IH8MUD.com - View Single Post - 100-series modification differences and evaluations (by John Shotts):

ShottsUZJ100 · 04-19-07, 06:10 PM

STOCK FORM:

We purchased our 2001 because we knew it was a Land Cruiser. We knew that Land Cruisers were ultra-reliable, built to last, and off-road capable. That was enough for us. While we didn't understand all the in's and out's to four-wheeling (like IFS, lockers, etc) we knew it was a Land Cruiser or nothing for us.

The UZJ100 Cruiser comes outfitted from the factory with:

Live/solid rear axle
IFS front-end with CV joints and torsion bars
31-inch Michelin LTX lighter-duty all season tires

Other 4-wheeling importants consist of:

2-speed transfer case
Locking CDL (center differential)
Active-TRAC traction control

Safety feature:

VSC...Vehicle Skid Control

Here's some early pics from Charouleau Gap and Gunsight Pass. Sorry the digital camera I had back then was sooooo bad!

Next updates have good pics.

Good factory ground clearance

Dealer-installed brush guard offered no protection. Instead it took away ground clearnace and bent easily (into the hood center requiring re-paint)

100-series turn well and tight on the trail

Rode very smoothly in stock form even on the rocky trails

Amazingly the LTX tires held up OK despite a few tough early trail runs

Overall impressions equipped from the factory:

Pros:
*Plush ride on and off-road
*Good ground clearance
*Large tire size for a OEM tire
*Working traction control system that helped the SUV to continue forward
*Flexable suspension (RTI tested at 563 by Four Wheeler Magazine)

Cons:
*Lacking a solid front axle was a big disadvantage stated by OTHERS. Would it turn out to be for us? Time would tell.
*Expensive to beat up on the trail.
*Lacking front and rear locking differentials was a big disadvantage stated by OTHERS. Would it turn out to be for us? Time would tell.
*Needs a more aggressive and larger tire (if a larger tire would fit?).
*Needs a suspension lift and rock sliders in order to run more serious trails.
*Needs a different front bumper. One that doesn't hang down so low.
*Running boards have to go ASAP or get mangled on a trail (which did happen in a mud puddle on a dirt road)

Conclusion: Equipped this way, the Cruiser is best suited for on-highway travel (short and long distance) with light-duty trail use. IF you happened upon a trail's "rough spot" this thing somehow would make it through.

NEXT UP: Remove the running boards and swap out the tires (while researching other modification choices out there...which were near "non-existant" in 2001 )

04-19-07, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShottsUZJ100 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 7,446	STOCK FORM: We purchased our 2001 because we knew it was a Land Cruiser. We knew that Land Cruisers were ultra-reliable, built to last, and off-road capable. That was enough for us. While we didn't understand all the in's and out's to four-wheeling (like IFS, lockers, etc) we knew it was a Land Cruiser or nothing for us. The UZJ100 Cruiser comes outfitted from the factory with: Live/solid rear axle IFS front-end with CV joints and torsion bars 31-inch Michelin LTX lighter-duty all season tires Other 4-wheeling importants consist of: 2-speed transfer case Locking CDL (center differential) Active-TRAC traction control Safety feature: VSC...Vehicle Skid Control Here's some early pics from Charouleau Gap and Gunsight Pass. Sorry the digital camera I had back then was sooooo bad! Next updates have good pics. Good factory ground clearance Dealer-installed brush guard offered no protection. Instead it took away ground clearnace and bent easily (into the hood center requiring re-paint) 100-series turn well and tight on the trail Rode very smoothly in stock form even on the rocky trails Amazingly the LTX tires held up OK despite a few tough early trail runs Overall impressions equipped from the factory: Pros: Plush ride on and off-road Good ground clearance Large tire size for a OEM tire Working traction control system that helped the SUV to continue forward Flexable suspension (RTI tested at 563 by Four Wheeler Magazine) Cons:* Lacking a solid front axle was a big disadvantage stated by OTHERS. Would it turn out to be for us? Time would tell. Expensive to beat up on the trail. Lacking front and rear locking differentials was a big disadvantage stated by OTHERS. Would it turn out to be for us? Time would tell. Needs a more aggressive and larger tire (if a larger tire would fit?). Needs a suspension lift and rock sliders in order to run more serious trails. Needs a different front bumper. One that doesn't hang down so low. Running boards have to go ASAP or get mangled on a trail (which did happen in a mud puddle on a dirt road) Conclusion:* Equipped this way, the Cruiser is best suited for on-highway travel (short and long distance) with light-duty trail use. IF you happened upon a trail's "rough spot" this thing somehow would make it through. *NEXT UP: Remove the running boards and swap out the tires (while researching other modification choices out there...which were near "non-existant" in 2001 )* Last edited by ShottsUZJ100; 04-19-07 at 06:46 PM.