Toyota Australia has broadened the LandCruiser 70 Series powertrain lineup with the introduction of a five-speed manual gearbox, giving buyers an alternative to the existing six-speed automatic across the majority of the range. The new manual option goes on sale from 6 December 2024, priced from $77,200 for the 78 Series Troop Carrier WorkMate.
The manual transmission is paired with the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (1GD-FTV) engine already found in automatic variants, producing 150kW at 3200 to 3400rpm and 450Nm of torque across a broad peak band of 2400 to 3000rpm.
At a Glance
- Five-speed manual (H153F) available on 76 Series GXL Wagon, all 78 Series Troop Carrier grades, and 79 Series Double Cab Chassis WorkMate and GXL. Not offered on single-cab chassis variants or the 76 Series WorkMate Wagon.
- Manual pricing starts at $77,200 (78 Series Troop Carrier WorkMate), undercutting the equivalent automatic by $2,000 across most grades.
- The 1GD-FTV produces 150kW and 450Nm in manual tune, compared with 150kW and 500Nm in the automatic, with a final drive ratio of 4.100 versus 4.300 for the auto.
- Gear ratios have been shortened in first, second and third gears relative to the previous V8 manual to improve start-off performance, while fifth gear is longer to aid highway fuel economy and reduce cruising noise.
- Apart from the deletion of the front console box and the absence of downhill assist control, manual variants share the same equipment levels, GCM and towing capacity as their automatic counterparts.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the new transmission directly addressed feedback from customers following the discontinuation of the V8 turbo-diesel manual earlier in 2024. "When we discontinued the V8 LandCruiser 70 Series earlier this year, we know there were some customers lamenting the absence of a manual gearbox in the range, so we wanted to ensure we were able to offer all our customers a range of powertrain options and this new manual fits the bill perfectly," Mr Hanley said.
The five-speed unit carries the designation H153F and features unique gear ratios and strengthened internal components developed specifically for 70 Series use. A new flywheel compatible with a 12-inch clutch has been adopted to provide clutch slip resistance under load, and a triple synchronisation mechanism has been added on first gear to improve shift quality. Manual variants also gain a dust seal on the rear end plate to prevent foreign matter from reaching the release bearing, a detail absent on automatic versions.
The full gear ratio spread for the manual sits at 4.773 (1st), 2.597 (2nd), 1.570 (3rd), 1.000 (4th) and 0.775 (5th), with a reverse ratio of 4.545 and a final drive ratio of 4.100. By comparison, the six-speed automatic runs a final drive ratio of 4.300 and extends to a sixth gear ratio of 0.581.
The complete manual pricing lineup is as follows: 76 Series GXL Wagon $77,800; 78 Series Troop Carrier WorkMate $77,200; 78 Series Troop Carrier GXL $80,500; 79 Series Double Cab Chassis WorkMate $77,300; 79 Series Double Cab Chassis GXL $81,500. Front and rear differential locks are available as a $1,500 option on select grades, and premium paint is $675. All prices are manufacturer's recommended retail and exclude statutory charges and on-road costs.
For existing 70 Series owners considering a future purchase, the new manual option means the choice of gearbox is back on the table across most of the range.
