Is that this a facelifted Nineties Prado or does the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 76 Wagon even have one thing to supply?
Launched in 2007, the 76 Sequence has confirmed to be a preferred vendor for Toyota regardless of its many drawbacks, together with the spartan and utilitarian fit-out – you principally get little or no in your cash when it comes to tech, consolation and modernisation, though I used to be shocked to see electrical home windows, a cup holder and a digital centre display screen within the present mannequin.
Add the very fact the LandCruiser 76 sports activities a narrower rear wheel monitor, a design abomination left over from the primary V8 mannequin, when Toyota needed to widen the entrance of the automobile to accommodate the broader engine (1VD-FTV), but didn’t hassle to widen the rear.
It has created stability points to the purpose the place quite a few aftermarket suppliers provide kits to rectify the issue. But, Toyota continues to disregard the difficulty together with requests from customers and has completed nothing about it for over 16 years – however the issues relating to ‘nothing being completed’ and this automobile stem again method additional!
Have you ever ever seen an unique Prado? These automobiles, identified throughout South East Asia because the LandCruiser II, are stalwarts of the off -road scene which are nonetheless prized possessions right now, being fairly well-liked in locations like Malaysia the place there’s an enormous thirst for off-road jungle tenting.
Launched again in 1990, the unique Prado – a four-door model of the unique two-door 70 Sequence, launched in 1984 designed to take over from the formidable 40 Sequence – have nearly remained unchanged over 36 years and you’ll by no means be questioned for glancing at a 1990 LandCruiser II and considering ‘there goes a 2024 76 Sequence!’
On highway the Cruiser is comfy sufficient to cruise together with ease. For some, it’s no huge deal, however it’s essential to keep in mind the 76 Sequence V8 solely is available in handbook which guidelines out most millennial drivers! The inside is bland, outdated and presents nothing greater than simplistic perform over type. It’s not profitable any design awards and it’s a ‘naked bones’ driving expertise.
Electrical home windows are an enormous bonus, as are a few cup holders and a comparatively tiny digital display screen within the centre of the sprint that once more, merely does the naked minimal. Other than that, there’s nothing actually to speak about above and past what you may count on from a automobile constructed within the Nineteen Eighties.
With that each one mentioned, the 76 is realistically a refined model with, for probably the most half, an upgraded braking system, a coil entrance finish, and naturally the legendary 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel (though even that’s below menace today). Other than that although, what are you actually getting in your cash and the way significantly better does it truly carry out?
Off-road
The LandCruiser 76 Sequence (often known as the LC76 or 76 Cruiser) is a part-time 4WD.
Behind the five-speed transmission sits the HF1A commonplace switch case that, aside from coming with a extra fashionable electrical motor for shifting, doesn’t actually do something greater than the comparable switch case from any LandCruiser born within the Seventies or Nineteen Eighties.
Being part-time 4WD, it’s primarily a 2WD till you choose 4H which retains the identical drive ratio however engages the entrance hubs and redirects 50 per cent of energy and torque to the entrance axle.
Shifting to 4L modifications the ratio of the switch case for a real low-range expertise. The system is primary and once more, while very well-designed and constructed for reliability, does nothing greater than what any previous LandCruiser might.
The entrance coils are a pleasant contact, offering a softer trip up entrance, however they don’t appear to offer any actual enchancment in suspension articulation. The 70 Sequence are famend for being stiff and the shortage of flex can actually solely be compensated by the activation of each entrance and rear diff locks.
With out these although, the 76 is arguably extra comfy, but no extra succesful than a 60-, 55- or perhaps a 40 Sequence LandCruiser.
On the dust it trundles alongside reliably however presents nothing to impress past the torque of the diesel V8. In low vary it crawls with confidence and management, however there’s nothing excellent, groundbreaking or noteworthy. It merely will get the job completed with no frills (or thrills).
What extra can we are saying, while the LandCruiser 70 Sequence driveline stays pretty much like that of the unique 40 Sequence from the late ’70s and early ’80s, and the entrance coils do provide some concessions and advantages, you might be principally nonetheless driving what’s affectionately known as a ‘brick on wheels’.
It’s primary, purely useful, nothing fancy. Positive it’s sturdy, robust and dependable, however you’re going to have to spend cash on it to get any enhancements in off-road efficiency from what you would get from a 1977 FJ45 LandCruiser kitted out with a set of ARB entrance and rear diff locks, and never a lot else…
What’s below the bonnet?
The LandCruiser wagon we’re driving right now is thankfully powered by the confirmed and sturdy 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel.
It comfortably produces 151kW of energy and 430Nm of torque, and is backed by a five-speed handbook transmission – sure, you’re getting the image, Toyota don’t even provide an computerized transmission model of the V8.
Mix all of this with a ‘close to to unchanged’ switch case and third members, and there aren’t a number of efficiency enhancements to the gearing and differential finish of the automobile’s driveline.
Sadly, the legendary diesel V8 has nearly been decommissioned, and while this V8 powerplant has been a defining characteristic of the LandCruiser’s sturdy efficiency and off-road prowess for a few years, a brand new period has dawned.
Final 12 months Toyota launched an up to date model of the LandCruiser 70 Sequence with a model of the two.8-litre four-cylinder out of the HiLux and Prado with a six-speed computerized possibility.
Mod-ability
That is one space the place the LandCruiser definitely is king. As one of many prime promoting 4WDs on this planet, there isn’t any finish to the variety of equipment, modifications and upgrades that may be completed to a LandCruiser.
A go to to ARB might simply half you with $30,000, leaving you with a stable recipe for a tricky, onerous working and properly outfitted farm truck – but it surely doesn’t cease there!
Quite a lot of firms provide in depth GVM improve options that may even incorporate 6WD conversions, turning your humble LandCruiser into an all-terrain tremendous touring animal (with the appropriately widened rear finish).
Energy upgrades are additionally abound, with quite a few choices on the excessive finish of full ECU remaps that take full benefit of that bulletproof 4.5-litre V8 with huge will increase in each energy and torque.
Mixed with a turbo, consumption and exhaust improve, it’s not unreasonable to realize good points of as much as 94kW and 320Nm, turning your V8 LandCruiser into an axle-snapping tourer or a towing beast!
What you do and the way you do it’s limitless. The general message is that you could customise and enhance on this very primary providing from Toyota to make the LC76 a much more succesful, comfy and interesting in virtually each side.
For a lot of, the attraction of the very spartan LandCruiser is that together with it’s final reliability, it’s a clean canvas so that you can create your supreme workhorse, weekend warrior or robust tourer!
It’s additionally value mentioning that the LC76’s GVM was lately upgraded from 3060kg to 3510kg. What that has completed is each confronting and a grand enchancment.
On the earlier GVM of 3060kg, should you added just a few equipment, whacked a fridge within the again and also you headed off with three mates for the weekend, you’ll doubtless be near or at your GVM restrict and legally unable to pack any meals, not to mention just a few beers.
So, whereas the improve to the GVM is welcomed, it’s vital to know the one purpose it was completed was to maneuver the LC76 into the Gentle Truck class that didn’t have to move the identical stringent security requirements as different mild passenger automobiles.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota LandCruiser 70
I’m left with blended feelings and a break up resolution on the value and worth of the LandCruiser 76 Sequence.
There’s little question Toyota is the king of off-roaders, and its automobiles’ efficiency and reliability is undeniably amongst the most effective on this planet when it comes to availability of automobiles, components and equipment, sturdiness and endurance.
What actually will get me although is the shortage of innovation, any creature comforts or superior tech, and the rising price ticket. Whereas that’s a tough tablet to swallow, the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Sequence total will proceed to retain its iconic standing on the prime of the 4WD scene.
The 76, identical to the 79, might lack persona but it surely definitely has its place. However, the truth is the LandCruiser 70 Sequence is the staple farm truck Australia-wide and an iconic image of the outback.
Has its total efficiency improved in any respect throughout the previous 36 years? If the V8 diesel is taken out of the equation (which it sadly now could be) and we overlook the marginal enchancment within the brakes (plus electrical home windows and a cup holder or two), there’s probably not a lot in it – it’s principally the identical truck, simply newer.
Spartan it might be, it’s well-liked and continues to carry out reasonably properly off-road and off the salesroom flooring.
What issues ought to Toyota add, when it comes to tech and inside comforts, to deliver the 70 Sequence into the twenty first century? Tell us within the feedback under.
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