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Vehicle Tests > 4WD Test - Toyota V8-D4D LandCruiser
4WD Test - Toyota V8-D4D LandCruiser
Valve operating transmission is performed by four chain driven, overhead camshafts to ensure exact valve timing at any speed (DOHC for each cylinder bank). Valves are maintenance free and valve actuation is looked after by roller rocker arms with needle bearings. A special interference tube connects exhaust gas routing of both cylinder banks, therefore providing identical exhaust gas pressure, which leads to optimised efficiency of turbocharging. This results in an extremely flat and wide torque curve with useful torque between 1200 and 3200 rpm! Right where you need it. Drive is passed through a modified H150F 5-speed manual transmission with a specially reinforced single disc dry clutch. Further characteristics of this engine are a continuous temperature-controlled fan, fuel radiator, a special fuel filter with alarm function and oxidation catalytic converter for exhaust detoxification.
Road Handling
Once the engine has been started, the ears prick up and = heads turn. A vehicle that is this rare and as 'unique' as this one in France cannot leave anyone indifferent. A short drive on road will find the qualities and downsides of the leaf spring suspension system. Let's be honest, it shakes you about and Toyota could have a added an extra set of springs. However the load carrying weight is there. The general comfort is somewhat different to the HZJ 76, and it's a lot more comfortable. Braking comes from four-wheel discs (the two fronts are 322mm ventilated against 312mm in the rear.), with the system tied into ABS (an option). It must be noted that for serious offroading, the ABS is deactivated by the switching to low range. In regard to fuel consumption, holy surprise, the beast does not use much more than 11.3L/100km. Which means that with the replacement tank of 170-litres, you'll get a 1500km driving-range/distance.
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Interior
The last major point of interest concerning this VDJ76 V8 TD is it's interior. And here we will have to hide our initial disappointment, as we are more or less in a copy of the standard HZJ's interior. So no dreams of luxury and overt comfort! Having said that, in Australia a limited series brings a touch of leather and thicker carpets. We find the famous 3-spoke steering wheel, cult of the 7 series and the same dashboard that went with it. Frankly we expected better from the world's number one off road manufacturer. The onboard experience brings us back to the 80s or early 90s at best.
The angles are prominent and the interior quite minimalist. The seat fabrics are not inspiring but they quietly promise strength and longevity. The plastics are quite rough and the adjustments sometimes hazardous. The carpets alternate with thick vinyls and the A/C seems to have been added later as an afterthought. This interior will remain a disappointment, as nowadays it is possible to make something better. As much from the point of view of the materials as the design. We ask ourselves why this new and brilliant engine was not accompanied by a more modern interior. It remains though that this interior is nearly perfect for offroading or even rally raiding in almost standard form, with an impressive toughness and A/C, which if only from a mechanical sense, works beautifully.
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Road Handling
Once the engine has been started, the ears prick up and = heads turn. A vehicle that is this rare and as 'unique' as this one in France cannot leave anyone indifferent. A short drive on road will find the qualities and downsides of the leaf spring suspension system. Let's be honest, it shakes you about and Toyota could have a added an extra set of springs. However the load carrying weight is there. The general comfort is somewhat different to the HZJ 76, and it's a lot more comfortable. Braking comes from four-wheel discs (the two fronts are 322mm ventilated against 312mm in the rear.), with the system tied into ABS (an option). It must be noted that for serious offroading, the ABS is deactivated by the switching to low range. In regard to fuel consumption, holy surprise, the beast does not use much more than 11.3L/100km. Which means that with the replacement tank of 170-litres, you'll get a 1500km driving-range/distance.
read on below advertisement
Interior
The last major point of interest concerning this VDJ76 V8 TD is it's interior. And here we will have to hide our initial disappointment, as we are more or less in a copy of the standard HZJ's interior. So no dreams of luxury and overt comfort! Having said that, in Australia a limited series brings a touch of leather and thicker carpets. We find the famous 3-spoke steering wheel, cult of the 7 series and the same dashboard that went with it. Frankly we expected better from the world's number one off road manufacturer. The onboard experience brings us back to the 80s or early 90s at best.
The angles are prominent and the interior quite minimalist. The seat fabrics are not inspiring but they quietly promise strength and longevity. The plastics are quite rough and the adjustments sometimes hazardous. The carpets alternate with thick vinyls and the A/C seems to have been added later as an afterthought. This interior will remain a disappointment, as nowadays it is possible to make something better. As much from the point of view of the materials as the design. We ask ourselves why this new and brilliant engine was not accompanied by a more modern interior. It remains though that this interior is nearly perfect for offroading or even rally raiding in almost standard form, with an impressive toughness and A/C, which if only from a mechanical sense, works beautifully.
next page »
