My concerns with a LC...

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I'm still working on selling my 4runner to get a larger vehicle. I've spent HOURS reading, searching, and drooling over pics of the 100 series Land Cruisers and LX470's. Here's my issues:

MPG: My V8 4runner averaged 14.7 on a 200 mile round trip, mostly highway driving. If I get a LC, I'll want a 2" OME lift and Kelly TSR tires, probably 285's. What can I expect for MPG? From the reading I've done, I would guess 15 highway, is that about right? I can live with that, but if I'm looking at 12 mpg, I might need to rethink what vehicle's I'm looking for. I know a LC is what I want, but keep rethinking due to the poor MPG, which is kind of silly considering I already get crappy MPG with the 4runner.

I meticulously maintain my vehicle and I have never seen 12 MPG (even on straight highway trips running between 70-85 mph) since adding new O2 sensors, cleaning MAF, Cleaning TB, replacing spark plugs, changing air filer every 3K, Going to Mobile 1 for oil, diffs and gear box, running 87, 89, 93 gas, driving like an old lady, resetting ECU, etc. Granted I have Nitto 35s, a 2.5" lift, f & r bumpers, 4.88s, Yakima cross bars, etc, but my average overall is about 9.8 MPG.

Size: My 4runner is just slightly smaller than what I need. By "need" I mean want. It's just my wife, myself, and my 60 lb black lab, but I like the though of a little more room than the 4runner.
I take weekend trips duck hunting and need room for all my junk! While the LC is "larger" it's not a huge step up. Or is it?

I say huge step up. It is large and comfortable. A 6'3" person can be driving with a 6'3" person sitting directly behind the driver with no issues. Cargo area is freakin' huge.

Seat position: My 4runner seat seems very low to the floorboard. I have a bad back and want to be able to adjust the seat up to get my legs down under me instead of "out" like I'm driving a go cart. How is the Cruiser for seat comfort?

I love it. Even though I am 6'1", I have it adjusted all the way up. I guess I like it b/c I really loved the seating position in my old Disco. Even with the seat up high, I still have plenty of head room.

Wheeling: I don't go wheeling nearly as "hardcore" as some guys I've seen on here, but I will be on rocky logging roads to get to my cabin and in some sloppy mud during duck season. I spend a good amount of time on the highway, so I thought the 100 series would be better riding than the 80 series.

Sounds like the 100 is perfect for your application in this regard.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I've searched and searched and have come to the conclusion that I can get a solid 2000 or 2001 LC for less than 13k with under 150k miles. Just trying to decide if a LC is really what I need/want. I realize I"m not going to get anybody say NOT to buy a LC on this forum, so I guess I"m just looking for some more assurance that the LC is best of the best. I've always been a Toyota fan, so don't want to risk driving a Tahoe or anything other than Toyota. That limits me to Sequoia, Tundra, LX470, or LC. Thanks for any input!!
 
my 2 cents... LC quality and ride much better than the Sequoia, MPG is prolly very similar, off road and the AT4WD is the shiznit on icy or wet roads (its almost impossible to skid in this vehicle) both my wife and I drive 100 series (and we got 2 kids and a lot of stuff to haul) and well a LC is just much cooler than the others!!:)
As for 4runners I find them to be too small inside, its much narrower than the 100 LC... Oh and go 03 and up for the NAVI, 18" wheels, 5 spd and no ticky manifolds (I've owned a 2000)
 
I went from a 2006 V8 2wd 4 Runner to a 99' Landcuriser with low miles (80K). I'm 6'4'' and never felt comfortable in the 4-Runner due to the low seat height etc. The only mods I have done to the Cruiser is 285 BFG's & Metal Tech sliders..

I've had my Cruiser for over 6 months. Everyone that rides in my Cruiser prefers it over the 4 Runner even though it is a 13 year old vehicle. Most don't believe me when I say it is a 99. Sure, my 4-Runner got 17mpg average, my cruiser gets around 15 (via scan gauge). However, it is well worth the extra cost in gas. I'm much more comfortable and am looking forward to many adventures with my Cruiser.

If gas is a big concern, consider that 100 series Land Cruisers were 55K+ new. 13 years later, we are getting alot of truck for a fraction of the $55K price. Gas and a little maintenance is the only thing the "Crusier" is asking for in return for a very capable, reliable vehicle. This makes the $100 full ups a little easier for me to swallow....

I would say you are well suited for a Cruiser. However, unlike with your 4-Runner, the Mods to your Cruiser will become addicting. You will be spending much more time/money on enhancements to your Cruiser which ultimately makes the owning experience that much better!
 
I did ~1500mi in the last 2 week period and averaged 14.5-15mpg. Highway miles mostly of course to rack up that mileage in that amount of time. I was on 285/75's M/T's the whole time, regular 87 octane the whole time, 2 passengers about 50% of the time, minimum ~150lbs of cargo the whole time. I generally calc out to about 14mpg with mixed driving which always includes some off-road driving; part of the job.

The only time I've ever been below 12mpg was with a maxxed out tandem axle uHaul trailer (4500lbs). IIRC, mileage was around 11mpg (on 285's) while our Tundra got 14mpg with the 911, on a 1000 mile road trip. Aero sucks on those uhauls too lemme tell ya! That was back ~2003; I can't imagine it with the fuel costs today...

TX_to_SC.jpg
 
The 5sp trannys also help a bit. On a good day I can squeeze out 17-18 on the fwy (I can get 22+ driving back to denver from vail haha). On my previous hundys, which both were the 4sp, I couldn't really beat 15-16.

I drove a v8 4runner before I snagged my 03. They are great trucks, but I knew it wasn't something I wanted to be in longer than a year or two. And I'm not in the position to buy a new car every year.
 
Yep, I've never seen 17-18 on my 4sp. :frown:
 
i went from a 2001 4runner with manual seats to a 2000 LC.

You will NOT be disappointed.
I'm 6'3 and could never sit up straight in the 4R - so for 8 years I drove gangta style....

It's really nice to be able to sit up straight :)

LC all the way
:cheers:

12guns said:
I'm still working on selling my 4runner to get a larger vehicle. I've spent HOURS reading, searching, and drooling over pics of the 100 series Land Cruisers and LX470's. Here's my issues:

MPG: My V8 4runner averaged 14.7 on a 200 mile round trip, mostly highway driving. If I get a LC, I'll want a 2" OME lift and Kelly TSR tires, probably 285's. What can I expect for MPG? From the reading I've done, I would guess 15 highway, is that about right? I can live with that, but if I'm looking at 12 mpg, I might need to rethink what vehicle's I'm looking for. I know a LC is what I want, but keep rethinking due to the poor MPG, which is kind of silly considering I already get crappy MPG with the 4runner.

Size: My 4runner is just slightly smaller than what I need. By "need" I mean want. It's just my wife, myself, and my 60 lb black lab, but I like the though of a little more room than the 4runner.
I take weekend trips duck hunting and need room for all my junk! While the LC is "larger" it's not a huge step up. Or is it?

Seat position: My 4runner seat seems very low to the floorboard. I have a bad back and want to be able to adjust the seat up to get my legs down under me instead of "out" like I'm driving a go cart. How is the Cruiser for seat comfort?

Wheeling: I don't go wheeling nearly as "hardcore" as some guys I've seen on here, but I will be on rocky logging roads to get to my cabin and in some sloppy mud during duck season. I spend a good amount of time on the highway, so I thought the 100 series would be better riding than the 80 series.


Any thoughts would be appreciated. I've searched and searched and have come to the conclusion that I can get a solid 2000 or 2001 LC for less than 13k with under 150k miles. Just trying to decide if a LC is really what I need/want. I realize I"m not going to get anybody say NOT to buy a LC on this forum, so I guess I"m just looking for some more assurance that the LC is best of the best. I've always been a Toyota fan, so don't want to risk driving a Tahoe or anything other than Toyota. That limits me to Sequoia, Tundra, LX470, or LC. Thanks for any input!!
Click to expand...
 
Seating and visibility alone makes the trade worth it. Exclusivity and all around coolness is the frosting.
 
Go with the LC or LX... I own a 2004 4runner which has slowely turned into a very solid wheeling rig. I just bought an 03 LX470 last week and have been thoroughly enjoying it all week. The ride blows away the stock 4th gen 4runner suspension. And the cabin noise is next to nothing. Don't even get me started on the interior. All I can say is it's a sweet ride. It such a solid truck.
 
Have you posted it up on some of the 4Runner boards?
 
I suggest that if you don't lift the Cruiser you will get much better mileage and easily get through logging roads and two-tracks. I've had two 80s and a 100, and always liked the fact that they come stock with more off-road capability than most trucks have with a mild lift and oversize tires.

My 80 was a construction truck, bone-stock with mildly aggressive treads on stock size tires. I regularly dragged my diffs through muck while pulling a tandem trailer, impressed a lot of chevy guys. The 4R can't do that, the LC can. Last Winter I drove the 100 through wet, bumper-deep snow to pull out a plow truck, twice. Jumped in the 4R and got stuck less than a car-length from the driveway. No comparison, truck vs beefy wagon.

My 4R is a big wagon, takes up nearly as much room in the garage as my 100, gets slightly better mileage with a V6. Inside, the 4R seems tiny by comparison. Two weeks ago the 100 took six adults and a 10-yr-old and all our gear 400 miles without a complaint, we do this several times a year. The 4R obviously can't do that. I bought the 4R because it was a screaming deal and way cheaper than a LC, and I'm usually alone in it and have a LC when needed.

Get the LC, try it stock for a while, maybe get some sliders if you really can't stand the mall-cruiser look.
 
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Also a set of all terrains in a REASONABLE (285-295s) size won't affect your gas mileage too much. It'll still hurt a little.

Also make sure your tires on the 100 are properly inflated. Helps on gas mileage, as well as I get a tire howl if mine are a few psis off.
 
I had an '05 4Runner Limited v8 4x4. Something that is quite comparable to the '06 LX470 that I have now in terms of driveline as they both had vvti and 5 speed trannies. Both had upsized NTG tires that were about 1.5" taller than stock as well.

Making the same annual trip with my 4runner, I'd average ~15-17 mpg. With the LX470, I'd see about 13-15. I'd consider myself a rather aggressive driver with lots of passing so consider these numbers to be on the lower end of the scale for these particular models.

That's a 15% difference in fuel consumption which is how you should look at it.

15% difference in gas for much more comfort and significantly larger interior. A worthwhile trade for me.

One thing you might want to consider is on road performance. Whereas the v8 4runner is downright fast and agile for an SUV, the early gen cruiser will be only adequate in on road performance. But the relaxed performance suits its style well.
 
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