Ex 80 owner ... Lurking for 100

[Jim_Chow]

An add on question.

Have there been any reported issues with the 5 speed tranny? That would be on my "must have" list. The only hesitation is that it is a new unit, and the 4 speed is tried and true. Does the 5 speed have a lower first gear??

I ask since our Sienna has a 5 speed auto, and it is a much better driving experience than any 4 speed auto I have owned. It shifts more, but always seems to be in exactly the right gear.

Can you get a 2003 without all that TRAC stuff?

I believe the 5 speed was used on the 100 series TD in Australia for some time before it was introduced here.

The 1st gear for the 5spd w/ stock 4.1 diffs is lower (14.432) than the 1st gear for the 4spd w/ 4.88 diffs (13.68)!

 

[lcfool]

Don't get in an accident!!! The liability, given that you knowingly disabled a safety/traction device, could be horrendous...

Of course, if it's only for trail use, I guess that's (marginally) better, since you (probably) won't hit someone else and get sued...

Yeah, I'm just talking on the trail. Like what spressemon said, it would be ideal if it just turned off automatically when you engaged a front or rear locker. In that case, you're either locked (offroad) or with TRAC all other times. I don't know anything about after-market lockers and I don't even have TRAC, but in theory, it seems like wiring the switches for this would be straight foward.... assuming there are no serious side-effects from turning off trac. I'd like to get an '03, so I'm just thinking way ahead of myself.

 

[mikesurfs]

Ting,

There's a clean beige LX470 in Hermosa Beach for 21k and 60,000 miles. Second owner, female realtor, no off-road time....

I was gonna buy but found a '00 100 with 70k alot cheaper.

Mike

 

[spressomon]

Yeah, I'm just talking on the trail. Like what spressemon said, it would be ideal if it just turned off automatically when you engaged a front or rear locker. In that case, you're either locked (offroad) or with TRAC all other times. I don't know anything about after-market lockers and I don't even have TRAC, but in theory, it seems like wiring the switches for this would be straight foward.... assuming there are no serious side-effects from turning off trac. I'd like to get an '03, so I'm just thinking way ahead of myself.

TRAC, as I understand, works with the open diff and ABS...when one wheel of the same axle slips TRAC activates ABS on the slipping wheel to allow the diff to send power, essentially, to the opposite wheel that has more traction. When the diff is locked both wheels of the same axle will have the same amount of power available...because they are locked each wheel of the same axle cannot spin without the other spinning...thereby automatically bypassing TRAC/ABS. AFAIK TRAC only works when one wheel of the same axle slips. Hopefully someone that drives a '00+ will chime in if this is not correct.

 

[Greg B]

TRAC, as I understand, works with the open diff and ABS...when one wheel of the same axle slips TRAC activates ABS on the slipping wheel to allow the diff to send power, essentially, to the opposite wheel that has more traction. When the diff is locked both wheels of the same axle will have the same amount of power available...because they are locked each wheel of the same axle cannot spin without the other spinning...thereby automatically bypassing TRAC/ABS. AFAIK TRAC only works when one wheel of the same axle slips. Hopefully someone that drives a '00+ will chime in if this is not correct.

This is correct; activating lockers in front and rear axles would over-ride TRAC.

 

[Greg B]

I think 4.88's and the 5-speed tranny would be the PERFECT combination with 35's.


Currently I have the 4sp/4.88/35's. I'm happy with my freeway gearing but I would like a lower 1st gear. As you can see, the 5sp/4.88 combo has a much lower first gear yet the top gear is similiar to the 4sp/4.88's top gear.

Comparing crawl ratios:

4sp/4.88/2.488 (transfer case in low) would give you a first gear of 34.04
5sp/4.88/2.488 would be 42.74

For those of us running 33" tires, the 5 speed in an 03 would be sweet matched up with the 4.30's from a 98-02 along with some ARB's too.

4sp/4.30 vs 5sp/4.30:

A343F "4-sp Auto" (Effective Ratio=Gear X Diff gear)
- 1st Gear 2.804 (12.06)
- 2nd Gear 1.531 (6.58)
- 3rd Gear 1.000 (4.30)
- 4th Gear 0.753 (3.24)
- Reverse 2.393 (10.29)
Diff Ratio 4.30

A750F "5-sp Auto" with 4.30's
- 1st Gear 3.520 (15.14)
- 2nd Gear 2.042 (8.78)
- 3rd Gear 1.40 (6.02)
- 4th Gear 1.00 (4.30)
- 5th Gear 0.716 (3.08)
- Reverse Gear 3.244 (13.95)
Diff Ratio 4.30

 

[LXPearl]

I love the Golden Pearl (white) - an excellent choice.

For daily driving the 4spd LC/LX is very nice, and I definitely like it better than the 5spd Sienna I drove. However, on the trail the 4spd can get frustrating with its tall gearing.

The 5 spd 100 is excellent - more driving in the power band in town or on the trail. It is smooth, and feels great with the 4.7L. If that is what you want, the Artic White color is not a bad compromise from my favorite color with the golden hue to it.

 

[SWUtah]

Hi my name is Bob! I used to own 80’s… J/K
…

Hi Bob, I feel your pain. I once owned a 95 80 series, loved it great looks and it felt like it could handle anything. Now I feel like a rich guy driving the LX

 

[Brandonhales]

Selling 80 just inherited a 100

I just came across a 2000 LX with 238,000 miles on it, It was in my Grandfathers garage. I don't know how much maintenence he did on it when he was was driving. It looks immaculate except worn leather on the drivers seat. I have a 94 80 series with 287,000 but it is not street drivable anymore, to many trial rides. I guess I am going to part with it and concentrate on the Lexus. Where do I need to start, other than the obvious belts, CV boots plugs wires, ETC. How long does the air suspension last?

 

[dclee]

For those of us running 33" tires, the 5 speed in an 03 would be sweet matched up with the 4.30's from a 98-02 along with some ARB's too.

Very cool Greg, and Hoser too. The 5-speed/4.3 combo is exactly what I was contemplating, though it will be painful to ditch perfectly good 4.1 R&Ps that I've had since new and probably won't have very many hard miles on them...

Anyone got any good 4.3's they took out of their truck when they re-geared?

 

[hoser]

Apparently these used 4.3's are a hot commodity. 3 people approached me interested in my used front 4.3--I sold the front gears. I have a rear 4.3 available. I also have the rear LSD. Would that be any benefit to a ATRAC equipped 100?

 

[spressomon]

Apparently these used 4.3's are a hot commodity. 3 people approached me interested in my used front 4.3--I sold the front gears. I have a rear 4.3 available. I also have the rear LSD. Would that be any benefit to a ATRAC equipped 100?

Ditto...but they aren't/weren't worth much so I hung onto mine just in case I want to reverse when/if I sell the 'spresso machine .

 

[hoser]

I figured it wasn't worth it to change back to 4.3's if/when I sell it. Too much work and I don't have the skills to properly set-up diffs.

 

[1loudLX]

I just came across a 2000 LX with 238,000 miles on it

Welcome to 'Mud! Looks like more and more people are coming to the pink side of the landcruisers. Where on earth did your grandfather drive? Ied like to know how well the motor/trans in a 00 held up to 238k...wow.

 

[Greg B]

Very cool Greg, and Hoser too. The 5-speed/4.3 combo is exactly what I was contemplating, though it will be painful to ditch perfectly good 4.1 R&Ps that I've had since new and probably won't have very many hard miles on them...

Anyone got any good 4.3's they took out of their truck when they re-geared?

Derek,
I'm jealous; I would love to be able to drop a set of 100 gears into my 100 that would get me to stock gearing on 33's. You should also try www.car-parts.com I have been very lucky using them. I just recently found a salvage yard in Washington that sold me the transfer case electric diff lock motor assembly for $140 shipped; it was over $500 list price.

It is hit or miss though, some places are better than others. You might even be able to find a salvage yard that will sell you the whole third member in the rear and you could slap that in without having to pay to have the r&p's installed in your third member. That could get costly though; still something to look into.