Hey there, legends! The 79 Series LandCruiser? It’s an absolute weapon for touring, towing, and tackling the toughest terrains Australia has to offer. But, as much as we all love these beasts, no vehicle is perfect. Here is five things to hate about the 79 Series—and trust me, I’ms not holding back!
1. The Turning Circle
You probably saw this one coming. If you own a 79 Series, you know exactly what I mean. The turning circle is downright shocking. It’s a well-known fact in the 4WD community, yet we still go out and buy them because, let’s be real, they’re still awesome. But let’s talk about the struggle—tight parking spots become a three- to five-point turn affair, and don’t even get me started on navigating tight tracks when you’re towing a van.
Sure, you can tweak a few things—maybe adjust the steering lock or play around with your stops to try and get a better turning radius, but at the end of the day, you’re going to be making a few extra three-point turns on your adventures.
2. The Power (or Lack Thereof)
Now, I know the 79 Series comes with that legendary 4.5L V8 turbo-diesel, and you’d think with that much engine, it’d pack a serious punch, right? But honestly, it just doesn’t compare to something like the 200 Series. Drive them back to back, and the difference is night and day.
Stock for stock, a 200 Series will leave a 79 in the dust. It’s frustrating to see a smaller Toyota Hilux fly past a factory 79 like it’s standing still. You’d think with that big V8, it would have more grunt from the get-go. Sure, you can slap on a tune, upgrade the turbo, and chuck in some bigger injectors, but why should we have to? Toyota could have done a much better job with the tuning straight from the factory.
3. The Interior Woes
The interior of the 79 Series is… basic. I get it, the ruggedness is part of the appeal, but there are a few things that really get under my skin:
- Seating Position: Even with upgraded seats, the factory driving position is just plain awkward. You feel like you’re sitting too close to the steering wheel and don’t have much room to adjust.
- Steering Wheel: The stock steering wheel just doesn’t cut it. It feels too thin, and it’s not exactly the most comfortable thing to hold on long drives.
- Cup Holders: Where are they?! Come on, Toyota, give us somewhere to put our coffee or water bottle without having to rely on aftermarket solutions.
These might sound like small things, but when you’re spending big bucks on a truck like this, you expect a bit more attention to driver comfort.
4. Road Noise – It’s LOUD!
We all know that 79s are agricultural. That’s part of their charm. But one thing I can’t quite get over is just how loud they are inside. Between the wind noise, road noise, and general rattles, it can feel like you’re driving a tin can down the highway.
Now, if you’re serious about your 79 Series, you’ll want to invest in sound deadening. We’re talking about:
- Roof lining
- Doors
- Floors
It makes a big difference, but again, this is something Toyota could have done from the start. If you’re paying top dollar for a new 79, a bit of factory-fitted soundproofing wouldn’t go astray, would it?
5. The Ridiculous Rear Track
This one gets under my skin more than anything else. For some reason, Toyota designed the 79 Series with a narrower rear track than the front.
What does this mean? It means the rear wheels don’t track in the same line as the front wheels, which:
- Hurts stability, especially when off-roading.
- Makes handling on rough roads feel sketchy.
- Shouldn’t even be a thing on a 4WD of this calibre and price point!
Most 79 owners end up spending big on a track correction kit, which just feels like something Toyota should have sorted straight from the factory.
Final Thoughts
Alright, I know what you’re thinking—if I hate so many things about the 79, why do I own one? Well, despite these gripes, the 79 Series is still a beast of a truck. There’s a reason so many people buy them: they’re tough, reliable, and with a few upgrades, they’re one of the best 4WDs on the market.
Toyota could easily make these changes at the factory and turn the 79 into an even better vehicle, but I guess that’s part of the charm—tweaking and modding it to make it your own.
What do you reckon? What’s the one thing you can’t stand about the 79 Series? And if you’ve made any power upgrades, drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about what’s worked for you!
Stay tuned for my next video where I’ll be sharing five things I absolutely love about the 79 Series! Cheers, legends! 🚙💨