The 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser marks an important point in the history of the brand. With rugged reliability, versatility and excellence in off-road performance, it is part of the legendary J40 Series, built to tackle the toughest terrains to provide adventurers, military operations and utility works with a sturdy and reliable solution. Built with a sturdy 3.9L inline 6-cylinder engine and a generally practical yet wholly classic design, it became an immediate contender in the world market, up against the Jeep CJ and Land Rover Series. The 1960 Land Cruiser laid the foundation for Toyota’s long-lasting legacy in the off-road market, and it continues to be highly regarded by collectors and enthusiasts for its ruggedness, simplicity, and greatness. Image copyright
1960 Toyota Land Cruiser Engine Specification
Specification
Details
Engine Type
Inline 6-cylinder (I6)
Engine Displacement
3.9 liters (3,896 cc)
Engine Code
F
Bore x Stroke
92 mm x 100 mm
Compression Ratio
6.0:1
Power Output
105 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Torque
180 lb-ft (245 Nm) @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel System
Single carburetor
Chassis
Specification
Details
Chassis Type
Ladder frame (body-on-frame)
Length
3,690 mm (145.3 inches)
Width
1,800 mm (70.9 inches)
Height
2,000 mm (78.7 inches)
Wheelbase
2,400 mm (94.5 inches)
Front Track
1,455 mm (57.3 inches)
Rear Track
1,450 mm (57.1 inches)
Ground Clearance
215 mm (8.5 inches)
Curb Weight
Approximately 1,600–1,700 kg (3,530–3,750 lbs)
Brakes (Front)
Drum brakes
Brakes (Rear)
Drum brakes
Tire Size
7.00 x 16 (bias-ply tires)
Dimensions
Specification
Details
Overall Length
3,690 mm (145.3 inches)
Overall Width
1,800 mm (70.9 inches)
Overall Height
2,000 mm (78.7 inches)
Wheelbase
2,400 mm (94.5 inches)
Front Track
1,455 mm (57.3 inches)
Rear Track
1,450 mm (57.1 inches)
Ground Clearance
215 mm (8.5 inches)
Curb Weight
1,600–1,700 kg (3,530–3,750 lbs)
1960 Toyota Land Cruiser Interior Features
Specification
Details
Seating Capacity
2–3 passengers in the front (bench seat)
Dashboard
Simple and utilitarian, with basic controls (gauges, knobs)
Vinyl or fabric-covered bench seats, durable for off-road use
Interior Materials
Metal and hard plastics, minimal use of soft materials
Door Panels
Simple metal or vinyl, with handles and window cranks
Windows
Manually operated (crank-up style)
Storage
Limited storage compartments, mostly in the form of a basic glove box
Flooring
Rubberized or simple vinyl flooring for easy cleaning (due to off-road use)
Heating and Ventilation
No air conditioning (basic ventilation system with windows)
Steering Wheel
Simple, large, and durable steering wheel
Shift Type
Column-mounted 3-speed manual transmission with a separate lever for 4WD engagement
Pedals
Manual clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals
Sound System
None, as radios were not standard equipment in early models (some owners added aftermarket radios)
1960 Toyota Land Cruiser Exterior Features
Specification
Details
Body Style
2-door utility wagon, open-top (canopy top option), or with hardtop (depending on configuration)
Front Grille
Horizontal slats with a chrome or silver finish (early models had vertical slats)
Headlights
Round, large, with a simple steel or chrome bezel
Turn Signal Lights
Mounted on the fenders (early models had separate, smaller signal lamps)
Bumpers
Steel, heavy-duty, front and rear (often painted in body color or black)
Fenders
Wide, extended fenders to accommodate large tires, often with a simple design
Windshield
Flat, large, two-piece (split) windshield, with a manual folding option for more open-air driving
Roof
Optional soft or hard top, or open with a foldable canopy; hardtops available on later models
Doors
Simple, flat steel doors with minimal hardware (manual window winders and latches)
Side Steps
Optional, heavy-duty side steps or running boards for easier access to the cabin
Side Mirrors
Small, manual-adjust side mirrors (usually on both sides)
Color Options
Available in a range of simple, utilitarian colors such as military green, beige, or off-white
Safety Features of the 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ25)
Specification
Details
Seat belts
Not standard in the early FJ25 models. In the 1960s, seat belt use was not widely mandated.
Body Structure
Heavy-duty, ladder-frame chassis designed to be rugged and withstand rough use, though lacking modern crumple zones or energy-absorbing materials.
Brakes
Drum brakes, both front and rear, with basic mechanical operation. Not as effective as modern disc brakes in terms of stopping power, especially under heavy load or in wet conditions.
Steering
Mechanical, non-assisted steering, which could be harder to handle at low speeds or in tight turns but provided reliable control in off-road conditions.
Suspension
Leaf spring suspension front and rear, designed for durability and off-road performance rather than ride comfort. Although simple, it contributed to vehicle stability over rough terrain.
Windshield
Large, flat, two-piece windshield that could be manually folded down. While it provided visibility, it offered minimal protection in the event of a rollover or crash.
Bumpers
Heavy-duty steel bumpers designed to absorb impacts during off-road driving, though not built to modern standards for crash protection.
Tires
Large, rugged, bias-ply tires that were designed to provide maximum traction off-road, improving stability and grip in challenging conditions. However, these tires were not as forgiving on paved roads.
Lighting
Basic round headlights and rear lights that provided adequate visibility in most conditions. However, there were no advanced safety lighting systems such as modern LED lights or adaptive headlamps.
Rollover Protection
The FJ25 had a high center of gravity due to its body-on-frame design and off-road suspension, which made it more prone to rollovers compared to modern SUVs. It lacked the safety technology (such as stability control) to prevent rollovers.
Crash Safety
The vehicle did not have airbags or crumple zones. In the event of a collision, the lack of modern safety features would have resulted in significantly higher injury risks.
Side Impact Protection
Minimal side-impact protection, as the vehicle was built for utility and off-road work rather than crash safety.
