Hi,

I am little bit confused as to which landcrusier would be appropriate for me.

Searching though the forum most recommendations seem to go for 70s and 80s model.

How do these differ from the Colorado and amazon for sale in the UK?

Does anyone know of anyone who sells or imports the 105s in the uk?

an how do the 105s compare to the 70s and 80s?

many thanks

Maz

Hi Maz

here's my take on LC's:

"Searching though the forum most recommendations seem to go for 70s and 80s model.
How do these differ from the Colorado and amazon for sale in the UK?"

70 series are the very square looking Land Cruiser, many models and variations - swb, mwb, lwb 74, 75, 78, 79 etc - some are ideal for overlanding but al,ost impossible to find in the UK, some can be found in Europe but hard to find and expensive.
80 series available in UK 91 or 92 to 98/99 - they are in plentiful supply and the one to go for would be a GS/gx or VX 4.2 td
105 is a 100 with the 80 series axles and I think 1hz non-turbo engine, again almost impossible to find in the UK - mostly supplied to NGO's and Aid co's.
Amazon is seems to be a name used for lots of LC's - mostly 100's and 120's, but they have Independent Front Suspension so not as appropriate and newer/more expensive.

The general advice would probably be - if buying in the UK - to go for an 80

Wait for that to be picked apart

Chris

Does anyone know of anyone who sells or imports the 105s in the uk?

an how do the 105s compare to the 70s and 80s?

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ChrisC

Hey there Maz! As you well know I know nothing about about Toyotas. but at Billing, of all places, we saw a lovely Troopie. If I was going with a Toyota that would be the sort I would go with.

Not that easy to get in the UK apparently, but possible in Germany I believe. You can see an example of one here:

http://www.destinationsunset.com/

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Hi Maz

I'd show you a picture of one but I'm not bright enough to upload one here.

The Troupie is the Toyota HZJ 78. It makes a pretty good overland vehicle, but they are a hassel to get hold of. Arguably worth the effort (and money??).

Cheers

John

John is the owner of the troupie that I saw BTW Maz ...

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Yeah,
100%! The 105 is a solid front axle 100 series, so looks like a UK "amazon" but has a stronger (but not so good on the road) one piece axle and coil springs - so no torsion bars. However they were not available with the factory turbo (why?????) and are very scarce in EU/UK/US, in fact most places outside Africa and Oz.

The troopy is the utilitarian Landcruiser - post '98 with coils on the front (78 series) and leafs on the back. Before that they were leafs all round and known as 75 series. They were available with a factory turbo as well as the
n/a 1HZ. Many (including myself) have fitted aftermarket turbos to them as the factory turbo is basically unknown outside Australia. Very basic but rugged and roomy - hence their popularity esp amoung EU overlanders (Germans know them as "Busch Taxis"). Expensive as they are not normally type approved in Europe... Now with a facelifted front end to make room for the TdV8 in Oz, but still with 1HZ for developing world markets.

80 series is the last of the solid axle Landcruisers sold in GB market, and hence popular as they are available and cheap. If you are buying in the UK it is realistically probably your best option, 4.2 factory turbo - very nice, strong motor.

The basic 105 to be honest is a bit lugubrious with the naturally aspirated engine, and realistically a well looked after 80 will do everything and more a 105 will do. I have one as a company car and it is a super vehicle, but in EU I would rather have a nice turbo 80. Bear in mind the 78 and the 105 actually have slightly weaker gearboxes than 80 series - IMHO not a big issue, but something to remember if you want to go towing or extreme off roading.

As prices drop, it is not unfeasible to acquire a good 100 series amazon, everyone seems afraid of the independent front suspension, but there are no real issues with them in harsh conditions - certainly no more than all the other vehicles all over the world with torsion bars.

Gil
Troopy looks like this: