Toy 80 versus Toy 78

[armadillo]

Bonjour ladies !

I was thinking with the idea of selling my hdj 80 --1993 auto-- and getting a 78, because of the extra room of the 78's and... why not, the looks.

Can you guys tell me how the 78 is versus the 80. Drive feel, and all those things. There are hardly any 78 in Spain and I know nobody with one.

Thanks a lot in advance !

[Peter Girling]

Bonjour armadillo!

Well the biggest difference between the 80 and the 78 is the amount of room you've got to play with.

With an 80 you'll be in a roof tent or a ground tent and with the 78 you've got the option of building a camper type vehicle.

With a 78 you can go the whole hog with a poptop roof and enjoy loads of room. You can get a poptop for an 80 but it's still a bit cramped below for daily living.

The 80 is definitely the more relaxed boulevadier, the 78's more of a truck but it does have a more overlanding look.

Mechanically, there's not a great deal of difference except that any 80 series is more than 10 years old wheras you can get a brand new 78 direct from Mr T.

Fit a turbo and you've got the king of overland vehicles. Good for 300,000km

Happy trails

Jojo

[m37charlie]

There are hundreds, probably thousands of Landcruiser lovers (including myself) in North America that would give a body part in order to own a new diesel 78.
That said, IMHO they have gone downhill a bit since they got away from the H55F transmission and lightened up the front diff.

Charlie

[chickcharnie]

Hi Armadillo

I currently run a 2001 Toy 78. Before that a series 1 disco, before that a range rover and before that a 110.

All the previous vehicles were adequate, however for me the 78 is in a different league as an expedition vehicle.

I'm afraid I cannot compare the other Toyotas as I have never owned any other.

I have been told that the mechanics of the 75 / 78 are heavier duty than those of other landcruisers.

mine is fitted with a german made roof conversion. This makes a huge difference in day to day living and, although extremely expensive, better than the roof tent option. The room inside is cavernous and as long as I don't fill it with expedition junk allows us to cook relax and sleep without clambering out an up into a tent (great advantage when it is raining otherwise the tent is fine).

If you are looking for a 78 you might try the german website [www.buschtaxi.de] - The european site for Toyota LandCruiser, HiLux, 4Runner, Megacruiser...: Herzlich willkommen

Cheers

john

[armadillo]

Thanks everybody !

I don't want the 78 only for traveling, I live in the country and use that kind of vehicles very often. The 80 is a great vehicle but a bit too small for my everyday use. Besides I never got really used to the Automatic T. Yes it,s great in sand but prefer the gear thing.

I was thinking in getting a used 2002 or so 78 model, definitely not a new 78.

I'm just curious about the 78 (2000 - 2004 models) in contrast with the LC 80.

- Engine and mechanics quality
- Cabin noise from engine and transmissions
- General comfort for my big family
- Fuel economy in general circumstances.
- Weight


I'm just concerned it may be too truck like for my family in long trips... I don't know, really.

Cheers !

[armadillo]

If you are looking for a 78 you might try the german website [www.buschtaxi.de] - The european site for Toyota LandCruiser, HiLux, 4Runner, Megacruiser...: Herzlich willkommen

Hi John, thanks a lot for the link. I'll try to get some help with the German.

Cheers !

[Peter Girling]

Hi Armadillo,

1 Engine and mechanics quality
2 Cabin noise from engine and transmissions
3 General comfort for my big family
4 Fuel economy in general circumstances.
5 Weight

1 Toyota so no problems if you look after it
2 More engine/road/wind noise than an 80, OK below 50mph
3 Standard front seats are remarkably comfortable. Rears are side facing bench seats that you should rep[lace
4 50-55mph on the motorway gets you 25mpg, overall about 20mpg
5 Mine was 2200kg empty, now about 2700 with all the gear

Happy trails,

Jojo

[armadillo]

Thank you Jojo1, that was very clear.

In order to buy the 78 I got to sell my 80 and i'm gonna have to take it easy because it's a very bad time to sell anything in Spain. Even a very fine 80 ready for action. Here is the add:AutoScout24: Anuncio del vehÃ*culo

Fair winds and following seas !

[Peter Girling]

Hi Armadillo,

I've passed your car details on to a friend. Have you seen a particular 78 for sale?

J

[armadillo]

Hi Jojo1, I appreciate it !

Yes, I have seen one 78, very nice one: stronger suspension with good shocks, 3 diff blocks, 2nd row of seats forward --great for me since I got three kids--... and the best, it looks like the owner quite takes care of it.

I also take care a lot of my 80, living in the country it's an easier thing to do because you got the room and time. Except for the little cloink in the transmission the car is excellent and ready for action. It's just too small for my big family.

cheers !