Gday Matt. I’m in the same position, though after taking the leap. We’re a broadacre cropping and cattle operation running 79’s (6 of them) and my Grenadier is the odd one out…and I couldn’t be happier. Sure it is quirky in comparison (those marketing blurbs about how simple the Grenadier is seem to have little idea about how basic a 79 is), but it is both a joy to drive around, and as capable as any of the Toyota’s on farm. Plus it serves as a great conversation starter wherever you go as I’m yet to spot another one. Don’t get me wrong, Toyota have a justifiably great reputation for reliability and access to parts, and are great farm vehicles. They are not completely trouble free though, my wife’s 300 series has had 2 or 3 recalls.
Maintenance wise, the servicing is pretty straightforward, provided you can easily access genuine filters.
Mechanically, I have fallen victim to the front shaft failure, which required the vehicle being lifted back to Brisbane. This is an issue that needs to be sorted, but there seem to be solutions in the pipeline (aftermarket). If it goes again though, I would just replace the joint here.
The only real downsides (bear in mind I’m only 25000kms in) are the weight and the fuel capacity. I think I’ll pull the trigger shortly on a GVM upgrade, and have the BD 100litre long range tank, so that should sort those two out. Electrically I’ve had no issues.
At the end of the day, you only live once. (Even if it turns out to be a lemon in the long run, it’ll be a good yarn to tell at the pub, compared with boring everyone about how I bought yet another Toyota in a long line of Toyotas)
Maintenance wise, the servicing is pretty straightforward, provided you can easily access genuine filters.
Mechanically, I have fallen victim to the front shaft failure, which required the vehicle being lifted back to Brisbane. This is an issue that needs to be sorted, but there seem to be solutions in the pipeline (aftermarket). If it goes again though, I would just replace the joint here.
The only real downsides (bear in mind I’m only 25000kms in) are the weight and the fuel capacity. I think I’ll pull the trigger shortly on a GVM upgrade, and have the BD 100litre long range tank, so that should sort those two out. Electrically I’ve had no issues.
At the end of the day, you only live once. (Even if it turns out to be a lemon in the long run, it’ll be a good yarn to tell at the pub, compared with boring everyone about how I bought yet another Toyota in a long line of Toyotas)
