FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser in Cape York, 1975 | 4X4 Australia 

Pure brilliance. Makes us modern 4WDrivers look like prancing pansies.

Myself and 2 other fellas, all 18, also did the Cape York drive in 1975 in a '58 model Land Rover. We had a couple of inventive ideas ourselves to negotiate rivers which didn't quite work (one was putting dual hubs on the rear wheels), but these were nowhere near the success of your imaginative idea. Some of the creek crossings looked totally impassable but we were always amazed once we reached the other side. Certainly a challenge and extremely exciting all the way. And wow...do we have a few stories to tell about the trip!! But despite our challenges, we were amazed when, at the Jardine River, an EH Holden turned up!!!

Bloody inspirational, real aussie blokes having a go.

That was Frickin' AWESOME!!!! I have wanted a Toyota Land Cruiser since I was 6 back in 1975. My Mom's boyfriend had one, and we would go 4 Wheeling often. That Land Cruiser did things Stock that most other Modified 4 Wheelers couldn't do. It has been my dream to own one since then, but never found one that I could afford, or was in good enough condition to drive. This video made me Truly Miss the 1970s, and the Old School Toyota Land Cruisers. Thanks for sharing this AWESOME Video. I wish that I could share it with my Mom, but she passed away 3 days before my 48th Birthday in October of 2017. I dedicate the great Memories that this video Brought back to me to my Mom that is now in Heaven most likely driving a 1976 Toyota Land Cruiser. That may sound corny, but it makes sense to me. 😁🇺🇸🇮🇱🇭🇲

Thank you,your wives deserve a lot of credit for going on such a trip.

That's the spirit..I take my hat off to these ppl..

Epic trip and story. I just went out to the garage and hugged my HJ-45.

I appreciate these guys taking the time to film their adventure

Great film of a real adventure and the narrative delivered with such modesty. None of your specialist 'performance clothing' either mate - just a pair of swimmers! Home made bull-bars and hand winches. A glimpse of another world and time. You were pioneers. Now even granny has a blown 4WD to get down Woolies

Great story and really nice to see some old school footage of cruisers in their element!

“No major mechanical break downs on either vehicle”. Landcruiser legacy

Now thats what i call an adventure. Truly amazing!

I did the cape york, telegraph track, etc 9 years ago aged 61 in a 100 series cruiser and it was an absolute doddle compared to what you guys did back then, well done, great story.

Best off road video ever.

total brilliance, glad it was filmed to inspire the adventurer in some of us,,,,,,

one of the most magnific old documental offroad and ingenuity, cleverness, ability and wit. thanks for share it with us.

What an epic journey and story , real part of Aussie history!

i must have watch this 5 times

Great video. I love seeing older Australian adventure videos like this. Thanks for sharing.

"we weren't pioneers...." Could've fooled me, great impression 😊 Great stuff, what an adventure 💪👍

I love this Video, That is the Australia I grew up in , I was 22 then, and people just got on with it, not like today. Hey put your phone down and go outside.

Truly an amazing story and testament to the FJ40 LC

You guys were extraordinary and that Toyota Land Cruiser will remain as an all time legendary vehicle.

Probably the best overland film I have seen. Bare basic and true! Well done

I'm speechless! You all are pioneers and hero's. Bravo, a life well lived! Finding those American planes was epic!

What a fantastic documentary and what a humble bloke norm is! I thoroughly enjoyed this; it's a far cry from the modern day urban cowboys and their 4ton vehicles with all mod cons.

This one of the best things I have ever seen.

Absolute ripper! An outboard on the rear bar of a 40 series! Now that's adventure!

I loved this adventure. Thanks for braving the elements in such an early time of 4x4 outbacking. So adventurous to take your family and do something that will be everlasting in going pass fear and doubt. Thanks from Boise, Idaho USA...keep going ....

Great video, your trip inspired us to do the Cape in about 1978-9 in a BJ40, we were in the Land-cruiser Club at the time and you ended up doing some modification on our vehicle including resetting the rear springs, high lift jack mount, long range tank etc. We had a great trip thanks to you and the club and your video brought back lots of memories. Thanks again Norm, you are a legend.

one of the best adventure videos on the web - thanks Norm !!! the FJ40 is a beast

Great piece of 4x4 history. A fellow cruiserhead thanking you for sharing your adventure!

This is what I call a legend! Thanks so much for sharing!

It’s been too long so it was time I watched this beautiful film again. The inspiration flowing and singing in my blood is a bliss. Thanks again! Well done!

I got to meet Norm in the 90's at 80 Series get together in Flinder Ranges, an amazing person full of knowledge. Hope to meet Norm again soon.

Awesome video...Great to see where some of new offroaders came from, and choose to be....True Pioneers of todays sport

Look... this is the essence of 4 wheeling. This is really the stuff of legends. I thought I was doing great things in my Rubicon on low level trails and that's all and fine but this ladies and gentlemen is really really adventuring. I'd geek the hell out if I found war wreckage on any of my own off-road excursions. This video was worth EVERY SECOND of watching.

Norm used to service my 75 FJ40 in the late 80's in Sydney. True love for the outdoors and the FJ40. He had the coolest FJ40 converted with a small block ( My Dream ) So happy to find this video. You are a legend Norm. Cheers to you mate :)

Seriously the best outback adventure I have seen....well done you lot....Brilliant to watch

thanks for the footage norm you are truly an inspiration to me we are off on our big lap around this great country in 2017 im 54 my wife 51 doing it while we can for two years the cape is on the bucket list cheers griffo

Epic! Glad it was filmed for us to witness your great adventure!

Wow, what an amazing video. Brought back some memories. My wife and I travelled up to Coen in 1973 in a FJ40 three speed noddy when we were in a 20’s. We were staying at the Caravilla caravan perk in Cairns at the time. Best times.😊😊😊

What an amazing adventure and what wonderful memories for your family and accompanying friends. Thanks for this video. Amazing to have such great footage from back then.

I could be wrong but what helps make this adventure more amazing is the fact the Toy's didn't have diff lockers and didn't have winches !!

This was absolutely amazing to watch

Just one word AMAZING!

Amazing footage, was great to show mum when she was up there in 1985 and reminisce. Thanks for posting 👍

This has got to be the best 4x4 adventure film, amazing that you even thought to film it in 1975, with 8mm I guess. Even more amazing is your ingenuity in solving all the obstacles and the fact you thought you would succeed with such basic tech. Makes all the other videos on Cape York trips look tame. I am sure I say this for all the viewers, a big thank you for making this film.

Thank you for sharing that magnificent experience from all those years ago!

Some hearty peeps right there aye. No lift kits or air lockers . Just the heart for adventure and their trust in their rigs

Great Story and adventure. I had a 73 FJ40 and this vidio brought back some great memories of it.

Thank you so much for sharing your story , what an epic journey.

Amazing footage and story telling, such inspiration. Good work!

What an awesome trip. Absolutely pioneers..at least in 4WDing.

One of the best Cape York videos I've ever seen.

Thank you for sharing that adventure!

Took my time to watch this entire video. Well worth it. There is a world out there to explore.

A testament to the people of Australia and the FJ40. Cheers.

Totally awesome...thanks for sharing! I'm sure the film doesn't do the experience justice.

Great to watch the 40 series setting out on an adventure, It blows me away that these guys are walking out and swimming in the water, Can't do that now with the Croc's!

Bravo on a marvellous video!! My Dad and a mate conquered the Cape in 1971 after the Leyland brothers had been through beforehand in a 1970 Landcruiser. Having stumbled upon a WW2 airstrip they filled said Landcruiser with Avgas found at the abandoned airfield, the fuel was uncontaminated and useable. Dad saw the ( 3 ) Aircobras you speak of, including the one offshore with the propeller hub and cockpit remaining!! Apparently, according to information on internet one of these Aircobras has been successfully restored to airworthiness in the USA?? On the Jardine crossing side of things, Dad managed to traverse the river with a huge tarp on the front of bullbar, and the aviation mesh on the bottom of the river, and low speed FWD and prayer!! We as a family have been to the Cape now more times than I can remember, I used to drive for a 4WD safari group, and personally with my own 1977 FJ40 Landcruiser. Again marvellous video / film, and brilliant idea with the foam blocks, who would have thought??

Wonderful footage, two tough families, baby and all- love it.

This is one of the best off road videos I have watched. Epic content

Fantastic story. Thank you, and Respect.

Ingenious pontoons. What a great adventure.

Thanks for sharing that. Incredible!

Love watching the video, it my fav now. Wish I was with you guys, those FJ just can't beat them.

thank you for sharing this journey :)

Great trip and thanks for sharing.........really enjoyed watching your video. Magic!!!

just watched , well done it ,bought back memory's again well done

What an adventure. Pioneers in the field hhe. Cheers to youse ,awesome effort and so glad it was documented.

This was great hats of to them for doing it all analog and an extra hats off for filminq the whole trip

What an amazing expedition!

Awww man! This is epic. Love everything about it

Great. Just great. Thats real adventure.

This is the best thing I’ve seen on RU-vid to date!

These people did very crazy outdoor activity. Amazing!!!😂😂😂 ❤️❤️❤️

Absolute fantastic all you Guys are Legends. Good on you. Thanks heaps

BEAUTIFUL WORK GUYS.

Now that was a road trip !!!! I would say that 30 cal machine gun made a nice souvenir from the P39

Bloody brilliant story guys. I’m so envious.

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing this!

Fantastic, I really enjoyed watching that. So nostalgic now of what it used to be like.

Great trip! Great film! Thanks for sharing it!

True adventurers, worthy descendants of the pioneers, let's see: NO GPS, etc. right? Ps Personally I leave here what I think: RESPECT.

Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed every second of it. I wish I have an FJ and oportunity to restore it and drive it.

Totally made my day, thank you!

I really liked this video because it was done by a dedicated family. Great job on the floats and to watch the kids playing in the dirt. That's how I grew up on a farm. Once again great video and take care.

Excellent !!!! A credit to you!, Very Envious!!!. Thanks for sharing

Wow, glad I found this. Just awesome 👍

Norm Needham, if you ever get to read this message I just want to say you are an absolute inspiration.. .in fact , every single one of you that ventured on that trip for that matter. I know you are also affiliated with events like out back challenge so I hope one day when I head to obc I get to finally meet you some time... It would be a great honour.... Respect and gratitude.... thank you for providing us this doco and journey. Kind Regards George

Really great work. Thanks for sharing, & blazing the way. Cheers

Excellent documentary, great attitudes, you don't see many people like them today.

Leyland brothers are Australian legends and trendsetters. Great video, thanks for sharing.

What a story. Amazing.

Love it! I remember seeing photos from this trip but great to see this video. Cheers Jeff

Bloody awsome true Aussies 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Its Nice video and thanks for sharing. A real adventure..

I really enjoyed watching this. Awesome just bloody awesome

Love those wheels/tyres. Great vid.