This could get me into a toyota

[Stuntman Mike]

There's a reason the 70 series Landcruisers are referred to as "farm trucks" or "mining trucks" over here in Australia. Very agricultural out of the box. Clunky, no flex, uncomfortable, bereft of creature comforts (not even power windows), no auto option, underpowered (yes, out of the box the turbo V8 is a slug), horrible on-road driving characteristics. What they are is very reliable and the engines run forever with the proper care.

...

Same opinion here. We can get 70 series Landcruiser via specialized dealers, not officially through Toyota. But the price is high (arround 80K USD) and the rest is as you already described.

If I would plan a trip through Afrika, I might consider such a thing but for my area of application I would miss all the comfort features of a modern car.

V8 in the Gladiator would be great, though ...

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[BourbonRunner]

I think why part of why a lot of us pine after 70 series and other ROW Toyota trucks is the fact that they’re not available here. Same with Nissan Patrols, and OG Defenders that are suited for Dakar instead of Rodeo Drive.

Another part is because variations that are here (GX, LX, upcoming LC, 4R, LX) are luxo-barges comparatively. A lot of us want basic, simple, reliable, and not complicated by nanny systems, sensors on every light bulb, and steel bumpers instead of plastic cladded crumple zones. Sort of the reason why Sir Jim created the Grenadier- purpose built for the trail and not the Starbucks drive through.

How many of us would be running around in a Hilux Diesel with crank windows and manual everything if we could? Bet it’s a lot.

(I’ve spent time in Argentina in Hilux Diesels. They are slow, loud dinosaurs by modern standards and absolutely bullet proof reliable.)

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Sort of the reason why Sir Jim created the Grenadier- purpose built for the trail and not the Starbucks drive through.

Somehow correct, or let's say that was the intention.

But with the Grenadier you also most likely don't want to drive to Dakar.

Time to attach my favorite picture again ...

 

[Bjeepz]

Somehow correct, or let's say that was the intention.

But with the Grenadier you also most likely don't want to drive to Dakar.

Time to attach my favorite picture again ...

Now post the picture of the tractor towing you out LOL

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

There's a reason the 70 series Landcruisers are referred to as "farm trucks" or "mining trucks" over here in Australia. Very agricultural out of the box. Clunky, no flex, uncomfortable, bereft of creature comforts (not even power windows), no auto option, underpowered (yes, out of the box the turbo V8 is a slug), horrible on-road driving characteristics. What they are is very reliable and the engines run forever with the proper care.

Did I mention expensive?? A basic 79 series will run you $100k (Aussie dollars) if you can find one that hasn't been marked up by the dealers. All that $$ for what was originally supplied here as a stripped-down work truck for mining operations.

To make them even close to as capable as a Gladiator Rubicon you need to completely swap out ALL the suspension (including ditching the rear leaf springs for a coil spring set up), install a new rear axle to correct the track width (factory rear track is narrower than the front which makes for some "interesting" handling characteristics). That will get you close to a Gladiator in terms of off road capability. Front fenders need a rework to fit anything bigger than 33" tires too.

Then you need to add a proper center console (though I think that latest refresh finally added 2 cup holders), upgrade the seats and figure out some sort of arm rest option for your window-arm.

The engine is also completely undercooked. The Toyota 2.8 turbo diesel 4 cylinder outguns it in every way. So, add in another few thousand to upgrade the turbo, exhaust, intercooler and get a full custom tune. They sound awesome with a good tune and exhaust however.

They have a massive cult following over here, and it's not uncommon for owners to spend in excess of $150k (again, Aussie $$) to make them *nearly* as capable as a Rubicon with a basic 2.5" lift. I've driven them, friends have owned them and I just don't get it. They can work well as a tourer if you are willing to spend another $45k on a proper tray and canopy fit out, but they do not make a good extreme off roader or rock crawler.

Hard pass for me... but I do wish my Gladiator sounded as good as the tuned and uncorked turbo V8.

Correct. Don’t forget the front end would need to be changed to a four link radius arm setup to get anything like the flex of a Gladiator.

I can’t stand the sound of the idiots with tunes LC V8 diesels. Or any tuned diesel.

Why anyone would do that is beyond me. Ruins the outdoor experience to hear those things in the great outdoors.

And all for what? A couple of extra kw/hp that’s not even needed in a 4x4? And loss of manufacturer spec reliability?

I could go on and on. #keep it factory spec. It’s a 4x4 ffs.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I had a 2009 Tacoma Regular cab 4x4 with an Old Man Emu suspension. I'm pretty much a giant at a whopping 5 foot 8 inches tall haha so it fit me well. I did find myself feeling annoyed about not being able to keep much at all in the cab. It was pretty utilitarian with it's only comfort option being A/C. Manual windows, manual transmission, no cruise, no ability to even tilt the seat for driver comfort! I did like the 6 foot bed with a cap for camping and it had a reasonable wheelbase.

As for the mining industry I worked underground for about 2yrs 25 yrs ago (I feel sooo old typing that!) and we had Toyota's in the mine. I recall asking my father who had worked there for decades why Toyota's as I had no clue about trucks at that time, he told me they just kept running, regardless of the bodies rotting off them. He told me all of the trucks tested underground rotted but the Toyota's kept running.

This is exactly what they do like no other vehicle. Take abuse. Keep on trucking. One has to hand it to the product quality.

Dependability is a deeply endearing character of a utility vehicle.

 

[Ozian]

Correct. Don’t forget the front end would need to be changed to a four link radius arm setup to get anything like the flex of a Gladiator.

I can’t stand the sound of the idiots with tunes LC V8 diesels. Or any tuned diesel.

Why anyone would do that is beyond me. Ruins the outdoor experience to hear those things in the great outdoors.

And all for what? A couple of extra kw/hp that’s not even needed in a 4x4? And loss of manufacturer spec reliability?

I could go on and on. #keep it factory spec. It’s a 4x4 ffs.

Fair enough! My Gladiator exhaust is completely stock for that reason. My old redneck/bogan muscle car roots must be showing regarding louder exhausts on V8s , but you are right that it does detract from the whole outdoor experience when off roading.

 

[WilldWilly]

Toyota? Never herd of her......

 

[Sweetums]

Correct. Don’t forget the front end would need to be changed to a four link radius arm setup to get anything like the flex of a Gladiator.

And to, y'know, keep the axle from falling off since the leaf springs position the axle and carry the weight of the vehicle.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Yeah something like that. Although those 70’s are coil w two radius arms and a pan-hard / track rod at the front end. Like a vintage bronco, amongst others basically.

Leaf spring comments do apply to rear though as they are leaf at rear. And they need it. I snapped this pic in traffic on the way home from work yesterday. They get loaded up good and proper here w all sorts of stuff. Like this telco co service truck

What are they 11 or 12 leaf packs?? Lordy. Hence flex of a rail cart. Nice looking setup though. Big dollars there

..

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Fair enough! My Gladiator exhaust is completely stock for that reason. My old redneck/bogan muscle car roots must be showing regarding louder exhausts on V8s , but you are right that it does detract from the whole outdoor experience when off roading.

Yeah no I get the muscle car roots and absolutely why not. That’s the right scene to make some noise. And they sounds great to. Unlike tuned diesels.

Every “tuned” diesel I see makes an unspectacular huge roar/rattle noise and moves slowly relative to the rate of noise production.

Then there’s the cloud of black smoke that goes with it bc it clearly “more efficient” being tuned and sending large amounts of unburned diesel out the tail pipe.

Idiots.

YouTube engineers. If I really wanted to I could piece part dismantle every idea they curse those engines with, on the basis of physics and maths. And it wouldn’t be very hard.

And then there’s the real truth of it. It’s just an avenue for obnoxious behaviour. They don’t give a crap about other humans.

The me me me culture. It’ll come to an end in the years ahead with what’s to come with deglobalisation. In the words the the great Charlie Munger; we all better learn to expect less.

Now there’s an insight.

 

[Stan H]

This is exactly what they do like no other vehicle. Take abuse. Keep on trucking. One has to hand it to the product quality.

Dependability is a deeply endearing character of a utility vehicle.

I had to drive a 2017 Toyota Tacoma for work for 2 yrs. I absolutely % hated that truck .. no room, no guts,no glory.. no power, ride was terrible wore tires out quickly, would not take a single hill without being in 4x4 would not go up a hill any steeper that 15° unless in low range then you lost wheel spin, the traction control would always have to be turned off to make it up anything steep even in low range. The motor in the morning would often sound like there was tiny men with hammers and chisels pounding inside it. For at least a mile. The air conditioning was pitiful the lights of my Lordy they were terrible you couldn't see anything on low beam especially in fog or rain those projector headlights are junk junk junk. I consider the Toyota Tacoma to be the worst pick up I ever drove in my entire life . When I first got it it had 40k when I quit driving it . I had put 50k on it and at 94000 it was ready for the metal recycling yard. I Hate Toyotas. Long Lived Jeep. !!!

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