's over 10 years old with no records. Do the water pump and tensioner at the same time.

Sources

Keep Exploring

See every Land Cruiser generation side by side, or head back to the full Toyota lineup.

All Land Cruiser Generations

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Lexus

Land Rover

Photo credits

Header image: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
White Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series climbing…: DXR, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
White Toyota Land Cruiser 105 Series (HZJ105)…: Detectandpreserve, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
Silver Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series VX…: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
Dark green 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser 100…: Throwawayacc222, CC0, cropped and resized.