Anyone miss their stock 200? (2 Viewers)

[DallasTide]

Spacer size? Looks great!

1" Boras

 

[residualboulders]

I do sometimes regret all the mods I've put on my vehicle. I went full send without thinking about it too much. If I could go back, I'd keep my heritage bone stock and I'd pick up a rust free 80 and build that out instead, but keep it much more mild. Agree with the overall sentiment that you don't really need most mods. I might just do tires, a hidden winch, and a roof rack.

That being said, my fully built HE is extremely functional, it's not my daily, and it provides me with convenience and peace of mind when out exploring.

I did keep it stock for a year before slapping all the mods on, and I think the only way to appreciate a stock or lightly modified vehicle is to go too far with mods first. Once you've tasted both, you can appreciate the way a vehicle is tuned and dialed in from the factory.

I considered building out my rust free, low mile 80 and keeping the 200 stock. However, when it comes down to it if I'm driving 8 hrs to explore Canyonlands, I'd rather take my 200. So i just sent it and built it out. I'm surprised to read all of the suspension regrets on this thread - my BP51 rides great, no regret there at all. My only mod I'm on the fence about is the rear bumper. I love the function and the protection it provides. Pretty annoying to have to open swing arms every time I need to get in the rear hatch. But I deal with it because i needed a place for the spare due to second fuel tank - which I love having.

Mod regret maybe comes down to how you use your rig. Having said that, I do wish I had a second 2021 HE in stock form. I love them in stock form, but I also love the way mine is set up now for the way I use it.

 

[normal]

I considered building out my rust free, low mile 80 and keeping the 200 stock. However, when it comes down to it if I'm driving 8 hrs to explore Canyonlands, I'd rather take my 200. So i just sent it and built it out. I'm surprised to read all of the suspension regrets on this thread - my BP51 rides great, no regret there at all. My only mod I'm on the fence about is the rear bumper. I love the function and the protection it provides. Pretty annoying to have to open swing arms every time I need to get in the rear hatch. But I deal with it because i needed a place for the spare due to second fuel tank - which I love having.

Mod regret maybe comes down to how you use your rig. Having said that, I do wish I had a second 2021 HE in stock form. I love them in stock form, but I also love the way mine is set up now for the way I use it.

Yeah, that's a good point. I just got back from a trip where it was my 200, and a late model Tacoma and Tundra. Some of the guys had a chance to ride in my vehicle and they were shocked at how much more comfortable it was on the road and the trail. The BP51s were just floating over bumps and dips while the air conditioned seats kept everyone nice and cool. At camp we had 10 gallons of water on the back with a dometic faucet stuck to the gas can. Our food and drinks were kept nice and cold for the entire trip. That's the whole reason I decided to go with a 200 in the first place. Comfort, capability, safety.

Maybe I suffer from grass is always greener syndrome.

 

[residualboulders]

Yeah, that's a good point. I just got back from a trip where it was my 200, and a late model Tacoma and Tundra. Some of the guys had a chance to ride in my vehicle and they were shocked at how much more comfortable it was on the road and the trail. The BP51s were just floating over bumps and dips while the air conditioned seats kept everyone nice and cool. At camp we had 10 gallons of water on the back with a dometic faucet stuck to the gas can. Our food and drinks were kept nice and cold for the entire trip. That's the whole reason I decided to go with a 200 in the first place. Comfort, capability, safety.

Maybe I suffer from grass is always greener syndrome.

Yeah I suffer from the grass is greener syndrome sometimes too. I actually have a new tundra for tow duties and my daughter drives a tacoma so I am familiar and can agree with your buddies. The 200 has a considerably better ride quality, though I love the tacoma, tundra, 4runner for what they are.

The new LC is intriguing. I like the more modern design over the 200, but no tailgate? what were they thinking!? I'm sure that hybrid motor is great (I've loved it in my tundra) but for me, I think the 200 is better in most all aspects. So for now, I'm going to keep enjoying my 200 with its mods. It's a great machine. Most of my mods were a solution to a problem, like not enough fuel range for trips I wanted to do, or preventing damage to the vehicle. The fridge is not a 'necessary mod' - but arguably the best one, ha ha.

 

[HemiAlex]

We bought this 2011 with 267,000 miles on it. It's the wife car, we've nicknamed it "Shamoo" It's a big black cow whale hybrid.

It's been amazing. There are literally no faults with it, and we've put 25,000 miles on it in 9 months. It gets almost 19ish MPG highway driving it calmly. We will be at 300,000 miles soon.

If I took the side steps off, I could wheel this with zero worries. It's got similar ground clearance to my lifted 60, but mostly where it counts. Good skids and I'd send it.

So far I've done:

Updated OEM radiator
New Michelins (stock)
New tie rod ends
OEM Spacer Lift up front
Transmission oil pan drain (Looked terrible, more to come)
Front brakes (advics pads and rotors)

I'm currently doing the rear pads and rotors, Ravenol 75w t case fluid, and Mobil1 Delvac 75w90 in the diffs, along with a new PCV and new plugs.

These early 200's are such an amazing value. I've not owned an 80 or 100, but I'm not upset with my choices to date. I could see us buying another early one in white or grey like @ryanCA and making it a 5 land cruiser family soon.

 

[daneo]

agree

love my 100 compared to my 200

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Just came to say that 100s have started looking really good to me in the last year. I think with the new round of models coming in, they’re starting to get that retro nostalgia vibe.

 

[desmocruiser]

I have no regrets, I prefer the way they drive with a stiffer suspension and Love the look of a bigger tired and lifted 200.

However, my wife drove mine this past weekend (she has a stock 2015 since new) and reminded me how much she disliked mine because it drives like a truck!

 

[Madtiger]

Just came to say that 100s have started looking really good to me in the last year. I think with the new round of models coming in, they’re starting to get that retro nostalgia vibe.

Why? what is so special about 100? It was literally a lackluster design...IMHO the weakest design of ANY LC lineage. Well, maybe the FJ Cruiser ranks up there.

Boring station wagon design (nothing classic about it; aka Subaru of today shape...now, LC80 was a beauty!), widespread exhaust manifold fiasco, Torsion bar IFS; rear locker only first few years, after that, just ATRAC which was just underwhelming (aka useless) off-road. Interior was so-so at best, but that is on par with early LC200.

(TBH, 100 series was the reason i got the G-wagen instead!)

 

[Madtiger]

View attachment 3637471View attachment 3637472View attachment 3637473I have no regrets, I prefer the way they drive with a stiffer suspension and Love the look of a bigger tired and lifted 200.

However, my wife drive mine this past weekend (she has a stock 2015 since new) and reminded me how much she disliked mine because it drives like a truck!

I never understood this...why change the front bumper (which looks great) but keep OEM plastic rear bumper? I understand need for winch I guess. But if anything, it is the REAR that needs help off-road, right? Front stock bumper has 32 degree approach angle......the rear is 24 / 26 degrees. Great that you have a lot of approach angle, but you will be dragging your butt over every obstacle that your front bumper clears.

I am reminded of LC that I have seen.......big wheels, steel bumpers, but with stock running boards!

My thought has always been......protect the most vulnerable first and work your way up.

 

[kcjaz]

Isn’t the bull bar just magnify your damage and may interfere with crumble zone and airbag deployment??

My mods started when I hit a deer with my stock 200 which destroyed the front. I added a TJM T13. I’ve since hit a second deer and not a scratch. As a family we’ve killed 3 deer, a coyote, 3 opossums , and a raccoon with 4 vehicles. I’ve hit numerous trees and rocks with the hoops on trails that otherwise would have taken out head lights. I’d say any front end collision with a full Australian style bar with hoops will end up better than without.

While I like the more stealth look of a stock front or the lower profile aftermarket bumpers w/o hoops, for where I drive and what I do, I need the old school full bar for its function.

 

[daneo]

Why? what is so special about 100? It was literally a lackluster design...IMHO the weakest design of ANY LC lineage. Well, maybe the FJ Cruiser ranks up there.

Boring station wagon design (nothing classic about it; aka Subaru of today shape...now, LC80 was a beauty!), widespread exhaust manifold fiasco, Torsion bar IFS; rear locker only first few years, after that, just ATRAC which was just underwhelming (aka useless) off-road. Interior was so-so at best, but that is on par with early LC200.

(TBH, 100 series was the reason i got the G-wagen instead!)

To each his own. I’m just saying I like the way they look. 2uz and 5sp might be my favorite driveline, though.

 

[Madtiger]

My mods started when I hit a deer with my stock 200 which destroyed the front. I added a TJM T13. I’ve since hit a second deer and not a scratch. As a family we’ve killed 3 deer, a coyote, 3 opossums , and a raccoon with 4 vehicles. I’ve hit numerous trees and rocks with the hoops on trails that otherwise would have taken out head lights. I’d say any front end collision with a full Australian style bar with hoops will end up better than without.

While I like the more stealth look of a stock front or the lower profile aftermarket bumpers w/o hoops, for where I drive and what I do, I need the old school full bar for its function.

I stand corrected. Thanks...and wow.

 

[kcjaz]

I stand corrected. Thanks...and wow.

Oh, and I forgot that last year when I went off the shoulder of a fire road down a steep embankment and was stopped by trees, it was the T13 that prevented another front end from destruction when I hit the tree that finally stopped me. While I ended up with enough body damage to total the 200, I was able to continue the trip and wheel over 100 miles of trail and then drive the 270 miles home. Headlights and grill not damaged.

As a public service, if you see me coming you probably should just get out of my way…

 

[ryanCA]

To each his own. I’m just saying I like the way they look. 2uz and 5sp might be my favorite driveline, though.

View attachment 3637471View attachment 3637472View attachment 3637473I have no regrets, I prefer the way they drive with a stiffer suspension and Love the look of a bigger tired and lifted 200.

However, my wife drive mine this past weekend (she has a stock 2015 since new) and reminded me how much she disliked mine because it drives like a truck!

great truck.

 

[desmocruiser]

I never understood this...why change the front bumper (which looks great) but keep OEM plastic rear bumper? I understand need for winch I guess. But if anything, it is the REAR that needs help off-road, right? Front stock bumper has 32 degree approach angle......the rear is 24 / 26 degrees. Great that you have a lot of approach angle, but you will be dragging your butt over every obstacle that your front bumper clears.

I am reminded of LC that I have seen.......big wheels, steel bumpers, but with stock running boards!

My thought has always been......protect the most vulnerable first and work your way up.

I like the way it looks and definitely dislike swing outs for a couple of reasons!

 

[WCDAVE]

My mods started when I hit a deer with my stock 200 which destroyed the front. I added a TJM T13. I’ve since hit a second deer and not a scratch. As a family we’ve killed 3 deer, a coyote, 3 opossums , and a raccoon with 4 vehicles. I’ve hit numerous trees and rocks with the hoops on trails that otherwise would have taken out head lights. I’d say any front end collision with a full Australian style bar with hoops will end up better than without.

While I like the more stealth look of a stock front or the lower profile aftermarket bumpers w/o hoops, for where I drive and what I do, I need the old school full bar for its function.

Man, I love that bumper - it looks the business. In the current form of my truck I am only getting 14 mpg, so I can't think will be that much worse.

 

[desmocruiser]

My mods started when I hit a deer with my stock 200 which destroyed the front. I added a TJM T13. I’ve since hit a second deer and not a scratch. As a family we’ve killed 3 deer, a coyote, 3 opossums , and a raccoon with 4 vehicles. I’ve hit numerous trees and rocks with the hoops on trails that otherwise would have taken out head lights. I’d say any front end collision with a full Australian style bar with hoops will end up better than without.

While I like the more stealth look of a stock front or the lower profile aftermarket bumpers w/o hoops, for where I drive and what I do, I need the old school full bar for its function.

Yep, my Son’s 2011 now has rival front bumper after a lady in Subaru made a U turn in front of him!

 

[bloc]

In the current form of my truck I am only getting 14 mpg, so I can't think will be that much worse.

Don’t be so sure, people have posted here about barely getting 10mpg without a trailer.

 

[normal]

Don’t be so sure, people have posted here about barely getting 10mpg without a trailer.

Haha yep, 11.6 mpg combined with no trailer over here. I think a big part of that is 35” LT tires and a lot of steel.

 

[clrussell]

My built 200 on 35s and 4.88s averages 12-14 mpg empty. But I didn’t buy it for fuel mileage

Haha yep, 11.6 mpg combined with no trailer over here. I think a big part of that is 35” LT tires and a lot of steel.