79 Landcruiser Auto Gearbox

Thanks John. I had not thought of them.

Wholesale Automatics use a brand new Toyota auto box tuned to mate with the vehicle it is installed in. It includes a temp gauge and their valve body which cuts down oil temps and provides more retardation on down hill slopes. I believe it is a 5 speeder but U would need to check with them.
One of it biggest advantages is that it reduces engine rpm at 100 kph by some 400 rpm. This makes for better fuel consumption, less engine wear, and less noise. If you do a lot highway work it is of huge benefit. While it is not cheep initially, there are ongoing benefits and savings. Even though you are in WA I would seriously consider driving to Melb to get them to do it. I also believe they will supply the auto box for local fitment, they may even have a local business that they use. Stu Kitto a director of Wholesale Automatics is a member of the Toyota Land Cruiser Club of Vic and if you are in a 4WD Club I suggest you try and hit them for a discount.
Best to ring them.

A couple video's to show more about what a conversion entails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HujibcNPzQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXnsTcRLiSo

Hi Boobook and Chris,
Wholesale have a great video and appear very professional and thorough. Thanks for the info.

Interesting about factory auto comment - I just took delivery of a new 79 series dual cab last Saturday and the assistant manager told me that Toyota were discontinuing this model from 2017 onwards. This dealer advertises that they are Australia's largest Toyota dealer so go figure. As I have absolutely no link to Toyota I have no way to discredit or validate the assistant managers comment.

Cheers,

Geoff

Yes Geoff you hear all sorts of things from different people.
The information I received was from a Toyota employee also whose other pre- public info has been reliable to date with other Toyota product releases. He was saying also that it has side airbags
Time will tell I guess if his info is correct.

All the best with your new vehicle, I bought a DC 79 as well nearly 2 years ago and love it

Hi Alby and Gelatr, I love the idea of a 6 speed. Thanks for your comments I will do some more research now.

One of the minor glitches with the early 200 series was the settings of the 5-6 OD shift points. I believe this was corrected by Toyota.
If doing an auto conversion to a 70 with 4.1-1 diff ratio as opposed to the, from memory, 3.9-1 for the 200 there should be a better "spread" of shift points and the OD ratios should compensate to a degree for the different ratios.
The big drawback I could see would be the cost. You would really want a 70 and auto combo.
I wonder if the 5 speed auto from a 100 series could be used. The power and torque of the single turbo V8 isn't that much different to the 1HD-FTE engine.
Cheers
Pop

Hi Ron and Pop,
Thanks for mentioning this. It is a question I will ask.

Hi Allein,
Insurance is something I had not considered. Thanks for your comment, I will have to check on it.

I have one insured for in excess of AU$100,000.

Cheers,

Hi landy how are you going

so with insurance did you go to a insurance company or through a broker who tailored a insurance policy to your needs

Good thanks, CGU via a broker...

have you priced up a dual cab 200 conversion? $23K.

They are different vehicles and you cannot do a straight comparison
I have spoken with a fellow who did a 200 conversion as was considering the same and whilst there was nothing wrong with the work he was a bit hohum about it all and said he would not do it again
To get the axle under the tray as you have stated you need a decent chassis extention which makes it a very long wheelbase.
He mainly uses it as a tug for his van when touring and said he takes his other 4wd when doing any of the more serious off-road tracks
Horses for courses I guess

79 series dualcab $70-80k plus automatic conversion $18-25k according to lcool. 200 series GX $70-80k plus Creative conversion $23k. Same general amount depending on vehicle purchase price.

79 series dualcab. Tough and great for tough tracks. Poor effective carrying capacity. Noisy, poor ergonomics and safety. 1980s design.

Converted 200. Great tourer. Good effective carrying capacity (includes GVM upgrade). Quiet, good safety and ergonomics, more power, superior towing. 2000s design.

I'm a farmer who has a Converted 200 series GXL and drive a 79 for work. Very different vehicles. Make sure you go for what you REALLY need. Regards. Timnivo.

GVM upgrade on a 79 gives you an extra 500kg carrying capacity as well
Agree with you 100% about being different vehicles and

Hi Guys,
That is a great comparison. Thanks for the info. More to research.

Hi Timnivo

You’ll find that when comparing the Single and Dual cabs, they are both the same wheel-base, and both the same length, the dual cab has a shorter tray.

The difference is simply that you are “loading” people in the cab of the Dual cab, rather than goods, same difference though.

Loading isn't a problem, but as always, load sensibly

Cheers, Baz – The Landy

I'd love to know where u can get a 200 series Cruiser for $70-$80K
Just bought 79 series 2014 dual cab $68K licensed on road in Albany WA not noisy, comfortable and tough.
.. ps I also am a farmer

Hi Ian,
Glad to hear you like your conversion and interesting that it was done in conjunction with Wholesales. They do seem to be the leaders in this.
Great to hear your wife does not mind driving it in traffic. That makes it all worthwhile. Even worth more than the 5th wheeler, bogs or sand - maybe??