New 200 Owner Intro (1 Viewer)

[Sandroad]

I took advantage of an opportunity to buy a ’17 Land Cruiser this week. Brandywine/terra. It’s my 4th Land Cruiser over the last 19 years; previously two 80 series and currently a 100 series. I’ve owned at least one 4WD vehicle the entire time I’ve been driving, starting with a ’46 Jeep (And no, I didn’t buy that one new!). The ‘17’s have lots of things to learn about, so I’ll likely be a frequent reader/poster in the Stupid Question of the Day thread for a while.

First up are tires, removal of the 3rd row seats and the LCD screens in the seat backs, installation of a trailer brake controller and an OBDII reader, and Weathertech all around. I plan to make some custom walnut inserts matching the other trim to fit into the empty LCD screen openings and fasten them in with industrial Velcro. For tires, I’m debating if I need load range E because the LC will be the primary tow vehicle for my camper. After some test tows, I may add Airlift air bags. I’ll do some searches for ideas on where to install the Tekonsha P3 brake controller and the Scangauge II.

Some tough decisions to come regarding my 100. I don’t really need two Land Cruisers, but then again………

I can’t wait to go use Crawl Mode in the off-road places I go here in Michigan. I see much sand in my future.

 

[Chocolate]

Nice. IMO Yes, you want E-loads, no reason to go with any less on a vehicle 6000+ pounds unloaded.

 

[ryanCA]

Congrats

Keep the 100.

We have had 2-3 new LC/LX at a time since 1986. One can never have enough land cruisers

Post some pics of the new mistress

 

[Reckless]

One can never have enough land cruisers

+1

 

[linuxgod]

First up are tires, removal of the 3rd row seats and the LCD screens in the seat backs, installation of a trailer brake controller and an OBDII reader, and Weathertech all around. I plan to make some custom walnut inserts matching the other trim to fit into the empty LCD screen openings and fasten them in with industrial Velcro. For tires, I’m debating if I need load range E because the LC will be the primary tow vehicle for my camper. After some test tows, I may add Airlift air bags. I’ll do some searches for ideas on where to install the Tekonsha P3 brake controller and the Scangauge II.

C load are sufficient to carry a fully loaded LC. There are reasons folks around here like to go to D or E load, but if you're towing within Toyota's weight limits you don't technically need to step up (and if you're not inflating to more than 50 psi then you don't actually get any load carrying benefit from them since E load @ 50psi carry the same max as C load @ 50 psi).

I did a fairly lengthy write-up on the airlift bags at Firestone Helper Air Bag Installation and a bunch of details on my towing setup at Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser. I highly recommend them.

 

[Rigger]

I currently have a 40, a 100, & a 200. There's always room for another Cruiser!

 

[Dan Higgins]

As Geoff said, you don't need the E-rated for weight bearing purposes. I have them for the thicker sidewalls when going off road.

As for a trailer, we pull a 24', 5500# (GVW 6000#) Lance 2285 travel trailer with our 2016 LC. Works great. (There is someone on our trailer forum that uses an LX570 to pull the same size trailer.) Be sure to read the owners manual about towing. One key point is to put the shifter in "S" mode and set it to no higher than S6 on this 8-speed transmission. (This is the same as setting it at S4 on the 6-speed transmissions.) I set transmission range lower when climbing in the mountains and I always use engine compression (using the S-Mode to limit the highest gear) when descending. Live in Colorado and go over steep mountain passes. We do use a Hensley sway elimination hitch (which we bought when we were towing with a Land Rover LR4). It is awesome but if I can sell it some day I will switch to a ProPride. I don't have air bags. I'm going to see how next season goes towing. I may also wait a couple of years until it is time to replace shocks when I may upgrade and do a lift. That will throw off the height of the hitch receiver and I'll need to re-level the trailer hitch.

As for the brake controller, the hardest part is finding a place to install it where you won't knock it with your legs. Of course that depends on how you have the driver's seat adjusted. I have mine as high as I can as I like that driving position but it places my right leg pretty close to the brake controller. I may look into other controllers. I had my trailer dealership install mine just because I didn't want to bother with it.

BTW, if you haven't noticed, the trailer wiring plug is not in the middle near the hitch receiver but well off to the right side. PITA.

As for the third row, it is easy. Took me about 45 minutes and that was primarily spent figuring out how to remove the plastic trim pieces. Once they are off it is easy. There is some info around here somewhere as many have done it.

I'll be interested in how to remove the jumbo screens for the RES. We haven't taken the covers off since we picked up ours in August. I regularly smack them when I roll the 2nd row forward and the one on the passenger side blocks my blind spot.

Crawl mode is cool. I have used it a number of times here in Colorado on steep, gravelly forest service roads in the mountains. Of course, simply having 4L and Center Diff Lock are also very useful.

 

[aging fleet]

Congrats on the new rig Sandroad!

 

[linuxgod]

BTW, if you haven't noticed, the trailer wiring plug is not in the middle near the hitch receiver but well off to the right side. PITA.

Agreed. I had to buy an extension because my trailer wiring harness wouldn't reach. One day when I replace the rear bumper I will likely relocate it. I'm sure it's located where it is for ground clearance but even after connecting and disconnecting it 15-20 times this summer I still need to kneel down to connect it.

 

[Dan Higgins]

Agreed. I had to buy an extension because my trailer wiring harness wouldn't reach. One day when I replace the rear bumper I will likely relocate it. I'm sure it's located where it is for ground clearance but even after connecting and disconnecting it 15-20 times this summer I still need to kneel down to connect it.

Yep. My Hensley hitch requires an extensions for the wiring harness so I would have needed that anyway. But it is a pain to get to. I am wondering if I can zip tie the extension closer to the hitch receiver and leave it plugged in during trailer season. Just disconnect from the extension each time rather then the vehicle plug.

 

[Sandroad]

Good ideas and help so far! I've posted a couple of basic questions in other threads too. The 200 has a lot of nice features, but I find I'm really missing some things in my '04 more than I thought I would. Missing in the '17 are adjustable height arm rests for the front seats, opening rear quarter windows (for the dogs), passenger seat lumbar support, multiple DC outlets in the console, and a place to hold my iPhone 6 Plus on the console. The '17 console storage space is so limited I guess i'll have to adapt the cooler box for storage. I always travel with my Waeco fridge anyway and I don't need the cooler box. So, I'll have to adjust my ergonomic expectations a bit and get used to some changes in exchange for all the new toys.

 

[Sandroad]

To help with console storage, I ordered the cooler box insert tray others posted about and I ordered and installed this console side pocket with velcro. It's really handy for the phones since it's close to the USB port.

https://www.amazon.com/KMMOTORS-Ult...eywords=KMMOTORS+Ultra+Slim+Side+Pocket+Black

 

[ikeb]

To help with console storage, I ordered the cooler box insert tray others posted about and I ordered and installed this console side pocket with velcro. It's really handy for the phones since it's close to the USB port.

https://www.amazon.com/KMMOTORS-Ult...eywords=KMMOTORS+Ultra+Slim+Side+Pocket+Black

View attachment 1374201

is the metal divider piece adjustable? if so, it seems like it could be useful for me...

 

[Sandroad]

No, it's crimped in tight. It necessary too, because the sides would flop too much without the brace. You could get one and try to remove it and see what happens, but I'm not optimistic.

 

[DomSmith]

Any updates on adjusting to the 200 from the 100? How's the towing working out? Trying to decide between a 13-15 or bumping to 16.

 

[Sandroad]

Any updates on adjusting to the 200 from the 100? How the towing working out? Trying to decide between a 13-15 or bumping to 16.

Towing is working out great. Most of the miles on my 200 have been towing (boat, utility, camper). I haven't seen much difference in the suspension between the 100 and 200 in towing, which is fine (with rear airbags) in either truck. The engine is a different story. The 5.7L is the real deal. I have to say I'm still getting used to the very shifty 8 speed. My sense is the software on that is still a bit of work in progress and I suspect we may see some more updates from Toyota, especially on the downhill downshifts which come often and can be rough. I love all the safety features!

 

[Yossarian]

Congrats! How do you like the CampLite?

 

[Sandroad]

Congrats! How do you like the CampLite?

The Camplite is outstanding. My wife and I have dragged it all over the country and love it. It's revolutionized our travel; we haven't stayed in a motel since we bought it 3 years ago and it's followed us to some very interesting places. I've heavily modded it for our needs.