98 LC - how many miles are too many?

[adam4x4]

First off let me introduce myself. I'm looking to purchase my 14th Toyota and I've decided on either an 80 LC/450 or a 100 series LC. I've had a few Toyota's with over 200K miles and can do most of the mechanical work myself with no problems. That being said I have found a higher mileage 98 that I wanted to ask you guys about.

I just sold my Tundra and the 4.7 V8 is great. But how long is the life expectancy in one of these? I know a few people on the Tundra forums have got over 200K on them with little trouble. But it isn't a 22R

I found a 98LC with 145K miles on it but has a complete maintenance history on it - including synthetic oil changes, diff changes, trans flushes, coolant flushes, and timing belt. I am of the breed I would rather buy a higher mileage vehicle that I know has been taken care of rather than a lower mileage one with no idea. Very clean ride and looks great.

Anything I should expect out of the ordinary, how long is the drivetrain good for and anything else I should be concerned with???

I have visited a lot of boards and this is one of the finest. Thanks in advance.

 

[SWUtah]

At that mileage and with the service records you could check and see if it has had any of the "problems" that are common with the 100 series ie starter, cracked manifolds, etc. I would also think that you would need to replace all belts and hoses on a vehicle that is 8 years old so that is an expense that you would need to factor in (there are a lot of hoses on that engine (I know I had all of them replaced on my 99) The other factor is price, I sold my 95 LC for $10K with 135K miles on it and it was cherry and I had all the records. I would say if you can pick it up for $10-12K it would be a good deal. Personally I would reather have a lower mileage used 100 for more money, wear is wear, I know that at 145K that works out to around 18K per year which is normal mileage and would include a lot of in town start and stop driving, if you lived in a major city that could be all in town driving. Another big factor is where the 98 LC spent its life. If it was in the rust belt you have a lot of potential unseen damage from rust and corrision. Good luck.

 

[e9999]

Welcome!

not too many 100 LCs with 200K on them yet. But anecdotal evidence, prior Toy engines, and comments about the "designed" life expectancy suggest that this engine should last well over 200K with reasonable maintenance. But of course this is really a WAG. Seems like parts in general are quite a bit more expensive than earlier LCs, especially the fancy stuff.

good to have the history, indeed.
So they did change the belt already then? that's good.

wasn't there some issue with the front diff in earlier 100s?

 

[hoser]

wasn't there some issue with the front diff in earlier 100s?

No issue. 2 pinion Diff vs. the later 4 pinion. ARB's can replace either one.

As for longevity, the 98 engine (2UZFE) is used in many other models that have gone many miles. The transmission is a carry over from 95-97 FZJ80's and those have gone a gizillion miles.

Drivetrain wise, I think its safe to say that the UZJ100 will go a long way.

 

[adam4x4]

Thanks for the info. I'm on the fence between this LC and a 97 LX450. The LX has the lockers and is very nice but I just don't know the history of the vehicle like the LC. I can buy the LX for about $1000 cheaper and it has 100K miles. I have driven both and I used to own a LX470 so I know how nice the 100 series is. This will be a 2nd vehicle for me and it will be driven probably less than 5K/year.

I know 2000 and up LC's have a stronger front diff as well as TRAC and other improvements. For a vehicle that I'm buying "just because" I don't want to spend a whole lot of money.

 

[hoser]

You can't go wrong with either model, they 80 is great as well. If you plan to use the vehicle for terrain that might require lockers, then get the LX450 or find a LC100 with the rear locker. Keep in mind the LX450 will need a birfield job around that mileage if it hasn't been done already. Expect about $1k to have it done.

 

[adam4x4]

I already checked the 98 LC - has the rear locker.

I'm prepared to do a birf job and items such as the PHH if a buy an 80 series. I can't remember the exact cost but I figure I can do both sides for two or three hundred dollars in parts. I plan on doing all the labor myself.

Nice thing about it is not being in a hurry. Take my time and make sure I make the best choice.

 

[ESnyder]

Our 99 has 95K on it. We bought it with 80K. I will sell it around 120K, to get a decent sales price out of it. So far all we've dealt with was a replaced alternator, but the 100s seem to have more issues than my 80 with 181K, for sure. A friends 99 with 120K has had starter go out, antenna go out, throttle position sensor go out, plus a couple of other things I can't remember right now, all seem to be fairly common items. Particularly starters, we've heard, given their location on the engine. The Lexus motor certainly has proven its long life, but it seems the rest of the truck is not built as tough as the 80s.

 

[SWUtah]

Our 99 has 95K on it. We bought it with 80K. I will sell it around 120K, to get a decent sales price out of it. So far all we've dealt with was a replaced alternator, but the 100s seem to have more issues than my 80 with 181K, for sure. A friends 99 with 120K has had starter go out, antenna go out, throttle position sensor go out, plus a couple of other things I can't remember right now, all seem to be fairly common items. Particularly starters, we've heard, given their location on the engine. The Lexus motor certainly has proven its long life, but it seems the rest of the truck is not built as tough as the 80s.

I agree the starter is an issue, but the engine is as durable based on owners reports and used oil analysis reported on www.bobistheoilguy.com seems to be one of the least wearing engines even with extended oil changes, plus it uses the same transmission as the 80's. The 80's have the issue with the birfields and the 100 is just a beefer vehicle, heavier frame, etc. I loved my 80 but the 100 is just a tougher and nicer unit. As time goes by I am sure we will see the 100's going as far as the 80's. In the LC line Toyota always seems to improve them year over year, so I would buy the newest lowest mileage 100 series you can find. The is a 2000 with 80K miles (dark grey with 20" wheels) for sale in Hurricane Utah at Small Town Auto Sales 435-635-2501, looks like new and they are asking around $20K, I bet you could get it for less. That way you get all the traction control goodies and it is a vehicle from a dry climate that hasn't been exposed to salt on the roads and a lot of humidity. Good luck.

 

[adam4x4]

Even though this LC has 145K, it has had synthetic oil changes every 10K, transmission and diff changes every 30K, coolant and transfer case changes every 50K along with injector cleaner at every oil change. Guy was anal like me. I just have a hard time buying something when I do not know what the vehicles history is. I'm afraid the market is going to creep back up a little now that gas is dropping and the snow is flying!

 

[hoser]

So far all we've dealt with was a replaced alternator, but the 100s seem to have more issues than my 80 with 181K, for sure. A friends 99 with 120K has had starter go out, antenna go out, throttle position sensor go out, plus a couple of other things I can't remember right now, all seem to be fairly common items. Particularly starters, we've heard, given their location on the engine. The Lexus motor certainly has proven its long life, but it seems the rest of the truck is not built as tough as the 80s.

My 80 with 65k miles had the starter go out and the power antenna. Both the 80 and 100 have similiar starters where you can just replace the contacts. The 100 is just harder to access. I would say most 80's with 120k on them will have had the starter (contacts) replaced.

The Throttle Position Sensor issue is serious but only a problem on 98-99 100's. I would like to know whether the replacement parts have been updated or is it a completely different system from the '00+ cruisers. In other words, can I replace the TPS parts and get the reliability of a '00+.

 

[aedgington]

Texas market is already back up. Sequoias, LCs, & LXs have already rebounded at auction.