Going from an 80 to a 100, LX or LC, smart move?

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J

JETTIX2

Joined
Jun 4, 2006
Threads
50
Messages
305
Hey guys;

Long story behind this, the quick 'n dirty is that we're considering upgrading our 1997 LX450 to get into a 100 series for my wife to drive during the winter months. As much as I love my 80, I would prefer her in something with LATCH, Stability Control, a smidge more space (not much) and less than 175k on it if we're going to be traveling long distances in the dead of winter.

Need LATCH points in the seats and VSC, and would rather not worry about the transmission, so I think a 2003+ would be our choice.

Debating LX470 vs LC.......styling-wise, I don't care. Functionally, I don't care if it has ACH but I don't want to be stuck with huge repair bills.

If I get an LX and it has ACH problems, I've read that the ACH can be removed, swapped with OEM LC steel springs, shocks, and misc other parts, and then I don't have any more worries.

Questions (yes, I searched)

1) Swapping out the ACH, will this affect the VSC?
2) Swapping out the ACH, will ride height be that of a stock LC (I don't want a lift)
3) What's the cost to swap it?? $1500-ish?

OK, given that, is the MFD failure a hugely common issue? It looks as though someone sells used/rebuilt ones for under $1000 now, right? All of the newer ones have the MFD, so it's not a matter of finding a LC with less options to avoid this, right?


Any other thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

Ben
 
LC or LX

1) Swapping out the ACH, will this affect the VSC? No
2) Swapping out the ACH, will ride height be that of a stock LC (I don't want a lift)Yes
3) What's the cost to swap it?? $1500-ish?Not sure

OK, given that, is the MFD failure a hugely common issue? NoIt looks as though someone sells used/rebuilt ones for under $1000 now, right? All of the newer ones have the MFD, so it's not a matter of finding a LC with less options to avoid this, right? Super rare to find one without NAV. I wouldn't worry about it.
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Hope that helps
 
First off your wife is going to love you. I moved from a 80 to a 100 and the ride quality and overall comfort is 100x better. Not to mention real actual power on tap with the V8 vs. the lack luster inline 6.

JETTIX2 said:
1) Swapping out the ACH, will this affect the VSC?
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No. Many people here have removed the AHC system with zero negative effects.

JETTIX2 said:
2) Swapping out the ACH, will ride height be that of a stock LC (I don't want a lift)
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If you replace the AHC with all stock OEM LC components, then Yes. Your other choice is to replace with aftermarket components from OME, IronMan, etc which would provide a small lift. Probably not desired by the little lady.

JETTIX2 said:
3) What's the cost to swap it?? $1500-ish?
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Depends, finding stock components here should be very easy.

JETTIX2 said:
OK, given that, is the MFD failure a hugely common issue? It looks as though someone sells used/rebuilt ones for under $1000 now, right? All of the newer ones have the MFD, so it's not a matter of finding a LC with less options to avoid this, right?
Click to expand...

Short answer, no. There is however a problem child model year which I happen to own, 2004. Toyota issued a TSB on the MFD in LC, Prius, and Highlander specifically for 2004 models. Basically it was a bad batch from Denso. I repaired mine myself saving thousands of dollars, but it's not a easy job unless you have electronic repair and soldering experience. With that said, it's the only real failures I've seen/heard. From time to time I look on eBay and you can find replacement MFD's for around $400-800. Alternatively there is a side project going on with one of our members to develop a NAV removal for the LC/LX.

If factory NAV is a big deal for you here is what you need to know when vehicle searching. 98-02 you can easily find vehicles (more so LC than LX) without factory navigation. However in 2003 they upgraded the design of the dashboard and from that point on 99.999% of vehicles (LC or LX) came with factory navigation. In other words finding a 03+ without factory navigation in the US is like finding a unicorn.
 
Actually unicorns are easier to find. Non-nav 2003+s pop up from time to time, they're not THAT rare. Hey anyone want a 2005 LS without nav?
 
Got me a 2007 LC with no nav, whats MFD's & what's the issue with MFD's? I guess some research is in order, we also looking at buying another LC with sat nav.
 
We are looking for a RHD LC 100 in UK to ship out to Zimbabwe, I am assuming the sat nav is made by different people than the ones in the states... Different factories? Any advice would be good
 
Shane Drummond said:
Got me a 2007 LC with no nav, whats MFD's & what's the issue with MFD's? I guess some research is in order, we also looking at buying another LC with sat nav.
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Add a location to your profile, sounds like you are in UK. The comment about 03+ non-NAV being unicorns applies to only vehicles imported to the US. You could technically order the LC/LX without factory NAV here in the US, but all the dealers ordered them with because it increased the sticker price of the sale. Here in the US the LC and LX are not used for their intended purpose, but instead for soccer moms to ferry their kids to/from school and ball games. Or in Blair's case to crawl over parking stops in the local mall...
 
Thanks Anthony.L, I really love MUD, I learn so much every time I am on, & I have a manual that's helped with my smaller fuse issues already. I am a noobie so I can't change much on my profile till I have enough posts, think I am on about 17 with this one, just loaded my avatar, will keep checking to change all else. Location Zimbabwe, Africa, all vehicles RHD so we import from Japan, UK, Aussie & Singapore for our roads here. There are thousands of used cars here from all over, but landcruisers are not common enouh to be as cheap as u get them over there... LC 100's go from $25,000 to $60,000 for a diesel & from $15,000 to $45,000 for the Petrol
 
I just upgraded to a 100 from an 80 and the difference is huge. The V8 has got a ton more power and is really smooth. You can pull out in traffic now without needing a 1/4 mile gap! I absolutely loved my 80....but will never go back to it....
 
Realize this is an old thread but will offer my .02 should anyone come across it at a later date when searching. I own and LOVE both. An 80 series is built like a tank and drives like a tractor............which is good and bad. No it isn't nimble getting on the interstate, no it sucks gas and drives slowly from stop light to stop light............BUT it will run forever and is still a vehicle that someone with just above basic skills can repair and maintain. It also has classic good looks and if off-roading is a primary focus no 100 series can touch an 80 series when the pavement ends. The 100 series is bigger, roomier, more family/kid friendly. Has V8 power, more creature comforts, safety features and owns the road as it glides along (whereas an 80 is generally more in the way). Very functional, not too big, not too small and still plenty capable off road. The 100 series is the choice for occasional off roading for folks with a family. It has plenty of room for the wife and kids and their junk and still has amazing reliability. Mechanically it takes a little more skill to tinker on a 100 vs an 80, but maintenance needs on a 100 are less than on an 80. If you like to camp, light off road, visit malls and haul kids to school and practices then the 100 is the answer. If you are blind-folded air lifted in your vehicles and dropped in the Amazon held at gun point and told to pick a vehicle to get you back to the coast within 72 hours......................you'll need the 80.

Both are great, you can't make a wrong decision. Or do like I did and get one of each, the best path to take for no regrets!
 
A Rubicon would also get you through the Amazon better than both the 100 and the 80. All three are different vehicles and trying to argue which is 'better' is like arguing whether beer or wine is 'better'. It comes down to budget and mission.
 
Woodman said:
Realize this is an old thread but will offer my .02 should anyone come across it at a later date when searching. I own and LOVE both. An 80 series is built like a tank and drives like a tractor............which is good and bad. No it isn't nimble getting on the interstate, no it sucks gas and drives slowly from stop light to stop light............BUT it will run forever and is still a vehicle that someone with just above basic skills can repair and maintain. It also has classic good looks and if off-roading is a primary focus no 100 series can touch an 80 series when the pavement ends. The 100 series is bigger, roomier, more family/kid friendly. Has V8 power, more creature comforts, safety features and owns the road as it glides along (whereas an 80 is generally more in the way). Very functional, not too big, not too small and still plenty capable off road. The 100 series is the choice for occasional off roading for folks with a family. It has plenty of room for the wife and kids and their junk and still has amazing reliability. Mechanically it takes a little more skill to tinker on a 100 vs an 80, but maintenance needs on a 100 are less than on an 80. If you like to camp, light off road, visit malls and haul kids to school and practices then the 100 is the answer. If you are blind-folded air lifted in your vehicles and dropped in the Amazon held at gun point and told to pick a vehicle to get you back to the coast within 72 hours......................you'll need the 80.

Both are great, you can't make a wrong decision. Or do like I did and get one of each, the best path to take for no regrets!
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Well said Woodman. I have one of each, and my wife keeps pestering me to get rid of one, but I just can't bring myself to do it. When tooling around with the windows down and going a little off road, I love my 80. When it's time for a long road trip or an evening out, the comfort of the 100 fits the bill.
 
Stated a slightly different way: Proper tool for the problem at hand. What's the mission, then we determine the vehicle. Case closed.
 
Well said Woodman. Two 80's, one 100 in the family at the present time. Six since 1996. Absolutely absurd reliability in both...even when driven hard in the woods everyday. For the life of me I can't figure out why more people don't drive these vehicles. What's the deal? Why do they just throw so much money away on new American made SUVs? I don't get it.
 
I always ask the same question, why do relatively smart people continue to buy crap cars? We need a university to spend millions on a research project.

I have had 2 80s, 2 FZJ80s, 3 99 100s and 1 2000 100. Best vehicles by far that I have ever owned. I prefer the 100 for my missions.
 
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