200 Series starting point?

[Maxwell]

Sold my 1991 LC80 mostly because of the lack of power and lack of creature comforts for our old bones. I'm looking for a 200 series for light, but frequent, off road use with the idea that later it might be Overlanded.

A long time ago, I spent countless hours understanding the trade-offs between the various years of the 80 series and I was hoping this site could jumpstart me on a similar investigation for my future 200.

Is the 8 speed worth the extra cost that comes with the newer models?

I'm thinking 33 to 35 inch tires and not opposed to carrying the spare on the back, but curious what the largest size spare that will fit under the truck?

I'm definitely doing a lift, but at what size tires do I need to do wheel well modifications or change out the gears?

What are the critical first few decisions I need to be thinking about? Thanks in advance!

 

[Madtiger]

If you can afford it, then get 2018+. KDSS bolt changes, more powered things, soft rear tailgate, and latest 8-speed tranny programing.

 

[grinchy]

Either platform will work for your needs. Both fit a large 33” underneath. I don’t think there is really much difference in the various generations, but certainly the newer models are more loaded. There is a sticky which details the various updates by year, only you know what you will value more as the model evolved. The LX is around 3 years ahead on features year to year. Some like AHC some avoid it. Most who own it like it.
Cruise on over to classified and look at the recent prices thread to get a feel for what the market is like.

 

[CharlieS]

The first question to me is what price range? If you can afford a new one, that seems like the way to go. You'll be good for another 25 years. Depending upon how modest your budget is, and how much mileage you can tolerate, it'll slot you into one generation or another. I have a '13, which got me a few more features than the early cars, but I didn't get some I wish I had, like the factory LED headlights. I just couldn't justify the cost of a newer one, as much as I'd love one. The sweet spot for me was a few years of depreciation (I bought a '13 in '16). I think the new ones are totally worth it, if you can swing it.

 

[Rando Kuruza]

My vote is 2013-2015 more features, better sound insulation and ride in my opinion. Previous years were a little louder. I feel like they worked out most of the bugs by this time with radiators and such. They are some good solid years with proven 6 speed transmission.

Or I would go 2018+ as in 2016 and 2017 they had a lot of issues with the brand new 8 speed transmission many owners had to bring them in and get them swapped out for new ones. later on they did some software programming that was suppose to help out with shifting. After 2018 it seems to have been worked out. That’s my take on it.

 

[Maxwell]

My initial budget is under $50k, but if I can get by cheaper I will. Thanks to all the great input I have got thus far, I think that puts me in a 2013-15. I'm not super worried about high mileage as my prior cruiser went for decades and is still going, so maybe $35K for the truck $3k for tires, $3k for suspension, $2K for a hitchgate and stuff and another $2k on second battery and air compressor. Thoughts?