Interesting post Tucan, thanks for sharing your experiences with us. And your 200 looks awesome, what size tires are you running? any suspension upgrades?
Are the new gizmos worth not having locking diffs in the 200?
- Thread starter Hovawart
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Just the regular OME treatment with 285/70 R 17 Goodrich KM2s
My counting may be off, but I read of two current 200 owners who believe their former 80's were superior offroad, while a more recent respondent believes the 200 is definitely better. It may be safe to conclude that the newer technology does not convey any significant disadvantage, if any. Regarding reliability, it seems to me that it may be too early in the life of the 200 series to determine how the new technology compares to the old. I have a couple questions regarding this technology. First, what is a "virtual" locking differential? Since the 200 enjoys these, doesn't it actually have locking differentials?
The second question is about the CRAWL system. So, the truck automatically adjusts the throttle and brake for you and the driver simply steers. That sounds great for an emergency situation, but doesn't it really defeat the point of offroading if the pleasure is found in challenging, testing, demonstrating and improving one's driving skills?
Last edited:
The answer to these issue depends on how each "Series" vehicle is equipped as well as what is "4-wheeling/capable".
All things STOCK...the 80 could be had with triple locking diffs. Plus, it was smaller. So it has the easy edge over the 100 and 200.
If that STOCK 80 had open diffs then a STOCK 100 or 200 will bury it off road because these atter series have traction control. When the 80 is stuck the new ones will track on.
Once you lift, add lockers, do this and do that then it becomes a "this one vs that one" comparison. All in all, the later series are safer, are better in the snow and ice, ar emore powerful and compforatable....but in the end, the 80 is smaller and it will fit where the new ones won't. So it depends what type of wheeling you do. Easy to Moderate-Difficult = 100 and 200 as winners. Difficult-plus...80 for certain.
Gentlemen...I'm new to the forum but would like to ask a question...I have an 09 200 and need to replace the tires...originals are 285x60 18's...the local tire dealer said to make sure to get a "v" rated tire to maintain the handling characteristics on the highway...problem is, there aren't many options...I hunt pheasant & quail in kansas and those roads can turn into 6" of nasty mud/slim...I need a more aggressive tire but also have to consider a 6-7 hour highway drive getting there...I looked at the Nitto Grappler but the tire dealer said it is not a "v" rated tire and can't recommend them them due to the safety factor of the rating...any thoughts?
What kind of tires are you replacing?
I'm not going to be the search nazi, but this has been covered before (and please start new threads instead of posting in unrelated ones).
To answer your question, however, I wouldn't put much thought into those speed ratings. The letter rating has little to do with handling (at least not directly). A "V" rated tire is rated for 149MPH. My Nitto Terra Grapplers in 275/70R18 are "S" rated for 112MPH. I've been at those speeds with no problem.
I think my LC handles great for being a 7000+ lb SUV with a lift and AT tires on the highway. Some people buy SUVs and think they are sports cars. They are not. As long as you understand that, you are fine. If you need better offroad tires, then get them. You will notice the difference on the highway as in increased noise, but it doesn't bother me a bit. The handling is usually due to the increased CG (from the tire and lift), but I tend to prefer a stiffer ride and run 45PSI on the highway.
Keep in mind that Toyota has taken several safety hits lately and their dealers will be extra cautious with recommendations outside of specs.
sorry everyone...as I said in my post, I'm new to this so forgive the incorrect postings...my current tires are the factory BFG Duelers H/T's...the off-roading I do is on the high mountain passes in Colorado, otherwise, just those muddy, snow covered farm roads in Kansas while hunting...I was told the "v" rating, in my case, has more to do w/ emergency handling than the speed, the speed is not an issue w/ me since it's been a long time since I hit the century mark in one of my vehicles...thanks to all for responding.
In my opinion the load rating is going to be more important if you are playing around off road.
122R E will be sufficient for a LC. R is 106 mph, S is 112mph. Do you plan to drive on such a tire over 100mph ?!
122R E will be sufficient for a LC. R is 106 mph, S is 112mph. Do you plan to drive on such a tire over 100mph ?!
fyi, i've had my toyo A/Ts at 105-110mph (Nevada) for over an hour and they felt very solid. they don't have the lateral road grip of the stock tires, but are fantastic on rocky trails, light mud and snow.
the nitto terragrapler is also a very popular tire than i suspect is very comparable.
and i agree strongly that load rating and sidewall plies are more important than speed rating for off road, but high speed rated tires are going to be general a better highway tire.
the nitto terragrapler is also a very popular tire than i suspect is very comparable.
and i agree strongly that load rating and sidewall plies are more important than speed rating for off road, but high speed rated tires are going to be general a better highway tire.
