14B

Background

14B: The Modern Bandy Engine

In the fall of 1993, Toyota of Brazil made its final—and perhaps most controversial—engine upgrade. Toyota had been manufacturing the B-series engines in Japan for its BJ Land Cruisers since 1974, but the 14B, by virtue of being over a decade newer, was a cut above in every sense.

The 14B was the most modern engine ever featured in a Land Cruiser—Bandeirante or otherwise. The 4th iteration of the popular B series, it was the first to feature direct injection, resulting in even greater fuel efficiency than (the famously efficient) B, 2B, and 3B models that preceded it. Like the other B’s, the 14B was more at home in the higher RPMs than the Mercedes-Benz engines, producing a noticeably smoother and quieter ride, and one better suited for long-distance travel.

The 14B is known for its extreme reliability, although in Brazil (where parts must be imported from Japan) the high cost of service relative to OM engines is often seen as a deterrent. Like the OM-364, the 14B responds well to turbinating and intercooling, and many drivers in Brazil opt to employ these upgrades in order to add horsepower & torque and further improve the engine’s performance.

The 14B’s pairing with the Toyota 5-spd transmission (also introduced in 1993) makes for the most modern, efficient, and quietest drive of any Land Cruiser engine/transmission combo.