76 Series Landcuiser Rear Wheel Spacer

Hi

You may wish to read this thread

Whos using rear wheel spacers on the new Toyotas and any problems?

Cheers
Greg

Macca,
There is a properly engineered solution involving axle housing extensions and longer axles. This is way different from bolting on simple illegal spacers. This kit is expensive but legal. EO member Baz - The Landy can probably tell you more about it.Link to Baz's blog.

I understand from his writings you cannot use it in conjunction with a GVM upgrade, but if you're not considering that, then it's all good.
Cheers

Without going into the intricacy of the other thread the simple answer is that Spacers are illegal in all States unless fitted to that model vehicle at the factory.

Porsche are the only one I know of that does that

This is the extension kit that is ADR approved. May be of interest

http://www.trutracker.com.au/

Would have been better if bloody Toyota made the damn thing properly in the first place . Makes you wonder what they think of their customers and where their head is at hey.

Cheers Keith

Macca,
I have clocked up 100k on my LC76 and whilst I am not a motoring purist I have been driving for over 40 years. I haven't noticed any issues with the tracking - certainly none that I could justify spending the dollars to rectify. I have read a number of criticisms from people who say it is dreadful to drive because of it but I just can't see it. My first car was an FB Holden so I find everything easy to drive by comparison. Incidentally I watched a 4wd show last night where the 79 series was sponsored by Ironman. The tracking had been changed and coil springs had been fitted to replace the leaf setup. They didn't explain how or how much but if you were keen Ironman might be worth investigating.
Ken

Wheels with a bigger offset are an option but there are limits on how far you can increase the width and also it puts more strain on the hub, bearings and studs but up to a point are legal.

Give Marks 4wd a call i have heard hhey have a axle extension kit

Hi Guys,

Thanks to all who have replied, way too expensive for an axle conversion, so I will probably stick with the existing set up. It has not been a problem up till now, so no need to change anything.

Macca.

Macca,

There are quite a few 79's running rear wheels with a different offset to provide the same wheel track. Most/many, carry 2 spares one standard and one offset.

The 3 recent ones I have seen are Blue plated (QLD Certification) and also have GVM upgrades to 3750kg. I am also told that they drive better when loaded.

I am told in a case of a puncture, that one rear with off set and one wheel with standard offset runs ok.

There are a few standard cars that have different offset wheels on the road, they tend to have a wheel saver spare.

Macca

Just as a matter of interest I see a set of Spacers would cost 4x$200 approximately, so $800 for an imperfect and almost certainly, an illegal solution.

And illegal for a good reason as they have been demonstrated to be unsafe – and yes I’m sure many have used them without a problem, but the risk is there…Like Russian Roulette, you don't want to be the one with the loaded chamber.

In contrast, an engineered solution, tried, tested, and approved will set you back around $2,000. So whilst the Spacers are cheaper, it could well end up being false economy. I look at it this way, if I have the vehicle 10 years, the additional cost has been $120 a year for an engineered solution.

The cost difference becomes a rounding error when viewed against the vehicle's show-room floor price

Consider how you will use the vehicle - if you are towing regularly or sand driving frequently you might benefit from the outlay - otherwise, live with it, it is just a nuance to put up with..

Just throwing it out there,

Good weekend to all, Baz – The Landy

I got a call from a mate tonight, who I haven't spoken to, for quite some time. We had a lengthy chat.
He lives in Bunbury - and with a few other mates, they take their bikes out bush every Easter, for an extended bush ride.
They take a couple of 4WD's for initial transport, and one of these 4WD's tows a bike trailer with the bikes on it.
They haul the bikes out however many hundred kays, and then unload the bikes to hit the 4WD trails, and to explore where the 4WD's can't get in.
I used to go with them many years ago, but I gave it up because of other ties.

He was relating tonight how, just this Easter gone, they decided to visit Cave Hill, as a few of his mates had never been there.
One of the 4WD's they took along was a 76 series V8 diesel Wagon. It belonged to another mate.

As most West Aussies know, Easter was a bit of a wipeout due to heavy rain over the weekend.
The group got around 75mm of rain out at Cave Hill, they all got soaked and dispirited and decided to call time on the weekend - and they were worried about the possibility of more substantial rain stopping them from getting out - so they packed up and headed out.
My mate put his bike on the trailer behind the other 4WD and piled into the V8 Troopy.

They were heading West on the Norseman-Hyden road in heavy rain, and after a few kays, they ran into a patch of yellow greasy clay on the road.
My mate said, within seconds, the 'Cruiser Wagon had skated on a greasy patch, and turned turtle - landing on its roof.

Luckily, no-one was hurt, they weren't travelling real fast, and the damage wasn't enough to stop them.
They righted the Wagon, checked everything over, straightened what was needed to be straightened, and set off again.

He said tonight, "You wouldn't believe this - but we got about another 30-40 kays towards Hyden, and we came across ANOTHER V8 diesel 76 series Wagon, that had turned over, in a near-identical episode!!
This one hadn't rolled right over, it had just landed on its side.

He's scathing of the 76 series poor handling, the top-heaviness, the narrow rear axle, and the dangerousness of these things - and he reckons he's surprised somebody hasn't started a class action against Toyota by now, for selling what is essentially a poorly-designed, and poor-handling vehicle.

I note that even in the test review below, the reviewer notes the Landcruiser's "handling can become quirky on bumpy surfaces".
"Quirky" is a cute way of saying they just plainly suffer from exceptionally poor handling in adverse conditions.
Loaded right up, they are just plain dangerous. I note how the test was done with no load - but the reviewer still noted the "quirky" handling.

Buyers Guide - 76 Series Landcruiser Wagon

Cheers, Ron.

Macca,

I believe the best solution is what has been outlined by Baz - The Landy above. A fully engineered solution but somewhat expensive initially, but not perhaps over time.

I opted for a cheaper solution - an offset alloy rear rim made specifically for this purpose. Click on #6 on the following web page.
http://www.canterburytyres.com.au/apparel/4x4-4x2-suv/alloy-wheels/16-inch-en-2-3-4-5-6-7/

I couldn't believe the difference the wider track at the rear made to the vehicle's handling.

Many in WA use offset steel wheels which are cheaper - about $120 a wheel.
They have a pretty useful website -http://www.4-wheeling-in-western-australia.com/toyota-70-series.html

I carry a spare for both front and back wheels, but you can interchange to get yourself out of a tricky situation if necessary, but keep your speed down until you get back to the correct rims.

Initially, I had a heavy duty suspension and a lift on the vehicle (did the Hay River and a few others with that). But, SHMBO was most unhappy with the stiffer ride and the additional height to climb into the cab. After discussions with several EO members (including Baz), I have since had an engineered GVM upgrade installed by Driveline Services. The lift is .5mm higher than standard at the front wheel and 2 mm higher at the back wheel and although it is signed off at 3900kg it has much softer springing in the ride. The system is used by a lot of 79 series fire fighters around NSW dams.

http://www.driveline.com.au/product/light-fleet-4wd-parts/suspension

Having spent all that money, I am now back in the good books and have happy company for my upcoming CSR Trip.

Hope this helps, but just remember that you have guards to contend with on the back wheels of a 76 series which we don't have to worry about with a 79 series.

Cheers

VinceH