2008 Toyota Landcruiser 70-series Cab Chassis GXL review
April 16, 2008 by Paul Maric
2008 Toyota Landcruiser 70-series Cab Chassis GXL Road Test
Model tested: Toyota Landcruiser 70-series Cab Chassis GXL
Recommended Retail Price: $56,990.
Options fitted: Toyota tray body, bullbar.
Rugged abilities, air conditioning, torque.
Agricultural, no cruise control, manual locking hubs.
CarAdvice rating: 
(3.75)
- Photographs and review by Paul Maric
“Newer, not softer” is what Toyota says about the new 70 Series Landcruiser. Look at it from most angles and it doesn’t look all that different to the 70 Series ‘cruiser your uncle owned 10 years ago. Apparently owners of the previous 70 Series iterations don’t want to see change and think their trusty stump puller looks good enough, and does the job.
Subtle exterior styling changes, along with an all new engine and CD player (with MP3 compatibility) headline the 70 Series changes. Replacing the six-cylinder diesel engine is Toyota’s all new 4.5-litre turbocharged V8 diesel motor. Producing 151kW and a mega 430Nm of torque (from just 1200RPM), the new 70 Series is has about 23% more power than its predecessor and around 13% more torque.
Step inside the cabin and previous 70 Series owners will witness a familiar site. A steering wheel and two gear levers is about all you need to traverse the Australian bush – and that’s pretty much all you get with the 70 Series ‘cruiser. A CD player (with MP3 compatibility) powers two speakers which produce an absolutely abysmal note.
The test vehicle was fitted with optional air-conditioning and a bulbar. The air conditioning begins blowing cold air in a matter of 1.5-seconds – literally! During testing on a very hot day, the air conditioning pumped out cool air all day long, despite the immense external heat.
The seats are very comfortable and offer enough side support to stop you from moving around – a bonus in a car that handles much like a small seaworthy vessel. Storage room behind the seats is very limited and doesn’t compare to the likes of other commercial utes in its segment.
Sink the boot in any gear and the turbocharged V8 begins pulling relentlessly. Each gear provides effortless torque, and with a springy and fluid clutch, driving this monster is an easy task. A 5-speed manual transmission controls the shifts, though it felt like it could have easily done with a sixth gear for highway driving.
Joined by three motorbikes, we hit the bush to see if the 70 Series Landcruiser could handle the rough terrain we planned on throwing at it. After engaging 4H (four-wheel-drive high) the ‘cruiser climbed a devilishly steep incline in second gear with no dramas. Steeper terrain was tackled with 4L (four-wheel-drive low) with the gearbox in low range. Automatically locking hubs are a non-feature, so jumping out and manually locking the hubs is a must when becoming seriously stuck.
It performed extremely well off-road and didn’t feel limited by any terrain thrown at it – even the hairiest of rock climbs.
There are three 70 Series divisions – the Cab Chassis, Troop Carrier and the Wagon. The Cab Chassis range includes the Workmate, GX and GXL (being test driven), priced at $53,990, $55,990 and $56,990 respectively. The Troop Carrier range includes the Workmate and GXL, priced at $59,390 and $61,990 respectively. Finally, the Wagon range includes the Workmate and GXL, priced at $54,990 and $57,990 respectively.
The test vehicle measured a fuel consumption of 11.9-litres/100km, just outside the official figure.
Priced from $50k+, the new 70 Series Landcruiser doesn’t come cheap when you consider the lack of features. But, if you take into consideration the fact that this thing will never break down and the fact that it can easily tow 3500kg, along with 1500kg in the tray, it makes perfect sense for the rugged bushman who thinks looks come second to ability.
CarAdvice overall rating:
How does it drive:
How does it look:
How does it go:
2008 Toyota Landcruiser 70-series Cab Chassis GXL Specifications
Engine: 4.5-litre
Power: 151kW
Torque: 430Nm
Top speed: N/A
Safety: Front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.
0-100km/h: N/A
EuroNCAP rating: N/A
Turning circle: 14.4m
Fuel tank: 180 litres
Fuel consumption : 11.5-litres/100km
Fuel type: Diesel
Print it: 
Sorry to burst your bubble Anthony, but the 40 series was put out to pasture in 2001 when the last ones left the production line in Brazil. The rest of the world got the 70 series in 1985 (from Japan). Brazil only kept the 40 series because of their protectionist eceonomic policies.
Unfortunately DLR1 the local Toyota Dealer has the Mahindra franchise in my area. I may have to look further a field!!!
Gee I though our country cousins where doing it tough but obviously not if they can spend this much for a paddock basher.
…and Toyota charging top dollar for antiquated technology yet again.
Dingo is a drongo!!!Ha Ha Ha.
Mahindra Mahindra India’s Landcruiser but a lot lot cheaper
VW_Freak summarised the anti-toyota arugments well with the first post…PISS WEAK. He knocks this vehicle for looks, what the? This is a workhorse, it goes to places a Falcon/Commodore ute loses its diff at… it gets to the same places the Hilux can with more pulling power… great vehicle… yet another working mans vehicle from Toyota
TP,
you would want to hope this gets to places where a Hilux can. i mean the off road abilities of a hilux isnt the bench mark for the 70 series. the Hilux is one of the poorer performers in its class.
note: the 70 series is not in the same class as the hilux, BT50, Navara etc
To it’s credit When I worked in Xstrata mines Mount Isa, this was the only road vehicle they allowed underground- I would love Ford or Holden to build something as tough as this that doesn’t look so inbred. Being Australian manufacturers they should cater to our industry better.
Dingo: you need to get laid, daily Toyo-trolling is a pitiful and sad route to self-gratification. You discredit yourself and this blog daily. TP for once you are completely right.
But can someone PLEASE explain to me why it costs $57 000? Design would have paid for itself years ago.
hahaha…….Poison Eagle………Its the choice of most mine sites around Australia babe!I can understand why,no idea why their not called unbreakable ,much better unit than a Roll-Lux.
Seems Paul is right on this I think too!Pitty its just sooo expensive.Your right on the Australian side manufacturing to but you have to give Toyota credit for what they have in the 70 series comes from years of experience.Ford made the first Ute in Oz but seems Holden with their first ute took over with the FJ……Imagine if Holden and Ford could reinvent themselves like they did in those days.In 1951 the total car sales in Australia was 150,000 do you know in the first year of production of the FJ Holden got orders for 70,000 utes………imagine that happening in today’s numbers.That was truly unbelievable!
There is a saying that you “never” change a winning way but always change a losing one. Personally, I think the new sandy colored 70 series troop carrier looks great inside & out & the new TD V8 is awesome.
Cheers !
Poison Eagle … is that a pink or purple hanky for you princess, wipe those watery girly eyes of yours.
The Hilux is infact the best performer in it’s class and the greatest test of all – Test Of Time – has proven that for generations. Your pissy BT50’s, Ford Rangers and Holden Rodeo’s will last half as long and in that time be half as reliable.
Ooops … how can i forget – while the BT50/Ranger is only 3 star rated the Lux comes with 4.
Oh yeah – and you know why Toyota charges 50 odd grand for the 70 series … because they can.
ha, ha, ha you piss weak pricks !!
Toyota Tuff: illegible country hicks should stick to exploring family members and steer clear of keyboards,as you clearly demonstrate.
I just praised the 70 series ; yes the Hilux lasts a lifetime but they feel decidedly second hand after a while, particularly non turbo diesels. Do you have anything to back up the statement about the competitive utes not lasting as long? No? Well have a rest I bet that last post left your brain cell throbbing. You and your Toyo-kin are one of lifes cheap thrills :) .
Aw, poor Precious, have you dried your eyes yet? has the sobbing stopped? Shall I find you a pretty little orchid from the mine site?
What a pathetic girly freak you are. And you’re so dumb, ya don’t even know the difference between illegible and illegitimate.
Yes, mate I’m illegitimate, and whilst I may never have met my father, I at least know the meaning of the word and don’t mistake its use for another. Sure, my parents may not have a marriage certificate, but they’d be even sadder if they conceived a sobbing wimp like you.
Purple or pink? Fluffy or not fluffy? Go to bed, ya FREAK!!
Oooooch! That’s gotta hurt!
hahaha…….thanks for text ,yep very funny! Dont drink too much red tonight!hahaha Im still giggling ,back to bed for me!
This explains a few things, but can we desist with the name calling and get back to the car? Oh, and spare us the family history, or lack of it.
As it is about the car, may I venture my opinion that the 70 series is probably heading on its way to design classic status? Okay, it may not end up in the Louvre like the Range Rover did, but it has a certain…correctness of proportion that’s standing the test of time. If only more Toyotas did.
illegitimate? Wow Dingo you are even more messed up then I thought. Explains alot. I actually meant illiterate, which at times I suspect you are too. There’s orchids in a mine site? That’s just too good.
Your father is illegitimate because he is also your brother. If my missus popped you out, I would have flushed you hickboy.
Stick to the topic and stop mouthing off because you are terrible at it. All this because I complemented the 70 series. Get help.
In hindsight that was a little OTT; but he’s not all there, ol’ Dingo. Revealing family secrets on a car blog- ’nuff said.
But I digress. Nobody has explained to me why this costs BMW money.
Poison, To answer your last question…..coz people are dumb enough to pay it!!!!!
Sorry Poison … i still missed – pink or purple washed in cuddly or fluffy. Between us we will dry those puffy watery eyes of yours princess.
yeah that was even funnier the last 4 times you said it. Don’t you have some cats to punch or something?
Dingo- You’ve been a bad dog!
From where I stand your doing the crying, Dingo- about how daddy walked out on you. I think he caught you getting freaky with his Camry and then he was out of there. I think you need the Old Yeller treatment myself. Oh what a fleabrain!
Denny Crane!
the nissan patrol can matchup to the cruiser any day and its got a 4 cylinder motor in it with 118kw which is probably enought for a rugged 4wd ute we just bought a white common rail turbo diesel st patrol and it goes hard but the torque in it…. well there is none but its still a good fuel efficient ute.. and im saying toyota please plese please put a v8 in it next time and maybe supercharge or turbo charge it.. i cant threat enought about the less torque it has and it only about $8000 cheaper than the gxl cruiser.
Im with you proud 70 series owner!
These things are built to last and i think it is great they are still making an older styled truck, i think the new 200’s are big cheating shopping trollys.
What do I mean by cheating, All this computer shit that tey cram in to try and make them unboggable, wheres the fun in it!! I mean really come on!!!!!
Being a Proud GQ Patrol owner if i had to make a decision between the new cruiser ute and the new Patrol ute,
I would take the cruiser,
I think the cruiser and patrol utes are about the only two built to last these days with the solid axles and all,
and the new toyota as much as it seems not a very big output from a V8, its not a huge V8 fellas, it is good because it is better on the juice than the previous 4.2 turbo diesel which will be great long distance touring wise and still beat the shit outa the independent front end thialand utes in the bush! i would buy one no madder what people say!!!
and also, i wouldn’t be loud and proud to announce that my Discovery 3 2.7lt has more tourque because i think most people know which vehicle would be more reliable outa the disco and cruiser!!!
I know i would sacrifice power for reliability in the bush.
The things have enough power anyway
It is a sweet truck, but the price is just too high for what you are getting. Abs would be nice so would air bag. And I am not quite sure what they are charging you all that money for.
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i have owned a 70 series for three months now, and being a drainlayer in nz, i can say that this is exactly what i wanted. it does the job and tows the boat, its very easy to sling off at something you dont like, everyone does it at some time, but as others have said if you dont like it dont buy it. i love mine and would not swap for anything else. thanks.
I have had my cruiser for 2 months and the only thing’s i can fault it on is the cab space and the lack of after maket goodys to throw on it,wheels etc. 3inch exhaust gives the engine alot better note and almost half a gear more.absolute top work horse. cheers
How many of you are speaking from experience with these vehicles? I mean real experience.
The company I work for have almost 50 of these suckers in utes, wagons and troopies.
I have always been a Toyota fan, but this series in an extreme disappointment. For a tradie carrying his ladders around town they are great. The V8 has plenty of pull but is a little thirsty for my liking.
Toyota have cut corners to turn this vehicle out in time. The narrow wheel track on the rear is a significant issue. Wheel spacers are a grey area as most stale laws go along the line of “it is illegal to modify vehicle wheel track”, but the 2 inch Snake Racing spacers bring the back into line with the front, therefore is it modified? Guess it will be tested in court somewhere before long.
Check out the shabby 2 piece snorkel. Only a miserable foam seal between the outer tube and the guard, and the inner tube and the guard. I wouldn’t try any deep water til that was sorted.
Toyota quality control also leaves a lot to be desired. We have had numerous little niggly piss pot issues with screw, nuts, bolts and clamps not being done up tight on delivery.
Sorry, but after this lot I’m losing my respect for the big ‘T’.
Still, at this point there is nothing else on the market to replace it. From experience, the Nissans don’t hold up to the treatment they get in the real outback. Where we work there are no roads or tracks, until after we have been.
Like any current 4WD out there at the moment, the Toyotas benefit from a trip the the mod shop for all the gear that is missing.
I’ll stick with my tried and tested 60 Series.
Happy motoring.
this ute is one of the best, no one competes with toyota so dont even bother bringing up your bt50’s and navaras. what a joke. ive had a few of these utes over the years and the new v8 is even better. great on fuel. plenty of power.. the only people who whinge about em, is the people who dont have one..
I HAVE OWNED A 96 PETROL 4.5LT 75 SERIES CAB CHASIS FOR 12 YRS & HAVE ABSOLUTELY FLOG THE SHIT OUT OF HER. I HAVE HADE HER ON LPG, FOR 10 OF THOSE YEARS & SHE HAS DONE OVER 300 THOW, MAINLY CITY WORK AS A CONCRETE,S VEHICLE….THE ENGINE STILL HAS GREAT COMPRESSION AND I WILL CONTINUE TO CANE ITS ASS, GREATEST, TOUGHEST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. HAVING SAID ALL THAT…. TOYOTA…YOU NEED YOUR HEADS READ, 50 +K, GET WITH THE PROGRAM, ITS ****OVER PRICED $$$$$*****
Now , Now Children. Stop the moaning. Toyota could have put a dinkey 3.0 motor in there same as Nissan… But they gave us a V8 with comparable power and room to improve. We know it is bloody expencive but if people are willing to pay for it they at least know it will last for a very long time, I hope. Seriously I thought the torque could be better, the feul consumption improved, Not in favour of the airbag idea and the price well I will think twice before trading my old cruiser, But I will give both @#$% for that twin turbo motor of the 200 in my old cruiser.
Just bought a 78 troopy – not much different from the 70 that I sold with 400 thou kms on the clock after 10 years for 50% of the orginal price. Which other vehicle is going to last that long and give you that return? Agricultural? Too right, but that’s why bought it. These things last so look at the price in the long term and you’ve got a bargain. We might not have yr red dust in Sweden, but the snow and salt leave their marks too. Cheers
BOUGHT A NEW 70 SERIES PICKUP LAST YEAR. IT CAME WITH THE OLD 1HZ ENGINE AS I’M LOCATED IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. TOUGH YES BUT NOT RELIABLE. HAD IT FOR 5 MONTHS AND ONLY DRIVEN LESS THAN 500K’S. THE REST OF THE TIME WAS AT THE DEALER’S TRYING BUT FAILED TO FIX THE GEAR BOX. GOT MY FULL MONEY BACK AFTER ALOT OF UN-POLITE PHONE CALLS TO THE MANAGER. BOUGHT A NAVARA KING CAB AFTERWARDS. MAYBE NOT AS TOUGH BUT A MUCH BETTER VEHICLE TO LIVE WITH AND SO FAR VERY RELIABLE. OH, I USED TO OWN 2 LC PICKUP IN THE PAST IT WAS RELIABLE.
JUST GOT ONE DELIVERED TO ME HERE IN ZAMBIA(THATS IF YOU KNOW WHERE ZAMBIA IS)…………THIS THING ISSSSSSSSS BLOODY COOOOOOOOOOL
These 70 series v8s are the best around, I sold my 2006 patrol 4.2td ute to buy one and its the best thing I ever did. The cruiser leaves the patrol for dust. The cruiser has plenty of low down grunt, carries the weight better nicer to drive and better on fuel. the only thing the patrol had better was its turning cicrle. I can say from experiance as I have owned and worked both utes hard the cruiser is on top. I sold my patrol because where I worked 4 new common rail patrols all leaf sprung cracked the chassie just in front or the spring hanger. All ute were on but not over there max weight. Nissan have a serious problem and are not fixing.
Did you no that Toyota have now incluced safety airbags standard as of july 09 and change in dash, just found out as i just ordered one.
These utes are tough toys for work and play, and if you can drive a stick these things go!!
hi i haf landcrusar70 2009 i need bull and pric
i need pull pric landcrusar70 2009