By Jessica Palmer,
March 13, 2023
It’s well known to anyone who has ever owned a LandCruiser 70 Series that the factory standard handbrake sucks. I’m not dissing LandCruisers; there’s no denying they’re a capable vehicle. But this common issue has the potential for some serious consequences when towing, carrying weight, heading off-road in the high country … or just when you want your vehicle to stay on the barge on the way to K’gari (Fraser Island).
Maybe they had the handbrake on, and it failed, or perhaps they never put it on? We don’t know. But either way, you get the point. The consequences of a handbrake that doesn’t do its job could be disastrous.
Terrain Tamer to the rescue
To combat this, Terrain Tamer has developed an Electronic Secondary Park Brake (ESPB) kit. It doesn’t replace your LandCruiser’s primary handbrake, but it works as a secondary inclusion to support it. The kit includes calipers, wiring, controller, control switch and all accessories required for fitting, and is compatible with factory standard size pads and rotors without the need to replace these parts.
Once the ESPB kit has been fitted (it takes around three hours and does not require ADR engineering compliance), it uses a switch on your dash for easy activation. The ESPB makes use of the hand brake warning light on the dashboard when engaged and also features an auto-safe engagement. This means that when the ignition is off, it will automatically activate to prevent the potential for a roll-away.
Rather than bore you with the details, watch the proof in the pudding right here:
This ESPB kit is vehicle specific but the good news is that it will still work if you’ve already upgraded your front brakes larger.
The ESPB kit is currently available for the following Toyota LandCruiser models:
- FZJ70: year 8/1992
- FZJ75: year 8/1992
- FZJ78: year 8/1999
- FZJ79: year 8/1999
- HDJ78: year 8/1999
- HDJ79: year 8/1999
- HZJ70: year 8/1992
- HZJ73: year 8/1992
- HZJ75: year 8/1992
- HZJ77: year 8/1992
- HZJ78: year 8/1999
- HZJ79: year 8/1999
- VDJ76: year 1/2007
- VDJ78: year 1/2007
- VDJ79: year 1/2007-2022
The Terrain Tamer ESPB Kit comes with a two-year or 40,000-kilometre warranty. A repair kit and spare parts are in development and will be available soon.
Got 99 problems, but a dodgy LandCruiser handbrake ain’t one?
The kit is the latest in Terrain Tamer’s range of brake solutions, which has recently grown to include front “big brake” caliper upgrades and rear drum-to-disc conversions suitable for various 4WDs.
LandCruiser owners can also get hold of a Fortified Brake Kit, which is made up of Terrain Tamer’s highest-performing parts to improve braking in heavy-duty conditions. The kits come with a Terrain Tamer Heavy Duty Brake Booster, designed and engineered in Australia as an easy-to-fit, bolt-in replacement for the vehicle’s original booster. The booster can improve braking performance by up to 30% in both ABS and non-ABS models.
Who are they for?
The Fortified Brake Pad kits are designed for those playing a bit rougher than the daily school run. So if you have a GVM upgrade, carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or caravan, or like to get seriously off-road, then you should definitely check these out.
All parts included in the kit are also available individually for a growing range of vehicles.
So putting the unit in 1st gear or even reverse when parked aiming forward – doesn’t do the trick?
“Some” driving school instructors are STILL teaching young drivers to depend on their handbrake ONLY – when this clearly wrong!!
Don’t all Land Cruisers just come with a brick to put behind a wheel. Or hasn’t that technology reached Toyota yet. Oh what a feeling!!!
If you know how to adjust the OEM handbrake properly, it works well.
A better idea for a retrofit handbrake is a single drum on the rear drive shaft as per the legendary FJ40.
What a load of rubbish, the problem with Landcruiser handbrakes is lazy people not adjusting them correctly. 100% cash for comment article..
Why has there ever been a safety recall by Toyota to do factory fix on the cruisers. This has been a major issue for decades and nothing has ever been done about it. If it was another company the vehicles would be taken off the road, let alone have a “5 star” rating.
#Ihate79series
That is crazy that you spent $80,000 + on one of the most reputable and respected car brands on the market today, and they have to fit a safety secondary handbrake …
Come on Toyota, you’re not a third world manufacturer – get your act in gear … ( no pun intended )
All Toyota handbrakes suck. It’s not just a 70 series problem.
Leaving it in gear is an aid… Not a solution
Have a 1997 Toyota Landcruiser Ute. Diesel.
Do you have a version for this version ? Please.
YOUR RIGHT THE HAND BRAKE, IT DOESN’T WORK…..
Bought a new one in 08 towed a 4.5mtr tinnie boat went to the Cape a few times and towed a 6.7mtr big tinnie up from the GC to Hervey Bay and rainbow and I’ve never had a problem not once