The Toyota 76 Landcruiser has a well-earned reputation for durability and resilience, which makes it a great option for road trips even if they don’t involve going off-road onto tougher terrains. They are a great option straight out of the factory, but the manufacturer’s specifications are designed to make them appeal to a wide audience and not to suit your specific purpose.
If you do plan to use a 76 Landcruiser for a lengthy road-trip, there are some modifications you could make to optimise your vehicle for your adventure. Some of them improve the car’s performance while others make things more comfortable for you as a driver on a long journey. Here are some of the top changes you could make to better prepare for your road trip.
- The lights: Chances are that at some point on your travels you will be driving at night. In fact, on most road trips this ends up happening more than you think, as unexpected delays may leave you trying to make up time at night, or you might want to use most of the daytime to stop off and see things. This means that visibility is important, and you might consider adding brighter lights to your vehicle. However, it is essential to make sure that any changes you make to your vehicle’s lights comply with the law of the country where you will be travelling.
- The exhaust system: A good 76 series exhaust will keep your engine clean and make sure it works as efficiently as possible. The stock part is good but there are plenty of high-performance options that will give your Landcruiser more horsepower, a deeper, more powerful sound, and will help you to drive more economically.
- The engine control unit: Upgrading the ECU is one of the most common modifications made to 76 Landcruisers. Also known as tuning or remapping, it tweaks the default settings of the software that controls processes such as fuel delivery inside the engine. Doing so can result in increased power and torque, greater fuel efficiency, and a more responsive throttle. The two former advantages can be especially helpful on long road trips, since they will help you to transport heavy loads and to save money on gas. Better fuel economy also means less damage to the environment you are driving in because it helps reduce emissions on the road.
- Suspension and tyres: Road conditions can vary widely across countries. If you are expecting to face potholes, bumps, and dirt roads, then upgrading the suspension might be a good idea, especially if you will be driving for several hours at a time. At a minimum, make sure you replace your tyres for some fresh high-quality ones before you leave. Make sure they are appropriate for the weather conditions you will face too. However, to be as comfortable as possible you will probably want to check out some replacement shock absorbers.
The Landcruiser already fares pretty well on these, but if you are planning to take a lot of items then you might consider installing a roof rack to avoid making the inside of the car too cramped.
