The Toyota Land Cruiser has always been known as a powerful, reliable, and versatile SUV. It can handle city roads, long highway journeys, and extreme off-road conditions with ease. But in today’s world, many people need more than just performance — they need safety and security. That’s where the armoured Land Cruiser comes in.

Adding armour to a vehicle provides strong protection against bullets, explosives, and other threats. But at the same time, it also adds a lot of extra weight. This makes many people ask: “How much does an armoured Land Cruiser weigh after protection?”

In this article, we will answer that question in detail. We’ll look at how much weight is added, what materials are used, how it affects performance, and why people still choose this SUV despite the increase in weight.


Understanding Vehicle Armouring

Note : Armoured Land Cruiser Dubai offers unmatched safety, strength, and luxury, making it the perfect choice for secure travel—book yours today.

Before we get into numbers, let’s understand what “armouring” really means.

What Is Armouring?

Picture background

Armouring is the process of upgrading a standard vehicle into a secure, bullet-resistant, and explosion-resistant vehicle. This is done by adding special materials like bulletproof glass, steel plating, and blast protection.

Why the Land Cruiser?

The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most popular vehicles for armouring because:

  • It has a strong chassis that can carry extra weight.
  • Its engines are powerful and durable.
  • It has a global reputation for reliability.
  • It offers luxury and comfort along with toughness.

How Much Does an Armoured Land Cruiser Weigh?

Standard Land Cruiser Weight

A standard Toyota Land Cruiser (before armouring) usually weighs around 2,500 kg to 2,700 kg depending on the model and trim.

After Armouring

Once the protection is added, the weight increases significantly. An armoured Land Cruiser typically weighs between:

  • 3,500 kg to 4,500 kg (3.5 to 4.5 tons).

This means armouring can add anywhere from 1,000 kg to 1,800 kg to the original weight of the vehicle.

Why the Weight Increase?

The extra weight comes from:

  • Bullet-resistant steel plating.
  • Thick ballistic glass.
  • Reinforced doors, roof, and floor.
  • Run-flat tires and upgraded suspension.
  • Special safety systems.

Materials That Add Weight

To understand the weight increase better, let’s look at the main materials used in armouring.

1. Bullet-Resistant Glass

  • Normal glass is very light, but armoured glass is made of multiple layers of glass and polycarbonate.
  • Each window becomes much heavier.
  • Depending on protection level, the glass thickness can be 40mm to 70mm.

2. Armoured Steel

  • Strong steel is added to doors, pillars, roof, and floor.
  • The thickness depends on the protection level.
  • This is one of the heaviest parts of the armouring process.

3. Ballistic Materials

  • In some cases, lightweight ballistic composites are used instead of steel.
  • These materials are lighter but more expensive.

4. Additional Equipment

  • Run-flat tire systems.
  • Reinforced suspension.
  • Heavy-duty braking systems.
  • Blast protection for the floor.

All of this combined explains why an armoured Land Cruiser becomes so much heavier.


Different Levels of Armoured Protection

The weight of an armoured Land Cruiser also depends on the level of protection chosen.

B4/B6 Protection (Standard Civilian Protection)

  • Designed to resist handguns and rifles.
  • Moderate steel and glass thickness.
  • Adds around 800–1,200 kg.

B7 Protection (High-Level Protection)

  • Can stop armor-piercing bullets.
  • Very thick glass and steel.
  • Adds around 1,200–1,800 kg.

Military or Custom Protection

  • Built for extreme threats including explosives.
  • Can add 2,000 kg or more.

So, the exact final weight depends on what type of threats the vehicle is designed to handle.


How Extra Weight Affects the Vehicle

Now that we know the weight can increase up to 4.5 tons, let’s look at how this affects the vehicle’s performance.

Engine Performance

The Land Cruiser comes with powerful engines (usually V8 or V6 turbo-diesel). These engines can still move the heavier vehicle, but:

  • Acceleration becomes slower.
  • Top speed is reduced slightly.

Fuel Efficiency

More weight means the engine works harder. This reduces fuel efficiency compared to a standard Land Cruiser.

Braking

Heavier vehicles need stronger brakes. That’s why armoured Land Cruisers are fitted with upgraded braking systems to handle the extra load.

Suspension and Tires

The suspension and tires are also upgraded so they can carry the additional weight without reducing ride comfort.


Why People Still Choose an Armoured Land Cruiser

Even though the weight increases, the Land Cruiser is still one of the most trusted vehicles for protection.

Reliability

Toyota is known for durability, and even with armour, the Land Cruiser continues to perform reliably.

Comfort

Despite the extra protection, the interior remains comfortable and luxurious, making it suitable for VIPs, diplomats, and executives.

Off-Road Ability

The Land Cruiser is built for tough terrains. Even after armouring, it can handle deserts, mountains, and rough roads better than many other SUVs.

Peace of Mind

The extra weight is a small trade-off for the safety and peace of mind it provides to its passengers.


Real-Life Examples of Armoured Land Cruiser Weight

  • Standard Land Cruiser 300 series (unarmoured): ~2,600 kg.
  • Armoured Land Cruiser 300 with B6 level: ~3,800 kg.
  • Armoured Land Cruiser 300 with B7 level: ~4,200 kg.

This shows how the protection level directly impacts the weight.


Who Uses Armoured Land Cruisers?

The armoured Land Cruiser is popular with:

  • Government officials who need secure travel.
  • Business executives working in high-risk areas.
  • Security companies protecting clients.
  • Celebrities and VIPs who want safety while on the move.

Tips for Buying an Armoured Land Cruiser

If you are planning to buy one, keep these things in mind:

1. Decide the Protection Level

Choose between B6 or B7 depending on the type of threats you expect.

2. Consider Weight and Usage

Higher protection means more weight. Make sure you balance between security needs and practical driving.

3. Maintenance

Armoured vehicles need stronger brakes, suspension, and regular servicing to stay in top condition.

4. Certified Armouring Companies

Always buy from certified and trusted armouring companies. Poor armouring can be dangerous.


Final Thoughts

So, how much does an armoured Land Cruiser weigh after protection?

The answer is: Nubia Cars, depending on the level of armour added.

While the weight increases by over a ton, the Land Cruiser is built strong enough to handle it. With upgraded suspension, brakes, and engines, it continues to perform well even with the extra load.

In the end, the additional weight is worth it for the security, safety, and peace of mind an armoured Land Cruiser offers. Whether for government, business, or personal use, it remains one of the best armoured SUVs in the world.

 

For more insightful articles related to this topic, feel free to visit craneflower