Turbo V8 Toyota a slug towing.

[ozscott]

I missed this one last year: http://www.overlander.com.au/vehicle...---Best-In-Tow

It seems the 76 series with one turbo just does not cut it IN THAT ARTICLE (BUT SEE BELOW FOR RESPONSES IN THE REAL WORLD) as a tow vehicle. I reckon I would be very upset if I bought that because i thought wow turbo V8 diesel how can you go wrong, hooked up the Vagabond and ....err....

Is this truck as tested one off. Has anyone experienced the single turbo's tow ability on heavier loads. Comparing diesels, the Pajero Diesel's 5 cylinder tows better than this one and the Disco 3 single turbo V6 beats them both hands down. Again I dont know if this was a one off vehicle, but they talk about the figures that Toyota publish and dont sound impressed. Based on the review at least if you wanted to tow seriously with Toyota, you would have to go to the 200 series twin turbo diesel or petrol.

Cheers

[seahound]

Hey ozscott.

I've had a 100S crusier V8 petrol, 4.8 petrol Patrol, twin turbo 200 cruiser as a work vehicle, & now a one of these LC 70's which I've done 12000kms since April.

I'd agree with the journos comments regarding ride/noise...certainly a reminder of jap 4WD's (nissan / toyota) from the 80's. But better than the cab chassis & troopys of this era.

With a good suspension pack ride would improve I reckon & would be a must if I bought one privately. One thing I dont like is the savage under steer. Not sure if its the tyres of the fact the front wheel track is wider than the rear...yep check the specs. 100mm difference...apparently done to fit the bent 8.

Anyhow ....performance. I disagree with the journo here. I tow a 2.85 tonne 7.5m RHIB with the LC70 & the engine/gearbox combo loves it. Certainly not with the comfort of a 200S or a Patrol & more steering duties required given theres a big difference in the wheeltrack width between an LC70 and a 200. The LC70 get thrown around a bit. Braking is great as the journo states.

Certainly as with any turbo'd engine, once they stop spinning the performance dies down. Maybe this journo should do a side by side with a similar turbo dsl (patrol, prado, pajero) or the previous turbo dsl for a compare? These V8's have nil turbo lag even when towing...impressive...

Fuel wise I average about 11l/100km not towing and about 15-17 when towing. Not bad...the Patrol and petrol cruiser were around the 30-35l/100km towing and 20 not towing. The gear ratio is quite low and suited for towing. A 6th gear would be sweet...

The 200 (auto) is a heap more powerful (50% more torque!!) but does suck the dsl down. Around 12-13 not tow & 18-20 when towing. The 200 is heaps more comfortable...but the $$$...phew...I must say these 200's are quiet and mind blowing in performance. Would destroy a V8 petrol in a tow compare. Getting out of the V8 petrol 100 to the 200 dsl was amazing. To compare the LC70 & a 200S would be like comparing an old school Landrover Defender to a Rangie.

I reckon this single turbo V8 dsl engine in a Prado would be a top rig...hope this helps and some boffin from Toyota agrees with me!!

[ozscott]

Thanks Seahound. The review didnt sound quite right to me.

Cheers

[dfox]

Ive towed the cat (3500kgs) from brisbane to cairns with the lc70, sat on the speed limit all the way, i gave it a good test on the hinchinbrook range, gunned it up the hill and just dropped back to third to make it.
Towed the 7 meter riptide up to waddy on fraser no drama's, heaps of power.
If you need more towing power your kidding yourself ...

[samson]

yeah have to agree with foxy i've got the troopy version and towing up to 3.5 tonne reguly up and down the coast just have to watch my speed it's got that much power i definately wouldn't want anymore but the suspension was soft and sloppy and needed upgrading it couldn't handle the weight.

[ozscott]

Cheers fellas. I have amended the title of this thread in deference to the real world feedback and made a change in the original post.

Cheers

[Far side]

Agree the 200 series is does cut it

The test
Tow a 685 cruise craft 3.2 tonne up the gateway 60 ks at the bottom 90 ks at the top

Gee they suck the fuel under load

[ozscott]

Thats pretty impressive mate...ohh hold on I was thinking of the tol gates . Seriously putting the hammer down on that load from 60kph in most petrol motors is not going to get you that pull.

Cheers

[Deelirious]

Foxy - we might need that towing power in a couple of weeks to help get the prados through Indian head and the back tracks with a couple of tons of plastic boat strapped to their backs!
Ed