HOW DO THEY DRIVE?
THE boat-like soft feeling is gone from the 200 Series that’s fitted with the Tough Dog suspension, making fast cornering manoeuvres far more confident. Over fast dirt roads and corrugations, the confidence both vehicles exhibit is amazing, and it’s easy to see why Landcruisers are so popular in Australia – they just work in Aussie conditions. Option them up with upgraded suspension and bigger, more aggressive tyres and you feel damn near bulletproof!
In technical terrain, the rear end of the 300 Series has more wheel travel compared to the 200 Series, something Simon mentions is due to the longer shock absorbers and shock absorber configuration used in the 300 Series. It certainly works too, being able to get power down to the ground better than the 200 Series.
As mentioned, I was really excited to have a steer of a modified 300 Series with the Tough Dog suspension, and it’s safe to say I wasn’t disappointed. Control over corrugations is superb, and you’re able to hit them at greater speeds without fear of shock fade or lack of control.