LX 470 vs Landcruiser (1 Viewer)

[justimaginejack]

LX/LC sus mod's

I am new to this. I have spent more time rock climbing than climbing rocks.
I have a late 2000 landcruiser with 135k and I love it. It has gotten us to pretty much whereever we wanted to go. I will keep it till the wheels falls off.

However I have seen the spy shots, and know there will be changes.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/spy-shots-toyota-land-cruiser/

I love my LC the way it looks now. I am sure that Toyota isn't stupid enough to mess with the success of the LC and it's very Loyal following. Either way I want to hedge my bet and get a newer one.

I am looking at getting a 2003 LX 470, I like the upgrades and need the memory seats. Initially it will be a daily driver. In a few years I would like it to be able to replace the Landcruiser for offroad use. By then we should know what the next generation LC will be. Real LC or ...

I have done alot of research, which is to say a read alot of specifications.

I know the differences between the two vehicles on paper.

What I don't Know is how do the differences apply on the trails after modification. If I replace the bumpers, add sliders and put a lift on with bigger wheels, how will the Lexus Suspension hold up vs the LC Suspension(pre-2006)
If I am just going to end up replacing the entire suspension then why not save 10k and buy an nice aftermarket stereo and have memory seats installed aftermarket.

Can those of you who have driven/worked on both let me know your opinions.

The suspension is my biggest concern, the other Lexus Niceities can be added after market. I think?

Thanks

 

[spressomon]

How and where I use my rig off-road makes me happy with my LC and it's non-hydro suspension. The rougher and more remote your off-road travels the more important this becomes IMO. And take the ten grand or whatever and make it off-road worthy.

 

[1loudLX]

What year, if any does the LC get the amenities that the LX has in some sort of option package??

 

[firetruck41]

FWIW, I have never heard of aftermarket memory seats/mirrors. As a daily driver, I really like the AHC, w/adjustable "ride", and the memory seats. Other than that, I would just take whichever one was a better value, ie. good deal and good condition. Funny thing is, the older the vehicles get (like the 80 series), the price difference begins to invert, with the LX costing the same or less than the LC.

 

[uHu]

If I replace the bumpers, add sliders and put a lift on with bigger wheels, how will the Lexus Suspension hold up vs the LC Suspension(pre-2006)
If I am just goiing to end up replacing the entire suspension then why not save 10k and buy an nice aftermarket stereo and have memory seats installed aftermarket.

Considering the suspension only:
1
If you are waiting a few years anyhow, the springs (coils & TBs) will have to be changed anyhow, so it doesn't matter what you change FROM, AHC springs & shocks, or normal springs & shocks.
2
If you want a lift with longer travel than AHC can offer, you can just abandon the AHC when doing the lift. See #1.
3
The AHC will be more expensive in the long run, as there are more parts that wear; parts you don't have in the regular set-up. The AHC shocks seem to last longer though.
4
AHC/TEMS is very comfortable. (Have you heard about the Skyhook?)

 

[justimaginejack]

So if I am replacing the ahc and other suspension parts won't it be more expensive, to replace all of it vs, some of it. It appears to me that some of the guys who redid the suspension with lift didn't have to do as much on the LC

 

[justimaginejack]

Maybe I am wrong in my research of specifications, which included contacting every toyota and Lexus dealer in town(for other reasons) I found few of the dissimilarities to be listed on any site. SO I created my own line by line. Unfortunatley my computer recently dies and I lost everything. But they difference really were minimal in later years. I have test driven 03-07 LC and LX470 and the interior looks the same. Although it is my perception that the leather in the newer LC looked cheaper than in mine, which is 7 years old. Other than the sound system and some sound deading materials that the LC didn't get but could be added easily, the 06/07 are almost exactly alike in everyway. Literally. I even drove the Toyota down to Lexus and sat them side by side. the Logo was the only noticibale difference. Although having been a loyal Lexus owner, I will still take my LC to lexus and Pay the labor difference for the service and education. I am very happy with my dealer, which after dealeing alot of bad ones was nice to find. If you find something different let me know. Sometimes I can be very blind

 

[justimaginejack]

I talked to a few tuner shops who said they could order the parts from Lexus and install the Memory seat buttons.

 

[Jim_Chow]

The LX driver's seat has a ECU while the front passenger's doesn't. It's needed for the memory seats, and to install this ecu, you'll have to remove the seat/leather covers, etc. The heater connects to the driver's seat differently. There might be more to it than that. I thought the memory seats were tied into the multiplex system ECU's. If that's the case, you'd have to replace all those, too (=$$$$) and still have no guarantee that it'll work. The memory seats isn't just the driver's seat, but the side mirrors, steering wheel, etc. I'd have to check the electrical manual to be sure, as all the schematics are shown in there.

 

[firetruck41]

So if I am replacing the ahc and other suspension parts won't it be more expensive, to replace all of it vs, some of it. It appears to me that some of the guys who redid the suspension with lift didn't have to do as much on the LC

AFAIK, you will replace the same parts whether it is AHC or conventional, but you'll have to do a search to be sure.

I talked to a few tuner shops who said they could order the parts from Lexus and install the Memory seat buttons.

As Jim alluded to, it may not be as simple as the tuner shop believes, in fact I have never hear of a "tuner" shop working on a LC/LX, so i would research myself if I were you. It will probably be very expensive and or time consuming if you want the same functionality as the LX. In fact, does the LC even have the electronic tilt/telescoping steering wheel? If not, it's even more $$$. Frankly, if memory seats was important to me, I would just get an LX, or give up on the idea.

 

[hoser]

Yup, much easier and cheaper to remove AHC component from an LX than to add Memory components to an LC.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I took a look at the power seats in the 03LX FSM. The memory seat switch on the driver's door connects directly to the main ECU's. From there, there are 3 wires that feed into the seat ECU in the driver's seat. Two of them feed directly in. The other splits. One part goes directly to the driver seat ecu, the other splits again with one side going to the center airbag sensor and the other going serially to the telescoping steering ECU, then to the mirror ECU, then to the power seat ECU via a different connector. Whether or not the 03LC has the same main ECU inputs is questionable. I bet it's the same electronic chips, but the software programming it is different, as it has to store the seat (5 motors for the driver seat), mirrors, and two steering wheel motor positions in some kind of memory that the LC's main ECU may not utilize.

So the sure way would be to buy the memory switches for the door, seat ECU, replace main ECU's behind the glove box, power mirror ECU, and telescoping steering ECU and hope it all wires together correctly. I'm sure that would cost way more than getting a LX and removing the AHC or just doing a 2" AHC lift (Keepslant make 2" and 6" lift kits and parts. The japanese says what the parts are (from left to right, top to bottom: front shock bracket, diff down block-front side, front stabilizer [extension], sensor stay [AHC sensor extension], shock shell case, diff down block-rear side, diff down bracket [cross member], rear lateral rod [longer], rear stabilizer lengthening bolt, rear coils [longer], rear shock extension bracket, [AHC] anchor stay)

http://www.keepslant.com/parts/active2.htm

 

[uHu]

fwiw, Recaro has electronically controlled, electric adjustable seats, which are probably much better than the OEM seats. Wouldn't they have a memory function as well? That is if you could live without memory on steering wheel and mirrors.

On AHC removal:
If you want to change from AHC to a lift with conventional suspension, what comes in addition as a possible cost (as compared to changing out conventional) could be a complete removal of AHC components. Some of these parts are only a few bolts, or plugs, while others (pipes etc) are more difficult to get to.

 

[Jim_Chow]

One word of advice about recaros is at least for their touring seats, they fit a slimmer build better. I'm 6'1", but slim and fit the recaro touring seats in my 4runner fine, but my sister's husband, who's a little stockier in build, is uncomfortable in them. Maybe it's because Europeans aren't as fat at Americans?

 

[jmarlo]

Logically, I think it makes more sense to buy a LX, then strip it of the stuff you dont want, rather than buy the LC, and have to add to it what you do want. At least around where I live, there are many more used LX's for sale, and in the same price range as a used LC. When I made my purchase, I looked at both LC and LX, and for the same/similar pricing, it made more sense to go with the LX--if you can live with the "luxury" connotation. I was very skeptical of the AHC before owning it--I had previously owned a Range Rover and had to replace the air bag suspension. I thought for sure the LX would be similar, but it is not. The AHC is a far superior, reliable system than the Range Rover--it really does what its supposed to do on and off road. Also, being able to adjust the shock dampening underway is a neat feature--one that I though was just another gimmick/unneccessary gizmo prone to failure. To date, with 50k miles, I've had no problems with my AHC and very much enjoy it. But, having said that, when it does die, depending on the cost, I will most likely go with mechanical suspsension replacement (because its not worth THAT much to me).

 

[LXPearl]

If you want the features of the LX it is much better to get an LX. They cost essentially the same as an LC, are more plentiful, and tend to have better dealer support if you have a Lexus dealer nearby. If you have a good relationship with a Toyota dealer, they will work on your LX. Additionally, even with new 100s, I never saw an LC on the lot that was $10K less than the LXs - usually it was about $3-4K difference. The LC comes with too many mandatory "options" and dealer packs - which is why more people buy the Lexus now.

According to Slee it is relatively easy to install a conventional suspension on the LX. However, the AHC has shown itself quite durable with proper care, so it may be awhile before it has to be replaced.

 

[mikesurfs]

I'm sure Christo will chime in eventually but I talked to one of the guys at Slee and he said the AHC was difficult to remove. I was considering an LX and opted for an LC because of this fact. He said the AHC had lines that needed to be removed and or plugged as well as all the extra weight of accumulators/pumps etc.

I ended up with a 2000 LC and love it. I'm going to lift, gear, and refit 315 size tires eventually and I'll do it with the money I saved over the LX.

Mike

 

[mercara]

I was debating between an LX and and LC and went with and LC as I didn't really care about the fancy suspension. The only option on the LX I really wanted was the memory seats as my wife completely changes my settings when she uses the truck.

I am planning to upgrade from my 2002 model year to a 2007 model year LC or LX, but given that it is hard to find a LC that is not fully optioned, I am leaning towards and LX. The other option is to order a LC without the fancy suspension and the nav options. I want to keep this truck for my son who is 2 years now and I don't want him to have to spend thousands fixing the touch screen nav and the suspension when it fails down the road.

 

[SWUtah]

I was debating between an LX and and LC and went with and LC as I didn't really care about the fancy suspension. The only option on the LX I really wanted was the memory seats as my wife completely changes my settings when she uses the truck.

I am planning to upgrade from my 2002 model year to a 2007 model year LC or LX, but given that it is hard to find a LC that is not fully optioned, I am leaning towards and LX. The other option is to order a LC without the fancy suspension and the nav options. I want to keep this truck for my son who is 2 years now and I don't want him to have to spend thousands fixing the touch screen nav and the suspension when it fails down the road.

I would not worry get the GREAT SUSPENSION, I also don't care for the nav. but it will be impossible to by a new one either LC/LX without Nav. I owned a 95 and 99 LC and this suspension on my 04 LX changes this big SUV into a great all around vehicle.

 

[hoser]

I would buy the LX over the LC just because it has projector headlights.

As for removing all the AHC components, I haven't done it but it doesn't look that hard, especially if you don't care to preserve the hard lines. Cut them out in sections.