Thread: Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series

Originally Posted by Arch

People "correct" the track because they know more these cars than the toyo engineers. Toyota did it for a good reason, they want it to understeer due to its high center of gravity.

I held off commenting on this for a number of days, but tonight it got the better of me.

They wanted it to handle poorly because of vehicle dynamics? I'm confused.

The simple facts are this, Toyota had to widen the front track to fit the V8, they didn't have to widen the the rear track for it so it didn't get done, people are still happy to pay over $100k for one so why change it, it's company policy.

"Toyota, the company that offers you less, now with inverted tricycle effect"

So are you trying to tell me that they had the track wrong since 1985 and happened upon the magic fix accidentally with the introduction of the V8, thereby improving handling?

No offence meant for anyone, but the facts were incorrect.

Cheers
James

quote.. they want it to understeer due to its high center of gravity.

that doesn't sound right to me....it will oversteer.

Worse than oversteering or understeering, they won't even go in a straight line.
I drove a 76 Series with stock skinny wheels on a typical NT dirt road with longitudinal ruts from wet weather and it was close on uncontrollable.
The front wheels would be in a rut and the back ones would forever be climbing in and out of the ruts, making the whole thing sway from side to side.

This is the worst effect of the track difference.

Originally Posted by shack

I held off commenting on this for a number of days, but tonight it got the better of me.

They wanted it to handle poorly because of vehicle dynamics? I'm confused.

The simple facts are this, Toyota had to widen the front track to fit the V8, they didn't have to widen the the rear track for it so it didn't get done, people are still happy to pay over $100k for one so why change it, it's company policy.

"Toyota, the company that offers you less, now with inverted tricycle effect"

So are you trying to tell me that they had the track wrong since 1985 and happened upon the magic fix accidentally with the introduction of the V8, thereby improving handling?

No offence meant for anyone, but the facts were incorrect.

Cheers
James

Being a forum, no offence taken but your tone and words indicate that this was your intent.

Its not uncommon to have a wider front track for the reason I stated, particularly with a high centre of gravity. Understeer is safer than oversteer.

Originally Posted by BigJon

Worse than oversteering or understeering, they won't even go in a straight line.
I drove a 76 Series with stock skinny wheels on a typical NT dirt road with longitudinal ruts from wet weather and it was close on uncontrollable.
The front wheels would be in a rut and the back ones would forever be climbing in and out of the ruts, making the whole thing sway from side to side.

This is the worst effect of the track difference.

And yet plenty of people tow boats down these tracks and they don't have dramas with the shorter wheelbase on the trailer axle.
Those dried up rutted tracks are a bastard to navigate in ANY vehicle.

Originally Posted by Arch

Being a forum, no offence taken but your tone and words indicate that this was your intent.

It really wasn't.

Just a statement of fact.

Originally Posted by trout1105

Those dried up rutted tracks are a bastard to navigate in ANY vehicle.

Indeed they are, particulary with factory skinny tyres.

When we got our first defender 130 it had Michelin xzy tyres on it, 7.50 X 16 , they are a fantastic tyre and last forever, but they are awful for train tracking on poor roads.

This is not a criticism of the vehicle, but the tyre choice.

The cruiser would be no different.

I must apologize to the OP...

He is no doubt excitedly awaiting for the arrival of his new car, which I feel partially responsible for running down.

This was not my intention at all.

The 70 series cruiser is a reasonably strongly built vehicle, but lacking most of the creature comforts many desire.

But I drive defenders so I can't comment on that!

They are more reliable than a defender for sure.

They are quieter in the cab, have more torque, and have a functioning A/C.

But they are not perfect, as evidenced by the amount of mods owners end up installing.

If I had to choose between a cruiser and any of the other single or double cab utes available, I'd pick the cruiser.

I genuinely hope the OP is not perturbed by what has transpired here, I apologize for my part.

You will no doubt enjoy your new vehicle, I hope it provides many years of reliable service.

Cheers
James