What are the pros of the Land Cruiser 78 Series?

Long body and high roof — the base for popular 10–11-seat game-viewer conversions Higher GVM than other 70 Series variants Long wheelbase delivers stability on corrugated tracks High roofline ideal for game viewing and conversions Solid front and rear axles with locking diffs Same bulletproof drivetrain as the entire 70 Series family

What are the cons of the Land Cruiser 78 Series?

Long wheelbase reduces breakover angle in deep ruts Heavy — approaches GVM limits when fully loaded No luxury — pure function Turning circle is large Limited parking options in urban environments

What should I check when buying a Land Cruiser 78 Series?

Check seating condition — 10 sets of seat runners wear out and are expensive to repair Commercial safari vehicles are often well-maintained but high-mileage — inspect carefully Verify the high-roof seals — leaks are common on older examples Ignore any "V8 Troopy" claim — the SA 78 is 4.2 1HZ diesel only, with no V8 or auto option Check the chassis rails for cracks — heavily loaded Troopies develop stress fractures

What are common issues with the Land Cruiser 78 Series?

Chassis stress cracks on heavily loaded examples over 250,000 km Roof seal leaks — particularly around the rear door frame Same birfield wear as other pre-2007 70 Series Transmission issues on high-mileage auto gearbox examples

Home › Models › Land Cruiser 78 Series

70 Series Family 2011 – Present (SA)

Land Cruiser 78 Series

Troopcarrier

"Solid axles, long-travel 4.2 diesel, unstoppable. The game-lodge workhorse."

About the Land Cruiser 78 Series

The 78 Series Troopcarrier is the long-wheelbase workhorse of the 70 Series family — a 2-door, high-roof wagon built to cross terrain that would stop any normal vehicle (the famous 10–11-seat troop layouts are aftermarket seat conversions, not the SA factory spec, which seats five). Used by game lodges, safari operators, NGOs, mining companies, and military forces across Africa, the Troopy is as close to indestructible as a vehicle gets. Its high roofline and long body make it a natural base for bush conversions and mobile kitchens.

Who It's For

Game lodge operators, safari companies, overlanding tour operators, NGOs, and farmers who need to move people reliably across rough country. Also increasingly popular as a personal expedition vehicle with aftermarket seat conversions.

Pros & Cons

Strengths

Long body and high roof — the base for popular 10–11-seat game-viewer conversions
Higher GVM than other 70 Series variants
Long wheelbase delivers stability on corrugated tracks
High roofline ideal for game viewing and conversions
Solid front and rear axles with locking diffs
Same bulletproof drivetrain as the entire 70 Series family

Weaknesses

Long wheelbase reduces breakover angle in deep ruts
Heavy — approaches GVM limits when fully loaded
No luxury — pure function
Turning circle is large
Limited parking options in urban environments

Buying Tips

1 Check seating condition — 10 sets of seat runners wear out and are expensive to repair
2 Commercial safari vehicles are often well-maintained but high-mileage — inspect carefully
3 Verify the high-roof seals — leaks are common on older examples
4 Ignore any "V8 Troopy" claim — the SA 78 is 4.2 1HZ diesel only, with no V8 or auto option
5 Check the chassis rails for cracks — heavily loaded Troopies develop stress fractures