Top Performance Upgrades for the Troop Carrier and 76 Series Toyota Landcruiser
WHY YOUR 70 SERIES LANDCRUISER NEEDS A PERFORMANCE UPGRADE
After decades of being put to the test in Australia’s harshest conditions, the trusty 70 Series Toyota Landcruiser has earned its reputation as an unpretentious, go-anywhere 4WD. Two such models are the 76 Series Wagon and 78 Series Troop Carrier. Both are solid off-road performers, but they also share a common flaw- a design so basic by today’s standards that for most owners, they need serious tweaking to get them up to scratch.
Here we cover off on the top upgrades for the 76 and 78 Series Landcruiser, so regardless of whether you’re heading off on a remote bush expedition or tackling a tough track off-road, you can fill in the gaps where your rig is lacking in performance. The no-frills Landcruiser can be completely transformed by boosting the response, note and fuel economy, plus by making the most of that V8 grunt under the hood.
TORQIT’S 70 SERIES PERFORMANCE UPGRADES
These performance upgrades for the 76 Series Landcruiser and 78 Series Troop Carrier take a simple 3-step approach:
- Performance Exhaust
- Engine Performance
- Throttle Control
Together, the upgrades help you tackle the following problem areas:
LANDCRUISER PERFORMANCE EXHAUSTS
For a long-distance tourer that can get you to the back of Bourke and home again, the 76 Series Wagon or Troopy is hard to beat. However, long-distance touring and towing brings its own challenges, which is where Torqit’s exhaust range can make a difference to the overall performance, note and fuel efficiency of your rig.
The undercarriage of any 4WD is vulnerable to damage, so it takes a tough exhaust to withstand rugged terrain. Thick 304-grade steel and heavy-duty componentry mean you can go hard off-road, knowing your exhaust will last the distance. Read more on why the steel grade of your exhaust really does matter.
If your 76 Series or Troopy has extra mods such as a long-range fuel tank, a Kaymar rear bar or a suspension upgrade, Torqit’s exhausts also accommodate these where possible to keep your rig functional and safe when under load or heading off the beaten track.
Speaking of load, we’re always being asked “I tow a 3t caravan all around Australia- will I hear droning inside the cab?” Designed to produce a refined note with a deep V8 grumble, a Torqit exhaust has minimal drone under load. By improving exhaust flow and reducing back pressure, a boost in power and torque gives you the grunt for overtaking and hill climbs, without drowning out conversations inside the cab, or leaving your head spinning after a few hours’ drive. Listen to this 76 Series 3.5″ exhaust in action, or check out the tough note on this 3.5” turbo back Troopy system…
Key Features of Torqit’s DPF Back Exhaust Range
Thick Stainless Steel: Steel up to 2 mm thick produces a deep note without cabin drone, and means the exhaust is extremely difficult to crack when heading off-road.
304 Grade Stainless Steel: Premium grade steel is used across the entire system from pipe to bracketry. 304 grade is known for its high strength and resistance to rust, meaning it can withstand tough terrain and harsh climates.
Mandrel Bent System: Mandrel Bending supports the pipe as its bent, creating a smooth and constant diameter. This increases flow and engine efficiency, by reducing the back pressure and exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs). You can check this out in action here.
Internal and External Welds: Reinforcing the system inside and out, precision TIG welds increase the strength of the exhaust and prevent structural fatigue and cracking.
Torqit’s DPF Back exhaust range bolts to the back of the DPF to keep things legal. To hear the exhausts in action, check out this Landcruiser playlist.
For pre-DPF Cruisers, the exhaust bolts directly to the turbo and also includes:
High Flow Catalytic Converter: Helping the exhaust breathe more freely, a high flow cat increase flow and effectively disperses heat. Made up of a honeycomb structure of precious metals, a reduced CPSI of 200 means the cat works harder and faster to increase performance.
Double Braided Flex Bellow: By absorbing excess movement and vibrations, the flex bellow minimises strain on the system. The reinforced double-braided design also guards against cracking and exhaust gas leaks.
Titanium-Coated Dump Pipes: Titanium is a tough, low-corrosion metal with high heat resistance. The coating on the dump pipes helps protect the engine and its components by dispersing heat and cooling rapidly.
Backed by a 10-year warranty, these performance exhausts are built to outlive your vehicle. Check out these tidy options for the Troopy and 76 Series Wagon.
LANDCRUISER ENGINE PERFORMANCE: POWER MODULE OR MODULEMAP
If you drive a Wagon or Troopy, no doubt you’ve added plenty of aftermarket accessories and made the most of that huge cargo area whenever you’ve headed off on a trip. And with a healthy payload, massive cargo space and good towing ability, it’s no wonder the LC76 and Troopy are among Australia’s most popular long-distance tourers.
However, combine a heavy load, an endless variety of mods and accessories plus a trailer, and that’s where you can come unstuck. All the extra weight can put your rig under serious stress, leaving it feeling sluggish with a noticeable decline in power and grunt. You can also say goodbye to decent fuel economy, as increased strain on the engine means it chews through more fuel to keep up with demand.
The good news is, loading up your rig doesn’t mean you need to compromise on pulling power, performance, or fuel efficiency- and there’s more than one solution. Two options are a Power module engine chip or a ModuleMap- a remote remap where you don’t even need to visit a dyno shop.
If we take a closer look at this remapped Troopy, it started off with a standard 114 Kilowatts and 405 Newton Metres. After being kitted out with all its accessories it fell to 88 KW and 300 NM, with a massive drop in power and grunt. After installing a Module Map, it rocketed back up to 118 KW and 520 NM- that’s an impressive 34% increase in power, and a huge 73% increase in torque! Check it out here or listen to the difference it made to this Troopy…
Remember your normal remap is a permanent install- you drive away with one tune which can’t be removed or turned off, and any adjustments mean another trip to the tuners. That’s why the ModuleMap is such a game changer- it has three different tunes, including a standard map that returns your rig back to stock at any time. It’s never been so easy to adjust your rig’s performance, whether it’s turning it up for a day on the tracks, turning it down for your Mrs to drive, or turning it back to stock when heading in for a service.
Now over to engine chips- no doubt you’ve heard a mate gripe about them being ‘a waste of time’? Chances are they installed one of the many cheap imitation chips out there and were less than impressed with the results. Here Jimmy from Torqit busts some common myths and gives you the facts …
If you’re tossing up whether a Power Module or Module Map would suit you better, have a look at this article on the difference between chipping and remapping.
PEDAL TORQ: 70 SERIES THROTTLE CONTROLLER
A throttle controller is hands down one of the easiest bang-for-buck upgrades you can fit to your Landcruiser. There are plenty of sceptics who will just tell you to ‘put your foot down harder’, but after taking a Torqit throttle controller for a test drive, you’ll notice the difference in response is like night and day.
For a 76 Series Wagon/ Troopy that is weighed down with a full load of gear and a trailer, a Pedal Torq throttle controller will eliminate lag and boost response right off the mark. This means smoother gear changes and total control over the accelerator, plus something every 4WD owner wants to hear- potential fuel savings.
Whether you need a quick burst for overtaking, extra grunt when towing, or just extra traction on a steep incline, a Pedal Torq can adjust your Cruiser’s throttle response to any scenario in seconds. For the Troopy and 76 Series Wagon, there are two throttle controller options: the Pedal Torq or Pedal Torq Plus.
An insight into some of the Pedal Torq’s modes…
- Intelligent Mode: A great way to get a feel for the Pedal Torq, giving you personalised throttle control by automatically adjusting the response depending on your heavy/light-footed driving style.
- Eco Mode: Tweaks the accelerator for a gentle increase in response while making sure your rig works as efficiently as possible. Ideal for improving fuel economy during touring and towing when moving at a constant speed, with a lot of extra weight on board.
- Off Road Mode: Perfect for intense off-road situations involving low traction surfaces, loose rocks and hills, this mode dials down the throttle for total control.
- Sport Mode: Ideal for safer driving, towing and overtaking, this mode provides instant response and grunt.
- Anti-Theft Mode: If where you park your Cruiser doesn’t feel secure, you can use this mode to immobilise the accelerator for total peace of mind. Until deactivated, your rig won’t be going anywhere
We’ve proved time and time again with this upgrade that you need to experience it to believe it, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee it’s a no-brainer to give it a trial. Find out more info on this powerful Cruiser upgrade here.
Check why Patriot Campers choose to install this upgrade on their vehicles…
THE ULTIMATE 70 SERIES UPGRADE
While each upgrade has its own benefits, there’s no doubt that combining these Landcruiser products will give you the ultimate performance upgrade.
You can download a fact sheet for your pre-DPF or DPF Back 76 Series Wagon, and check out the range of upgrades available for 76 Series here.
If you drive a Troopy, download a fact sheet for your pre-DPF or DPF Back model, and view Torqit’s full range of Troopy upgrades here.
76/78 SERIES LANDCRUISER REVIEWS
Whether you’re looking to turn your Cruiser into an off-road weapon, boost its touring and towing capabilities or simply get a great note, these upgrades will give you more power, more response, and sound good while you’re at it. But don’t just take our word for it- check out these reviews to find out what everyone else is saying.
Explore Torqit’s Landcruiser range here, or fill out the boxes below to chat with one of the team and get your quote today. To download a copy of this article, click here.
