Tru Tracker vs Dana 60 Rear Upgrade for 78 series

There have been a number of threads on the narrow track issue. The vast majority of people who have actually owned one say it is not an issue though there are some who disagree. The majority of complainants have not owned one and are basing comments on supposition or are armchair warriors.

Certainly there was one in my family for a couple of years and there were no apparent complaints or issues.

So with your vehicle have you had issues that are enough to warrant spending considerable funds to modify the vehicle or have you assumed there are issues and looking at options.

Garry

Hi Lupe,

We have a 79 series as a touring vehicle for the last 6 years. Sometimes towing our camper and sometimes on its own. We have covered almost every type of terrain imaginable over that time from deep soft sand to rocky jump ups and so on.

In all that time I can honestly say that the narrower rear end has never been an issue. For me, the only thing about it is the appearance but you need a keen eye to even notice the difference.

A few companies are making all sorts of fixes now from changeover diffs and coil spring conversions to the old 50mm spacers (illegal and unsafe)

All are quite expensive, running into thousands for no gain.

Personally I would never consider changing things and I would put the savings in the fuel tank instead.

The best place to read or ask about this is on the LCOOL forum where several members have different mods for this.

Toyota is not the only manufacturer to do this. I have heard that the nissan utes are different widths as well as some race cars although I am happy to be corrected if thats not the case.

Cheers

I have owned both 78 and 79 series and I think it's great that manufactures have provided solutions. Now I just have to find a problem to fit the solution.

Lupe...
I have completed the Tru-Tracker modification and found it has made a considerable difference to the handling characteristics of the vehicle for the type of touring I do and found the cost expense worthwhile.

I have noted this modification has made a significant difference to the way the vehicle handles and performs, especially when it comes to dune driving in the desert on soft sand. The modification has also made a considerable difference when towing my TVAN, both on, and off-road.

Noting, my vehicle weighs in at around 3,500kg...

But like many things in life, it all comes down to your requirements and the competing priorities for the funds in your wallet. For me the cost versus outcome debate was in favour of the desired outcome so I had it done.

You can read more about my viewpoint in the following blog and whilst many just use "spacers" I would urge caution if you ever contemplate that course...

Feel free to drop me a note if you would like to discuss further, email on my member profile.

Tru-Tracker Modification
GVM Upgrade (Impact on Tru-Tracker)

Cheers, Baz - The Landy

Without doubt there will be varying views on the Toyota 70 Series rear track issue and how it might affect vehicle handling.

Whilst there is a suggestion that “most people” don’t find it to be a problem, you only need to Google “Toyota 70 Series Rear Track Issue” or something similar and you might equally conclude that “most people” do have a problem and in many cases using spacers to resolve it.

Now without getting into a debate on the validity of spacers, they are not approved for use on these vehicles and recognising a need, companies like MDT Engineering and Dana have provided a fully engineered and approved solution for those wanting one.

Both of these companies are leaders in design engineering and manufacturing.

Can I place an emphasis on “for those wanting one” – many correctly look at the issue through their own lens and make an assessment on outcome achieved, versus cost to achieve. I get it that it won't stack up for some, especially if they don't recognise it as being a significant issue, if a problem at all…

Personally, I will call it out as a problem, especially with specific regard to my vehicle and the touring I do in it...

It will be interesting to see if the new five-star ANCAP rated 70 Series, due for release sometime over the next 2-3 months, has the wheel track corrected. No mention has been made of it in any of the detail I have seen on the vehicle.

But on the problem itself, there has been some solid research on the topic.

One was a report commissioned by the WA Police in 2014 following a number of roll-over of its Troop Carriers on outback roads and that was pointing to the front and rear track difference as being more than a casual factor in some of these accidents.

This report was undertaken by Keith Simmons of KND Consulting and I did post a link to this quite some time ago in a forum thread running in response to my Blog on the topic. The report has since been removed from the internet and I am endeavouring to obtain a copy for the benefit of those that would like to review it, and if successful, I will post it here.

Keith is a well credentialed expert on vehicle rollover safety and you can view his profile on Linked-in.

Having said that, the reality is that some will see the differing wheel track as an issue and others won’t.

Highlighting that a meaningful assessment and review of the difference might be difficult to make unless you are able to compare the handling characteristics of an affected vehicle both pre and post modification…

So back to the original poster...

"Lupe the Troopy" asked for input from those who had either the Tru-Tracker or the Dana 60 Rear upgrade modification on their vehicle and an assessment of the effectiveness of either of the modifications – I have offered a first-hand assessment from the driver’s seat and certainly not from the comfort of an arm-chair…

Mind you, I'm sure "Lupe" will appreciate viewpoints on the whole issue, not just the solutions...

My parting comment on the topic is best summed up in a Tibetan Proverb

"Accept as truth only that you can prove for yourself, as no truth is truth to one until you can prove it by your own experiments..."

Good weekend to all...!


Cheers, Baz – The Landy

Not a expert on cruiser but did drive them fair bit in days of SES vollie - day drive prado. Fromwhat I have heard nobdoy likes the extra width of the V8 wheel setup as most tracks are older and thus fitting on some tracks is a rough ride.

whilst at Gascoyne junction I came across couple of SES guys out of a radio comms and get to know the patch field trip. one vehicle was from sharkbay a v8 station wagon other a older 6 cyl ute single cab (karratha or port hedland ?) - now I am sure i knew one of blokes (maybe cos resemblance to george clooney) but he was saying this was a big issue to search and rescue groups due to terrain they had to traverse over. now this might be older 6 cyl vs the wider v8 axle width or just body width .

I have however seen a modified rail maintence cruiser ute fitted with dual wheels at back end to allow for transportation of axle boxes from rolling stock. who did it engineers certificate etc unknown

I have driven both the old series and the V8's in the same virgin terrain. If travelling on normal tracks you won't notice much if any difference.

It is when you travel in virgin soft ground or tracks that have not had the different vehicle wheel track that you notice it.

I've owned/driven a VDJ79 for the last 4 years. Last time I looked the cost was in the range of $10-14K. Personally I can think of a motsa of more important things I'd spend that sort of dosh on ... if I had it i.e.

And BTW, wasn't there a similar issue with one of the Nissan utes?

It is noticeable, but far from significant enough to go down that road methinks.