1987 Toyota Landcrusier 24 Volt Sahara VX

Engine - 4L Turbo Diesel
Transmission - Automatic
Suspension Lift - 3-Inch
Tyres - 33 Inch BFG Mud Terrain KM3
Equipped for - Off-Roading & Touring

Dan is a local mechanic and previously owned a Toyota 4Runner before coming across this 60 Series. While Dan was mainly looking for an Australian delivered 12 volt 60, he stumbled across this Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) imported to Australia on Gumtree and decided to check it out. When he first saw it he knew it needed a bit of work but being a mechanic he was happy to get stuck into it. This particular 24 volt 60 is a VX Sahara meaning its running the well known 12-HT, which is the factory turbo diesel in the 60 Series. As well as an automatic box and is factory twin locked.

While Dan absolutely loves his 60, the 24v side of things can be difficult. He has a hard time finding 24v parts, such as alternators etc. Nonetheless, still loves getting his hands dirty.

Some say the mighty 12-HT is one of the best engines Toyota ever released. The 12-HT is a 4.0L inline 6, 12 valve, turbocharged, direct injection diesel engine. Stock configuration of the turbo was running 7PSI of boost. The 12-HT is a popular engine transplant for some of the older Toyota Troop-carriers and 40 Series. No glow plugs make them turn over within a second with a small puff of black smoke out the exhaust.

If you have an eagle eye you will notice Dan is running a late 1990’s 80 Series Landcrusier petrol air box. this is a popular modification for diesel 60 & 80 Series owners for more air flow, allowing for quicker turbo boost and potentially more power.

Unfortunately Dan has had to rebuild the automatic transmission on his 60 Series twice! Originally the automatic transmissions on the 60 Series didn’t come with a great transmission cooler, so on a hot summers day it overheated requiring Dan to rebuild the first time. About a year later Dan tried to use the 60 as a boat and flooded the transmission and yes he did have breathers but the water crossing was massive.

When Dan rebuilt the transmission he added an aftermarket transmission cooler along with a Wholesale Autos valve body and torque converter, as well as reduction gears for those tougher tracks.

“It’s a 60 thing”, Dan has always been chasing this high roof rust. Lots of JDM imported Landcrusier’s suffer from similar rust, as in Japan they are known to use salt on the roads to help with the snow. Also like many other older vehicles they all eventually get rust.

I have asked Dan if he would ever chop the 60 wagon into a ute, he just gave me dagger eyes.

Unfortunately for those 60 Series lover’s around the world, you will never see Dan’s 60 Series on Carsales.

Images & Words by Sunday Garage