Car brands sell different models in different regions of the world, for a variety of reasons. It involves everything from cultural differences and demographics, to the dreaded EPA, which determines vehicles’ environmental impact.
US buyers are, for the most part, enjoying the Toyota Land Cruiser J250, despite some recent inconsistencies in the quality, but what if I tell you, this isn’t the best iteration of the iconic truck you can have.
For certain markets, Toyota is still making a revised variant of the 70-series Land Cruiser. It’s the rugged, boxy, spartan one, which dates back to 1984. Its lineup includes the 79 series, which is a pickup truck with a separate bed. Well, SEMA 2025 saw what can only be described as the ultimate iteration of what many believe to be the ultimate SUV (and rightfully so).
It is the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 pickup truck, built by Bowen Customs, EC Off-road, and LiquidSpeed, and unfortunately, if you are in North America, you can’t have it. At least, not yet. Here’s what makes it even more special than the regular version.
The standard Land Cruiser 79 is already impressive
The 70-series Toyota Land Cruiser is, arguably, the most iconic off-road vehicle ever made. In true tradition, the Land Cruiser 79 features a body-on-frame chassis with coil suspension in the front and leaf springs in the rear. It also features the company’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), which isn’t available even on the J250 Land Cruiser model.
The Japanese off-roader offers 9.25 inches (235 mm) of ground clearance although for some models, it goes up to 13.2 inches (335 mm). Approach and departure angles are 35 and 29 degrees respectively, although these values are at minimal ground clearance.
Interestingly enough, you can still buy the modernized 70-series Land Cruiser with a choice of normally-aspirated gasoline, normally-aspirated diesel, and a more modern, 2.8-liter turbodiesel. This same unit is also fitted into non-US models of the J250 Toyota Land Cruiser, and as we found out, this is enough for the Japanese SUV to dominate more powerful competitors.
In the Middle East, you can still get the 4.0-liter, normally-aspirated, 1GR-FE, V-6 engine with 235 horsepower and 267 pound-feet, alongside the 4.2-liter normally-aspirated, 1HZ, inline-six diesel with 128 horsepower and 206 pound-feet. Both engines can be had with a five-speed manual. The more modern 1GD-FTV turbodiesel can be had with a six-speed automatic.
Related story: One Toyota Dealer Will Sell You The Land Cruiser J250 Of Your Dreams
The ultimate Japanese off-roader, made better, without sacrificing the truck’s rugged, utilitarian character.
This build was specifically made for the 2025 SEMA and is the brainchild of an epic partnership between Bowen Customs, EC Off-road from Australia, and LiquidSpring suspensions.
For starters, the build retains the utilitarian nature of the Land Cruiser 79. Instead of bombarding you with tech, you are getting the essentials. You have a traditional start-up procedure with a key, a five-speed manual, and a manual transfer case. The only hint of modern tech is the added infotainment screen in the middle and the four power windows.
The build retains a live axle suspension, both front and rear, but adds (for the first time ever on a Land Cruiser) LiquidSpring hydraulic struts that adjust the ride height. More impressively, the suspension can adjust 1,000 times per second, making it highly-adaptable to change in terrain. This means that this Land Cruiser 79 can ride just as well with an empty bed as when loaded.
The Bowen Customs bed is a complete replacement for the stock piece, and is highly modular. This means that if one section is damaged, you don’t need to replace the entire bed, but just the piece that’s damaged. It also features plenty of additional storage compartments.
The crown jewel
Toyota no longer makes V-8 engines, but this one has one. While no details are provided for the build’s engine, we know it is a 4.8-liter, turbodiesel V-8. As this project was mostly focused on the LiquidSpring adaptive hydraulic suspension, no horsepower and torque figures have been quoted.
The only point of reference we have is the 4.5-liter, 1VD-FTV, turbodiesel, used in the 70 series and later, in the Land Cruiser 200 (albeit modernized). Early variants produced 195 to 205 horsepower while more modern iterations (like in the 200 Series) pack up to 272 horsepower and 479 pound-feet. The best part is, the V-8 is mated to a five-speed manual. How many modern-day trucks and SUVs have a V-8 mated to a manual?
Alas, the EPA is cruel, and at least for now, you can’t get one in the US. What do you think of the 79-series Land Cruiser? Would you buy one if you could? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
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