Agreed, any rig can be build to purpose, especially a body-on-frame 3UR-equipped Toyota.
I've always had a soft spot for the gen 2 Sequoia. Just seems really well thought out feature-wise and the only real problems to consider (assuming you've invested in a solid aftermarket suspension) are ground clearance and the rear IFS.
It's less than 2" wider than a 200 and only 10" longer, doesn't weigh any more, yet has a significantly higher-rated front axle.
Seems reasonable that 37s, which are relatively easy to install on a 2nd gen Sequoia, would be needed to approximate the performance of a 200 on 35s. Already geared at 4.30 like the Tundras.
I'm all for the Sequoia's for the right purpose. Those bit more dimensions here and there are no small thing on a technical trail though. As it is, the 200-series departure is often the first limitation and those extra inches mean a Sequoia doesn't play in the same league. Toyota describes the golden ratio and is why the Land Cruiser series from 80 to 200, and now 250 and 4runner have grown up into it.
Those extra couple inches width may also not seem like much but the 200-series is about as big that I'd want on a trail. This plays out again and again when I wheel with full size trucks.
The 4.1/4.3 diffs on the Tundra/Sequoia doesn't give them an advantage IMO. They need that because they have more drag with larger frontal areas and worse Cds. Whereas the LC200 keeps more margin with the same size engine.
Big 35s and 37s on a Sequoia only bring it up to par with what a stock 200-series will do. Now slap on 35 and 37s on a 200-series, it's not close IMO.
Tieing it back to this discussion...
A hallmark of the full fat Land Cruiser has always been big bones. In some ways after years of comparison, it has premium features (banjo brake caliper fittings to avoid tearing off lines) and more robust elements (LCA shock mount that's more robust than even the Tundra), and a higher end architecture (5-link solid rear axle) than even the Tundra/Sequoia (some of which the newest gen adopted_. It has the core strength to wear 35s and 37s with still great robustness and durability. We know Monica has seen tens of thousands of hardcore race miles with 37s in the Baja 1000 no less..
The LC250 is punching up with small parts to get to big boy pants and golden ratio wheelbase. It doesn't have the structure for big overlanding weights. Nor the core strength to wear big shoes without reinforcements and compromises in durability.
