Is getting a a 2uz powered truck (100 series, 4th gen 4R, gx470, etc) to "downsize costs" a bad choice?

[LXFAM]

As others have said, baselining the vehicle can vary wildly depending on previous owners. I do find that while i have had to solve a lot of my LX issues on my own, i actually enjoy the process of fixing my vehicle. I would think the folks highlighting their extensive baselining are similar on here.

With that said, I was in a similar financial position so to speak and sold my X3M40i and picked up another LX470. Do i spend more on Fuel? Absolutely, but i don't have a payment and there's peace of mind driving that i can take my car anywhere and not care about it.

My LX470 is not my daily anymore as work has me commuting in via train more often nowadays but if i had to daily it and drive the amount of miles you need, i can see myself wanting a more fuel efficient vehicle for work. Maybe you can consider a adventure vehicle, and a fuel efficient commuter car you can take to work.

 

[Rhetoric]

I dont think it's needier. I think the simple answer is that people maintain these while your average 4Runner owner just runs it into the dirt. 95% of the work I have performed on my 100 has been replacement of things that are worn but not necessarily needing replacement. I just put 2 brand new CV axles in it yesterday. Were they broken? No. They were worn where they go through the hub flange and would have probably lasted another 100K miles. I'm replacing motor mounts next weekend. Are they broken? No. But they are old and after 235K miles could probably use replacement and in return eliminating any engine vibrations.

Not everything needs to be done the second you get it, we've owned this truck for several years now and I have just slowly modded it and replaced wear items as time and budget allows. If you cannot turn your own wrenches though this is not the vehicle for you. All the maintenance I have done would have far exceeded the price of the vehicle if I were dropping it off at a mechanic all the time.

Agree.

The only "needy" maintenance aspect I could see someone being crabby about is the 30k mile wheel bearing repack. But for a DIYer like many of us are, it's just another job we know well that keeps these rigs running smoothly. My 6yo loves to join me in the garage when I work on my LX. It's a great teaching moment.

To someone paying a shop to work on these... especially for baselining... it probably seems very needy. Especially as these trucks age and will need replacement parts.

 

[FinnLX470]

I paid $6600 for my 2000 LX470 10 years ago. I probably have 4k into maintenance (timing chain, spark plugs, muffler, brakes) the rest of the money I put into I blame on this forum lol. (sliders, skid plates, rear bumper) I have about 15k total into and got 6k for hail damage. Paid cash, no payments, very reliable and capable vehicle 19 mpg highway 15 mpg around town.

Yes, I also want to know the secret to 18 mpg. On the highway, at 55-60, I can get 16 mpg. Overall, I am getting 13-14. [Yes, probably 60% of my miles are short-term, around-town driving. But if there is something reasonable that ups the gas mileage, I want to know what it is and do it.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Yes, I also want to know the secret to 18 mpg. On the highway, at 55-60, I can get 16 mpg. Overall, I am getting 13-14. [Yes, probably 60% of my miles are short-term, around-town driving. But if there is something reasonable that ups the gas mileage, I want to know what it is and do it.

Clean air filter, light stock sized tires, proper tire pressure, good plugs/coil packs. These trucks are rated at 17 highway / 13 city brand new so realistically you just are not really going to do much better than that. Some people will say they can do better but its probably more likely user error calculating MPG or a good tank of slower down hill driving and not what the truck averages over a long period of time.