Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
[quote author=e9999 link=board=2;threadid=10674;start=msg96175#msg96175 date=1075253321]
newer and lower miles you can afford! They are getting better. (But more expensive to fix and more electronic gizmos to go bad.)
Unless you want to put a lot of mods and drive over big boulders in which case an 80 might be better.
Jim, that's right, amazingly, the FSM suggests that there is a rear locker and LSD options available for the 03 as well - not that I think they are available in the US - maybe special order though? About the Nav Sys, the problem is that the touch screen also controls the audio and A/C so you may still want it operational rather than just adding an aftermarket if the original conks out. Thankfully, though, there are enough buttons still outside of the touchscreen that you might get by without it for a while.
E
[/quote]
Oh, I see. I have a buddy of mine who bought a '03 (very satisfied). He regrets not getting the '04 since that model supposedly has a reverse camera integrated into the DVD. Regarding the rear diff lock, we know the parts are available, at least in Japan.
In the diagrams, are the same axles used for the stock LSD diff and locked diffs? Makes me wonder if the elocker is available in different gear ratios like the 8" diff lock (I got mine in 4.56).
Although new and low miles would be great, an '03 w/ low miles is still $$$$. My philosophy is to get a newer, high mileage vehicle (like 30K mi/yr). That way, you're pretty sure those miles are highway miles. Old and low miles is misleading...just means the suspension/wheel bearings don't have the miles, but the driving could have been 90% stop & go traffic on hills. In Japan (esp. the Tokyo area), miles are low, but much time is spent idling, and often during the hot/humid summer, hence the more frequent recommended oil changing intervals (1000 miles, I seem to recall my bro-in-law mentioning).
newer and lower miles you can afford! They are getting better. (But more expensive to fix and more electronic gizmos to go bad.)
Unless you want to put a lot of mods and drive over big boulders in which case an 80 might be better.
Jim, that's right, amazingly, the FSM suggests that there is a rear locker and LSD options available for the 03 as well - not that I think they are available in the US - maybe special order though? About the Nav Sys, the problem is that the touch screen also controls the audio and A/C so you may still want it operational rather than just adding an aftermarket if the original conks out. Thankfully, though, there are enough buttons still outside of the touchscreen that you might get by without it for a while.
E
[/quote]
Oh, I see. I have a buddy of mine who bought a '03 (very satisfied). He regrets not getting the '04 since that model supposedly has a reverse camera integrated into the DVD. Regarding the rear diff lock, we know the parts are available, at least in Japan.

Although new and low miles would be great, an '03 w/ low miles is still $$$$. My philosophy is to get a newer, high mileage vehicle (like 30K mi/yr). That way, you're pretty sure those miles are highway miles. Old and low miles is misleading...just means the suspension/wheel bearings don't have the miles, but the driving could have been 90% stop & go traffic on hills. In Japan (esp. the Tokyo area), miles are low, but much time is spent idling, and often during the hot/humid summer, hence the more frequent recommended oil changing intervals (1000 miles, I seem to recall my bro-in-law mentioning).