Get a bigger tank or get a bigger tank and swap up to a 2007 or get a different truck

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knorrena

knorrena

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I am faced with a tough decision. My ninth cruiser is a 2004 lx470. This truck has been my biggest cruiser dissapointment. It has a cold start knock that really pisses me off, and a host of other issues like a failed dvd reader, failed trailer towing circuit, pealing chrome, s***ty low beams, and a small tank as well as other niggling issues.

The small tank is an issue because I go on long camping trips with my family and in the locations we go its sometimes 400-500kms to the next gas station. The trailer is a 17' ultralight, but it pulls the trucks mileage down to 7-12mpg when towing. It tows fine, its just that it sucks back the fuel like me and Patron. Once we literally coasted into a gas station and that really pisses me off - I hate being straned which is why I have had a cruiser addiction, though they have left me stranded too.

So I can dump a $1200 bux into a larger tank and run this truck and live with its issues, or get an 07 cruiser and get a bigger tank, or get some other SUV. My wife is dead set on an SUV and I agree.

Here are our options for another SUV: 4runner, gx470, gx460, diesel excursion, G500.

I would appreciate any and all feedback and thank you in advance.

Karl
 
How about importing a '98 HDJ100? It'll get you the cruising range you want and I'd imagine it to tow better.

Btw, if you have the charcoal canister above the spare tire, there is no off the shelf aux tank that I know of that will fit. Seems maybe only North American 100's came this way ('03+).
 
Or bring a couple 5 gallon fuel cans and increase your range by 30 percent for a cost of 50 bucks in parts. Or you could spend 500 on an aux tank. Or 15 to 30k on a diesel cruiser (import).
 
He can just stuff a couple of gas cans in the trailer instead of putting it on a rack or rear bumper. I believe he needs the extra capacity during towing only.

Regarding towing, I think most other options will get you the same result (7-12MPG). Hate to say it, but for your uses, the Ford Exursion might be better...
 
My friends excursion tows great and has a range of 650+ miles with the stock 44 gallon tank. But it is definitely in the shop more, even with half the miles as my LX.
 
The G500 also has a 25 gallon fuel tank but gets even worse fuel mileage than the 100. Aux tank options are not plentiful nor cheap. And those little complaints about the LX?... well... ;)
 
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel 22 MPG city/ 28 MPG Highway.

I'm not really a fan of Jeep.... :meh:

4 spare gas cans would net you an extra 20 gallons...Roof Rack, Rear Bumper, or you could utilize your trailer.

I towed a 6x12 U-Haul double axle trailer from Tucson to Seattle with an 06 100 and managed between 10-12 mpg over mountain passes....the trailer was stuffed full of household goods...crazy heavy.
 
Don't the US spec 03+ LC's have fitment issues with a larger or second tank? I thought it couldn't be done. In which case, more Jerry cans.

A new 4Runner would get you better range with it's better fuel efficiency. Downside is a loss in payload and towing.

With the 07 LC, due to the extra horsepower you get slightly less mpg than 03-04.
 
The charcoal canister in those years is attached to the body in the area directly above the spare tire. I spent a lot of time looking at it this weekend. It seems like it would be fairly easy to relocate. That's the only thing I see that would cause issues with fitment of a tank like the FR.
 
The fuel economy always seems to come up, but I think it's healthy to remember that when comparing apples to apples, the cruiser always comes out ahead. Our bone stock cruiser with 100,000 miles on it will average 16.5 mpg on the highway running around 70 mph if I never floor it to pass. For a 5100 lb. truck running fulltime awd, four wheel drive capable, with a rear locker and the comfort of my Camry, safety of a beast, it really doesn't get horrific mileage. Here are some combined mpg numbers from fueleconomy.gov:
1. 1998 Land Cruiser combined: 14mpg
2. 1998 Ford Explorer v8 4wd version combined: 14mpg (much smaller truck)
3. 199& Ford Expedition combined 14mpg
4. 1998 Toy 4Runner combined 18mpg (much smaller truck)
5. 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee combined 13 mpg
6. 1998 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 combined 13mpg diesel was only 15mpg
7. 1998 Dodge Durango combined 13mpg

Ford excursions which are not apples to apples get 12 mpg gas models and up to 18 hwy diesel. And have weak front ends and other issues. Having friends that own them i get the skinny on them. At the end of the day, I'm looking for a larger tank or aux solution too. But not thinking of anything other than a LC. The mpg isn't really that paltry guys. It drives so much like a Camry, we expect it to get the mileage of one. Keep forgetting it's a beast.
 
Thanks for all your feedback.
'
The HDJ100 option never occurred to me. I have not seen any on the market, but I will keep a lookout.

The Expedition idea is out. I recently read about Onur's issues with his Ford.

I was not aware of the charcoal canister issue, and I already carry two 7 gallon jerry cans, but I carry them in the rear storage compartment of my trailer and that makes me uncomfortable. I like the rear bumper idea. I checked around a little and I cant seem to locate an aux tank. Specter and Man-e-Fre dont have any. Even if Cruiser parts had one I would be loath to buy it.

A custom tank and a bumper seems to be in order. The tank would take up the space that the spare occupies and that I overlooked. So a spare tank is going to actually cost around $2000.

I would prefer to get an '07. The vvti and increased hp and torque make it worthwhile. Not only that, that cold start knock really pisses me off. I learned my lesson with that. I let the dealer warm it up before I test drove it 'cause I thought he was being nice and it was cold.

There is one other candidate: a big freakin tree, aka a sequoia. Any thoughts on those aside from lower build quality?

Karl
 
How about the Mercedes GL350 Blue-Tec? What about the newer 200 series Landcruiser? It has a lot more power and gets slightly better mileage.
The Sequoia would probably work also.
 
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You/we haven't seen HDJ100's on the market because this is the first year it is eligible for import into Canada.

The cold start knock you are referring to, is it actually a leaking exhaust header?
 
hoser said:
You/we haven't seen HDJ100's on the market because this is the first year it is eligible for import into Canada.

The cold start knock you are referring to, is it actually a leaking exhaust header?
Click to expand...

What are the import rules for this? Is the 1998 HDJ100 available this year or are other years available as well?
 
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