1986 60 Series Toyota Landcruiser VX

Engine - 4L 2HT Turbo Diesel
Transmission - Manual
Suspension Lift - 2-inch
Tyres - 33x12.5 A/T Dynapro’s on Hurricane rims.
Equipped for - Touring

Alex, beautiful 60 series, how long have you had it and how did you come across buying one?

Thanks man! I bought the beast back in February of this year (2019) and it’s been awesome so far. I’ve had the thought of buying one for the last 14 years as my Dad had one back when I was 12. It was our family car for over 5 years and it was my pride and joy as a kid! I remember when Dad told me he was selling it, it was the worst feeling knowing I’d have to watch it drive away. When it was sold, I told my Dad I’d get one in the future and he said that I’d never want one cause they’d be too old by the time I could afford it! So nearly 1 and a half decades down the track, I found this unreal specimen of a vehicle down in VIC and flew down to get it and drove it all the way home to Newcastle in one day. Best choice ever and fulfilled a 14 year dream.

You’re also a stunning wedding photographer and you use the 60 series as a work car to get around, have you ever had to get it in low range to get it to a crazy location?

You’re too kind man! I do indeed and it has been such a useful tool for me. There has been a few times yeah! My favourite one was when I was cruising through a field in an old mining quarry and realised as I was heading out I realised that the path in and out was actually a dried creek bed which was still pretty boggy underneath. It was ok heading in but on the way out it was pretty boggy and the 2 wheel drive didn’t quite cut it. I jumped owed out into the mud, locked the hubs, dropped it into 4wd and got out of there no sweat.

What future plans do you have for the 60 series? Will this be a forever car?

The future for this car is bright! My plans at the moment is to basically get the interior back to original or as close to as I can and just add small things to make it functional such as an inverter so I can edit on the go and while I’m away camping and then fit drawers with an on board compressor and a spot to sleep if I need to while I’m shooting away from home. Mechanically it needs a few things done which will be a new exhaust system, new suspension and a dyno tune. After that it should be running beautifully.

I definitely plan on having the car forever and the dream is to one day strip it down, get the minimal amount of rust it has removed and get it repainted in my dream colour which is the original bronze/brown with the orange, yellow and white decals. Until that happens though, it will keep me and my wife away from the house and out I nature as often as possible!

Images by Alex Johns