BJ40 and BJ45: Toyota Diesel Land Cruisers Explained

Published 2024 | Old School Toyota Apparel

While most American Toyota enthusiasts are familiar with the petrol-powered FJ40, the diesel BJ series Land Cruisers were the dominant variant in many international markets and are equally significant to Toyota heritage culture globally. The BJ40 and BJ45 represent Toyota's commitment to offering genuine off-road capability with diesel efficiency in markets where petrol was expensive or scarce.

BJ40: The Diesel FJ40 Equivalent

The BJ40 used the B-series diesel engine (3.0-liter or 3.4-liter depending on generation) in the same body as the FJ40. For international markets including Australia, Japan, Europe, and Africa, the BJ40 was often more common than the petrol FJ40 because diesel fuel was more widely available and economically advantaged in those regions. Right-hand-drive BJ40s imported from Japan and Australia have become increasingly available in the US market through the 25-year import rule.

BJ45: The Diesel Long-Wheelbase

The BJ45 used the same diesel engine in the longer 45-series body, producing a more spacious and capable expedition vehicle than the short-wheelbase BJ40. The 45-series body accommodated a pickup truck configuration (FJ45/BJ45) or a wagon variant that bridged the gap between the short 40-series and the larger 55-series wagon.

BJ Series in Enthusiast Culture

BJ series Land Cruisers occupy a specific niche in Toyota enthusiast culture: they are genuine Toyota heritage vehicles with the same build quality and mechanical character as the FJ40, but they represent a less common and in some ways more authentic international Toyota experience. BJ references in Toyota heritage apparel signal deep knowledge of the brand's global history beyond the familiar North American FJ narrative.