Here's a quick comparison between the current 150 series Toyota Land Cruiser Prado specifications and the seemingly ageless or ever green 70 Series Land Cruiser. 

Still in production 70 series (now called the 79 series) - often known as the Troop Carrier has been around since the mid-1980's and remains basically the same. A general consumer friendly 70 series was the basis for the original Prado which was a Japan only model back in the 1980's.

It is unlikely that you would consider the current 70 series against any of the newer LandCruiser models because this model is now primarily a commercial model aimed at farmers, miners and those who really want a basic 4WD. If you do get one its truck like mechanicals should keep you reliably on the road for many years.

70 Series Toyota LandCruiser
VS
150 Toyota LandCruiser Prado

Sit inside a 79 Series as we did recently and you will discover what is a real life replica of a 80's style interior and instrument panel. Hard plastics and real metal combined with gauges, buttons and slides that look flimsy but clearly tough enough to handle real hard work. Note that is was updated for the wagon version at least for late 2010 models but that doesn't change our overall opinion. The update is the typical parts bin approach from various existing models in the Toyota range.

Side by side with the latest LandCruisers the 70 series the interior feels cramp and awkward and not particularity comfortable.

The 70 series has had so many updates since the original, but most of it has been to the engine. Which by all accounts the main choice is completely modern. It has power low in the rev range and lots of it too. It needs it too because it weighs over 2.2 tons!

I would only consider the series 70 LandCruiser if I wanted a towing or high customizable 4WD.  Otherwise it is really a commercial vehicle.

Why? The 70 series does not have any safety features apart from air-bags on some models and seat beats. The base model only has 2 doors while only the GXL has 4 doors. The 4WD system is manually activated too! And only a manual 5 speed transmission.

It is also noisy and does not ride very well around town. After all it is built to spend its time off road so if that's where you live then you there are very few modern 4WD that will handle that sort of punishment. It is a basic 4WD with very few traction aids and it is also quite expensive but then again it will go the distance. It's back to the 80's with this model.

150 Series Toyota Prado
2010 $58,490 - 88,990 AUD

79 Series Toyota LandCruiser
2010 APPROX $64,000 - 67,000 AUD