70 Series Land Cruiser V8 Diesel

My cab chassis is only a few weeks old and I have only used about 180 litres so far but I am getting 24mpg which is so close to 11.5l/100k it doesn't matter.

Be aware the wagon only comes with a single 90 litre tank. The cab chassis and troopy come with 2 X 90 litre tanks.

Power is beaut (compared to my outgoing 80 series TD).

Be prepared for a wait if you order one. We ordered a white GXL 76 series with difflocks early in April and still don't know when we are going to get it. On the contract estimated delivery was 30th May. Have been told Toyota are having trouble getting fuel pumps for the motor.

Hi Robbie, Do you know who make the long range tank you are talking about?

Yes they can deliver 11.5 if driven steady but with all the power available some are getting closer to 14.
The new Cruiser does have a few issues of which some may become a problem depending on what you expect out of a car.
The front wheel track is 100mm wider than the rear, has very poor quality seats, only a lap seat belt in the centre rear with leg room reduced (compared to 80), the altenator is mounted very low, has a very small luggage area (100mm narrower & 130mm shorter than an 80 series), no option of ABS or airbags, has a tacky centre console, only a 90L tank, no electric mirrors & short rear leaf springs (70mm shorter than tray or troopy). The hand throttle has been removed as has been the option for a PTO & there has been no advertised beefing up of the weak diffs which when fitted with lockers have a sticker on the door warning not to engage them over 8kph What the ????
On the plus side it comes standard with a snorkel, has excellent lights & an engine that pulls like a train.
IMHO this vehicle is not new, in fact the dash is out of an 84 tray, the rear half off a 70 series Prado built in the 90's, 90L fuel tank capacity last seen in a 60 series, with safety features, seating & technology barely changed since the 80's. If you believe the motor is worth nearly $60K then it may be worth looking at otherwise something like a prado would be far better value for money.
Cheers Craig.........
HZJ105 Vic.

Robbie,

What you have to remember with any of the 70 Series, either 76,78,79 Series they are a Commercial Vehicle. They are not a Car or an RV. Their spec levels can be described as basic. Some like that, some don't. That is a personal option. But like any vehicle the fuel economy depends on how the individual drives it. By all accounts the 11.5l/100kms is very achievable, while others do return high or poor economy runs, it depends on the individual, the load and what you are doing.

Read a report on another forum of a 79 hire vehicle loaded up with three blokes, all their gear, fridges, two 44s of fuel, and all their survey work gear and 4000km return trip to the middle of nowhere. Fuel economy was shocking but as he said the trip up was a heavy load and 3/4 of the trip was done at 120km/h plus. While the economy was poor, the vehicle handled the load the job better then anything before and the company was so impressed they are getting a 79 for future jobs.

Like I said, it is an individual thing, a commercial vehicle that lets you set it up how you want it or maybe a you would prefer the latte set cup holding push button all bells and whistles 200 series with 195kw of power and 650Nm of torque with a claimed 11l/100kms. Just try and mount a UHF and HF radio and a laptop in 200 or 100 and you will appreciate the old style dash of a new 70 Series.

Regards
Alan

P.S. If you get diff locks you will learn you do not need to go over 8km/h with them locked. They are only needed when traction is lost. If you are doing over 8km/h, then you have not lost traction. Its a simple equation.