'99 vs '04 Offroad - feedback requested

[CA Cruisin]

I'm currently deciding which unicorn to keep, from the standpoint of safety and comfort.

I purchased 2 LCs in the last week (long story & I'll spare you the details):
- 1999 with 107k miles in near-perfect condition (my favorite color, River Rock), recent timing belt done, new tires and shocks, garaged. Rear locker. Drives like a new car; crazy fun!
- 2004 with 169k miles in near-perfect condition, (Thundercloud) all services and recent timing belt done, new tires and brakes, garaged

I've driven (hard) my former 1996 locked 80 series, and 1999 locked 100 series on off-road adventures. Both were monsters, performing flawlessly in both off-road and on-road slippery surfaces. I loved them.
Perks of the 2004 are greater comfort on-road, since I do a ton of driving for work (I location scout for film and photographers), and added safety features.

I'm interested in feedback from you who've driven in mud/snow/sand/ice, and off-roaded both early-bird 100s ('98,'99) without the ATRAC and ASC systems AND post-2003 models with those features. I'm concerned with safety and performance at speed w/ the 2004 while navigating slippery terrain like mud, snow, sand and ice which I encounter far more than I'll rock-crawl. I understand from reading online that the features of the 2004 take over during a sideways slide, and that can be dangerous? Also, I don't desire a cushy car that controls the off-road experience, and takes the rawness of the road away from the driver.
I don't off-road frequently, but I do hit mud, snow and ice. When I do off-road, I like to have total control and go as fast as I want to safely.

I've read in the forum that once you lock the 2004's center diff., the computer takes its hands off and you have more personal control over the vehicle. That's important. However I've never needed to lock center diff. before; the cars handle so well.

Any feedback as to which car is best in slippery/off-road? Obvs. it's hard to let go of a cherry low-mile '99... but would love more cush on the hwy.

Can't keep both, dammit! Who does that?

I feel like a Queen right now, having both in my driveway (yes Imma "chick")
Ah, the luxury!

Thanks and Cheers, fellow Cruiserheads!

 

[RobRed]

Stock for stock the 2004 will likely fit the bill.

2004 has 5 speed, advantages on and off road
The 2004 has active and passive safety systems
the 2004 and 1999 both have center diff locks

Off road the 99 will have a rear differential locker, a nice feature for harder core off road. The differential locker is manual and proactive traction aid.

The '04 will have ATRAC which give almost the same capability as the locker and at all 4 wheels. ATRAC is passive and reactive traction aid. ATRAC functions whether in hi range or lo, center locked or not. What does turn off is vehicle skid control (VSC) when center is locked.

Model year differences in the 100 series: TLC FAQ • View topic - Land Cruiser / LX470 Model Year Differences 1998-2007
ATRAC demo:

 

[geanes]

Don't forget, the 99 will have a 2-pinion front differential and the 04 will have the 4-pinion differential. No ATRAC on the 99 either. If it doesn't have the factory rear locker (optional, not standard) then it will be an LSD. I have a 98 LX and have been impressed with it's offroading capability. Granted, I'm no extreme rock-crawler/mudder, but mine scrambled up rocky passes in Colorado like it was nothing.

 

[coveboy]

What a wonderful problem to have! My first Cruiser was a 99 exactly like that and daggum do I miss it. I was an absolute beast off road. Locked up in 4low it felt like a tank that could roll over anything and everything in my path. Wish I had the coin to take that one off your hands because that is my dream rig! Build my first vehicle up to what I always fantasized about

Now I'm driving an 05, and it too is a wonderful truck. I haven't pushed it as hard as I did my '99, but anywhere I have gone it has never let me down. You mentioned that you have never needed to lock the center differential before, which is a solid testament to the capabilities of these vehicles. If you were going for a full-on expo/trail build, I might would recommend the 99. But since that doesn't seem to be the case, I highly doubt you would stick your 2004 anywhere that would have you going "damn, I wish I had that rear locker." I personally was not the biggest fan of ATRAC when I first started driving this one, but it has grown on me and proven itself time and time again. The plush ride of the 2004, in my opinion, outweighs the slight off-road advantage of the 99. On the highway neither is a speed-machine, but I do feel as if the newer pulls better at speeds and rides much more smoothly. For an every day driver, the 2004 would be your best bet. But if you chose to keep the '99, you wouldn't be going wrong at all. It is, in my opinion, the best color cruiser to date.

Or just convert the rear of one into a full-on sleeper, sell your home, and keep em both.

 

[Captramrod01]

04 no doubt. Atrac, 4 pinion, 5 speed, more safety goodies.

 

[Lono]

04 is probably best suited for your uses and it is already somewhat broken in. The 5 speed is definitely an improvement in my opinion for on road manners. That said, I think selling your '99 for ~$15k would be a big mistake morally and financially. Don't do it.

 

[CA Cruisin]

Stock for stock the 2004 will likely fit the bill.

2004 has 5 speed, advantages on and off road
The 2004 has active and passive safety systems
the 2004 and 1999 both have center diff locks

Off road the 99 will have a rear differential locker, a nice feature for harder core off road. The differential locker is manual and proactive traction aid.

The '04 will have ATRAC which give almost the same capability as the locker and at all 4 wheels. ATRAC is passive and reactive traction aid. ATRAC functions whether in hi range or lo, center locked or not. What does turn off is vehicle skid control (VSC) when center is locked.

Model year differences in the 100 series: TLC FAQ • View topic - Land Cruiser / LX470 Model Year Differences 1998-2007
ATRAC demo:

Very cool video RobRed. It said you got stuck in that spot... what were you driving? It's cool to see the ATRAC at work. I'm just wondering what it would do at speed when you slip for ex. on heavy washboards. Also, on ice or deep snow.
Thanks!

 

[CA Cruisin]

Don't forget, the 99 will have a 2-pinion front differential and the 04 will have the 4-pinion differential. No ATRAC on the 99 either. If it doesn't have the factory rear locker (optional, not standard) then it will be an LSD. I have a 98 LX and have been impressed with it's offroading capability. Granted, I'm no extreme rock-crawler/mudder, but mine scrambled up rocky passes in Colorado like it was nothing.

Yes, these cars are amazing and never fail to satisfy. Every year, is awesome in its own right.

 

[CA Cruisin]

What a wonderful problem to have! My first Cruiser was a 99 exactly like that and daggum do I miss it. I was an absolute beast off road. Locked up in 4low it felt like a tank that could roll over anything and everything in my path. Wish I had the coin to take that one off your hands because that is my dream rig! Build my first vehicle up to what I always fantasized about

Now I'm driving an 05, and it too is a wonderful truck. I haven't pushed it as hard as I did my '99, but anywhere I have gone it has never let me down. You mentioned that you have never needed to lock the center differential before, which is a solid testament to the capabilities of these vehicles. If you were going for a full-on expo/trail build, I might would recommend the 99. But since that doesn't seem to be the case, I highly doubt you would stick your 2004 anywhere that would have you going "damn, I wish I had that rear locker." I personally was not the biggest fan of ATRAC when I first started driving this one, but it has grown on me and proven itself time and time again. The plush ride of the 2004, in my opinion, outweighs the slight off-road advantage of the 99. On the highway neither is a speed-machine, but I do feel as if the newer pulls better at speeds and rides much more smoothly. For an every day driver, the 2004 would be your best bet. But if you chose to keep the '99, you wouldn't be going wrong at all. It is, in my opinion, the best color cruiser to date.

Or just convert the rear of one into a full-on sleeper, sell your home, and keep em both.

Haha Coveboy, my mom's friend Sam (who owns 5 cars with repetition himself; 2 Porsche Speedsters and 3 Miatas) enthusiastically suggested I keep both, and back them up to one another and sleep inside. LOVE that image

Excellent feedback from your personal experience and what I am hoping to hear from other Mudders, thanks.
It's funny though the 2 are only 5 years apart, they drive quite differently; you're spot-on re. comfort of the '04. The '99 feels like a spry toy waiting to climb stuff, the '04 feels like a chariot that can go off-road "as needed". Good to know you grew to appreciate ATRAC.

(I also love River Rock Green Metallic. Looks good in all settings.)

 

[CA Cruisin]

04 is probably best suited for your uses and it is already somewhat broken in. The 5 speed is definitely an improvement in my opinion for on road manners. That said, I think selling your '99 for ~$15k would be a big mistake morally and financially. Don't do it.

So you're in the "keep both" camp?
Or sell the like-new '99 for $15k+? Seriously, it has to be pretty rare with only 107k miles, new Michelins and shocks

 

[CA Cruisin]

This is really interesting for me guys, thanks for your feedback and keep it coming if anyone else wants to weigh in. I appreciate it. Plus, I'm just enjoying holding on to 2 Cruisers as long as I can while I "decide"

 

[jLB]

I'd lean towards the 04.

Is it just the lighting/shadows, or are the doors on the 04 slightly off color compared to the fenders?

 

[CA Cruisin]

I'd lean towards the 04.

Is it just the lighting/shadows, or are the doors on the 04 slightly off color compared to the fenders?

Yeah, it looks weird in this photo. Likely those fenders were repainted by P.O. In daylight you can't see it but in this twilight shot you sure can. Has all its VIN stickers. I noticed the paint at night @ the dealership and nearly didn't buy it, but it has a seriously perfect service record. The P.O. was OCD attending to its maintenance schedule and replaced everything they reco'd.

So hard to find one that has never been repainted at this stage of the game.

Even the '99 has a repainted tailgate, but they did such a perfect color match you can only tell by touching the edges where the metal turns. River Rock is not an easy color to match, I'm impressed.

 

[RND1]

Having just completed HIH7 in my '03, I don't think you can make a bad decision - either one of those would do fine crawling over the CO mountain passes with A/T tires. The '99 gives you an extra 60K miles over the '04 so you might get a few years of enjoyment before you're at the mileage of the '04. Which one will you miss more after selling it?

 

[flintknapper]

Don't forget, the 99 will have a 2-pinion front differential and the 04 will have the 4-pinion differential. No ATRAC on the 99 either. If it doesn't have the factory rear locker (optional, not standard) then it will be an LSD. I have a 98 LX and have been impressed with it's offroading capability. Granted, I'm no extreme rock-crawler/mudder, but mine scrambled up rocky passes in Colorado like it was nothing.

Pretty sure if it didn't have the 'optional' rear locker...then the rear diff will be 'open' (not LSD). On the same year model LX's...they have an LSD rear diff...with no locker available as an option.

Otherwise... the information you provided is correct. The 2-pinion front diff being the most concerning (if any serious off-roading is expected).

All in all...I'd vote for the 2004 for the OP's purposes.

Actually, I'd keep them both.

 

[geanes]

Pretty sure if it didn't have the 'optional' rear locker...then the rear diff will be 'open' (not LSD). On the same year model LX's...they have an LSD rear diff...with no locker available as an option.

Otherwise... the information you provided is correct. The 2-pinion front diff being the most concerning (if any serious off-roading is expected).

All in all...I'd vote for the 2004 for the OP's purposes.

Actually, I'd keep them both.

Good catch @flintknapper .... I forgot that only the LX didn't have the option of the rear locker and offered the LSD as standard equipment for 98 & 99 whereas the LC did not offer the LSD at all. Another key point differentiating the LX from the LC.

 

[CA Cruisin]

Good catch @flintknapper .... I forgot that only the LX didn't have the option of the rear locker and offered the LSD as standard equipment for 98 & 99 whereas the LC did not offer the LSD at all. Another key point differentiating the LX from the LC.

Every '99 LC I've seen has the rear locker installed, though I know it was a factory option. LX's came with rear lockers standard in '98 and '99.

 

[geanes]

Every '99 LC I've seen has the rear locker installed, though I know it was a factory option. LX's came with rear lockers standard in '98 and '99.

My 98 LX and every 98 and 99 LX I've ever seen (dozens when searching for one to buy) never had a rear locker. If you ever locate an LX with a rear locker, you've found a unicorn as they are rare as hen's teeth. As I understand it, 98-99 LX was LSD only, 98-99 LC was open diff with e-Locker optional. ATRAC was then released across both platforms after that.

 

[bucfl]

Stock for stock the 2004 will likely fit the bill.

2004 has 5 speed, advantages on and off road
The 2004 has active and passive safety systems
the 2004 and 1999 both have center diff locks

Off road the 99 will have a rear differential locker, a nice feature for harder core off road. The differential locker is manual and proactive traction aid.

The '04 will have ATRAC which give almost the same capability as the locker and at all 4 wheels. ATRAC is passive and reactive traction aid. ATRAC functions whether in hi range or lo, center locked or not. What does turn off is vehicle skid control (VSC) when center is locked.

Model year differences in the 100 series: TLC FAQ • View topic - Land Cruiser / LX470 Model Year Differences 1998-2007
ATRAC demo:

Just wanted to say this was a very helpful video. Helped me to understand atrac much better and learn to use it.

 

[CA Cruisin]

My 98 LX and every 98 and 99 LX I've ever seen (dozens when searching for one to buy) never had a rear locker. If you ever locate an LX with a rear locker, you've found a unicorn as they are rare as hen's teeth. As I understand it, 98-99 LX was LSD only, 98-99 LC was open diff with e-Locker optional. ATRAC was then released across both platforms after that.

Oh, you're right. Guess I read it online somewhere and believed it... I just did a quick online look and can't find any LXs with rear lockers in 98 or 99.