Simple is easy to fix. 80's were designed, in part, to be a machine used in third world countries where often times, the rugged reliability and simplicity of a system or component made all the difference.
Part maketing hype...I will agree that the 80 series is more capable and the 100 series went upscale but the 100 series and 200 series are still pretty tough.
Other than that. If you read an article with the chief engineer about the 200 series Land Cruiser he is quoted as saying that in Australia/Africa and a few other places the Land Cruiser is equipped with as little electronic equipment as possible because according to the engineer, it needed to be as reliable as possible and must be easliy repaired in the field.
Perhaps that is why the 200 series stil uses the 4.7 overseas and does not have TEMS, electronic hatch in most markets.
In all honesty. If I was going to cross the Sahara desert I probably would choose a 70 series or 80 series over a 100 or 200 but I still might want the 200 series because of the comfort inside.
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