Instant Classic: 200 Series Toyota Land Cruiser
The 200 series was first introduced to the public as an ’08 model year. It was the evolution in design from the previous ’98-’07 100 Series. Building on the large body independent front suspension (IFS) platform that became incredibly successful with the 100 series, Toyota set out to increase the capability with the 200.
Photo courtesy of Chris Cordes/Equipt Expedition Overland. Check out their website for South African expedition equipment at www.equipt1.com.
The 100 series was the first in the platform to feature IFS, and it used torsion bars as its spring setup. On the 200, in the quest for even more capability, Toyota decided to forego the Torsion spring and go with a traditional coil spring for the 200 IFS. This allowed for stronger front suspension and additional travel via the fitment of an new specialized sway-bar system that initially debuted on the Lexus GX470. KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) is an interconnected hydraulic system that allows the articulation of the sway bar systems, front and rear, to allow additional suspension travel while not effecting the ability to use stiffer road-worthy dampers.
Additionally the new frame was adapted from the then-new Toyota Tundra and strengthened by 20 percent, as well as its entire driveline. The 5.7L V8 gasoline engine and transmission lifted from the Tundra was a most welcome enhancement, featuring an additional 153 hp (338hp) and 96 lb-ft of torque (401lb-ft).
Initially, the J200 was met with criticism as many had felt that the classic lines of the 200 series had been over-developed at the cost of capability. While the Land Cruiser has grown in size and weight from its humble beginnings, it is hard to argue that they are any less capable. If anything, the $86,000 200 series is now becoming a highly sought-after classic. Many of the ’08 model years are popping up all over the internet for extremely reasonable prices. These platforms are incredibly capable and are the vehicle of choice for the United Nations for traversing the wilds of the world.
If you are interested in this highly capable classic vehicle, go order one—or pick up a used model. Be sure to do so before everyone else realizes what a gem they are. As of 2016, only 31,120 of these have been imported into the US. With that few of them, as they age, that number will only dwindle and the price will start creeping up—which has been the case with every series of LC previously released.
