Erin Bosch, Insurance

Life with Land Cruiser 76/79

Offroad Vehicle Specific Discussions
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grips
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Life with Land Cruiser 76/79

#1

Post by grips »

Ok some label me as a diehard Ford fanatic. To a certain extent it is true. Fact is that over the years I have owned about the same amount of Fords and Toyotas. Not really a brand slut as I have owned a few Patrols as well.

Getting close to the sixties had my focus move away from the type of 4x4 that I have used to do in the past. Also my future plans around 4x4.
So Yes I gave the Yank Ranger as a present to Christopher.

I were looking at 4x4`s that can last me several years from now and into retirement. In my case very few left. Had a look at several Patol and F250 options. Even building a garage to fit a F250. Owning Nissans and with the production stop of the Y61 Patrol the Nissan support and future spare part availability, made me scratch the Patrol from my list. F250`s falling in the 13 year plus category with owners relying on spare imports did not favour my future plans.

So about 3 years ago I start checking out the 70 series Cruisers. Plan was to replaced my wife`s Volla bus with a 76 V8.
The 76 found its way to our home with the Volla still in the garage. So about a year ago I traded the Volla on a 79 pickup.

Now with two years of owning the 76 and the 79 I think I can relate on them. Did some serious trips in both of them clocking 70k km between the two. In both cases half of those distances were covered on dirt roads. One of my reasons form buying Cruisers in the first place, their ability to survive the very poor maintained NC dirt roads.

The 70 series is definitely not luxury a 4x4 with car like ride, but, I have easily survived some real long distance travel in both of them without being wasted at the end of the trip.

Luxuries limited to aircon and USB port ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was told that they are not capable offroad. Yes the 79 is a bit long for trails. They will not go where a modified Wrangler goes. With the 76 I am sure I would not be left that far behind by a stock Wrangler.

Consumption of the V8 76 average around 7.8km/l. The 79 v6 @ 6.5.

My plan is to fit and ABBA camper on the 79 for overlanding.
They 76 to be fitted with 35`s and will be used for the more serious type of 4x4 trips.

Staying in the Platteland I have no problem to use them as daily drives. That might be a problem in the cities.

In the end I did not buy the Cruisers for traveling tared roads.
I found them though honest 4x4`s on which one can easily lose your heart.
I am hooked on Cruisers. :lol:
You will never find me without Stroh or a 4x4 :D

Mike Nel
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#2

Post by Mike Nel »

Good write up

And after experiencing first hand, if only for a few days, the harshness of the roads you travel on daily. I can now see why you always say that the bakkies of today would not last long.
Your country is definitely Cruiser Country
2017 Land Cruiser 200
2022 Corolla Cross (Yes. It's a Hybrid)
BushLapa Ratel nr 731

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Mad Manny
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#3

Post by Mad Manny »

I love the 76 V8 D-4D.
Hope to own one one day.

My only issues are:
* Money
* Tammy says it's too truck like.
* The mods required (rear wheel spacers, etc.)
* The very inboard leafs (especially after fitting spacers) hamper it on rocky stuff.
* The consumption ( but 7.8km/l 13.2l/100km) is not much heavier than fearless (when towing)! :lol:
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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grips
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#4

Post by grips »

Manny I think you are spot on.

The rear leafs is a problem but had a look at mine after Donkerpoort and RTH. Find no damage. Have an idea to make a new bracket to hide the U bolts, add clearance and robustness. Also one of the reasons why I would like to go 35`s. 35`s will also better the current gearing on the 76.
You will never find me without Stroh or a 4x4 :D

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#5

Post by Reenen »

Portals!!!

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Paul#25
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#6

Post by Paul#25 »

Reenen wrote:
Wed May 08, 2019 12:03 pm
Portals!!!
You spelt Porra wrong.........
The humble person makes room for progress; the arrogant person believes they’re already there.
2004 Disco 2 Td5

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grips
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#7

Post by grips »

Reenen wrote:
Wed May 08, 2019 12:03 pm
Portals!!!
Portals is die antwoord maar is vir extreme stuff end dit is nie wat ek met die Cruisers will doen nie. Ek wil so naby as moontlike aan OEM bly.
You will never find me without Stroh or a 4x4 :D

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rudi.hinze
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#8

Post by rudi.hinze »

grips wrote:
Reenen wrote:
Wed May 08, 2019 12:03 pm
Portals!!!
Portals is die antwoord maar is vir extreme stuff end dit is nie wat ek met die Cruisers will doen nie. Ek wil so naby as moontlike aan OEM bly.
Bolt-on 5 link coil rear with full width diff housing & shafts - makliker om mee te leef as portals. Gebruik net baie beter coils en shocks as op die foto

Image

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Reenen
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#9

Post by Reenen »

Ek sal ook nie portals vir n daily wil hê. Maar ek begin more met my portal conversion

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Nico-MAD
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#10

Post by Nico-MAD »

One day when I'm grown up .................................... :D

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Mad Manny
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#11

Post by Mad Manny »

rudi.hinze wrote:
Wed May 08, 2019 1:38 pm
Bolt-on 5 link coil rear with full width diff housing & shafts - makliker om mee te leef as portals. Gebruik net baie beter coils en shocks as op die foto

Image
I like!!!
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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rudi.hinze
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#12

Post by rudi.hinze »

Mad Manny wrote:I like!!!
Yep. We might be doing one later this month.
Will post some pics if it happens

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Mad Manny
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#13

Post by Mad Manny »

rudi.hinze wrote:
Thu May 09, 2019 6:31 pm
Yep. We might be doing one later this month.
Will post some pics if it happens
That would make an interesting short Thread on it's own...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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grips
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#14

Post by grips »

Very nice setup Rudi I agree with Manny we need to see some more of that installation. The 76 Series sold in some Countries as the Prado had a coil suspension at the back.
I was offered one awhile ago, unfortunately it had no papers. Was thinking of converting the body into a Shorty.

I have an idea to set the track width of the rear axle with stock side shafts to do away with spacers. Maybe I should just build a sample diff and test it.
You will never find me without Stroh or a 4x4 :D

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grips
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#15

Post by grips »

Nice thing about Cruisers is all the aftermarket goodies :D
You will never find me without Stroh or a 4x4 :D

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