79 Landcruiser Auto Gearbox

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 00:58
ThreadID: 109952 Views:16299 Replies:8 FollowUps:21
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I am in love with the 79 Series Landcruiser Twin Cab Trayback and wonder if anyone has experience changing it to Automatic Transmission. I am interested in who might do it, what box they would use, and approximately how much cost??
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Reply By: fisho64 - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 02:49

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 02:49
It would be prohibitively expensive, and maybe cheaper just to take manual driving lessons?
None of the single turbo V8's have auto so it would be a total custom as opposed to using parts from another model
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Reply By: Member - John - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 05:34

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 05:34
G'day, Marks 4wd do it........Marks 4WD
John and Jan

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Follow Up By: Member - Ben B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:40

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:40
Thanks John. I had not thought of them.
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 07:03

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 07:03
Wholesale Automatics do about 3 a week. They do either a 4 speed ( I think) or the 6 speed from the 200. It is bloody expensive though. I saw a couple a few weeks ago. They do a very nice job indeed. Looks factory.
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Follow Up By: Idler Chris - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 11:30

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 11:30
Wholesale Automatics use a brand new Toyota auto box tuned to mate with the vehicle it is installed in. It includes a temp gauge and their valve body which cuts down oil temps and provides more retardation on down hill slopes. I believe it is a 5 speeder but U would need to check with them.
One of it biggest advantages is that it reduces engine rpm at 100 kph by some 400 rpm. This makes for better fuel consumption, less engine wear, and less noise. If you do a lot highway work it is of huge benefit. While it is not cheep initially, there are ongoing benefits and savings. Even though you are in WA I would seriously consider driving to Melb to get them to do it. I also believe they will supply the auto box for local fitment, they may even have a local business that they use. Stu Kitto a director of Wholesale Automatics is a member of the Toyota Land Cruiser Club of Vic and if you are in a 4WD Club I suggest you try and hit them for a discount.
Best to ring them.
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Follow Up By: Idler Chris - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 17:09

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 17:09
A couple video's to show more about what a conversion entails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HujibcNPzQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXnsTcRLiSo
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Follow Up By: Member - Ben B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:43

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:43
Hi Boobook and Chris,
Wholesale have a great video and appear very professional and thorough. Thanks for the info.
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Reply By: AlbyNSW - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 07:32

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 07:32
There are a couple that have done it on Lcool
The 6 speed auto sounds great and from the feedback makes it a better vehicle all round including better fuel economy
I think he paid around 20 k for it though
There are rumors circulating that there will be a factory auto soon
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Follow Up By: gelatr - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 17:09

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 17:09
Interesting about factory auto comment - I just took delivery of a new 79 series dual cab last Saturday and the assistant manager told me that Toyota were discontinuing this model from 2017 onwards. This dealer advertises that they are Australia's largest Toyota dealer so go figure. As I have absolutely no link to Toyota I have no way to discredit or validate the assistant managers comment.

Cheers,

Geoff
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 17:25

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 17:25
Yes Geoff you hear all sorts of things from different people.
The information I received was from a Toyota employee also whose other pre- public info has been reliable to date with other Toyota product releases. He was saying also that it has side airbags
Time will tell I guess if his info is correct.

All the best with your new vehicle, I bought a DC 79 as well nearly 2 years ago and love it
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Follow Up By: Member - Ben B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:47

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:47
Hi Alby and Gelatr, I love the idea of a 6 speed. Thanks for your comments I will do some more research now.
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Reply By: Ron N - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 10:45

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 10:45
One often unrecognised additional cost factor in converting to an automatic, is that nearly all automatics have a higher diff ratio as compared to their manual equivalents, to compensate for torque converter slippage all through the range.

However, with nearly all automatics having lock-up torque converters today, this is less of a problem than with the older automatics.
It would pay to check the specs for diff ratios in the Landcruisers to see if there's any difference between automatic and manual diff ratios, and how this might affect your conversion, if there is.

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: pop2jocem - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 12:22

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 12:22
One of the minor glitches with the early 200 series was the settings of the 5-6 OD shift points. I believe this was corrected by Toyota.
If doing an auto conversion to a 70 with 4.1-1 diff ratio as opposed to the, from memory, 3.9-1 for the 200 there should be a better "spread" of shift points and the OD ratios should compensate to a degree for the different ratios.
The big drawback I could see would be the cost. You would really want a 70 and auto combo.
I wonder if the 5 speed auto from a 100 series could be used. The power and torque of the single turbo V8 isn't that much different to the 1HD-FTE engine.
Cheers
Pop
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Follow Up By: Member - Ben B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:50

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:50
Hi Ron and Pop,
Thanks for mentioning this. It is a question I will ask.
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Reply By: allein m - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 13:47

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 13:47
I was wondering about insurance and how you would go getting insurance for a Auto model,

I have looked at a few and some have a limit on accessories $20k is a lot to put on for that
AnswerID: 540978

Follow Up By: Member - Ben B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:52

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:52
Hi Allein,
Insurance is something I had not considered. Thanks for your comment, I will have to check on it.
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:35

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:35
I have one insured for in excess of AU$100,000.

Cheers,
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Follow Up By: allein m - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:45

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:45
Hi landy how are you going

so with insurance did you go to a insurance company or through a broker who tailored a insurance policy to your needs

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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 15:31

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 15:31
Good thanks, CGU via a broker...
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Reply By: Member - Timnivo - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 20:30

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 20:30
For the same amount of money you could convert a new GX 200 series and end up with a way better, safer, more modern vehicle with the rear wheels actually UNDER the tray where they should be!!! Just a thought!! Timnivo
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Follow Up By: fisho64 - Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 21:48

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014 at 21:48
have you priced up a dual cab 200 conversion? $23K.
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 06:37

Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 06:37
They are different vehicles and you cannot do a straight comparison
I have spoken with a fellow who did a 200 conversion as was considering the same and whilst there was nothing wrong with the work he was a bit hohum about it all and said he would not do it again
To get the axle under the tray as you have stated you need a decent chassis extention which makes it a very long wheelbase.
He mainly uses it as a tug for his van when touring and said he takes his other 4wd when doing any of the more serious off-road tracks
Horses for courses I guess

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Follow Up By: Member - Timnivo - Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 08:32

Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 08:32
79 series dualcab $70-80k plus automatic conversion $18-25k according to lcool. 200 series GX $70-80k plus Creative conversion $23k. Same general amount depending on vehicle purchase price.

79 series dualcab. Tough and great for tough tracks. Poor effective carrying capacity. Noisy, poor ergonomics and safety. 1980s design.

Converted 200. Great tourer. Good effective carrying capacity (includes GVM upgrade). Quiet, good safety and ergonomics, more power, superior towing. 2000s design.

I'm a farmer who has a Converted 200 series GXL and drive a 79 for work. Very different vehicles. Make sure you go for what you REALLY need. Regards. Timnivo.
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 08:55

Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 08:55
GVM upgrade on a 79 gives you an extra 500kg carrying capacity as well
Agree with you 100% about being different vehicles and
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Follow Up By: Member - Ben B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:57

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 13:57
Hi Guys,
That is a great comparison. Thanks for the info. More to research.
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:41

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:41
Hi Timnivo

You’ll find that when comparing the Single and Dual cabs, they are both the same wheel-base, and both the same length, the dual cab has a shorter tray.

The difference is simply that you are “loading” people in the cab of the Dual cab, rather than goods, same difference though.

Loading isn't a problem, but as always, load sensibly

Cheers, Baz – The Landy
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Follow Up By: MARIC - Saturday, Nov 01, 2014 at 10:11

Saturday, Nov 01, 2014 at 10:11
I'd love to know where u can get a 200 series Cruiser for $70-$80K
Just bought 79 series 2014 dual cab $68K licensed on road in Albany WA not noisy, comfortable and tough.
.. ps I also am a farmer
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Reply By: Member - Ian H8 - Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 17:42

Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014 at 17:42
Had the conversion done by Roo Systems in Brisbane in conjunction with Wholesale Auto's from Melbourne. 3" exhaust and chip included in price of around $25000.00. Lot of money but top job, and I think well worth it when towing 5th wheeler and when driving in boggy or sandy conditions. The lady who signs the cheques might not agree but doesn't mind driving it in traffic.
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Follow Up By: Member - Ben B (WA) - Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:04

Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 at 14:04
Hi Ian,
Glad to hear you like your conversion and interesting that it was done in conjunction with Wholesales. They do seem to be the leaders in this.
Great to hear your wife does not mind driving it in traffic. That makes it all worthwhile. Even worth more than the 5th wheeler, bogs or sand - maybe??
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