If you're running a Toyota 79 Series in Regional NSW or anywhere dust and creek crossings are a regular part of your daily grind, prioritising your work ute upgrades correctly can save you heaps of headaches. The classic question comes up a lot: Should I fit a snorkel first and then towing mirrors, or the other way around? After 12 years of setting up 70 Series work rigs and knowing the 2023 changes inside-out, I’m here to give you the lowdown on what makes the most sense—particularly focusing on dust management, water ingress prevention, towing safety, and fitment accuracy by year and engine.
Why Upgrade the 79 Series in the First Place?
The 79 Series LandCruiser from Toyota has a long-standing reputation for toughness and reliability, but when you push these rigs hard on farms, dusty outback roads, and creek crossings, certain upgrades aren't just cosmetic—they're vital. Dust, water, and towing risks aren’t minor; ignoring these factors often leads to expensive repairs, safety risks, and rig downtime.
Ask yourself this: upgrading a 79 series to handle dust and water ingress while improving towing capabilities involves choosing the right parts in the correct order. Let’s break it down.
1. Snorkel First Upgrade: Prioritise Dust Management & Engine Breathing
The snorkel is the unsung hero of 79 Series upgrades. It's a simple, robust fix that dramatically improves longevity and performance. When we talk snorkels, the safari armax snorkel Safari range by ARMAX is the go-to setup for the LandCruiser community, providing excellent fitment for 70 Series (particularly that 2023 model with the engine changes). Their snorkel kits start from around $526, which is well worth spending considering the protection they provide.
Why Fit a Snorkel First?
- Dust Management and Engine Breathing: The 79 Series diesel engine especially struggles if dust and dirt get drawn into the air intake. A Safari snorkel raises the intake point to roof level, meaning less ingress of dust and cleaner air for combustion. Water Ingress Prevention: During creek crossings or heavy rains, water ingestion is a real risk. Standard factory intake positions are vulnerable, but snorkels prevent hydro-locking the engine by sealing off water entry. Fitment Accuracy By Year and Engine: The 2023 79 Series upgrade introduced engine tweaks affecting snorkel compatibility. The Safari ARMAX snorkel range is precisely designed to fit both pre and post-2023 models, ensuring no cut looms, no jerry-rigged wiring, and a tidy, factory-look install.
For those running petrol or diesel, always specify to your supplier what year and engine you have because attaching a snorkel without this knowledge risks fitment disasters that I call "shed-on-a-Saturday" mistakes—a total waste of time and cash.
2. Towing Mirrors Second Upgrade: Safety and Blind Spot Reduction
Once your rig can handle dust and water ingress confidently, the next priority is towing safety—specifically, the mirrors. There's no point spending big on a canopy or trailer setup if your visibility isn't sorted. By fitting high-quality towing mirrors second, you reduce blind spots and the stress when towing large loads.
Why Towing Mirrors Are the Logical Second Step
- Blind Spot Reduction: Standard 79 Series mirrors are OK for day-to-day, but towing trailers or livestock crates requires wider vision to see alongside the rig. Towing Safety: More eyes on the load, less risk of accidents when changing lanes or reversing near other farm vehicles and obstacles. Fitment with Factory Mounts: Just like snorkels, years and engine specs matter. The 2023 model's slight body changes mean some towing mirrors fitted on older models won't align properly or require drilling. ARMAX and Safari offer towing mirror ranges that match factory mounts and designs, eliminating guesswork and messy wiring fixes.
Pricing and Installation Considerations
Upgrade Brand Example Approx. Starting Price (AUD) Installation Notes Snorkel (Safari ARMAX) Safari $526 Correct model fitment critical. Avoid cutting wiring looms or body mods. Towing Mirrors ARMAX (Safari Range) $320-500 (varies by style) Plug-and-play fit important; check 2023 model compatibility before purchase.Common Upgrade Pitfalls: Avoiding "Shed-on-a-Saturday" Mistakes
Too often, I see people grabbing parts off the shelf because of looks, marketing fluff, or cheap prices, without asking the crucial question: What year and what engine? This leads to:
- Ill-fitting snorkels that need cutting or custom mounting. Towing mirrors that don’t align, requiring drilling or hardware swaps. Messy wiring jobs or cut looms causing electrical headaches down the track.
My advice: Don’t compromise. Call suppliers, know your vehicle specifics, and insist on fit-for-purpose parts built for your rig’s exact spec year. It’ll save you hours and dollars.
Summary: Prioritise Dust, Water, Towing in That Order
Snorkel First: Protect the engine from dust and water ingress. Get a Safari snorkel kit from ARMAX that fits your 79 Series' year and engine build correctly, starting around $526. Towing Mirrors Second: Improve towing safety by reducing blind spots with proper factory-fit towing mirrors designed for your model.By following this upgrade path, you'll maintain your 79 Series' reliability while improving safety and performance without those annoying fitment issues or messy wiring jobs. Whether it’s dust on the gravel roads or creek crossings at the farm, this order keeps your rig ready for work with fewer headaches.
Need help sourcing the right Safari snorkel or ARMAX towing mirrors? Always reach out with the year and engine details ready, and avoid traps common with generic advice that ignores the 2023 changes.
Your 79 Series is a rugged beast—make sure your upgrade path respects that.