TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 79 SERIES V8 SINGLE CABCHASSIS

THE 70 SERIES Land Cruiser may have been with us since the 1980s, but for many outback tourers, farm hands and mining exploration teams this is still the vehicle of choice.

The latest upgrade to the single-cab Cruiser is mainly the result of pressure from mining companies to improve the safety rating to ANCAP 5 standard (only the single-cab rates this high), while also correcting some other long-standing issues and improving environmental emissions.

The 4.5-litre turbo engine gets piezo injectors and a diesel particulate filter, but power and torque remain the same at 151kw at 3600rpm and 430Nm at 2000 revs. Fuel economy has improved slightly, but our real-world testing didn’t see much difference with a figure of around 14.0L/100km. Now with the smaller 130-litre tank (down from dual 90-litre units) range should be about 900km between refills.

The big mechanical change in the 70 Series is the gearbox ratios, with second and top gears being significantly taller. The taller top gear will be welcomed by many, with the engine spinning around 2000rpm at 100km/h. The proven and well-tried part-time 4WD system remains the same, with auto-locking hubs now gracing the front axle. Overall reduction in low

first is also a very credible 45.9:1. GXL variants get front and rear diff locks as standard fare.

There are live axles all around with coil springs up front and leaf springs down the back end for carrying the load. Kerb weight is 2175kg while GVM is 3300kg, giving a payload of 1125kg. Braked towing capacity is a realistic 3500kg.

The biggest bugbear of the latest 70 Series Cruiser has been the difference in track between front and rear. Sadly, this hasn’t been addressed, which will keep some in the aftermarket industry happy, as conversions to widen the back end are seemingly proliferating.

The addition of electronic driving and safety features brings the 70 Series into the modern world, with this Cruiser now featuring ABS, vehicle stability control, active traction control, hill-start assist, brake assist and electronic

The proven and well-tried part-time 4WD system remains the same, with auto-locking hubs now gracing the front axle

brake-force assist. All this is designed to make a poor driver a reasonable one and, with the help of five airbags (driver and passenger, side curtains and driver’s knee) along with chassis improvements, ensures the vehicle receives an ANCAP rating of five stars. Cruise control is now standard in the GXL.

In-cab comfort has been improved with better seats and improved NVH, with the GXL model getting ‘almost plush’ carpet and cabin trimmings. Switch controls are sensibly laid out and easy to use. The GXL on test here has a price tag of $66,490 plus on-road costs. Optioned as it is here with painted steel tray and air conditioning ($2700) it sits at $74,715.

Just like the Merc, the Cruiser also gets a snorkel as stock.

1 2 3 1. A single 130L fuel tank now serves the Cruiser. 2. Single-cab 79 gains an extra crossmember for added chassis stiffness. 3. The Land Cruiser’s leaf springs were flat with a tonne on the tray.

With 700mm of wading depth, the Cruiser is just as capable as the Merc when in the wet stuff.

4.5-litre turbo engine carries over the same 151kw and 430Nm. The Cruiser almost feels luxurious after driving the Merc.

With a heavy load the LC79 squats a bit, but its better when unladen.

gear LC79 gets ABS, vehicle stability control, active traction control, hill-start assist, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution as standard.

The Cruiser was close to its GVM with 1000 kg of water on-board.