1996 VZJ90

The J9 Land Cruiser was one of the most diverse models in Land Cruiser history. Along with the rugged “heavy duty” models, the J9 also included a “light duty” model known as the Bundera. The original Bundera differed from other J9 models in terms of exterior features. There were also differences in the drivetrain.

By the mid-1990s smaller, lightweight off- road vehicles became more popular around the world. Toyota to redesigned the Bundera and it became the Prado, which became the third pillar of the Land Cruiser family, along with the station wagon models and the regular models. In the United States, the 4Runner took the place of the Prado.

Unlike earlier Land Cruiser models, the Prado had independent front suspension, which caused many Land Cruiser enthusiasts to doubt the Prado could handle extreme terrain. The Prado was a major success for Toyota and the many examples of the vehicle found in remote locations around the world prove its toughness.