70series front & rear track

The front track was widened to accommodate the V8 engine.

Toyota didn't do anything to the rear track because there is a new "workhorse" range coming out in 2009.

Also because they are bone idle and take their customers for granted. Contemptuous behaviour.

Despite that I still bought one and they are selling every one that comes into the country.

Hate to think what that says about me and other buyers because I still like it.

burnsy,

With tossers like that, it makes you wonder if they actually sell any vehicles at the expos.

Damn near all vehicles built today will have a wider track at the front than the rear to improve vehicle stability on the black top. its all about handling at speed.

Off road this makes no difference to how the vehicle performs, except having the same track front & rear makes the going easier on soft surfaces like sand.

Comes back to the arguement that '80%' of 4WD's never see dirt - they cater for the majority, not minority.

A tradies expo... most tradies don't take them off-road.

As you identified I am sure it is nothing to do with traction, but likewise, it is hardly likely to make a significant difference to off-road handling.

I'd be surprised if you'd even notice anything driving it... after all, a lot of the time when it matters you'd be turning anyways and your rear wheels won't be in your front's tracks exactly anyways.

Nup - that one is a storm in a tea-cup.

Over the years, (in relation to the 75 series) Toyota have done some quite unrequired unimprovements.
First was replacing the front diff. centre with the Hilux one.
Replacing the nice solid gearbox shield with a prissy bit of sheet metal another.
Then going from perfectly sound 6 stud wheels to 5 stud configuration.
With the intro. of the new turbo diesel lowering the 5th. gear ratio. (and deleting the PTO, which I require)
Now increasing the front track without realigning the rear.
And the increase in plastic everywhere has to represent major improvements!
But they are still the best workhorse unit available, eh! My '96 trayback will see me out and then some.
furph

Burnsy I doubt the rear diff will be widened until the bodies of the Troopy & 76 Wagons are widened too, until then the narrow wheel track will remain on the rear.
You have to laugh at all the reasons given, like improved traction & better handling when all it was is they had to fit a v8 engine into narrow vehicle as cheap as they could. The salesman was probably right though that even if you did drive both you would barely tell the difference.
Makes you wonder how many they would sell if they listened to their customers. I know of 6 people that have the funds to upgrade but are holding onto older 80's & 100's waiting for some improvement.
Cheers Craig.........

How much wider is the track? 10-20mm? How is that going to make any difference at all to anything?

As for all of the comments about Toyota being contemptuous, not listening to their customers etc. I beg to differ. It is hugely expensive for car companies to design, build and transport new models out to the public for sale. If they can't do it all at one time then they stagger it, bring the new engine out first, then afterwards upgrade with new suspension etc etc.

Does anybody dislike the new turbo diesel V8? If you don't like the stop-gap models then don't buy it. Go and buy a Patrol with the big diesel oops Nissan don't have one of those at the moment!

Barnesy

If anyone is interested, an 80 series hub fits the disc rear end 6 stud 75 series and widens the track 60mm....you simply swap over the backing plate, with handbrake and disc with hub.
The 5 studders may be thesame...i have some 100 hubs here if anyone would like to make a measurement of the 78/79 hub, wheel to hub face to axle to hub face...
My friend who did this mod stated it made his cruiser handle alot better on the road
Andrew

I think some of you blokes need to have a chat to an engineer that works on F1 or Ralley cars.