5 essential upgrades on the 76 series
Five Essential Upgrades for My Land Cruiser
Today, I'll cover five or six upgrades I've made to my Land Cruiser that don't warrant their own dedicated video. I'll discuss what each modification cost, how happy I am with it, and why I chose it. Setting up a four-wheel drive can be incredibly expensive, so it’s crucial to determine what works best for your needs and circumstances. Some mods are fantastic, while others may seem like a waste of money. Keep in mind, this is a 76 series Land Cruiser—built for reliability, not comfort.
1. TJM Airtech Snorkel
Cost: ~$500
Installation Time: About 30 minutes
Description: I opted for the TJM Airtech snorkel over the Safari snorkel because it requires no modifications to the vehicle—it's a plug-and-play setup. I don’t frequently encounter deep water crossings where I live, so the primary reason for installing it was to reduce the noise of the stock air filter. Even though there’s no concrete evidence of improved performance, the vehicle does feel more responsive.
2. Secondary Fuel Filter
Cost: ~$480
Description: I had a secondary fuel filter installed due to the questionable quality of local fuel. While this modification doesn’t improve performance, it offers peace of mind. If you’re interested, I'll provide a link to the specific filter in the description.
3. Rear Suspension Airbags
Description: The rear suspension is stock, but I added airbags to support towing a heavy horse float. These airbags help level the vehicle and improve handling. They were a practical addition for maintaining vehicle balance under load.
4. Towing Mirrors
Cost: ~$500
Description: The stock mirrors are tiny and inadequate for towing. I upgraded to larger mirrors with an additional blind spot mirror. Although these are manual rather than electronic, they provide excellent visibility and are a significant improvement over the original mirrors.
5. Cruiser Console
Cost: ~$700-$1,000
Description: The Cruiser console includes a comfortable armrest and extra cup holders—something the stock setup lacks. It also features USB charging and blends well with the vehicle’s interior. This upgrade makes the driving experience much more comfortable.
6. Custom Exhaust
Cost: ~$1,400 (installed)
Description: I chose a custom-engineered exhaust system to enhance performance. It’s not overly loud but delivers the power you’d expect from a V8. The exhaust was tailored to be effective while maintaining a reasonable noise level.
Conclusion
These modifications have made a noticeable difference in my Land Cruiser’s performance and comfort. If you have any suggestions for other upgrades or want to share your own experiences, leave a comment below. Checkout the video below