Is the LC worthy as an off-road toy?

[Markuson]

@Markuson ive seen your rig in a lot of threads I’ve read and I like it, I respect where you’re coming from, but can you take a stock LC through there? I’m sure it could with damage to bumpers. The other thing is, how much did that build cost?

Yes. ATs and a mild lift help, but absolutely you can do every trail in these photos stock. Plastic bumpers will get scratched...and I recommend sliders...but the truck can absolutely handle it.

Here is a shot of one of the same trails when my truck was near stock (smaller ATs, mild lift).
Done alone, no spotter, returned in the dark:

 

[684cruiser]

thank you @Markuson, did you have to add lockers for the trip above?, did you run into trails where the cruiser was just too big for it?

 

[Markuson]

thank you @Markuson, did you have to add lockers for the trip above?, did you run into trails where the cruiser was just too big for it?

No lockers. Just the standard center diff we all have. However, that trail was one of the few times I’ve engaged crawl control at a single point, as I usually forget I have it. Was a fuel-covered rock where slippage was happening. Finally remembered crawl, and boom...up and over. I can count on two hands the total number of times I’ve engaged it. Maybe 5 or 6 total...if that.

 

[684cruiser]

@afgman786, yes the tundra is paid off and is my daily driver, gonna maintain it and use it to tow my toy whatever it is I get. I agree the cruiser will be heavy, not including all the armor that is necessary. I agree with you @Weedhopper, you could buy an older cruiser and still have lots of money left over to build it properly.

 

[684cruiser]

cool @Markuson , maybe I'm looking into it too much but land cruiser 200 series in general are heavy not including the armor needed to be a proper rig and biggest enemy in modifying is weight the more you add the more the truck suffers a little. I was thinking a cheap alternative to bumpers is to line'x them, I did the front on my tundra and it has held up pretty well on crawling rocks with deep scratches.

 

[bloc]

cool @Markuson , maybe I'm looking into it too much but land cruiser 200 series in general are heavy not including the armor needed to be a proper rig and biggest enemy in modifying is weight the more you add the more the truck suffers a little. I was thinking a cheap alternative to bumpers is to line'x them, I did the front on my tundra and it has held up pretty well on crawling rocks with deep scratches.

The risk with dragging the rear bumper too heavily is it’ll push upward and forcefully remove your taillights as well.

Kaymar makes a rear bumper that replaces the lower panels with metal and can be dragged over stuff but is less weight and bulk than most of the aftermarket options.. but it’s not cheap.

 

[684cruiser]

@bloc , good point! We'll see, I've been saving monies and maybe ill buy a 200 or if the rumored new 300 series is any better then ill go for that if the specs are right.

 

[Slip]

Man, y'all are some seriously nice people.

 

[bloc]

I do think an 80 would fit your needs better.

The true advantage of a 200 is in use as a modern vehicle, and towing. Way more power, on-road comfort/refinement, and a more modern feel. The price of this is lots of $$, size, and as everyone pointed out.. weight.

Throwing bedliner on a 80 and not worrying about pin striping it is much easier than a 200. I have some new stuff on my 2013 from a big bend trip and will be busting out the buffer soon to polish it up.

 

[684cruiser]

Nailed it @bloc, I think as an overlander the 200 would be perfect. I might consider an 80 and build it up real nice. Thanks

 

[Markuson]

cool @Markuson , maybe I'm looking into it too much but land cruiser 200 series in general are heavy not including the armor needed to be a proper rig and biggest enemy in modifying is weight the more you add the more the truck suffers a little. I was thinking a cheap alternative to bumpers is to line'x them, I did the front on my tundra and it has held up pretty well on crawling rocks with deep scratches.

= plus better use of Apple’s auto correct! Woo!

No question weight makes you work a bit harder in certain settings, but at 8000 lbs loaded up, my truck still does *extremely* well. Proper suspension compensation, smart braking and gear use and all is quite well.

For me, my bumpers are about 4 main things:
1. Critter strikes become less likely to disable/strand me (already saved one trip without question).
2. Winch housing
3. Creates space for larger spare, water, fuel, and more being externally mounted (also enables larger LRA sub-fuel-tank too).
4. Side protection (already saved my entire right side with Slee’s super-stout rear bumper wings)

Also keeps me intact when banging down steps/drops, and means greater tow/recovery options.

 

[Markuson]

@Markuson ive seen your rig in a lot of threads I’ve read and I like it, I respect where you’re coming from, but can you take a stock LC through there? I’m sure it could with damage to bumpers. The other thing is, how much did that build cost?

I bought it used in perfect condition.
Buy a great used one and for less than the cost a stock new one...you can build one like mine.

 

[Markuson]

With that budget (200series) I would have a 40 as my playtoy and use the Tundra as the tow vehicle. A good 40 and a nice toy hauler trailer = late 200 series.

Not knocking the 40, (not at all!!!!!) but I can tell you that I would NOT have taken one particular obstacle in the first batch of photos in a 40 (unless turned into a buggy).
-Would have almost surely flipped or rolled.

I know it’s not talked about much here, but there are some obstacles where a longer wheel base is actually a good thing.

 

[Bunga]

The stock rig with 21" ATs did everything any pickup/SUV I have ever owned at a much safer, stiffer structure, with a compliant suspension. The picture on the left is after going through dunes, two creeks, and over 20 miles of garbage two tracks. It is an amazing overlanding machine. The guys who are wheeling here are showing just how capable the rig is with very minor mods, of the kind any offroader has to do. Our weakness is mass, no it's not a buggy, and really R/F clearance fixable with bumpers.

I have gone to 17"s and full under armor because of the rock gardens, and the lack of desire of having to charter a heavy lift AAA helicopter on my tours if I get stuck-stuck. I spent two weekends ago blasting mud in a terrain park and it did absolutely everything all the lifted rigs did. You cannot find a more reliable frame on body with this capability that can hold 8 people in comfort.

 

[Kabanstva]

LC's are probably the best all around vehicle. Plenty of room, reliable, good on highway and will do majority of the trails in the US. If you're looking for strictly a hardcore offroad toy to trailer out to places in your Tundra, do yourself a favor and just build a Jeep. So much cheaper, much more parts availability, and you can build something that can tackle any trail. All the new Toyota trucks have IFS and wheels inside the body design so you're always going to be limited with front articulation and tire size. Not a problem at all with a Jeep. Will the LC200 be superior to your Tundra offroad? Of course, but you're still limited by its size, weight, and body/suspension design. Toyota didn't design them strictly for offroad unlike the Jeeps (Wranglers). And before anyone comments, yes you can drive a Jeep on the road, but it's easily one of the worst riding vehicles I've ever driven. I drove one on 35's fully built and another on 40s. Every bump made it feel like the damn thing was going to fall apart any moment even though they were both $100k+ builds with some of the best parts.

 

[684cruiser]

yea I will buy used @Markuson, a late model like 2015 or a 2016. I agree @Bunga mass, width are the 200's problems. Bumper clearances can be fixed with aftermarket bumpers but its so expensive like the Slee one I want, I could get 5 wheels and tires with that price and possibly a suspension system. Like the straightforwardness @Kabanstva stated the LC wasn't designed strictly for offload and size weight and design is not ideal, thanks for that. I thought about a jeep but I don't want to pour my money into a rig that's gonna break down on the trail, jeeps scare me with their reliability but they are great off-roaders.

 

[TacomaLC]

good vehicle choices

 

[684cruiser]

that’s badass @TacomaLC , the tundra tows more but realistically, safely it would be about the same as the tow rating for the LC. But the tundra is paid off so it will be my tow rig, and a future landcruiser will be the off-road toy.

 

[Madtiger]

Since you want reliability AND off-road capability that is not too big on the trail, then get a new 4runner. A used 2015-2016 LC (esp 2016) will run you around price of a brand new 4runner TRD PRO. Since it is lighter weight (while still having 3rd party support), you can trailer it easier with your Tundra.

 

[PhuckItImDone]

Even mud hasn't stopped mine. Sometimes shes a dirty girl and I'm ok with that.