Mine is 27yrs old. Bought her 6 months old with 9000ks on clock. Now has 670000ks. Daily drive carrying 850kgs permanently. Go 4wding on weekends. Cheap to own. Cheap to run. Love it. Just love it Thanks Toyota.
I have a 75 series, 1HZ natural aspirated engine, built in 1995. Still going strong and love the 20 years I have been driving it through the outback of Western Australia.
AMEN TO THAT STEVEN. HAVE 1997 TROOPY .HAD IT SINCE 2000. LOVELY BEIGE ,NEARLY AT HALF A MILLION KS AND STILL GOING REAL STRONG.IM NOT GETTING RID OF IT....EVER👍💖💖
1998 1HZ here with 396,000KM on it. Used for construction and farming and still going strong. Daily multiple loads of gravel and sand hauled up the mountain are no problem. Bought it used with 140,000KM and still have the same clutch. Replaced so far: front leaf springs left and right (both sides broke through), rear axle housing (cracked), radiator and of course bushings and engine mounts. Best and most reliable car I ever owned. Also have a G400 Mercedes and it spends most of its time in the shop...
100% ! The prices currently being asked are insane … the only thing more insane is that people are paying those prices being asked 🤯 I’ll stick to my mighty Nav’ for now 😉👍
I bought a new dual cab 79 in August 2020, then set about ‘building’ it. That was a very rewarding period. Still plenty left to do. My take is this, they are epic trucks. I don’t use it as a daily driver because I prefer to ride to work. Every time I take it on a trip, it makes me very happy. I have a number of performance upgrades including rear track correction. When it comes to Australia, this is the right horse for the course
Ive got one, agree completly with everything you've said in this. Dog of a four wheel drive on road but offroad wouldnt trust many other cars to get me home from a hard trip. After owning one i'd never not want to have one!
I think if these were 40-50k brand new I could understand it but $80k+ (minimum) for a car with an interior straight out of a 1995 camry and the turning circle radius on par with a large cargo ship, I personally couldn't justify buying one
I have a 1995 Camry. The interior of that is more modern than this. The dash is softer, it's a single piece moulding for less rattles and just looks more modern/interesting.
South Africa gets the 1GR 4.0 V6 in these 70 series, which is actually a very reliable engine. Also, the early 1980's 70 series had automatic transmissions as optional but were discontinued around the 90's.
It comes down to the simple concept, less features, less to go wrong. Another factor is that Australian laws are extremely restrictive with modifications especially of new vehicles. 70 series LC is a body on frame design with solid axles. This makes it far easier to modify and certify on Australian roads.
I bought a 200 series gx and it has all the tough no nonsense work style stuff like vinyl floors and much more plastic in the interior so it’s easy to keep clean and wipe mud off but with more power, 6sp auto and it drives awesome, especially with the superior remote res lift I put in it. Love it.
Best review of the 70 series I have ever seen! My 2020, 76 series wagon has been a very good tow truck, and with a few modifications, it has proven to be a highly capable and reliable vehicle for handling the rough terrain of the outback. It is a lot of fun in the dirt. I love touring our great country in it. With the caravan, or just the swag. I finally have one. I am very happy with it. It does surprise me how much money some owners spend on modifications, but it is their money and their hobby. Who am I to judge? I don’t enjoy driving it when I need to attend to business in the city, especially in heavy, slow traffic. People in small, ‘zippy’ cars seem to get frustrated with the slow acceleration and wide turning circle. Luckily, that is very rare.
Mine is a 2019 Troopcarrier. Best 4wd I've owned in 40 years. Don't buy a vehicle, buy a lifestyle. Mine's used mostly for remote outback travel - see heaps of 70series out there for one reason - they don't often come back on a traytop.
This car is like the replacement for The commodore here in North QLD. All the bogans with heaps of cash drive them, kit them out with loads of aftermarket accessories but then work too hard to ever actually take time off and drive them off-road. Just a mall crawler 99% of the time. They always drive them like d*ckheads too.
If speed is not your priority , the 1HZ 4.2 deisel is the one to go for , it is virtually impossible to break , just a word of advice , if you end up replacing a head gasket on the 1HZ and end up having to cut the wiring at the back of the head because you cant get a spanner in , as with the 80 series , do not let anyone mess with those wires , the blue one is the only one of any real importance , the others can and should be left alone and taped up , failure to do that will lead to a catastrophic wiring failure , depending on the model and year , sometimes you cant get the car to start again . Also a cambelt at 150000km is far cheaper than a new turbo at the same type of milage . A 1HZ will go exactly where a V8 will , just be slightly slower , it will also perform better at really low revs and , due to no turbo lag or turbo characteristics , is not really affected by altitude and you can happily rev the nuts off it . Sounds good too .
I have a 4 month old single cab GXL 79 series in the garage. I traded in a 2019 model and it had increased in value. It is a 4 year wait for a new one and I have already ordered that. My car isn't parked in the suburbs as you suggest, I live in the country. I don't drive it in the city as it was never designed for that. What it was designed for is Australia. I don't need all of the electronics or engine changes the 4 cylinder twin cabs get every year. I also don't need a car made in Taiwan or Indonesia or wherever they are made. My 79 is made in Japan and that is why there is a 4 year wait to get one. I don't need to be told about torque or power or twin turbos. My 79 series V8 does everything I need it to do and is unmolested. That is why it holds its value. I also don't need an automatic. I really don't think you can review this vehicle until you have owned several of them like me. When I change from one 79 series single cab to another, there are no surprises, just satisfaction. I know what I am getting and in Australia, no other vehicle manufacturer can do that for me. Whilst a lot of people will disagree with my comments, people who have and currently own a 79 series will agree with me. (you will notice I havn't mentioned the purchase price.) Hughesie (see my 79 reviews)
I love my 76 2018 model - absolutely adore it. I also have a very well done out Prado but prefer my 76. The 76 has been fantastic on long, remote trips - no trouble at all and heaps of fun - you really need to learn to drive properly to do well in a manual - just finished a 7300km trip into the middle of Australia where the 76 outperformed the modern cars in our group.
When buying a 70 series, look for a white one, that has had the underside heavily sprayed with black paint, hopefully still with a battery isolation switch fitted. Those are the really really good ones.
Your mechanic is right 👍 There is nothing else like these on the current market. I have a 2015 defender and although it’s getting older I won’t trade it for one of these (even though 70s are cool). The defender has coil suspension with a one tonne payload, a proper hand brake, a good stereo, 7 nice leather seats and a rear track that matches the front and from all accounts- just as reliable 😮
@@frankz5864 I was told from old bloke who owns a multi million dollar excavation and haulage company who's worked in mining industry his whole life say that the 79 series Landcruisers couldn't tow aswell around site as the 2.8L Duramax Holden Colorado's they got and 79's had less power and used more fuel and needed more maintenance and he said saved him hundreds of thousands of dollars by buying Holden Colorado's instead of new 79's that don't come with tray and air-conditioning stock standard
Fantastic review guys. Well done. 79's are popular for a reason but damn they are overpriced! The logic of course is less accessories, less to go wrong. That train of thought should therefore equate to less price shouldn't it?
the train of thought is, lets make the most simple car every but make it sound cool so people will pay 100k for what probably cost 20k to make. no wonder Toyota is loaded
That’s the only one. All others left from the market. - low range gearing (and manual) - 16 inch wheels - massive payload - reliability - stock 2x 90L fuel tanks (78 series) with two fillers - stock diff locks (gxl spec) - solid axle front and back - dealership everywhere - all the aftermarket accessories under the sun known to mankind - list goes on Currently got VDJ78 on order (waiting game) Rooma -
It's the only Ute on the market that can tow 3.5t and be at full gvm bar the American imports (even the RAM has a very poor payload of 850kgs). It's a proper heavy duty 4x4 and not a light duty Ute. Serviceable wheel bearings, live axles front and rear, proper gearbox that's runs 5th on the main shaft. Once you understand heavy duty mechanical running gear and aren't distracted by the latest trinkets to defer your attention to weak ifs ball joints and pressed metal control arms you'll fully understand why the $80k drive away price new from Toyota is warranted for what is literally the only heavy duty Ute still available, rip the patrol Ute... Those that complain it's too expensive don't need a Japanese made 70 series and are best served by one of the light duty Thai utes be it ranger, triton Hilux etc. Having owned many of them nothing compares to a 4.5l v8 that can pull 3.5t up a hill at idle and can be fully loaded whilst towing 3.5t There's a reason they are sold out and you can't even place and order as there's nothing else left that compares.
Well said! The price is the price because thats what owners are willing to pay. Sick of haters complaining they’re too expensive but at the end of the day its all supply and demand its how it works
@@jasonfields2793 if you've owned both you'll understand that driving a 70 is way easier to live with day to day. They also fit into normal car parking spaces if you can drive! They also have better power and torque than say the Isuzu NPS and are 100% more comfortable which is saying a lot as the 70 isn't that comfortable ha ha. The small trucks have their use though and are a great tool as a trade only vehicle or full time tourer. But they are also limited to 3.5t towing for the smaller NPS but have a greater payload capacity. A proper truck like a FTS isuzu would make sense as a better tow vehicle.
@@jamest5830 agreed the 70 has strenghts described but those strenghts are its weekness as a real heavy duty rig. As the trucks strenght is its weaknesses as a car its a game of compramise. I have not personally ownd either but have dont thousands of hours working as a mechanic in Remote WA and have used both as remote workshops and thr truck is hands down superior for work purposes. The 70 fits into smaller spots the truck never will so its a usage case.
I’ve had my 79 for 5 years now, had not a single issue, I’ve got mates with Rangers,Colorados,Tritons from new and have had major issues under 100k kms, people that winge about the 70 series simply don’t have the funds to own one in my opinion. V8 power, solid axles front and rear, minimal interior bullshit stuff the go wrong.. 79 all the way any day for me 👌🏼💪🏼
Totally mate, they are tanks! Drive like one? yes, but that's what I love about it. I also have the latest Dmax as a work vehicle & it's so fricken boring & peeps at you for every fricken thing!
Don’t have the funds? You know hilux’s and rangers are around the 70grand mark also? But the hilux is much better to drive around. I hate getting out the car to adjust my mirrors when I take the 79 out. 5 speed garbage.
I always wondered what the hype was, around the 70 series. When i put 1 ton on the deck, and went off roading, every thing became clear. They handle it effortlessly. The competitors dont even come close. But if you arnt carrying heavy loads over rough terrain, you will get more value with another choice.
I look at the Cruiser tested and think the tray and canopy is 80% hanging south of the rear axle plus he has hung two spare tyres ( 80kg) off the very back. Even with a rear axle widen it still must steer like a pig. Then add the cost of all the mods required to make it half decent plus the cramped cab etc etc. You have to ask yourself is it all worth it. Oh and a GVM upgrade does not increase your GCM so you are still towing limited. Forget a Dodge Ram 1500 as they skimped on the rear axle weight value and its worse than a Toyota. A Dodge Ram 2500Cummmins would be more comfortable and have street cred. Don't laugh but I bought an Iveco 4x4 twin cab. And love it. 80000km so far trouble free. Rough ride like the Cruiser but heaps more room,load carrying and goodies as standard.. just love it. Cheers.
I own a 76 series, i love it! yeah they are flawed, they aren't the comfiest, but they are simple and they look awesome. Add a console fridge, some cup holders and a decent stereo and you are good to go for inside, i still have to do some suspension mods on mine, a real snorkel and and better exhaust and that's all i want done, don't regret my purchase one bit
I remember lookong pre covid and i was mostly seeing min of 50k for a gxl 76 with some ks. 79 dc was a lot more too. At least thats how i remember it. For me id guess 20k more than before roughly, if you ignore those absurd edge cases
Similar to other comments I've read, I've got one, not heavily modified, don't go to "Dingo Piss Creek", however in my role as a volunteer firefighter the practicalities of having one for various fire related activities is well worthwhile. I was made redundant and bought one before the prices went "Covid stupid" so mine wasn't to bad also pre DPF which for me has been a great advantage. Fitted the upgraded centre console, yes has the turning circle of a canal barge however wouldn't chnage it, I certainly didn't buy it with the idea of increasing my self-esteem. Good vid.
I have a 95' FZJ73. It's the best off road vehicle ever. Everyone saying how basic and uncomfortable they are need to stick to their 80k plastic 4x4s they use twice a year for their Instagram. It's designed to work not take your kids to soccer practice
Amazing rigs with such a blank canvas and if money is no object why not buy one. However I love my old 80 series and would never trade it for even a 150k 79 series. I really hate the spring hangers at the rear diff. See so many 79s get stuck as they lose all momentum once those things plow into mud or dirt.
I drive a 1hd-fte single cab and a v8 dual cab, hundreds of km a week on very rough station roads on the edge of the Simpson desert. There truly isn't another 4x4 that could come close to handling what these trucks can. I'm 6'5" tall and the single cab is a bit cramped but not terrible. That being said I'm probably about to buy a Wildtrak ranger for personal use.
Just got my dream troopy 2016 pre DPF I can’t be happier 😊 now im setting it up to live in while on my week off from mining. No more rent for me from September 🎉🎉🎉
The dual cab 79 series is the most overrated 4x4 money can possibly buy period. People buy them because they look good and sound great but then realise they are absolutely useless off road. That’s a hard pill to swallow when it costs the owners $130K+ just to make it perform somewhat ok.
My man, you just summed it up as I would have. Purchased a 76 series thinking it would be our forever 4x4, WRONG. Only vehicle I've ever owned that had front and rear lockers, & by Christ it needed them. Was absolutely useless off road without lockers engaged. Twas out wheeling one weekend with a guy who didn't opt for lockers, it was going no where, they were so pissed off with it. On road handling, ours was horrendous, when towing our van, it was totally lethal. Heard a chap one day describing his 78 troopie to a young guy drooling over it. He said, well it's like driving a old boat up a river, you're constantly correcting it, never heard the on road characteristics described better. Needless to say, we flogged ours off easily and went back to our better handling, far more comfortable, more off road capable Jackaroo. We eventually updated to a Y61 Patrol, far better 4x4 than the 76 knew how to be. Only people who say they like them are the idiots that shelve out big dollars and don't want to admit how stupid they were. I in reality discovered quickly it was a heap of crap and called it a heap of crap. Can't understand why others can't be as logical and admit they're crap, imagine the price drop if owners were honest enough to admit they'd been had. 😢🥴
@@ianweal3081 Absolutely agree with you Ian, i think 90% of 79 owners never actually take them off road, hence why they don’t realise they are so shit haha.
Well I hope you guys are prepared for the pitchforks and torches lol 😆. To be honest though while they made be a good looking frobie with plenty of modding potential and near bulletproof reliability I think id buy an ex military Perentie, Unimog, Mega Cruiser or Isuzu truck over the 70s series. Do I need to ask why you had a Gucci handbag on hand or is that best left unsaid at the moment lol 😆. Good review guys and congrats on breaking 94k subscribers guys you're almost at the silver play button 👍. Have a good weekend guys and look forward to next weeks batch of goodies you have in store 👍😀.
Mine is super noisy because of the snorkel plus if you are driving into a high wind or going say 130 the door comes away from the body making more noise.
Ive driven and worked with 70 series across west africa for the past 18 years, and honestly they are the bees knees, tough, reliable, rough as guts to drive, but when youre driving in rough as guts places thats exactly what you need. they are easy to repair in the field if need be, and spares are easy enough to get a hold of even in some of the remotest places in the world.
Ahaha no there not easy to repair in the Bush, the old 1HZ and FTE family are but the 1VD has no space in the engine back and is loaded with electronics now days. They are sooo shit and soooo over priced
A critical thing that's not been mentioned in the video is the fact that the 79 series dual cabs do not have child seat anchor points fitted. To add them requires an engineer's certification and relevant modification paperwork. To get factory fitted child seat anchor points you'll have to buy the 76 series 5 door wagon.
I am sure the 79 does some things well. I am not sure that it does anything so much better you'd say it's worth the extra cost over any other ute, or if you do need the full capabilities of a 70 series and a more civilised ute just won't keep up with, that you're not better off going a step up to a Hino or Isuzu truck that'll do even more.
IMO, if you're looking for a comfortable ride in your Land Cruiser, look at the 100 or 200 series. Especially with the petrol V8. Or better still, look for a fully loaded J120 or J150 Prado.
@@gureno19 A quick search on Carsales reveals that only diesel V8's exist... I know that in the U.S they sell petrol only but I think it's diesel only in Australia
Toyota would be forced to improve these old rigs if every second person stopped buying them. Either that or they would just cancel the line altogether forever and then these would be $400k second hand.
So far the 70 series has no real competitor since the Defender stopped back in 2016, but it will again when the Ineos Grenadier comes out later this year. Grenadier orders sold out fast in a flash while still not out yet, and orders on the existing 70 series are few years wait all due to high demand.
I have a 76 series. Bought it brand new last year. Why? Well I like the retro look, I am my autistic son’s carer and he is notorious for putting a lot of wear on car interiors. I wanted something basic that I don’t have to be too precious over. I like it’s looks, I feel good driving it and I don’t think I’m overly pretentious, but I do like things that look good. I have plans for the future that involve the truck, whether or not they come to fruition I can’t say. I’m very fond of it. Will I keep it forever, probably not. But if I actually get to do half the things I want to do in it, maybe I will.
Agreed. I'd love one of these with the 5 speed manual. Simple yet durable, but they'd probably be very expensive if they did come to the US. Maybe in the $50-60k range if I were to guess
I had a fully ladden modified one of these tailgating me on the freeway the other day driven by a p plater. We both took the same exit and I noticed that there was traffic banked up. I used around 35% of my brakes to stop and he had to dart into the emergency lane and slam the brakes stopping about 6 car lengths infront of me to avoid rear ending me.... deathtraps
That particular one has an aftermarket console, the standard model including the gxl has one lousy cup holder….not to mention manual 5 speed that feels like it revs too hard at highway speed….they were deployed in the pacific islands by the dozens and survived very well. Slow and rough but so reliable and tough. Due to current cost an actual truck from iveco or japanese manufacturers may be better.
I've had my 1979 HJ45 for 19 years and it's the best car I've had. Allot les comfortable than the later ones and plenty of compromises for the legendary ruggedness so would I replace it? Never!
I was cross shopping the 79 vs 60/80 series. Ended up with a 12ht 60 series. The mehs: Handles just as bad, same vague steering, is just as loud, same shit Toyota 1980's interior Pros: 60's interior is bigger, I could listen to the 12ht all day no radio, best looking cruiser ever. Solid axles. It feels like I'm driving a time machine from the past surrounded by ford rangers and hiluxs. It really is a fun experience driving these things, but makes my MR Triton feel like a Rolls Royce.
Basically there are 3 types of people out there, 1- people that own a 70 series LC 2- people that wish they owned a 70n series LC 3- people that just don't get it.... and it's not worth explaining. I own one, love it, wouldn't buy another vehicle. I don't see the point in over complicated vehicles that compromise on reliability via fantasy gadgets, yep less is best in remote off grid locations.
This 70 series has a couple of festures that are only available in extremely high end luxury cars an ashtray and cigar lighter also manual windows they don't break down l own a 25 year old toyota hilux and l am pretty sure there the original mechanisms they will probably be there in 25 years time also the cigarette lighter works
I do like them, but I can't personally see how they are worth the kind of money they have been selling for in the past few years. I'll stick with the older models (60, 80, 105 series) for as long as it's practical to keep them on the road with replacement parts. They get much the same job done for a tiny fraction of the price. We'll have to see what the future looks like for ICE 4WDs in the next 10-20 years.
I agree, Josh. I much prefer my simple 78-series, which will be 20 years old next year. I'd like to keep it for another 20 years, but as you've mentioned, who knows what the future holds? My Troopy, by the way, has cost me very little in regard to repairs and servicing. I wish I'd put in extended diff breathers before crossing a few rivers up north. That was an expensive repair. Apart from that, it's been a wonderful vehicle and cost me $43,000 with only 10,000km on the clock in 2005.
I work for a company that specialises in doing everything and anything (legal) to 79s. Some go 200k. It’s still a fucken tractor It’s big cock swinging comp. But hey what ever floats your boat, pays my wage.
Sorry, one little thing I didn't like was that you had your mechanic talking about issues of a 79.... In a VW shop. Get a Pilbara Diesel fitter to talk about the issues, I was one, they come to us fully stock, only complete recommended services and we don't see any patterns of issues up to 500k. The msg.. buy a car for what you use it for. Don't bag out on 79 owners who do use them, bag out on the city dwellers who buy them. I'd bag out on a person in my area who buys a corolla hybrid as its just wont work.
Yes I own a 2013 Model 76 GXL. The cost to purchase is totally irrelevant when you look at the resale value. Mine is heavily modified and I would still get what I paid for it including the Mods a Decade down the Track...$85,000
The 79 is the best Ute out there plain and simple is all you need for a working Ute tows tonnes with out bogging down on the throttle unlike all the smaller utes
Did the Workmate come with locking diffs from factory back in the day? I'm pretty sure it was just an LSD rear until some time after 2007. I know with Patrols, at least DX spec it was just an LSD until they got a rear locker in 2010.
My dad has a new 79 series and is costemized to the limited and a twin turbo and stage 3 map 800 nm of torque and lifted and that thing is not messed around on the highway when a car comes bypassing and it’s a v8 LX
Another point to note that isn’t mentioned here is that the 2016 onwards single cabs with a 5 Star safety rating have a different chassis than then rest of the range.
I have one of these POS. Need it on the farm to tow a heavy trailer. You missed that only the single cabs are 5 star rated. Toyota was too cheap to strengthen the chassis and fit more airbags in the dual cab. Just like they are too cheap to widen the rear axel. Dud you notice you cannot use the door armrest, they are too low. You have to buy after market ones that are then too high. They are so noisy you cannot listen to the radio. The steering like you said is absolute shit and they understeer like no other vechicle I have ever driven, especially after you put a bullbar and winch on them. As soon as I can buy a dual cab that will tow 3.5t legally and as well as the cruiser it is gone. The US trucks are too big.
I would wager that a lot of people that buy them for personal use are ex or current underground miners. That is our vehicle in underground mining. It's tool like a hammer, but it does the job well. People buy them because they are familiar and chances are, know how to fix them without thinking too hard. Having worked underground for a number of years now and seeing the absolute abuse these things take - driven through salty, shitty water 20 hours in a 24 hour day, constantly doing more extreme 4wdrivng than most adventurers out there, loading all the shit onto them that we do, and being able to smoothly run up and down declines (with ear protection in...because as the video says, they're bloody loud) i don't think any other vehicle can do it. Considering that they're not even purpose built for underground mining, and yet still get the job done, is pretty damn impressive. I think those that have worked in underground mining, see that, and think, 'well if it can survive that environment, it can definitely survive whatever I can throw at it'. So high-wage miners go for the dual cab version... and extensively modify it for family trips. (It's almost like a Jumbo-op's right of passage to get one of these.) Farmers go for the single cab version and don't modify it, and generally couples that want to travel a lot but without kids get a wagon, because they only have to modify the inside. Also, fun fact, you can comfortably drive it with stock issued gumboots on. The tallest and shortest underground worker can drive it comfortably + you can get 5 grown ass guys in the cab... not comfortably, but good for short journeys. Even the single cab with the bench seat often sees 3 grown ass guys getting in easily. But... the middle person does have to go skiing. The engine and transmission is what people buy this for and feel pretty much bullet proof. The clutch is very forgiving as well, very easy to drive. For most workers.... we use bluetooth for music...no one cares about apple car play or android auto... you're not meant to have your phone underground anyway...but for civilian use... just attach your phone to a holder, and done. The thing that anyone cares about with these is the capability, that's it. And this car has it in spades. They're pretty shit for features as the video says. I found myself laughing a number of times, because they're pretty real in their honesty of it. The standard workmate ones only come with one cupholder.... and sometimes some f*ckhead takes that out because i assume they want to make underground workers pissed off. Oh .....and the standard Workmate version doesn't even come with Central Locking.. Hell yeah! Why would you want to lock your car easily anyway? Just take your phone with you. Why would you even have valuables inside a hammer? But... driving one of these on a haul road without any kind of 4wd engaged... is just sketchy. A Prado which has constant 4wd is way more planted, but a single cab one of these on a corrugated road, feels super sketchy especially if it doesn't have any weight in the tray. This video was great. Very good info, definitely talked to a lot of the right people.
Love that colour and yes I'd have a 79 anyday just sold my 105 of 10 years of bush bashing to get a Ranger wildtrack but as soon as I'm retired and nolonger need the better fuel and day to day drivability of a modern vehicle im straight back to a rough truck miss the old 105 already haha but the 79 will be the forever vehicle in a couple of years as I love remote driving and the ranger would dissolve at the sight of some of the places I go. ✌🇦🇺