15-50 Mobil 1 and MPG

[e9999]

from what I've seen, not all Toy dealers will service LXs, and when do they, some won't give the normal warranty on the work either...
I would not take that for granted.
But of course, most parts are the same, so you could do it yourself at lower cost buying Toy parts.

 

[chiti66]

Anyone out there using 5W 50? I've run Castro Syntec 5W 50 in my 2000 LR Disco II (60K) and my former mechanic advised that I do the same for the wife's 1999 LC (90K). Now I will say that since the change on the LC, we've experienced a rougher ride (high idle) and mpg has gone down. However, to be fair, I think the O2 sensors are bad (last couple of months CEL). Anyway, what do you good folks think?

 

[Beowulf]

Naphtali,
You talk funnier than I do.

1. I live at 4700 ft. and drive conservatively. I expect about 20 mpg suburban loop from 4Runner. I worry that the LX will obtain less than 14 because of automatic transmission, permanent 4wd, more weight.

Your stock LX will probably get 13 mpg city if you drive conservatively and leave it relatively stock.

2. I'm concerned that the LX might be too soft or flexible for the back country. I'm no off-roader, rather I live back of beyond.

The only difference between the LX and the LC is the shocks. The stock LX shocks are softer than the OEM LC shocks. If you drive corregated roads then consider OME stock length shocks and maybe OME springs.

3. I'm concerned that the LX will Mercedes-Benz me -- that is, Toyota dealership or Lexus (if I can find one) will charge ridiculous amounts to maintain LX450 versus semireasonable amounts for the 4Runner. I'm concerned about difference in insurance rates also.

Parts and repair costs will be about the same but that's HIGHLY dependent on the prior maintenance and what things you can do yourself.

4. So I conclude that I fear the cost of ownership of the LX450 will be excessive when compared with the 4Runner, assuming initial condition-of-vehicles are comparable. Purchase prices, including auto transport, are within $500 or each other.

You're thinking too hard about this decision. Buying a vehicle should be an emotional experience; not a logical decision. If you like the 4Runner, then buy it. If you like the LX, then buy it. If you like them both equally then buy the LX 'cause it's a much better built vehicle. (See, that was easy wasn't it. )

-B-

 

[IdahoDoug]

There's no comparison between the 80 series chassis/body (LX) and a 4Runner of that generation. In sum, from the perspective of an 80 owner the 4R is cramped, rides and handles poorly, gets a few MPG better, carries/tows/stands up to WAY less harsh treatment, and is harder to get in and out of. There are myriad additional reasons, but suffice to say these are in two different classes. If ownership cost is your sole determiner then there's little point in posting here to ask. You can call your own insurance company, do the math on MPG, etc. I've had 3 4Runners and 3 80s.

DougM

 

[Tools R Us]

The only difference between the LX and the LC is the shocks. The stock LX shocks are softer than the OEM LC shocks. If you drive corregated roads then consider OME stock length shocks and maybe OME springs.
-B-

Not so sure about that, the new replacement springs are the same, with the same part number. There was some fine tuning going on with what was installed from the factory, my '96 LX springs are different from my brothers '96 & '97 LC's and the ones off the LC's are closer, but not exactly the same. The paint codes, wire size and free height very slightly between years and models, the two front springs off of my LX even have slightly different wire size.

The 4runner guys who run LC springs have reported different results in amount of lift and ride stiffness. A buddy of mine has my rear LX springs on his '90 4runner and another buddy has earlier LC springs ('93-94?) on his, just by pushing down in the bumpers there is a noticeable difference in the stiffness and the LC springs made more lift than he wanted. the YodaTech guys have done a good job cataloging the different springs installed on the 4Runners, Tacoma's and Tundra's, but got little usable input here when they tried to do it for the LC.

 

[IdahoDoug]

There were several spring changes over the years of the FZ. Each year, there was one for 3rd seat/none, tow/no tow, then 1 less passenger in the 3rd from 95 on plus that year's tranny change, etc. There was one other variable I cannot recall. So, a lot going on with springs, but I'd also heard the springs were same LC/LX within a given production run. Meaning, a LC with 3rd seat, with tow package was same as an LX similarly equipped, but LX/LC shocks were different damping rates. I've never looked into it, but recall a couple conversations with knowledgeable folks. But it would be interesting to hear more about this.

The L/R variance on your LX is may be due to corresponding L/R weight and noncentered differentials (long side/short side).

DougM

 

[Tools R Us]

The L/R variance on your LX is may be due to corresponding L/R weight and noncentered differentials (long side/short side).

DougM

True, the shorter spring has bigger wire, maybe a slightly higher spring rate so they both bottom at the same time? The LC's I have had apart don't have this. On the rear the LX springs have smaller wire and one more coil wrap than the LC's, all have hitches and 3rd rows.

Nice little thread drift here, started with oil and MPG, then what truck to buy, then on to debating spring details.

 

[Naphtali]

*Beowulf:

Funny "ha-ha" or funny "strange?" Oops. I guess I just answered my own question.

The good news is that the local (Missoula, MT) Toyota dealership services Lexus also. The cost of replacing timing belt on the 4Runner is $270 total, not really that expensive.

I did some calculating and the premium I must pay in fuel to own the LX, driving as I do, is $390 per year, based on fuel price of $3.00 per gallon. Another discussion thread showed an insurance premium for LX to be $180.00 per year more than 4Runner.

I've decided it's worth $570.00 per year, or $47.50 per month to own a nice LX. Now, I must convince the present owner that my offer is a fair one.
***
The non-stock things I want are few: spare tire on swing-away rear mount; auxiliary fuel tank where spare tire used to be; as thorough skid plate protection as I can install; seat covers; some sort of cargo bed protection.

The fascination with locking differentials eludes me. To use them efficiently appears to require turning them OFF at critical times -- for example, when turning. Since rock crawling is not one of my hobbies, I suspect installing lockers is not something I'll do.

My main outdoor passions are elk hunting and fly fishing. I do not believe lockers are needed to reach my base areas. However, if I'm wrong, I can install lockers in the future. By the way, if lockers ARE needed, can I safely install on one (rear) differential, then on front differential if the rear is insufficient?

 

[smokethedog]

You just saved $270, you'll never have to the timing belt on the LX.

Seriously, I had a 94 Toyota 4x4 pick-up, Loved it. My wife got a 99 4rnr new of the lot, I thought it road and drove like a cadillac, loved it as well. Three years ago I got my dream, 95 LC. Now, I hate having to drive the wifes 4rnr, its tight, cramped, and rides like a "small" vehicle compared to my LC. I bought it with 92K miles, and now have over 130k. I love driving it. I love maintaining it. I had been letting my local toyota dealership take care of all the maintenance on our vehicles, now I look forward to working on my own vehicle. CDan is a lifesaver on parts cost.

Gas mileage? The wife gets around 19-20 in her 4rnr (v-6 auto), I have averaged 14 (and it's got a blower on it) running 85MPH to the airport all the time. I tested out the "egg under the gas peddle mileage improvement device", kept my speeds under 70 mph and drove with a very light foot, and was shocked when I got 16.5 mpg. That was prior to some PM (plugs, wires, roter, distr cap, switch to M1 0W40 oil, and M1 75-90 in the all the diffs).

I love my LC.

 

[Pskhaat]

Buying a vehicle should be an emotional experience; not a logical decision.

actually, I think the logical decision is what brings most of us to the LCs no?