After you buy your cruiser

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vilasman

Joined
Sep 6, 2010
Threads
100
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I should have a burgundy 2002 in my hands by the middle of next week. Now everyone focuses on finding mechanical problems before you buy the cruiser. I saw the 200000 over haul thread. What else should I know or be reading about maintaining the truck? How many quarts of oil does it take? How hard is it to get to the oil filter?
I am used to driving Honda accords, land cruisers are not that rroubl free are they?
Another queston. If I give my wife the LC to drive to work should bad weather come up and I dont have to go is here anythig Ineed to tell her or show her about driving it /driving it in snow?
Another question. well 2. Can I pull the CD changer out and access the audio cable so I can install a Y adapter so I can make a audio in jack for a Sat radio and other such toys
Finally, I think, Are there any voids in the dash or the center console? I had a thought that I would install a power inverter in the bottom of the console facing the back seat. Also I have a couple 7' tablet computers. My thought was to make a compartment in the dash with a hinged door where i could have a mount for a computer. Sort of like how the gps screens pop up in some mercedes.
 
I've owned two Honda Preludes and one Honda Accord. My Land Cruiser has been just as, or more trouble free, than all of those Hondas.

Read your owners manual, the oil spec and amount is clearly listed in there. The oil filter is access through a hatch in the stock belly pan. You will clearly see it once under the vehicle. The filter is just behind it and easy to access once removed.

No, the CD changer cable and signal is proprietary, it's not a simple stereo audio cable. If you want to add aux audio, satellite, iPod/iPhone, etc then you need a third party integration box. Google search USA Spec and Vais Technology as two examples that work well. Search those names here on MUD as well for SEVERAL threads talking all about the different options.

As for mounting an inverter in the console, be very aware that inverters with any meaningful output pull some serious amps. You will not find any stock wiring in that area that is rated for more than 5amps. I highly advise you run a large gauge wire directly from the battery. If you want you can add a relay and switch on the dash to console on/off power, or run the relay off accessory power that activates with the ignition.

All of your questions are VERY common and can quickly be answered by spending some time searching.
 
Hey vilasman, congratulations on your new cruiser.

Be sure to post some pictures when you get the vehicle.
How many miles are on your 2002 LC?

I think that you will find the reliability of the 100-series Land Cruiser to be comparable (or better) than that of your Honda Accord. From reading the forums, you might get the idea that these trucks have problems, but that's just because people usually only post on the forum when they have a problem, so it is not really a good indication of the reliability of the trucks. People tend not to post anything on the forum when they are driving trouble free.

The LC will be MUCH safer and easier to drive in the snow. It is the perfect vehicle for your wife to drive in wintry climates. The ATRAC system in your 2002 automatically controls wheel spin. ATRAC and ABS systems make it possible to start and stop on ice without problems. You do not need to give her any specific instructions about how to use these systems; they function automatically and you might not even notice that they were there, except for a light on the dashboard that flashes when the ATRAC system is working (for instance when taking off from a stop on ice). Other than that, just point the wheel where you want to go and press down on the gas pedal.

The VSC (skid control) might take a little getting used to. If the vehicle goes into a slide, the VSC cuts power from the engine and automatically uses the brakes to control the slide. If you are used to sliding around in the snow in a rear wheel drive vehicle, the cruiser will require a more refined driving technique, but you'll quickly get used to it. Do not try to overcorrect for slides, just keep the steering wheel pointed in the direction you want to go, and the truck will take care of the rest.

You might want to explain the center diff lock to your wife. It is the button below the stereo on the left with an outline of the truck with a little X in the middle. If the truck gets stuck in a snowbank or a mud pit, push that button. It helps to deliver power to all four wheels, making easier to get unstuck. She probably won't need it for driving to work and home, but I guess that depends on where she lives and works.

Overall the LandCruisers are VERY reliable and require very little maintanence. They are also pretty easy to work on compared to other modern vehicles. Obviously there is tons of information available here on ih8mud. Just use the Google custom search box in the top left of the screen.

I think you'll be very happy with your new cruiser, and you can rest assured that it is a very safe vehicle (like a tank) for your wife to drive in the snow. Just tell her to point it where she wants to go. Not sure where you live, but If you have several months where the roads are always covered in snow and ice, then consider changing over to studded tires for the winter. The combination of ATRAC and studded tires is unstoppable when the road is frozen, even better than the Mercedes 4matic system, IMO.

I think the 2UZFE (the V8 in your landcruiser) takes about 7.2 quarts of oil. The filter is easy to get to.
You should have no problem adding an inverter in the center console under the armrest. Not sure about the best way to splice-in a satellite radio on your 2002, but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Use that Google custom search function.

Enjoy your new cruiser, and don't forget to post pictures. (they're worth approximately a thousand words each).
 
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Congratulations n your purchase! You will love it.

marshotel said:
From reading the forums, you might get the idea that these trucks have problems, but that's just because people usually only post on the forum when they have a problem, so it is not really a good indication of the reliability of the trucks. People tend not to post anything on the forum when they are driving trouble free.
Click to expand...

So true! The more you read on forums, the more you worry about things going wrong. After a while you start to think that everything you read will happen sooner or later to your vehicle.

I usually try and baseline a used car after I buy it. Which basically means that I try and get it as close to my needs/standards as possible. I go through the whole vehicle with a fine-tooth comb and clean it very thoroughly inside and out. Because your Hundy is a 10 year machine, you will find all sorts of little things. Stains, dead light bulbs, missing and worn parts. You will be amazed how many people don't give a rat's ass about their car and use it as an kitchen appliance until it breaks.
I bought a 2006 and I was amazed how bad mine was due to neglect from previous owners. Nothing structural, but a long list of little things.
Once you have figured out what's wrong with it, use this forum to fix what you need to fix and upgrade you rig to make it more yours.
 
One of the biggest differences in perceived reliability is how we use them. I would say in general that people buy an accord, do the minimal required maintenance and drive it into the ground. If something does break you tow it in or drop it off and have it fixed. Most of us here on the LC board are focused on the ultimate in reliability and try to address any know issue before it occurs to control costs and more importantly keep us from having problems in places you can't catch cab or get a tow. This is also a mostly hands on group of owners who are working our own stuff so you will see a lot more detail about all potential repairs making it sometimes seem like everything can go wrong, in reality we just demand perfection and outback reliability. Also some of us (like you) start out with them at 200000 and expect at least another 200000 and that would be rare in the Accord world. One of the big upsides to all of this is if it can go wrong in the first 500000 miles of ownership it is well documented here where for the Accord you are probably in uncharted teritory after 300000.
I've had the same feelings you do but it is a great vehicle and one of the best I've owned. The biggest drawback for me is parts cost, one of the reasons so many of us do our own labor. It's more of a hobby than just basic boring transport (I'll leave Accord out of that sentence ;) )
Welcome and have fun!
 
vilasman - I too have an '02, which is still fairly stock. We have owned it since '03 having traded in an Accord for the Cruiser. The Cruiser has been my absolute favorite vehicle! My wife drove it daily for the first 8 years until she decided she wanted a sedan, so she purchased an ES-350. Now I drive the Cruiser everyday. That said, it is a 10 year old vehicle, so expect to put a little bit of $$ into replacement of common wear components. I am looking at replacing my shocks, spark plugs, and wires since I now have 140K on the originals. The truck is an absolute joy to drive and you will only regret one thing.... not being able to drive it as much as you would like. :) Congrats.
 
I was leery at the start, but I'm thoroughly impressed with my landcruiser... I only wish gas was cheaper... I have a civic and the LC is far less maint and bs. oil change is about 7 litres and top up after a quick drive. Things I'd recommend to watch for are rotted coolant T connectors, dirty temp controls, sun roof leaks, losing your master key, and setting off alarmed doors when your sleeping inside.
Have fun, I am!!!
 
Spark Plug wires. I still need to replace mine after 140K miles...
 
Ok, coil packs...:rolleyes: Those thingies that make the spark plugs spark... Still on my originals. Should probably replace those at some time...:p
 
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