Media LC 250 & GX550 Picture Thread (2 Viewers)

[TWILLY]

I love the "is it a LC or not" debate. In the same breath folks will talk about the superiority of Toyota and their TC, reliability, etc; then say that Toyota doesn't know what a "real" LC is. Some major mental gymnastics going on! Every time a new LC platform is introduced, the peanut gallery throws an absolute s*** fit. It's hilarious.

I’ve watched this happen with the 80, the 100, and 200, though I was somewhat sympathetic with criticisms of the 100 and 200 as luxury bloat increasingly (and ultimately fatally) compromised utility and value.

But it’s even funnier this time around because much of the angst owes to those who paid vastly more for a 200 than what will be the sticker price of the new and overall better Land Cruiser 250.

Everything makes more sense if one substitutes any number of the (often reaching and speculative) criticisms with, “I’m actually just frustrated about my current truck inevitably losing a lot of value.”

 

[Jetboy]

Small Q: are the side bars sliders as in rock protective sliders, or just steps? Thinking if it will be one thing more to buy aftermarket or ready there ! Cheers, G.

Toyota says the rails are built to take half gvwr.

They look similar to the FJ Cruiser ones. If so, they're good for moderate use. Can handle full weight without folding. But not ready for hardcore bashing in the rocks on a regular basis.

I think a few cross braces added to the mounting and I think they'd be good for most people on most trails. (If they're like the FJ Cruiser ones).

 

[onemanarmy]

The fact is he hide some facts and it's a way to advertise the vehicle for the people who don't know much about the land cruiser.

He didn't say the real name which is land cruiser prado or in short prado.

He didn't mentioned that it has only one ekdss while the old Prado have front and rear kdss

He didn't say why there's no 3rd row and the reason is hybrid batteries

So while it's called a land cruiser that's mean the vehicle been underpowered
The predecessor Land cruiser 200: V8 365 hp
The new successor land cruiser 250 aka Prado: 4 cylinders hybrid 325hp

In the video he is trying to convince the audience that the land cruiser price been reduced while in the reality Prado prices been increased

he mentioned heavily why the 3rd row wasn't there....and most anyone following this vehicle already knows why there is no 3rd row
torque curve is much flatter in this new engine....which can be helpful

more complex and unproven? yes....but more usable power

 

[onemanarmy]

I crawled under to take a close look at the launch. They are not sliders by my definition nor does Toyota call them such. This is a disappointment for me as I’ll end up pulling them and replacing. Hoping I can buy a 250 without them but so far every indication is no based on what other features I’m interested in. Time will tell, but I see a Facebook marketplace listing for rock rails in my future.

5 of these things might hit the rocks (worthy of full body sliders) before the warranty is up....so why would they engineer and pay for and build HD sliders?

 

[Corbet]

5 of these things might hit the rocks (worthy of full body sliders) before the warranty is up....so why would they engineer and pay for and build HD sliders?

Crash test is the correct answer and I’m sure more than five will be dropping off rocks before the first oil change.

 

[carboncycles]

Speaking of replacing items. Wish we had a few more choices on wheels

 

[Knowbuddy]

Speaking of replacing items. Wish we had a few more choices on wheels

I wish they sold steel wheels knowing people will replace them

 

[MeWantLC]

I came here for pics and got a video with nice information and well made. I got tired of discussions that get us no where and folks that really don't make sense, and that's why I hadn't looked into the LC250 again. Also, asked a question and was resolved.

Thank you very much ! This forum never disappoints and the vast majority here are real class act folks with real knowledge and lots of good information. Thank you!

And let's see more pics or videos, and less discussions that are futile, before we get another thread closed because some folks simply don't get it.

Cheers y'all !

 

[vantage78]

Unfortunately No OEM can pass a side impact crash test with what we normally call rock slider. Normal rock slider good for protectong car body but bad for passenger protection in real side impact. They are way too strong and does not have any crumple zone.

This OEM slider are still designed to crumple on side impact but by design it looks like it would be strong enough to take medium hits from under. My only wish is it stick out more to give more side protection.

Interesting. So there is a trade off with side impact safety if you choose a true rock slider?

 

[TheLCProject]

Interesting. So there is a trade off with side impact safety if you choose a true rock slider?

This was posted by OGBeno earlier regarding the rock rails.

GX550 "OEM" Rock Rail Technical Details

Document attached.

forum.ih8mud.com

Also...

From a recent interview at the GX550 launch event
Lexus GX550 Chief Engineer: Koji Tsukasaki
Question: When we say the same GA-F platform, does that mean there are carryover components from other vehicles that make their way onto the GX or is it all tweaked fro this model?
Answer: So, the main side rails and the major components of the platform itself are obviously shared but there are many unique items exclusively for the GX within the platform.

Front suspension of the GX550:

 

[Jstawgn]

Interesting. So there is a trade off with side impact safety if you choose a true rock slider?

Absolutely. No rock slider manufacturers in US do crash testing. The Australian must do crash test to get ADR certification. If you see rock rails from ARB / Tjm They are very similar to this OEM design. It would bend during hard impact to absorb the energy.

If tested using crash test dummies it would definitely shows that adding rock sliders would transfer more energy to the occupant. Fortunately / Unfortunately this test are not required to sell rock sliders in USA.

Same as why newer car would always look worse in a crash but protect the occupant much better than old cars. They are designed to have crumple zone to help protect the occupant better during a crash.

 

[Jetboy]

Everything makes more sense if one substitutes any number of the (often reaching and speculative) criticisms with, “I’m actually just frustrated about my current truck inevitably losing a lot of value.”

There's a nice 2017 200 near me I keep watching drop piece. Started at $59k, currently at $46k. If it gets to $40 I might go look at it. I really don't have a need unless I sold my tundra. But the dealer must really need to unload some inventory. Its a CJR dealer and I know they're hurting right now and need to cut lot plan finance costs.

*********

Intuitively it seems like HD rock rails would improve crash test results. The hardest part about a side impact is keeping the other vehicle out of the passenger space. After reading about the engineering a bit - the typical strategy is to use side beams, airbags, and interior door trim to push the occupant hips and torso as far inboard as possible so that the occupant's body is moving as fast as possible in the same direction as the door so when the occupant is hit by the door the differential velocity is minimized. According to what I read the challenge is having enough stiffness to limit intrusion but enough collapse to allow the door trim to push the occupants hips to the middle of the car before they hit the hard parts of the door. All of that is apparently tuned by the B pillar structure in most cars. So the rock sliders - if they had a high stiffness would not let the design push the body of the passenger to the center. That would presumably then have a higher relative velocity impact between occupant and door.

For me - I'd rather have the robust rock rails and compromise side impact protection. But I'm not sure that's an option for an OEM.

 

[TWILLY]

There's a nice 2017 200 near me I keep watching drop piece. Started at $59k, currently at $46k. If it gets to $40 I might go look at it. I really don't have a need unless I sold my tundra. But the dealer must really need to unload some inventory. Its a CJR dealer and I know they're hurting right now and need to cut lot plan finance costs.

*********

That sounds about right. I expect lower mileage / newer LC200s will be pushed deep into the $40s once LC250s are readily available.

 

[MeWantLC]

Pardon my ignorance, what is CJR? Thank you. And, interesting, looks like I will be holding to this "old" girl for a while then... LOL


******

No to derail more this thread, but that hints towards very similar discussion of front / back aftermarket bumpers. Everyone does what she/he like, I have personally chose not to install bumpers (and it seems rock sliders too) due to not compromising safety for my family and I. I have learned TONS with this though... THANK YOU !

There's a nice 2017 200 near me I keep watching drop piece. Started at $59k, currently at $46k. If it gets to $40 I might go look at it. I really don't have a need unless I sold my tundra. But the dealer must really need to unload some inventory. Its a CJR dealer and I know they're hurting right now and need to cut lot plan finance costs.

*********

Intuitively it seems like HD rock rails would improve crash test results. The hardest part about a side impact is keeping the other vehicle out of the passenger space. After reading about the engineering a bit - the typical strategy is to use side beams, airbags, and interior door trim to push the occupant hips and torso as far inboard as possible so that the occupant's body is moving as fast as possible in the same direction as the door so when the occupant is hit by the door the differential velocity is minimized. According to what I read the challenge is having enough stiffness to limit intrusion but enough collapse to allow the door trim to push the occupants hips to the middle of the car before they hit the hard parts of the door. All of that is apparently tuned by the B pillar structure in most cars. So the rock sliders - if they had a high stiffness would not let the design push the body of the passenger to the center. That would presumably then have a higher relative velocity impact between occupant and door.

For me - I'd rather have the robust rock rails and compromise side impact protection. But I'm not sure that's an option for an OEM.

 

[TWILLY]

Pardon my ignorance, what is CJR? Thank you.

Chrysler, Jeep, Ram I expect (thus sitting on excessive inventory).

 

[Jetboy]

That sounds about right. I expect lower mileage / newer LC200s will be pushed deep into the $40s once LC250s are readily available.

Wild thing is that I see TRD Pro 4Runners with similar year/miles at higher prices. I'm a big fan of the 4Runner - but more than a similar LC200? No way.

 

[MeWantLC]

Wild thing is that I see TRD Pro 4Runners with similar year/miles at higher prices. I'm a big fan of the 4Runner - but more than a similar LC200? No way.

Nope. Never. I sold my last T4R at a decent time, to a dealership I know (small, owner operates it and we had done three deals before) gave me a good price I could not pass: lifted, 34's, and in excellent condition, it was my 5th one of 5th Gen (of many T4Rs ) I had. Good truck. But never a LC200.

 

[LCHOU]

 

[M1911]

With a thumbnail like that, I will never watch that channel.

 

[TheLCProject]

With a thumbnail like that, I will never watch that channel.

I appreciate that sentiment. The YT algorithm highly incentivizes uniformity and standardization...just like Lemmings. I suppose it's better than AI-generated content? But realizing that YT created something that they cannot control or moderate and that I would alter certain elements of my own process really broke me.

If I hear one more YTer talk about the "sculpted and chiseled body lines" on the GX550/LC250...it's especially bad with this new trend of inviting the YTer/Wannabe automotive journalists to the press/release events. It's such a David and Goliath power imbalance situation that all the YTer can do is parrot what they tell them to say.