Events/Trails 2008 USA Land Cruiser Pics and Test Drive Impressions (1 Viewer)

[dclee]

We're talking CRUISERS here. Tell me what one thing the 100/200 diesel can do the V8's cannot? Don't say:

Crawl up and down rocks/grades better

Breaks lower front arms

Why not? It does go down grades/rocks better by using superior engine compression braking, and not having to ride the brakes and risk the truck getting away from you. I think that is a pretty big advantage. Million Dollar Drop on the Rubicon absolutely sucked in my petrol 80, you had to ride the brakes hard and basically slid down the rock face on all four wheels. Not pretty.

The broken arms problem was an engineering/design/manufacturing flaw of the arms themselves, not a problem with the diesel engine.

Oh, here's another thing the diesel can do that the petrol cannot: get 50% better fuel economy!

 

[uzj100]

100/200 diesel gets about 18 mpg city and over 20 mpg on the highway and not waste fuel like a gasoline engine. Gas engines are so inefficient. It is really hard to believe they are even still made because we have come so far in all other areas and some how the boys in texas still have us driving gas engined vehicles. Big bizzness is to blame for that.

 

[dclee]

... and don't forget, if you go in deep water, you'd better waterproof that distributor cap... oh wait, I forgot, the diesel doesn't have one of those! So just get out there and play in that water!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Why not? It does go down grades/rocks better by using superior engine compression braking, and not having to ride the brakes and risk the truck getting away from you. I think that is a pretty big advantage. Million Dollar Drop on the Rubicon absolutely sucked in my petrol 80, you had to ride the brakes hard and basically slid down the rock face on all four wheels. Not pretty.

The broken arms problem was an engineering/design/manufacturing flaw of the arms themselves, not a problem with the diesel engine.
It's funny...the diesel provdes a "pretty big advantage" up and down grades/rocks? I had no idea based on the performance of my current 100. I'm in need of nothing in this arena.

Oh, here's another thing the diesel can do that the petrol cannot: get 50% better fuel economy!

The brakes suck on the diesel and petrol 80. You'll not idle down MDDrop in a diesel 80 with auto trans. Nice try.
Go down Million Dollar Drop in a 100. You'll hardly apply the brakes.

Ignored the smiley face on the arm comment?

I'll not take the gas savings in order to live with the diesel motor's disad's. Plus, in many cases the diesels cost so much more it could take years of gas savings to recover funds (just like most Hybrids). We don't know for sure with the Cruisers because we don't have a diesel in the US.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

... and don't forget, if you go in deep water, you'd better waterproof that distributor cap... oh wait, I forgot, the diesel doesn't have one of those! So just get out there and play in that water!

I don't have a distributor cap in the 100.

None in the 200.

I've been in wiper deep water for a few minutes with no issues. At times the tide would run up the window and over the roof.

 

[dclee]

The brakes suck on the diesel and petrol 80. You'll not idle down MDDrop in a diesel 80 with auto trans. Nice try.
Go down Million Dollar Drop in a 100. You'll hardly apply the brakes.

Amando did it in his 100. I was standing next to him helping to spot. Same result, four-wheel slide. Would you like to try Door #3?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Amando did it in his 100. I was standing next to him helping to spot. Same result, four-wheel slide. Would you like to try Door #3?

Exactly dingle dorf! The TIRES ran out of traction. One doesn't blame the gears, crawl, or motor-type for that. Wise up! Come on!

I've been with my buddy Steven with dual T-cases in his Runner. He's got something like a 250:1 crawl. When he decends a too large of rock or too steep a ledge the tires give way. Come on dude!

 

[dclee]

I don't have a distributor cap in the 100.

None in the 200.

I've been in wiper deep water for a few minutes with no issues. At times the tide would run up the window and over the roof.

You're right, my bad, when I wrote that I was thinking petrol vs. diesel in general, but the 2UZ-FE specifically has direct ignition.

 

[dclee]

Exactly dingle dorf! The TIRES ran out of traction. One doesn't blame the gears, crawl, or motor-type for that. Wise up! Come on!

I've been with my buddy Steven with dual T-cases in his Runner. He's got something like a 250:1 crawl. When he decends a too large of rock or too steep a ledge the tires give way. Come on dude!

Wait a minute! You just said:

"Go down Million Dollar Drop in a 100. You'll hardly apply the brakes."

Well, we did it in the 100 and guess what, brakes were needed because the engine did not give enough compression braking to keep the truck from running away. I'm not talking about crawl ratio. All things (including gearing) being equal, a diesel engine will have better compression braking than a gasser. This is just physics dude, go back to school.

If we had tried it without brakes his truck (or any of our trucks) would have smashed into the bottom at high speed. Is the high compression diesel a panacea? No, but I'll take any advantage I can.

 

[twstrchasr]

This is great !!!!

 

[sleeoffroad]

For somebody who tows big = YES. One's need forces the demand for the diesel.

I've stated I don't need that application (towing) and therefore the diesel is not required.

Why would I pay $40k+ for a Tundra when it can not compete with the bigger diesels in terms of towing.

You really need to drive a modern diesels. One of the big reasons the Diesels are so nice is the turbo chargers. No comparison when it comes to normally aspirated engines vs turbo intercoooled.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Why would I pay $40k+ for a Tundra when it can not compete with the bigger diesels in terms of towing.

You really need to drive a modern diesels. One of the big reasons the Diesels are so nice is the turbo chargers. No comparison when it comes to normally aspirated engines vs turbo intercoooled.

When did I say I'd buy a Tundra?

IF I was a pickup driver the ONLY way I'd opt for a diesel is if I had to tow large loads. Otherwise, the choice is easy. Tundra and the 5.7L.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Why would I pay $40k+ for a Tundra when it can not compete with the bigger diesels in terms of towing.

Answer #2:

For a pickup owner....you buy a Tundra for:

1. Toyota reliability/longevity vs US poop
2. Most P/U owners do not tow large loads and therefore do not NEED a diesel
3. Cuz it's FAST!

 

[agomez]

being from San Antonio I would have to agree with the old man....tundra with the 5.7....buttt diesels are way cool most people that own them are for overkill self included and don't forget the cost of fuel....yikes!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Wait a minute! You just said:

"Go down Million Dollar Drop in a 100. You'll hardly apply the brakes."

Well, we did it in the 100 and guess what, brakes were needed because the engine did not give enough compression braking to keep the truck from running away. I'm not talking about crawl ratio. All things (including gearing) being equal, a diesel engine will have better compression braking than a gasser. This is just physics dude, go back to school.

If we had tried it without brakes his truck (or any of our trucks) would have smashed into the bottom at high speed. Is the high compression diesel a panacea? No, but I'll take any advantage I can.

If you think a diesel 100 can crawl down that rock WITHOUT using any brakes you're smokin' something. Again, wise up!
Gearing (like Steven's 250:1) does more for crawling than any engine braking can ever do. Once the grade is so great, traction will give way and that's not the fault of engine braking or gearing. It's TRACTION. Wise up sir!

 

[dclee]

If you think a diesel 100 can crawl down that rock WITHOUT using any brakes you're smokin' something. Again, wise up!
Gearing (like Steven's 250:1) does more for crawling than any engine braking can ever do. Once the grade is so great, traction will give way and that's not the fault of engine braking or gearing. It's TRACTION. Wise up sir!

I didn't say that. I said diesel engine compression helps keep the truck from running away. Might not totally slow it to a crawl, but it does help. TAKE GEARING OUT OF THE EQUATION and which would you rather have? A high revving runaway train, or something that will assist you in maintaining control of your truck? Like someone else said, reading is fundamental, you should try it sometime...

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

A high revving runaway train, or something that will assist you in maintaining control of your truck?

I didn't realize that every 80 and 100 here in the US is a "high revving runaway train" on the trails.

 

[FirstToy]

Wait a minute! You just said:

"Go down Million Dollar Drop in a 100. You'll hardly apply the brakes."

welcome to shotts revisionist history style of debate. Why bother Derek, he's totally not worth it.

 

[dclee]

I didn't realize that every 80 and 100 here in the US is a "high revving runaway train" on the trails.

Compared to diesel 80s and 100s, they absolutely are.

 

[dclee]

welcome to shotts revisionist history style of debate. Why bother Derek, he's totally not worth it.

Good point. Maybe it's just a character trait of mine, but I just have no tolerance for stupidity and have to say something about it!

I'll try to shut up now...