Our 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 79 GXL upgraded with MSA 4x4 accessories

Aussies love the 70 Series LandCruiser for plenty of reasons, but the stock exterior mirrors on tray-back utes aren’t one of them.

They look awkward and agricultural, and no matter how you adjust them, they never seem to sit right. Even when you do get them into position, they tend to rattle loose and shift again. In fact, the mirrors on our VDJ79 folded inwards the first time we hit 80km/h – and this was on a brand-new vehicle. The slimmer mirrors fitted to the 76 Series look better and are more functional, but they don’t extend far enough to suit a tray-back ute or a wide service body.

Thankfully, there are far better options in the aftermarket – and we’ve been big fans of MSA 4X4’s towing mirrors for years. MSA 4X4’s replacement mirrors are more than just towing mirrors. They extend out from the doors to give a clear view past your tray, service body or trailer, and they can be rotated for an even wider angle. They also offer power adjustment and, frankly, look a hell of a lot better than the stock Toyota units.

The four different positions cater to drivers of all heights, ensuring a clear view of what’s behind the 4×4, while the mirror glass retains the adjustment for fine-tuning the angle and field of vision. 

One thing we’ve come to appreciate with the MSA mirrors is the quality of the glass itself. It appears noticeably better than what you get in most OEM units, offering a clearer, sharper view every time you check the mirrors – whether you’re towing or not. MSA’s mirrors meet all relevant Australian standards for rearward vision and come backed by a five-year warranty.

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While we were on the blower to MSA, we also ordered one of the company’s generic roller drawers (Generic E830 Right Drawer Module) for the driver’s side of the service body. We’ve kept this side of the canopy relatively open to accommodate larger items, but having a drawer just behind the driver is ideal for storing gear you might need in a hurry – like recovery gear or a tyre deflator. A big bonus is that MSA’s drawers slide all the way out, giving full access to their contents – something many other cargo drawers don’t offer.

As always, the fit and finish of the MSA 4X4 drawer is first-rate. It stayed rattle-free throughout our Simpson Desert adventure, keeping essential gear secure and easy to access. The built-in LED strip lighting is a welcome touch when rummaging through the drawer at night – just another top-quality product from the team at MSA 4X4.

MSA 4X4’s Explorer Drawers are backed by a lifetime warranty.