2017 LC79 Review

[el_kab0ng]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wym0V05iyVo

Ronny Dahl has a good review of the 2017 LC79. From this side of the pond, there's a mystique about the LC79 and the desire to want them imported so we can benefit from their awesomeness. This review actually points out quite a few unexpected deficiencies I for one was unaware of which now brings into question whether or not they really are the cat's meow.

Some points to consider:

1. The track from front to rear is different (narrower in the rear). Who at Toyota thought that was a good idea?

2. The DPF is mounted beneath the chassis, causing possible grass fires.

3. The factory snorkel isn't waterproof.. it's only used to raise the air intake (!!!!)

 

[LandCruiser]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wym0V05iyVo

Ronny Dahl has a good review of the 2017 LC79. From this side of the pond, there's a mystique about the LC79 and the desire to want them imported so we can benefit from their awesomeness. This review actually points out quite a few unexpected deficiencies I for one was unaware of which now brings into question whether or not they really are the cat's meow.

Some points to consider:

1. The track from front to rear is different (narrower in the rear). Who at Toyota thought that was a good idea?

2. The DPF is mounted beneath the chassis, causing possible grass fires.

3. The factory snorkel isn't waterproof.. it's only used to raise the air intake (!!!!)

I owned one of the newer ones.

The snorkel is a precleaner for dusty outback roads.If you want it waterproof, there's a kit.

The DPF is a fault of adding eco shit to a 30 year old design

The track width is easily fixed with wheels or spacers.

 

[alico268]

He mentions that spacers are highly illegal in Australia, weird with all the other awesomness they're allowed in their vehicles.

And a actual functioning hood scoop on a Toyota truck, I can scarcely believe it.

It's strange how so many rag on the spartan nature of our 4Runner's interior. It would be interesting to see their reaction in living in a cockpit that looks austere even when compared with a modern day Wrangler.

I still would love to see these available here though they never will be. It's just such a retro no-nonsense design. The shot of those beefy rear control arms was something to behold.

Thanks for posting the vid!

 

[el_kab0ng]

I owned one of the newer ones.

The snorkel is a precleaner for dusty outback roads.If you want it waterproof, there's a kit.

The DPF is a fault of adding eco shit to a 30 year old design

The track width is easily fixed with wheels or spacers.

Do you see the DPF enabled LC79s being banned from national parks as mentioned by the video?

 

[el_kab0ng]

He mentions that spacers are highly illegal in Australia, weird with all the other awesomness they're allowed in their vehicles.

Agreed. Having tires protrude beyond the body line are probably just a fine like having too dark window tinting is for us. This is easily solved with offset wheels or expensive diff work.

 

[LandCruiser]

Do you see the DPF enabled LC79s being banned from national parks as mentioned by the video?

Without a doubt.

That is a critical engineering failure that needs to be addressed immediately.

 

[LandCruiser]

He mentions that spacers are highly illegal in Australia, weird with all the other awesomness they're allowed in their vehicles.

And a actual functioning hood scoop on a Toyota truck, I can scarcely believe it.

It's strange how so many rag on the spartan nature of our 4Runner's interior. It would be interesting to see their reaction in living in a cockpit that looks austere even when compared with a modern day Wrangler.

I still would love to see these available here though they never will be. It's just such a retro no-nonsense design. The shot of those beefy rear control arms was something to behold.

Thanks for posting the vid!

Yeah, forgot about the spacers. It's been almost a decade since I lived there. Either way, my LC70 was leased by my job so I couldn't do any mods to it:cry2: I did get to drive it some crazy places, tho.

 

[techno]

...
1. The track from front to rear is different (narrower in the rear). Who at Toyota thought that was a good idea?

It was the Toyota engineers that know a thing or two about vehicle dynamics. It's very common and for good reason.

 

[el_kab0ng]

It was the Toyota engineers that know a thing or two about vehicle dynamics. It's very common and for good reason.

And that is? For an off-road tailored vehicle (compared to a highway vehicle), having narrow tracks in the rear makes for some squirrely driving in gravel/sandy conditions and could create an unsafe situation.

 

[techno]

It's actually the opposite. A narrower rear track forces the rear power to be directed in between the front wheels, which in turn gives greater steering stability and control. A wider front track gives improved steering response with weight transfer effects when cornering at speed, especially with the highly variable weight distribution you can get with pick up trucks. It also reduces the turning circle a little.
There's a lot of physics involved and not every vehicle is the same, so track widths ratios vary from car to car.

 

[1engineer]

It's actually the opposite. A narrower rear track forces the rear power to be directed in between the front wheels, which in turn gives greater steering stability and control. A wider front track gives improved steering response with weight transfer effects when cornering at speed, especially with the highly variable weight distribution you can get with pick up trucks. It also reduces the turning circle a little.
There's a lot of physics involved and not every vehicle is the same, so track widths ratios vary from car to car.

Not to mention (and very important) that the rear tires will always be going over un-tracked ground, at least some portion of the tire.