A Proper 80 Series, Done Right

The Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser is one of those 4WDs that just keeps getting better with age. We recently got up close with Mr_4WD and his stunning 1991 VX Sahara, an Australian delivered classic that's been built the right way. Here's a closer look at what makes it stand out.The BuildAt the heart of this Sahara is the legendary 1HDT 4.2 turbo diesel, tuned by SEDS for a serious bump in power without giving up the reliability the motor is famous for. A 3-inch Redback exhaust helps it breathe and gives it a deeper tone, while a Safari Armax snorkel up top ensures clean air is always flowing into the 1HDT. Paired with the factory automatic transmission, it's a smooth and capable setup that suits the rig perfectly.Wheels and SuspensionIt sits on 17x9 -12 ROH Assault wheels in the popular Machined finish, wrapped in 35x12.50R17 Predator Tyres X-MT Mud-Terrain Tyres for serious grip on and off the tracks. Underneath, a 4-inch lift gives it the stance and clearance for bigger tyres, with JMACX radius arms keeping the front-end in line.Protection and RecoveryUp front, an ARB Winch Bar holds a WARN High Mount 8274 winch, with ARB scrub rails down the sides protecting the mint condition panels on tight tracks. The TCC rear bar is a clever piece of gear, with a built-in ONTAP shower and a 20-litre water jerry. Saber recovery points front and rear round it out, giving the 80 Series safe and proper mounting points.Touring and ElectricalA Garmin overland navigation unit handles mapping, while a Uniden UHF ensures the 80 is always in contact with the convoy. Under the bonnet, a REDARC dual battery setup keeps the fridge, lights and charging gear powered up for proper off-grid camping. A set of Bushranger Night Hawk LEDs takes care of lighting up the road after dark.A Proper 80 Series, Done RightWhat makes this build stand out is every upgrade has been chosen with a purpose, and that's what turns a 4WD into a proper tourer. Tidy, capable, and built with purpose, this 1991 VX Sahara is ready for the next adventure.