A few Q’s about Sequoias (1 Viewer)

[AZOR]

Hello all,
I just rejoined. I used to own a Land Cruiser 100 and was frequently on this site. Everyone was very helpful.

Here’s my q’s and I’ll give some background below;

1)Do Sequoias ‘01-06 have a 4wd system similar to LC 100’s? Meaning do they have a full time 4x4/hi-lo, or is it a traditional 2wd w transfer case. I’ve researched but can’t find an answer.
2) I know that the 05+ have the vvt-I motor w more horsies but is it a noticeable difference in power and towing? I’ll be towing a small travel trailer (less than 3k lbs loaded).

Background: I sold my LC a few years ago to buy a 3/4 ton longbed to haul a pop up slide in camper. I really liked this setup. But since then, our family has grown to 4. My wife wants to go back to a travel trailer as the camper is getting cramped. Another reason for going with a suv and trailer is that we can park the trailer and I can take off fishing or mt biking and they can still have the amenities at camp. As of now if I want to take off for a few hours they are stuck at camp without any of our stuff. Also with a pop up, taking our canoe is a pita.
I have no reservations about getting an older Toyota w 100k+. That’s why if there’s not a big difference in power, I can save a bit by going a little older. I do miss my LC but the bigger size of the sequoia is attractive. Also, with the family I won’t be doing quite the off-roading that I used to do w LC.

Oh- almost forgot to mention that the wife and I both have “everyday “ cars. She has a Camry and I have a forester, so the sequoia won’t be a commuter.
Thanks for reading

 

[mulze42]

Hello!

I can only speak to my year but my 2006 Sequoia SR5 has a traditional 2wd with a transfer case. So I can put it into 4hi or 4lo.

Not sure about the answer to your second question but I bought mine with 170k on it a few months ago and just towed our 18' Sea Ray for two hours and had no issues with it at highway speeds in WI from Madison to Steven's Point to give an idea of terrain.

 

[forestman]

1st answer: First gen Sequoia's have an awesome 4wd set up. They have 2wd, full time 4wd, and true 4hi and 4lo. Depending on what transfercase setting is applied. You can drive in 2wd/rwd only, if the roads are wet and you require more security you can drive in full time 4wd( you can use this setting on dry pavement also). Then if you need more traction you can lock the transfercase in 4hi(regular 4hi like a tacoma) or 4lo for slow speed crawling. The transfercase is part electronic actuated and stick actuated. To go from 2wd to full time 4wd you push the 4wd button in the center stack.To lock the center differential(transfercase) for true 4wd there is a separate button. To engage 4lo there is an old school lever near the cup holder. The transfercase lever also has a neutral setting for emergency towing.

2nd answer: the models before 05(non vvti) have plenty of power in terms of towing 3000lbs, although the power(245hp) isn't very high the torque(315) comes in pretty early (3400rpm). Sequoias also come with 4.10 gears vs tundra's 3.91 which are better suited for towing and the mass of the vehicle

 

[AZOR]

Thank you mulze42 and forestman,
Maybe this is why I am confused. Sounds like the full time 4wd that forestman is describing coulda been an option.

If this is the case, does anyone know which trim packages have the full time 4wd? Having owned a LC before, I would prefer this set up. I snowboard when I have a chance and like to mess around in the winter. Having full time 4wd was really nice. I never had to worry about pulling over and engaging. In fact, I never had to lock the center or rear diff in the snow, the LC was a tank that went wherever I pointed it. On really bad winter days, I have much less confidence in my current dodge 2500 (for many reasons).

 

[mulze42]

None of the 1st Gens come as full time 4wd only. If you get the 4 wheel drive version you can either do RWD / 4WD - and then lock the transfercase in both 4Hi and 4Lo.

Search for the 1st Gen Sequoia Owner's Manual and they explain all of the options and how to use get into those modes.

 

[forestman]

Sorry if my response confused you AZOR, what I meant by full time 4wd is 4wd with the center differential open which is what your previous Landcruiser had. The advantage with the sequoias is you can push a button and drive in 2wd where as a landcruiser is always in four wheel drive. You do not have to pull over to engage between 2wd and 4wd or to lock the center differential. This is for a 2004 sr5 model but I assume it is the same for base and limited, corrections welcome. Hope this helps.

 

[Bryanseye]

Our 07 Limited is all push button. 2wd is default, with 4Hi, Low, and CDL buttons.

 

[bmwjnky]

Our 07 Limited is all push button. 2wd is default, with 4Hi, Low, and CDL buttons.

This is how my '05 Limited is, no lever just buttons for the 4WD system.

I wanted an '05+ for the following reasons: more power with the VVTi engine with no loss in fuel mileage, 5 speed trans vs 4 speed in the '04 and older, and bigger brakes. '05+ also got an updated front bumper and grille, different tail lamps, and an updated gauge cluster. My Sequoia won't see all the trails my modded & fully locked 80 series did but I wanted the most capable version of the 1st gen Sequoia and for me the '05-07 version fits my needs/wants over the '04 and older version.

 

[derelict]

How big of a deal is the rear door handle replacement?

 

[Bryanseye]

How big of a deal is the rear door handle replacement?

Pretty simple. Find an all metal replacement so you don't have to do it again. A few youtube vids break it down easily, and the hardest part is getting the door open.

 

[ScottsBad]

Not a big deal to replace the latch. I have an 04 Tree and I am the original owner. Mine only has about 115k on it and has been amazingly reliable. Mine is a Limited, it has a 4wd button and locking center diff button and a Hi/Lo/N lever.

I tow my 21 foot Malibu Wake Board boat with it once or twice a year about 500 miles round trips. It does OK, but its not a light boat for only being 21". It hauled my previous 21" Malibu more easily, but it was a lighter boat. The 04' Tree has enough power, but it would benefit from some beefed up rear suspension to keep it level. At a minimum I probably need to replace the shocks. But I won't be pulling the boat with it anymore, because I just bought a 2018 Tundra.

I'd say that if you can find a Gen 1 05' or later that would be better for towing mainly for the extra power. The room inside is nice and you can always sleep inside with the seats folded down. We had enough room with the four of us, a small dog and a bigger dog.

The only things that I've had go wrong besides the regular maintenance:

1. The DVD player quit working. Kids had outgrown it anyway and now download movies to their iPads.
2. I've got a couple of speakers that rattle when I turn up the vol. They need replacement.
3. The little LED that signifies that the column shifter is in drive went out. No biggie, we all know that no light is drive.
4. The Tree has never seen the inside of a garage, so the paint around the rear window pealed off. And the paint on the top of the spoiler has gone bad. I've had to polish the headlight plastic a couple of times.

The leather is still in pretty good shape. You have to use leather conditioner on it regularly.

So, my youngest daughter loves the Big Tree, which is funny because she is only...maybe...5' 4", but she likes trucks. Recently, I had Toyota go through everything. They replaced and flushed every fluid in the vehicle, put new plugs, adjusted the emergency brake, greased all the fittings, and checked everything out. It cost like $2300, but it was worth it, because it drives smoothly like a new car.

I'm pretty sure that if I keep the maintenance up it will go another 100k+ miles without a problem. That's the beauty of Toyota trucks.

Good luck.