Land Cruiser 40 Series

1960-1984 / SUV / Utility / Japan

All Land Cruiser 40 Series problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension

Shackle and Bush Wear

Symptoms

Clunking from the suspension over bumps. The rear of the vehicle feels loose or wallowy. Visible play in the spring mounting points.

Cause

The rubber or polyurethane bushings in the spring shackles, spring eyes, and chassis mounts compress and deteriorate over time. Grease fittings on the shackle pins are often neglected, leading to dry, worn pins that develop excessive clearance.

Fix

Replace all shackle bushings, shackle pins, and spring eye bushings as a set.

Polyurethane bushings ($100-200 per set) last longer than rubber and resist the red dust and moisture that destroy factory rubber bushings.

Grease the shackle pins regularly after replacement.

Cost mentioned in fix

$100-200 per set

Know something we don't?

Owned a Toyota Land Cruiser 40 Series? Share your experience with this issue. What worked, what didn't, costs, tips. Help the community.

Submit an update

// More Land Cruiser 40 Series problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension

Leaf Spring Sag

The vehicle sits lower than factory height, either at the front, the rear, or both. The ride is harsh and the vehicle bottoms out on bumps and dips.

Critical Rust

Floor Pan Corrosion

The floor pans develop surface rust, then pitting, then perforation. In advanced cases, the driver can see the ground through the floor. The seat mounting points lose structural integrity.

Critical Rust

Firewall Rot

The firewall develops rust around penetrations, where the clutch master cylinder, brake master cylinder, wiring harnesses, and heater hoses pass through the bulkhead. In severe cases, the firewall becomes structurally compromised.

Critical Rust

Sill and Rocker Panel Decay

The sills (the structural members running along the bottom of the body below the doors) rust from the inside out. External paint may look fine while the interior is completely hollowed.

Critical Cooling System

Chronic Overheating (F and 2F Engines)

The temperature gauge climbs above normal under load, on hills, towing, or in slow traffic. In severe cases, the engine boils over and dumps coolant.

Common Cooling System

Diesel Engines and Cavitation

The B, 3B, H, and 2H diesels develop pinhole leaks in the cylinder liners and coolant passages. Coolant loss with no visible external leak. White residue around coolant hose connections.

View all 12 Land Cruiser 40 Series problems