Izzy LC 250 Experience (1 Viewer)

[izzyandsue]

This thread is to document my experience, and experience with others, with the 250 series. Many have questions about it so figured it would be easier to keep it all in one place.
So, I was looking for 250 but not wanting all the extra baggage dealers add on, that is just profit excuses. Drove both a base and a 1958 at Scott Clark, loved either one. They didn't have a 1958 without the dealer bloat, so they added $5,000 of paint protection stuff.

I noticed Town and Country had a base at a much lower price, so thought it was clickbait. Called them and it was not, they had it, a LC Base, no sunroof, no extra muffler bearings. In essence, it was $900 more than a 1958 at Scott Clark. Holly cow I am in, since the colors are what I was looking for.

It had 10 miles on it, no sunroof (which I didn't want), and it looked as good as I remembered. Dealer was very easy to work with, fast and to the point to get the numbers I was looking for. I drove the old 43 there since I was not ready to buy, but this was too good to pass up.

 

[izzyandsue]

The next day, did a real wash and Tutlewax ceramic coat, and started learning about all the systems and options, configurations, etc. It is loaded with technology, which I enjoy. Then my good friend Jay, who owns LFD Offroad, tells me he got a 1958 on the same day.

This silver one is his, he is already doing a roof rack prototype and I will be testing the full size prototype later in September. We went to the OEX land, since we do work there, and drove the obstacle course and around the place testing everything. And it was an enchanted moment.

I truly love my 80, it’s the most awesomest vehicle off road that I have driven. This thing will give it a run for its money, we were both extremely impressed by the driving ability. Didn’t go over the large logs due to short clearance on street tires, but everything else was a cakewalk.

I will be adding OEM sliders to mine after Labor Day.

 

[izzyandsue]

Some more photos of the course driving. From Charlotte to Uwharrie it was doing 22 mpg, 22.4 on the way back. It had less than a 100 miles on the odometer.

I will be driving it to FL for my parents 65th wedding anniversary (damn I am old!), then doing the first oil change when I get back. Then sliders will go on, and full size roof rack prototype to test on the highway before heading to NM, near White Sands for 10 days of desert driving, and more obstacle course. If I have time will try to get some 33” proper tires, otherwise will drive it as is with Michelins. Will get my impressions here after the long drive to FL.

I have mounted my fridge in the back, running of the Ecoflow River battery, and that system will be running off the 2400W inverter in the truck. Hopefully will stay charged enough from when the truck is running.

 

[uzj100]

Dude. This is awesome. You were reading my mind. I appreciate all the info and the pictures. I dig that color. Great choice.

 

[rlynch356]

Awesome Izzy!!
I need some time to actually get out in the field, being a Rowing Dad with 2 Teams now is a bit of overhead

 

[izzyandsue]

Quick update, just crossed to a 1,000 miles driving in farm roads west of Krome Ave, dirt roads were interesting.

Drove down was about 22.4mpg, and the inverter kept Ecoflow my battery system at 100%. The battery was powering fridge and laptop the whole way. The cruise control is very useful in heavy traffic too, slowing down and accelerating. The remote start is a gimmick, but also great to cool down the cabin. It will shut itself off after 10 mins.

 

[izzyandsue]

Drive back to NC yesterday, came home to CLT during the massive thunderstorm. MPG on the highway was around 22.5, most of the time 75+ mph. Gas used was a mix of 87, 89, and 93, didn't seem to make a difference on mpg. And the seats are very, very comfortable....

Driving in Miami, which is pretty much defensive driving 24/7, was around 19mpg per trip. Every time you end a trip and you turn the truck off the dash will provide a summary of distance, time, and mpg for the trip.

The 2400W inverter, let my Ecoflow drain down to about 50% while powering the fridge, and it took less than an hour to top off the RiverflowPro battery. There is a whistle noise in the cabin when the inverter is working hard, its the fan for it. Very high pitch but not annoying, so radio volume up.

Speaking of radio, this morning on my way to Wallyworld to buy motor oil, there was zero sound from the radio. I tried cycling the car, changing modes, disconnected car play...no sound and the volume knob wasnt working. On the way back home, I decided to use the native navigation system, and the speaker crackled for a second and sound was back on. Not sure how or why, but that worked.

 

[izzyandsue]

Finished long weekend with oil and filter change, 1,798 miles. Nothing unusual about it, and that’s a tiny thimble sized filter.

 

[gasman4u]

Sweet new ride! Have you searched to see if there's another oil filter that would fit that has a larger capacity? Wix/Baldwin/Amsoil equivalent thread pitch/bypass specs/etc.

 

[izzyandsue]

Sweet new ride! Have you searched to see if there's another oil filter that would fit that has a larger capacity? Wix/Baldwin/Amsoil equivalent thread pitch/bypass specs/etc.

Nope. There are a few back and forth about the filter size here , but I am sticking with Toyota. Its not like they designed the whole truck and forgot the oil filter. We know Toyota only forgets about parking brakes.

 

[gasman4u]

Nope. There are a few back and forth about the filter size here , but I am sticking with Toyota. Its not like they designed the whole truck and forgot the oil filter. We know Toyota only forgets about parking brakes.

Gotcha. I didn't know there was a mud "competing" forum either! In any event to answer my own question, amsoil does indeed have a filter recommendation for you (EA15K09 specifically). Up to you, but for posterity I'm posting in case someone wants to figure out other brand equivalents too.

EDIT: I thought that filter was familiar! It's the same one I use on my side by side! Talk about a tiny filter! Wow!

EDIT 2: Fram PH4967 and "luber finer PH 2840" are alternatives. I know nothing about either filter and would only say to use either OEM (as you are) or the Amsoil. But driver's choice!

 

[izzyandsue]

Toyota OEM rock sliders enabled!

 

[pkniland]

Looks like a combination of bottom frame and side frame mount bolts?

 

[izzyandsue]

It is, has 3 side mounts with 2 bolts each, and the forward most mount goes under the frame

 

[stevezero]

Nope. There are a few back and forth about the filter size here , but I am sticking with Toyota. Its not like they designed the whole truck and forgot the oil filter. We know Toyota only forgets about parking brakes.

And cupholders. And seats for people over 5'7. And rust protection. lOLOLOL

 

[izzyandsue]

And cupholders. And seats for people over 5'7. And rust protection. lOLOLOL

All true on the 80…. But the 250 has amazing legroom. I am 6’5” and weigh 220 of pure hard muscle and don’t have to use all the seat travel. Well, the weight is right but only 6’ tall. And the muscle is a little floppy and doughy. But you get my meaning.

Drove quite a few older Prados off road overseas, and they’re not as roomy.

 

[stevezero]

All true on the 80…. But the 250 has amazing legroom. I am 6’5” and weigh 220 of pure hard muscle and don’t have to use all the seat travel. Well, the weight is right but only 6’ tall. And the muscle is a little floppy and doughy. But you get my meaning.

Drove quite a few older Prados off road overseas, and they’re not as roomy.

Awesome! I'm sure you're gonna get many many many smiles per gallon for many years

 

[izzyandsue]

A note on the OEM Toyota rock sliders, I tested yesterday how they would react by placing a jack between two of the mounting points and lifting the truck. I lifted one side completely off the ground and had no deflection that I could see with the mark 4 eyeball-meter. They are light, but strong.

 

[izzyandsue]

New shoes for walking in the desert. Falken Wildpeaks.

 

[mtweller]

Did you consider the KO3? I got a new set on my 200 about a month ago and am really liking them so far. Granted, that's 100% street driving, some during the heavy rains, but zero offroad. The noise and ride was a HUGE improvement over my KO2's, but they were worn to the point I don't think that's nearly a fair comparison, but I believe there is an improvement over when those were new. I'm seeing growing popularity withe the Wildpeaks and would love to hear what went into your decision, as I know you have a lot more offroad exposure than me, and mine is almost exclusively on MTs