Isn't a 100 LC just a bigger and heavier 4Runner?

[knorrena]

Beno, not sure if your tongue was in your cheek when you typed that or not, but you are a cool guy whom I have a boatload of respect for.

I posted what I did to point out that while cruisers have their strengths, we, as cruiser owners, tend to oversell our trucks just like all the other autofreaks in the world: everyone oversells their favorite vehicle to justify why they love it.

WRT to moving to the USA. I have considered it, and I lived in Dallas and Austin for about a year total. I loved it; however, there are things that crawl, things that slither, things that bite, and none of those same things exist in Canada. Yeah I am a pussy when it comes to bugs and snakes and s***.

Truth be told I could probably double my annual earnings in Houston or Dallas, but I like it here, even when its -23*C.

 

[OGBeno]

Beno, not sure if your tongue was in your cheek when you typed that or not, but you are a cool guy whom I have a boatload of respect for.

Absolutely not Karl.

You've been around for a bit. I know this which is why I stated what I did.

You have the real world experience that I can only supplement with my knowledge of Toyota as taught to me by CDan, Poser, JimC, Cruiserdrew, and others as well as through my trips to Japan and through my "empirical" research... In vivo.

 

[saillaw]

WRT to moving to the USA. I have considered it, and I lived in Dallas and Austin for about a year total. I loved it; however, there are things that crawl, things that slither, things that bite, and none of those same things exist in Canada. Yeah I am a pussy when it comes to bugs and snakes and s***.

I suspect more people are injured/killed by Grizzlies and Black Bears than snakes and scorpions? But I too hate snakes and Scorpions and feel more relaxed in bear country than some snake infested swamp.

Which vehicle would do better in protecting the occupants from a rabid Kodiak bear?

 

[OGBeno]

I suspect more people are injured/killed by Grizzlies and Black Bears than snakes and scorpions? But I too hate snakes and Scorpions and feel more relaxed in bear country than some snake infested swamp.

Which vehicle would do better in protecting the occupants from a rabid Kodiak bear?

A 76 series.

 

[saillaw]

First off the 4Runner is the Toyota Surf everywhere else in the world except for the US market. Cool. Fact of the matter is that no one else in the modern world equates either platform with each other.

I haven't seen many four runners outside North America or any Surf's outside Australia/New Zealand. It seems that in many of the other markets they used the 90, 120 or 150 series and called it the Prado instead of four runner or surf.

The 100 series as well as the 105 series for its short run was manufactured at the ARACO/Toyota Auto Body Yoshiwara Plant. This plant is/has been known as the Land Cruiser plant. For Land Cruiser assholes like myself, it is the most important building structure in the world.

Was the 105 build cycle any shorter than the 100? I recently found a brand new 2007 105. I was hopeful someone on this forum would buy it

Sure, they might share the same engine (2UZ-FE and the 1GR-FE-- yes there were GRJ100 rigs in certain markets in early iterations of the 4.0L), the platforms, the part numbers, the entire engineering group internally are completely different.

All the 6 cylinder 100 series I have seen had the 4.5 inline 6. I've never seen a v6 100 series. Where did they sell that?

I think (hope) that when the previous poster said you don't know what you are talking about they were being sarcastic. I think most of us value your posts and knowledge.

 

[OGBeno]

I haven't seen many four runners outside North America or any Surf's outside Australia/New Zealand. It seems that in many of the other markets they used the 90, 120 or 150 series and called it the Prado instead of four runner or surf.

Was the 105 build cycle any shorter than the 100? I recently found a brand new 2007 105.

All the 6 cylinder 100 series I have seen had the 4.5 inline 6. I've never seen a v6 100 series. Where did they sell that?

I think (hope) that when the previous poster said you don't know what you are talking about they were being sarcastic. I think most of us value your posts and knowledge.

The 105 was a "bridge" vehicle for most markets to ease them into the full size Toyota SUV with IFS. That's directly from the Land Cruiser Chief Engineer Sadayoshi Koyari. They existed for different durations in different markets (for example, Toyota Gibraltar was doing 105s through 2007 as you stated--again, market needs and diversification).

It is also the reason the 7x series lives on for awhile longer.

100 series rigs had different engine platforms for different markets: 1HD-FTE/1FZ-FE (both direct ignition and non)/2UZ-FE/1GR-FE/1HZ etc. Toyota, if anything, is keen on marketing and rationalized market diversification.

The Surf exists and is different internally than the 90/120 Prado designations based again on market diversification.

Names and model designations have always been different worlds for Toyota. In the end we have to always remember that Toyota is merely out to make as much money as humanly possible.

 

[Mxndrnks]

I think (hope) that when the previous poster said you don't know what you are talking about they were being sarcastic. I think most of us value your posts and knowledge.

If this was in reference to my post... yes pure sarcasm aimed at previous post by others challenging his knowledge. He know where I stand with him and always gets my first call when I need something for the rig.....

 

[Itsky]

100 series have torsion bar IFS.

 

[dealmaker]

I own both and one of the most obvious differences that I haven't seen any one post up is the ergonomics of the driving position and driver comfort. I love my 4Runner and at $30k I think it's the value of the century compared to the LC. However, the LC seating position and view out the greenhouse is much better. In the 4Runner the seating position is much lower, like you're seated down in a car and the greenhouse is smaller/lower, the view over the hood is more restricted. After driving a couple hours, my right leg starts to feel cramped. In the LC/LX, the seating position is higher or at least seems so, clean easy view lines over the hood and out all the windows, and much more comfortable seating for the long drives.

 

[SWUtah]

I own both and one of the most obvious differences that I haven't seen any one post up is the ergonomics of the driving position and driver comfort. I love my 4Runner and at $30k I think it's the value of the century compared to the LC. However, the LC seating position and view out the greenhouse is much better. In the 4Runner the seating position is much lower, like you're seated down in a car and the greenhouse is smaller/lower, the view over the hood is more restricted. After driving a couple hours, my right leg starts to feel cramped. In the LC/LX, the seating position is higher or at least seems so, clean easy view lines over the hood and out all the windows, and much more comfortable seating for the long drives.

Very true and it does become a big deal after you've owned one for awhile

 

[EdsCruisin]

I own both and one of the most obvious differences that I haven't seen any one post up is the ergonomics of the driving position and driver comfort. I love my 4Runner and at $30k I think it's the value of the century compared to the LC. However, the LC seating position and view out the greenhouse is much better. In the 4Runner the seating position is much lower, like you're seated down in a car and the greenhouse is smaller/lower, the view over the hood is more restricted. After driving a couple hours, my right leg starts to feel cramped. In the LC/LX, the seating position is higher or at least seems so, clean easy view lines over the hood and out all the windows, and much more comfortable seating for the long drives.

Yes, but the 4R has much larger side view mirrors, that we lovingly call the "bathroom mirrors" at our house. The seat in my 4R can be raised to limit that car feeling too, but it is a smaller seat in every dimension.

And I almost forgot, the 4R (without the 3rd row seatbelts) has these cool back up mirrors built inside that let you see the back bumper through the rear view mirror. Very handy.

 

[LCAdvocate]

Lets not make the LC/LX 470 out to be an icon of build quality because its not. And if a 4runnner is of lower build quality I wont ever buy one.

Here is a list of stuff wrong with my 2004 lx470 that has 107,000kms on it:
-almost all my chrome trim is delaminating
-my steering wheel is delaminating
-I have a vicious f'ing cold start knock that makes the truck sound like a diesel for about 7 minutes at -20C*.
-I have a driveshaft knock that I have fixed so many times I gave up.
-the navigation does not work if its colder than -15C*
-the rear upper gate rattles all the time no matter how much I adjust it.
-the trailer light adapter s*** the bed and I had to rewire it myself using an aftermarket adapter b/c there are no new relays on NA
-the active traction control castrates fun whenever it can
-and the biggest f'ing thing I hate is the fact the number of steps it takes to turn up the heat to max and the fact that you have to press so many damn buttons to adjust the climate in the truck.
-the ahc is crap and makes the truck ride like crap

This truck is my ninth cruiser. My 80 was of much higher build quality than my 100. My 70, though much more crude, was higher quality. My bj42s and my 40s? well now were not on the same planet.

And you know what? I have a 2009 BMW 335i; allegedly one of the neediest cars out there. The only problem I have had with it is the battery needed to be replaced.

Why not sell it? Strangely I cant get the cruiser bug out of my system. If that's why we own them then fine thats why. But lets not make them out to be something they are not.

I agree, my 80 was soo much better than my 100 in build quality, but the appointments, V8..... I like very much

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I owned a 2006 4 Runner for almost 5 years. Being 6'4'', any drive longer than 2 hours created major leg cramps. Also, on a drive up to Tahoe from San Diego, my lower back pain was so severe that I could barely walk. The driving position in a 4-Runner is similar to driving a sports car. The best decision I made was to sell it and purchase a 99 100 series. I can now do 12+ hours of off road driving in Death Valley with no issues.

 

[saillaw]

I agree, my 80 was soo much better than my 100 in build quality, but the appointments, V8..... I like very much

I was never happy with the quality of the dash in my 80, I think they melted an igloo cooler to make it. Also at 6'2 I always wanted more leg room in the driver's seat. The leg room in the second row was terrible. But don't get me wrong, off road in stock form it was much more capable than my 100 was in stock.

 

[SWUtah]

I agree, my 80 was soo much better than my 100 in build quality, but the appointments, V8..... I like very much

I would buy the right FZJ80 before another 100 Series. I would love to find a low mileage one say less then 30k miles and a Mall cruiser that lived in a no salt desert location like Nevada or Arizona. But that's just dreaming, in reality the 100 is now the only game in town and someday it will be the 200.

 

[OregonLC]

But that's just dreaming, in reality the 100 is now the only game in town and someday it will be the 200.

Nope, when the 100's are used up we'll all be in 4Rs or GXs.

 

[cpcc]

yes the 100 is a bigger and heavier version of a 4runner. Similar to an LS430 being a bigger and heavier corolla

 

[knorrena]

Ooh a brand new nugget of love from the cruiser gods. My navigation just quit working. I get the "cannot read dvd" error.

While I am back on a rant, the over rated Mark Levinson stereo never worked right with either my wifes or my cell phone. The volume does not work after you use a cell phone. There was a TSB for it, but I did not get it done in time.

 

[michaelshin]

Beno,
Do you know why Toyota resists bringing their diesel engines?
I am not a market researcher but I bet people would line up for a diesel tacoma, 4runner and LC. It would certainly make the tundra much more appealing as well.

 

[NET4R2004]

I own a 2004 4Runner with 4.0 heavily modifed and a stock 03 LX470. Here are my observations pertaining to 100 series and 4th Gen T4Rs (some of which have already been discussed);

- LX470 has a much better and comfortable seating position

- The 4Runner 4.0 with lighter wieght is quicker than the heavier LX with V8. My 4Runner has 120k on it and still runs strong even with 50K miles of wieghted mods.

-The 4Runner had that damn soccer mom 4wd dial. The LX has the good old t-case lever. I had an issue with my 4Runner t-case actuator motor and sapd "F this". Hence a nice twin stick Marlin Crawler "Lefty t-case"

-The Traction control in the LX is better the 4R. They killed the rear locker in the earlier 4th Gen runners, which is a bummer.

-Cabin noise is so much quieter in the LX.

-The transmission is so much smoother in the LX. The 4Runner is ok, but the shift points are much more noticable.

-For offroading on New England Class VI roads, the LX is a bit wide and a very tight fit on trails.

-The 4runner, I believe, does not have the option to turn off the side curtain airbags when offroading. The LX does.

-4Runner has more aftermarket audio options. The integral audio/NAV/climate unit scare the crap out of me. I see them online for around $1200 to $1800. I hope that never fails.

-The LX has more rear axle flex than the 4Runner.

-The 4Runner has a downhill assist function. The LX doesn't. I never used it and now with the super low Marlin case, I can just about drive down a damn wall in 4LO (1st gear) with no break and not exceed 5MPH.

-No doubt the components on the LX are more stought than the T4R.

-The ride quality of the LX is much better than the T4R. Even when my T4R was stock.

-The T4R does have a sportier ride, which I will admit I prefer in corning situations. The LX tends to lean a bit.

-The LX has rear heating comtrols. Passengers in my T4R 3rd row are either always cold or hot.

-The placement of the T4R 2nd row ISO latches suck. This may seem like a small thing, but when you have three kids, one of which still in a 4-point harness, it's a real PITA.

-Unless you have the full-time 4WD, the t-case actuator motor sucks. It is the unit that tell the computer what the status of the truck is to make sure you can engage 4WD, etc. I hate any computer telling what I can and can't do. Again, back to why I went Marlin.

-The rear bumper of the T4R is huge which makes all aftermarket bumpers ridiculously expensive.

Well, I think those are all the things that I've noticed. With all that said. I have no plans to get rid of either. I love them both.