Are 70 Series LandCruisers Worth the Hype? Here’s My Take.

Haydn
Aug 8, 2025
3 min read

I’ve been building 70 series for about 7 years now. Everything from wiring up dual batteries to full GVM upgrades - I’ve owned my green 79 for 5 years. Safe to say, I know ‘em inside and out. So when people ask if the 70 Series LandCruiser is worth the hype, I’ve got a pretty honest answer: it depends who’s asking.

Let’s break it down.

A custom-painted Nori Green 79 Series Land Cruiser with a rooftop tent open and full touring setup, parked outdoors with coil conversion and extensive accessories. — Brent’s ultimate coil-converted 79 Series tourer in signature Nori Green

The Cult Following Is Real

There’s no denying it — driving a 70 Series just feels cool. You get nods from other Cruiser owners, kids wave, blokes at the servo stop to chat. It’s a rig that earns respect before you even start it.

And it looks like a proper 4WD should. Big boxy stance, flares, snorkel, live axles — none of this sleek crossover nonsense. It’s the kind of truck that looks like it should be pulling stumps out of paddocks and carting supplies across the Simpson. And it can.

The resale value’s also a bit of a joke — in a good way. I’ve sold a 10-year-old 76 for more than I paid new after a few mods and a bit of red dust. Try doing that with your mate’s Ranger.

A dual cab sandy 79 Series Land Cruiser set up for touring with a tray, canopy, rooftop tent, and coil conversion, photographed outdoors are sunset — Built for long-haul touring, Darryl's this coil-converted dual cab sandy 79 Series

Why People Froth Over the 70 Series

There are some things the 70 genuinely nails:

4.5L V8 diesel - It’s not fast, but it sounds great and pulls hard.
Reliability that’s almost boring - If you’re breaking down in a 70, you’ve either done something really wrong… or really cool.
Bush-mechanic Friendly - No fancy electronics. You can fix half the car with a shifter and a zip tie.
Parts Everywhere - Every mechanic in Australia has worked on one, and there’s probably a wrecked one in a paddock 20 minutes from you.
Mods for days - The aftermarket support is unmatched!

A Merlot-coloured dual cab 79 Series Land Cruiser with a rooftop tent, matching tray and canopy, and Superior Engineering suspension, photographed in a natural setting. — Blake's Merlot cruiser looks tough with Superior Engineering coil conversion and Offroad Creative bar

But Here’s the Brutal Truth

As much as I love ’em, I’m not blind to their flaws.

Underpowered for a V8. Let’s not sugarcoat it — 151kW from a 4.5L V8 is pretty average in 2025.
It’s Thirsty - Like, “better hope there’s a roadhouse in the next 200km” thirsty.
Live Axles - they're awesome off-road, but on a long blacktop run? Not so much. Feels like you’re herding sheep on the highway.
Comfort? What comfort? - If you're tall and sitting in the back of a dual cab, prepare to suffer.
Towing Limitations - The 70 hits its 3.5T tow capacity fast. As a family of five, there’s barely any room left to load the vehicle.*

*I know this won't be a problem for everyone. If you're towing light like a camper trailer or hybrid van? No dramas. Stick to 2–2.5 tonnes and you’ll have plenty of headroom to load up the Cruiser without tipping the scales.

Brent’s Nori Green 79 Series Land Cruiser with a boss aluminium tray towing the 3.5-ton BAW-branded caravan — Putting it to work- Brent’s 79 towing the 3.5-ton BAW van.

Who’s It Actually For?

If you're a mining company or the UN - perfect. In fact you've probably already got one. If you’re a diehard enthusiast who loves modifying, and talking about how things were better “back in the day,” the 70 series will absolutely deliver.

But if you’ve got kids, a caravan bigger than 3500kg, or need a comfortable daily… let’s just say there are easier ways to do life. I’d still happily build one again - but I’d probably keep a Ford Ranger or Lexus GX550 in the driveway too.

A graphite dual cab 79 Series Land Cruiser with a boss aluminium tray setup and coil conversion, captured in an outdoor location — Brad's clean graphite dual cab 79 build - featuring a coil conversion and a Boss Aluminium tray.

My Final Word? Still Worth It… If You Know What You’re Signing Up For

Look, the 70 Series is still one of my favourite platforms to build - it’s tough, it’s simple, it’s cool. But it’s not for everyone. It’s not modern. It’s not refined. It’s not even particularly good value anymore. But it’s got heart and you can’t retrofit that.

Brent hugging his unpainted sandy-coloured 79 Series Land Cruiser inside the original BAW workshop — Just a bloke and his 79...before the coil conversion, before the paint. First BAW shed in Geebung.

So if you're dreaming about building a 70, do it with your eyes wide open. Just don't come crying when your Mrs. refuses to get in it or you get overtaken by a Ranger Raptor on the beach.

Want to build a 70 Series with real capability? Chat to the BAW team and we’ll help you do it properly.

GET A QUOTE

Want the full story straight from the source? Watch the video where Brent and Warnie sit down to chat about why they bought their 79 Series LandCruisers - and what eventually made them pull the pin and sell.