New 70 series

I would put my ranger up against your 70 anyday.......will do the same, ....tougher ?
I really don't think so ....

Hi Coonick
I have 2 friends who own Rangers.
One also drives a 70 series on a mine site as his work vehicle.
The Ranger is a nice vehicle but it is significantly different to the Toyota 70 series.
The Toyota suits my purposes best and the Ranger suits yours.
We are both happy.

"I would put my ranger up against your 70 anyday"".......

Bwahahahahaha!!!!!!! I usually don't comment on the my car is better than yours, but I nearly choked on my hot dog....LOL

hey hairy....
I NEVER said my car is better than yours.....
are you sure it was a hotdog you had in your mouth ?????

Ok? So you were suggesting you would put your Ranger up against his 70 to prove the Ranger isn't as good?
And yes it was a hot dog?

Pal !!! I don't have to prove anything. I have put mine up against a 70, driven both if you didn't get it, and found the ranger handles much much better on road, is just as capable offroad with some minor discrepancies from both. Towing was marginal either way. Spare parts availability ???? what a myth this one is. You can not source toyota parts everywhere....what a monumental load of crap. break down in a remote area you are just as stuffed with a toyota as with any other 4wd. You obviously have a bias one eyed view of Toyotas allegedly being something superior to everything else, That they certainly ARE NOT.
Im not knocking a Toyota, they have been the bench mark for many years.....but in recent years they certainly aren't and definitely need to show respect to the other great 4wds out there.

ROTFLMAO!!! Settle petal your going to blow a valve..... LOL

Yes I have been looking at the Recaro seats.

Miss the territory as we only have 110kms limit down here and I used to enjoy the run to Florence for a swim.

Thanks

Mine has original Toyota bucket seats – I find they are comfortable with good support.
Over the last 6 years, I have towed a 3 ton van on two big loops of Australia and done a lot of sand driving on beaches.
I don’t have an issue with handling – it’s a bit of a furphy.
Fuel economy is excellent when compared to motors of a similar size.

Any vehicle will chew fuel if they're driven hard.

Tjilpi,

I would caution against the spacers (and I base this on my personal experience). Multidrive technology in Geelong Victoria are proceeding with a rear diff extension for the 70 series. It is a fantastic option, not exorbitantly expensive (compared to spacers) and strengthens the diff casing as well with full lamination from the pumpkin out to the stub ends.

My vehicle was the pilot for the modifications having hastled Darryl and the boys down there for a good three years. The degree of comfort a good and certifiable engineering job gives you is amazing.

If you decide to go down the spacer option, DO NOT use generic billet steel offerings from well known 4x4 companies. Go to someone like Galpro engineering in Adelaide and have them made out of billet aluminium with tolerances that require them to be heated to slip over the axle hub. Also ensure they are actually 10mm less than the front axle width(40mm instead of 50mm) and have that remaining 10mm turned into a spigot to match your wheel hub well diameter.

Cheers Mick

Good on ya Mick

Yaoo realise that wheel spacers are illegal in every state in the country, have been like for ever and as far as the engineering authorities are concerned are right at the top of the " rough and butcherous" list.

cheers

"rough and butcherous" was the arrogance of Toyota to stretch the front track and forget the back end.
But hey, they bank on psychophants and blind followers - looks like they got it right again.

That fact that toyota may have seen fit to manufacture a vehicle with different front and rear track is a completely seperate issue to the legality of wheel spacers.

In spite if having differing front and rear track and that being a minor anoyance to some, the 70 series is a perfectly safe and properly engineered vehicle.

For the vast majority this difference in track will present no issue whatsoever.

The use of wheel spacers, however, has long been a clearly identified as bad engineering practice, unsuitable and illegal on road going vehicles.

When there are already known issues with wheel stud breakages in current generation toyota and nissan 4wds, pushing your luck with a known bad practice does not seem at all clever.

Yet again we see that there are people who will not see the over riding safety and legality issues, and are prepared to drive a clearly illegal vehicle on the road, just because they think they know better.

I'll say it again wheel spacers are right at the top of the list of rough, butcherous and short sighted modifications that the authorities are all over like a rash.

cheers

I agree about the spacers, just taking a cheap shot where I could get it....

Agree to that

That's pretty hard when the model will be killed off by 2017!!
http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2012/commercial/toyota/landcruiser/toyota-to-kill-off-70-series-31309

Allien m was talking about durability.
That is the current crop of 70 series will outlast the current crop of the others.
Can’t see many people disputing that.

Allien m was talking about durability
yes that is what i meant to say my wife has a way with words sadly i am lacking in finding the correct words when i need them

thank you

Pete,
hope you don't get any kicked as that hurts and all should be allowed to see it through their eyes.

One thing I would like to point out is how the motoring press perceive a vehicle. They will look at handling, aerodynamics, comfort, interior design, ride and the list goes on. The vehicle has evolved to handle most conditions in Australia and does it well, in fact very well. It just doesn't fit the changing times, right or wrong I don't know.

From my point of view I now don't own a cruiser(I have owned and driven many) as I am getting older, and like the comfort of the new breed vehicles and purchase price.

From my point of view, I will pick a cruiser any time for use in hard country.

Yes! Toyota has suffered from a few things, they are quality control from their suppliers and Jap arrogance. That is why they have dropped from one of the worlds top companies way down the ladder.

Not sticking up for any vehicle in particular as I am not brand loyal but those NRMA etc type reviews are not worth a pinch of goats poo in the real world. An opinion from a motoring journalist who has spent maybe a day with a vehicle does not sound a very credible endorsement to me.

I'm with Alby, re 4wds, NRMA wouldn't know if their @rse was on fire.
The sales figures usually reflect what is happening in the real world.
If you're travelling in the most remote parts of Australia, who do you trust? What do the locals drive?

Thanks Pete, though I have lost faith in the NRMA.

Especially after my last insurance bill.

Cheers

Besides that they would have to be the butt ugliest vehicles around, everything about it looks like an afterthought.

That's what my thoughts are as well Lyn W3,..that rear overhang on the utes makes them look like there going to snap in half.

Cheers Axle.

Righto, you three are off my Xmas mailing list. Butt ugly you say, Makes my bum look big you say, "noisey, uncomfortable, rough riding, cramped cab and features based on a 15 year old tractor" - alright that's fair....harsh but fair!

It may not be sexy but by god, set up right it will get you to hell and home again and that's what it is all about! Come follow me sometime and I reckon you'll realise that ugly is only skin deep!

;-)

Mick

Hi Lyn and Axel,
You’d select a 4WD on beauty? – Maybe that’s a girlie thing.
Now for me, I’d go for performance any day.

Sorry I just had a look at my current profile pic. Butt ugly - NO WAY. That is one sexy beast thundering along the Duncan. Equinox didn't even smear Vaseline over the lens for a soft focus, she's just plain sexy!

Hi Olcoolone
My brother-in-law has had 70 series utes in his concreting business for over 20 years – he currently has 3 of them, for work on building sites, plus a 200 series as his personal vehicle.
Off road he always uses one of his 70 series.
His story is that the 200 series is heavier, wider and doesn’t have the clearance to get the places he can in the 70 series.
What’s the point of the luxury if the vehicle can’t get you to where you want to go.

Steve,
One word.

Articulation.

Cheers

Steve

Mick O, We are talking about the 70 Series Dual Cab, which I think is ugly. It appears that you have spent just about an equivalent amount to the purchase price on modifications to your 70 Series to get it right and fit for your purpose. This is way out of the economic range of most people.

I think Toyota have dropped the ball with chassis length, rear wheel track and GVM on the 70 series.

By your own admission your modifications have made a tremendous difference.

Visual appeal is a personal thing and each to their own but can I ask what other ute alternative there is there to a 70 Series DC that has the ability to carry a decent payload when set up for touring?

I appreciate and accept that offroad there are many vehicles that will match and outperform a 70 in situations but will they still be up to the task 10 years on doing it hard? The other variants are working near their capacity off the dealer floor whereas the 70 is set up under stressed with ample capacity under utilised. If you have a look at the GVM upgrades available to these vehicles from ARB I think it demonstrates how how close to their limits they are.
Ford Ranger etc can get an extra 130kg with a GVM upgrade and 280kg for a 200 series whereas a 70 series gets between 480kg and 600kg extra available depending on model, likewise the lazy V8 diesel does not produce a lot of HP compared to what others are squirrelling out of theirs, particularly the Amarok.

One is not better than another just have different attributes that will appeal to some more than others

Looks like i have poked the sleeping grizzly bear with a stick, Mick your 70 series has been setup for one reason and one reason only and you had no choice but you could alway go a Unimog....... Lol

As for articulation.... Yes agree for 0.0003% of your driving, a standard 200 series with KDSS offers more aticulation then a standard solid axel vehicle ( 27 inches) and as for ground clearance, they have less then a lifted ifs vehicle...... There is this thing that hangs down called the diff centre unlike ifs where the diff centre doesn't hang down...... The only advantage a solid axel vehicle may have over a ifs vehicle is if you needed more then a 3 inch lift.

Most and i mean most would never use their 70 series to see the advantage.

Dennis obviously your brother in law has a 200 series for his town car and maybe he doesn't want to wreck it taking it bush and sooner wreck a work hack. There are many 200 series being used in the outback.

We had a good look at the 70 series and had one for a few day trying it out before buying the 200 series, we could not see any benefits buying a 70 series and we still cant..... Micks has been set up for a specific purpose and is a bit different.

Alby, our 200 series has a 500kg GVM upgrade ( we can carry 1100kg ) the same as a 70 series, in the UAE the 200 series comes in at just under 6000kg when armour plated.

Try carrying the maximum weight in a stock standard 70 series and see what happens.

Olcoolone yes I appreciate that there can be further engineered upgrades to any vehicle with the appropriate modifications, my point was what is achieved with a stock vehicle with nothing more than upraded suspension components as offered by ARB and I think it shows the reserve capacity that is available in the different vehicles in their standard form without upgrading other components.

Hi olcoolone
I have seen a modified Suzuki beat all-comers in an off-road completion.
To name a just few of its modifications; the diffs, gear box, motor and suspension were all non-Suzuki.
It’s childish to compare modified vehicles with each other or with standard vehicles.

As for the brother in law he is a most competent off road driver.
Clearance is a big problem for him – the spare tyre acts as grader for those following him.
Of course he hasn’t modified the vehicle.

Nobody is comparing a modified vehicle with a non modified on and yes it is childish.

No vehicle is 100% bush ready and suitable for every need or every person.

Thanks Mick.

Seems like the only option to me.

Cheers

It may be rougher and tougher, but blue one will get to a lot of places that you can’t get to with modern SUVs. I prefer the durability and ability of the 70 series to get to the hard spots, over the luxury of an armchair ride.

Sorry but they are not in the same category, I upgraded to a 79 for that reason.
A broken medium duty vehicle in the Simpson desert still under warranty is of little comfort.
The medium duty options may well suit your requirements and yes you do give up some creature comforts to own a 79 but they are not an apples for apples comparison
It is all about making informed choices of what meets your needs

Thanks Gazz

G'day Guys

Just a quick intro - I own and run a 4wd tour business ( 16 years ) and specialise in Simpson Desert crossings ( can't give company name because of the self promotion rule ) but I can assure you that (1) my new PX Ranger is not just a modern day SUV it is a very capable and reliable 4wd and (2) it will go anywhere your beloved 70 series will go unless you are going places that are designed for extreme 4wd competitions ! Only recently I took my Ranger up some of the steepest, rockiest, slipperiest hills in the High Country with ease and had a bit of a chuckle when the 70 series owners were absolutely gobsmacked when they had to have a couple attempts when I did it in one - yes, could be driver ability but at the end of the trip they said they would never bag a Ranger again.

Toyota have been number 1 for many years but I do believe they are on their way down - when you are number 2, 3 and 4 you try harder than your opponent to be number 1 !

2 years ago I spent a couple weeks in outback Australia filming ads for Landcruiser with a Japanese film crew ( free cars, free fuel, free accommodation, free food, great gig considering how much they paid me to test their product ) - Toyota Japan sent a marketing manager on the trip and he gave me some interesting information on their advertising budgets compared to their rivals - from memory it was approximately 12 times more than Nissan spends - off the record, he said that his research showed that most people believe their ads and that's why they are number 1 !

Toyota make a great product and I am not against the 70 series and as stated I hope the OP has a good run with his new dual cab !

One of my favourite stories I tell people about my tours is when I towed a fully laden HJ75 across the Simpson in my trusty old GQ Patrol - Oh what a feeling !

Lots of things change with time - some people still believe tubeless tyres won't last !

Happy and safe travelling - whatever you drive


All the best

Gazz

Ps - I have difficulty sometimes getting words from my head, thru my fingers onto the computer so I am not looking for arguments if somebody interprets things differently to how I intended.

Now Dennis I am not having a go at the 70 series as I have had a few, however I would gladly put my 200 series and my Colorado up against one any day any where, in fact the Colorado has done a few thousand km on dirt roads towing a 5 metre boat.

Both have had the suspension done properly, and both have done what I used to do in the 70 series just as easy, most of the work or travelling I do is corrugated dirt roads.

Phil

This is getting to be a never ending “mine is better than yours” merry go round.
Good night all – and as Gaz says be happy with whatever you drive.

I never said they were better, I said after owning a 70 series a 200 series and a Colorado IMHO they were pretty much equal, were as you on the other hand said that other makes and models weren't up to the job.

By the way I would be happy to drive any of them ;)

Phil

Im not saying one is better either, until you have tried something its hard to make an accurate judgement, people just have to move with the times and analyse all options based on fact and not fiction,

Agricultural and truck like may not make it any tougher or better.

I have traveled with all types of vehicles and even the ones you think are bullet proof can fail and the ones your expecting to fail pass with flying colours.

What people have to understand is no matter how tough or strong it is it still comes down to the driver and relates to speed, loading or stupidity.

Towing 2 tonne unit and sitting on 95 av through typical undulating outback on bitumen .... 15.5l/100.
Push it up round 110+ ....... 22.5l/100

Coonick I don't disagree and the last 4wd was a Patrol 4.2 which did 280000kms over 7 years. Great unit and I would buy another in a flash if it had a decent motor.

I have never seen a 70 series with a broken chassis though I have seen a few other dual cab utes limping home with a broken back. I saw a new Hilux on Tiger Brennan Drive in this condition which surprised me as it didn't look that loaded.

Dunno, I am still looking though the 70 series seems to add up.

Cheers

Steve

Coonick, Regardless of what peoples brand preferences are, the fact that Toyota outnumber every other brand 10 fold in the outback gives you a much better chance of finding a mechanic who is familiar with your vehicle and spare parts availability. That alone is a big factor in my choice of remote touring vehicle.
I did a shock once in the Simpson desert in a Toyota on a weekend and Barnsey at Birdville had one in stock, can't imagine that would of been the case if I had an Amarok etc

Seems somebody has a large chip on their shoulder, why else would they go to the trouble of making these comments?

A comment that 2 twin cabs could be bought for the price of one 70 series??????? Go back to school and do some more maths mate. Yes they do cost a little more for a better product and they will also get a far better resale.

Put a load in and behind them I know which will come out trumps especially in the bush.

Kyle, why do you think they are a better product ? That they certainly are NOT. costing more does not denote better. as for resale that urban myth !!!!! yet people seem to still insist on paying big dollars for a used Toyota. hmmmmmmm just doesn't make sense.
all I can see is bias one eyed Toyota faithfull.

Yes mate unfortunately it wont fit in the garage. Looks like a good unit.

Thanks

Steve

I was waiting for someone to mention the Turbo Daily.

factory standard.
Huge wheels
diff locks
3 range transfer case and a 6 speed manual gearbox (crawler gears standard)
air suspended seats
climate controll air conditioning
approach and departure angles to die for
Maximum light trailer towiing capacity
and twice the payload of a 70 series.

The factory suspension does not need fixing.

If you want a dual cab.
you can seat 4 adults in the back seat in comfort
AND
still fit an 8 foot tray that does not compromise the departure angle.
AND
It is live axle, leaf sprung front and rear.

AND the front and rear track are the same.


With the money you would save buying all those modifications the 70 needs to come close you could build a new garrage.

cheers

The daily is an interesting rig, kind of a mini mog. A sensible balance of payload and towing. What $ are they talking?

Paid drive away just under $82'000 for a single cab/chassis with heated suspension seats for driver and passenger and 180Amp alternator.

I think you'll find the current crop of dailys are IFS. That's a good thing from where I sit.

gbc…. do you mean Independent Front Suspension?

On all the 2wd Dailys…. yes….on the 4wds it is live axles front and rear with parabolic springs.

The only thing the 4wd has in common with the 2wd is the cabin and engine. The rest is actually made by a company called SCAM, a manufacturer of small commercial and military 4x4 vehicles in Italy. They build the Daily 4x4 for Iveco.

Evening Adrian,
I have been thinking about the IVECO and the other concern I have is that the engine is a 4 cylinder. Having suffered the ZD30 before the 4.2 I am gun shy.

Any history on the motor?

Cheers

Steve

G'day Steve
from what I learned reading some Daily forums, the engine is used in various versions in all the Daily vans and seems to be bullet proof.
Can't tell you any more as I have no personal experience yet.
Regards
Adrian

You wont catch a Toyota useing a Mazda for bait, if you insist on useing a Mazda for bait I sugest you go PHISHING else where.

Phil who LOVES his Toyota and thinks the Colorado aint bad either.

Disco driver you won't get any argument from me, I have had more Landrover products than Toyota and love them but when I go bush it is in the "bland uninteresting White Goods Toyota " and the Rangerover stays home
Because I know if something goes wrong I have a much better chance of getting a Toyota sorted out and back on the road