If you're in the market for a 70 Series LandCruiser, you're not just buying a car — you're investing in a piece of Australian motoring history. But with multiple variants in the lineup — the VDJ76 Wagon, VDJ78 Troop Carrier, and VDJ79 Single and Dual Cab Utes — the question quickly becomes:
Which LandCruiser is the best for you?
The answer depends on how you use it. Whether you're hauling gear to a job site, touring remote Australia with the family, or building a weekend warrior for off-grid adventures — there’s a 70 Series that fits. But each variant has its own strengths (and trade-offs).
Here’s how to break it down.
76 Series Wagon: The Family Tourer That Still Means Business
Best for: Families, adventure travellers, weekend warriors, daily drivers who want rugged over refined.
The VDJ76 is the only five-door wagon in the 70 Series range, making it the most practical option for families or anyone who needs rear passenger access without climbing over seats. It’s still built on a ladder frame chassis, still packs the (now rare) 4.5L turbo-diesel V8 in earlier builds, and it’ll still eat up desert tracks all day — but it also fits in a city car park (just).
Why choose the 76:
More civilised layout for kids and passengers
Decent rear cargo space
Easier to live with as a daily
Strong aftermarket support for touring builds
Trade-offs:
Rear seat legroom is limited
Smaller fuel capacity than Troopy or Dual Cab
Not as much tray flexibility as a ute
78 Series Troop Carrier: The Bush-Ready Blank Canvas
Best for: Remote workers, Outback travellers, camper conversions, overlanders, large dog owners.
The legendary Troopy is a two-door beast with massive internal cargo space and old-school military DNA. You’ll find these hauling gear across the Pilbara, serving in remote Indigenous communities, or converted into DIY campers heading to the Cape.
You can get them in 2-seat or 11-seat configurations, although the 11-seater version has limitations for modding due to compliance rules.
Why choose the 78:
Huge blank canvas for camper or work fit-outs
Dual factory fuel tanks (180L total)
Built for the bush — pure simplicity and durability
Ideal for solo travellers or couples converting for off-grid touring
Trade-offs:
No rear doors — access to the back can be a pain
Basic interior — don’t expect creature comforts
Long and heavy — not the best for tight technical off-roading
79 Series Single Cab: The Tradie’s Workhorse
Best for: Farmers, fencers, sparkies, builders, fleet buyers.
The Single Cab 79 Series is the go-to for serious work. With a solid front axle, heavy-duty chassis, and huge payload capacity, it’s made for hauling tools, tanks, and trailers. Pair it with a steel tray or service body and you’ve got a weapon for remote worksites or agriculture.
Why choose the 79 Single Cab:
Highest payload capacity in the 70 Series range
Simpler layout, easier to customise trays and toolboxes
Strong resale value for commercial buyers
Massive 130L fuel tank (single tank standard)
Trade-offs:
Only two seats — not ideal for anyone with kids or passengers
Still rough on-road compared to newer dual-cab utes
Less touring-friendly without serious tray setup
79 Series Dual Cab: The Do-It-All Rig
Best for: Tradies with families, tourers with toys, anyone who needs payload and passenger space.
The Dual Cab is probably the most versatile of the lot — combining the practicality of a ute tray with the cabin space for four or five people. It’s the darling of the 4WD build community, with endless options for canopies, GVM upgrades, rooftop setups, and more.
Why choose the 79 Dual Cab:
Perfect mix of work + weekend
Room for family or a crew
Highly customisable for touring, trade or both
Strong aftermarket support (canopy builds, rear coils, etc.)
Trade-offs:
Rear leaf suspension — needs upgrading if comfort matters
Less rear legroom than a modern dual-cab ute
Heaviest variant — some power-to-weight trade-offs with the newer 2.8L
Bonus: Which One Holds Value Best?
They all hold their value ridiculously well, but in general:
V8 variants are becoming collector-grade.
Troop Carriers have cult status and a big resale following.
Dual Cabs often hold the highest resale in the used market because of their flexibility.
Final Thoughts
So, which LandCruiser is the best? That depends entirely on what you’re using it for.
Touring with kids? Go for the VDJ76 Wagon.
Living out of it off-grid? Troopy all the way.
Earning your living off it? Single Cab is the workhorse.
Need to do it all? The Dual Cab is king.
The 70 Series is far from soft — it’s not trying to be a Ranger Raptor or a luxury SUV. But that’s the point. It’s a tool built to last, and every variant still has its place in 2025.
