Why Every 70 Series Owner Should Upgrade Their Clutch

The Reality Behind Keeping Your V8 Reliable Under Load

The 70 Series LandCruiser is tough - no one’s arguing that. But throw a canopy, long-range tank, GVM upgrade, and a few tonnes of caravan or gear behind it, and suddenly that factory clutch isn’t looking so bulletproof anymore.

Warnie fitting a Safari ARMAX clutch upgrade to a 79 Series LandCruiser - improving drivability and performance for touring setups.

If you’ve noticed slipping under load, a spongy pedal, or you’re planning to fit a tune or towing setup, it’s time to talk about a Safari 4x4 ARMAX Performance Clutch.

At BAW, we’ve built enough 70s to know - the clutch is one of the first things that gives up once you start pushing your Cruiser the way it’s meant to be driven.

Why The Stock 70 Series Clutch Struggles

The factory clutch on a 70 Series is fine for stock weight and weekend runs. But most rigs we see? They’re running barwork, winches, canopies, dual spares, drawers, 12V setups, and towing 3.5 tonnes.

That extra load puts serious stress on the driveline and the stock clutch just isn’t made to handle it. It starts slipping earlier, overheats faster, and wears unevenly under torque. That’s where the Safari ARMAX Clutch comes in.

This Sandy 79 Series is running the full Safari ARMAX package - snorkel, clutch and ECU

The Safari ARMAX Difference

Safari designed their ARMAX clutch specifically for the 1VD‑FTV V8. Not as a generic “heavy duty” unit, but a true performance clutch made to work in high‑load, touring and towing applications.

• Rated up to 1100 Nm of torque (that’s 250% more than stock)

• Consistent clamp pressure and torque transfer

• Stock-like pedal feel - no sore calf after a day on the tracks

• Built to handle heat and heavy loads during long hauls or technical climbs

• Backed by a Safari warranty when installed alongside an ARMAX ECU

It’s not about chasing dyno numbers - it’s about real-world reliability when you’re towing up the range or hauling a full canopy fitout across the desert.

Safari ARMAX clutch for the 1VD-FTV - built to handle the extra torque of performance upgraded 70 Series LandCruisers.

Perfect Match For Tourers, Tradies & Towers

If you’ve invested in a serious setup - GVM upgrade, canopy, water tanks, or a van - you’re already asking more of your drivetrain than Toyota ever intended.

The ARMAX clutch bridges that gap, giving your 70 Series the strength to back up its reputation. It’s the difference between a smooth climb out of Palm Valley or a burned clutch halfway up Big Red.

A 76 Series LandCruiser fitted with a Safari ARMAX performance clutch - rated to 1100nm of torque.

Fitted By Baw In Brisbane

At BAW Automotive, we’re not tuners - we’re full build specialists. That means we look at the entire picture: suspension, GVM, electrical, protection, and drivetrain.

We fit the Safari ARMAX clutch as part of complete touring builds or standalone upgrades. Every install includes inspection, alignment, and road testing to ensure your Cruiser drives like it should - only tougher.

THE WRAP-UP

If you’re building a 79, 76 or 78 Series for towing, touring, or the jobsite - don’t leave the clutch stock. It’s the one part that keeps all your power, torque, and weight working together.

 Troopy shows that the Safari ARMAX clutch upgrade isn’t just for the 76 or 79 Series.

The Safari ARMAX Clutch is engineered for the kind of real-world abuse your LandCruiser sees - from corrugated outback roads to fully loaded highway hauls.

📍 Ready to make your 79 Series drive the way it should?

Get your Safari 4x4 ARMAX Clutch upgrade fitted by BAW Automotive in Brisbane - the team that builds 70s for real work and real adventures.

👉 Contact us for a quote