Breaking in my LC: 14 days, 9 states, 3800 miles
I just wanted to give some new owner observations. We recently purchased a 2013 LC and then proceeded to take it on a lengthy "shake-down" road trip. We packed up our gear and headed out to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Mount Rushmore, and then ended with a family get together in Nebraska.
We drove across West Texas, across a sliver of New Mexico, and then spent the first night in Colorado Springs. The following day, we drove up I-25 to Cheyenne, Wyoming and headed west on I-80 towards Rock Springs. From there we headed up into Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks and spent about 7 days exploring a big chunk of those huge parks.
[Pic attached from Yellowstone. Plenty of bison about 150 yards behind it and down in the shallow valley.]
After that, we crisscrossed Wyoming and stopped in Rapid City, South Dakota. The following day, we explored Mount Rushmore, hit the hotel swimming pool, and caught an evening movie. The following day we headed to Nebraska for some family events, stayed the weekend, and then headed home through Kansas, Oklahoma, and finally back into Texas.
All total, it was 14 days on the road and right at 3,800 miles.
Here are my initial observations:
1. This is one **** of a vehicle. It is big and heavy (which I love), but this engine/powertrain combination has every bit of power you want.
2. We didn't do any serious trails, but the LC felt at home on the highway or climbing up mountain passes at 10,000' elevation. It is sure-footed and nimble when maneuvering. On the highway, you had every bit of power to do whatever you wanted for passing at any speed.
3. We were pretty loaded with effectively three adults and one middle school-aged child. We had the back packed, including a Yeti cooler packed with drinks and sandwich makings. Check out the Yeti gear: it is a little pricey but is AWESOME. Held temperature very well for several days at a time before needing more ice. All said, the rear end does feel a little squishy when loaded and it squats more than I would like when you're loaded up. Someday, a little suspension work will be one of the mods that I pursue.
4. The ventilated seats were a welcome treat, and the AC in the vehicle is great. Even when traveling across west Texas on the way out, or coming through southern Oklahoma on the way back, we could set the temperature at whatever we wanted and it would get there quickly. This is the first vehicle where I had to turn the AC warmer in 105 degree weather because I was freezing inside the vehicle.
5. Cruise control is much improved from our older Tundra or my wife's GX470. The laser speed control took some getting used to, but worked completely as advertised.
I had to laugh, as my son rode with me on the leg out to Wyoming. (My wife and daughter flew the first leg and then rode the rest of the way.) He knows how much I had loved Land Cruisers, so every time he spotted one (no matter what series), he would wave to them and say "Brethren!"
I thoroughly loved the trip and the LC is every bit the vehicle I have dreamed of. We'll get it on the trails before too long…
Brethren !
I just wanted to give some new owner observations. We recently purchased a 2013 LC and then proceeded to take it on a lengthy "shake-down" road trip. We packed up our gear and headed out to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Mount Rushmore, and then ended with a family get together in Nebraska.
We drove across West Texas, across a sliver of New Mexico, and then spent the first night in Colorado Springs. The following day, we drove up I-25 to Cheyenne, Wyoming and headed west on I-80 towards Rock Springs. From there we headed up into Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks and spent about 7 days exploring a big chunk of those huge parks.
[Pic attached from Yellowstone. Plenty of bison about 150 yards behind it and down in the shallow valley.]
After that, we crisscrossed Wyoming and stopped in Rapid City, South Dakota. The following day, we explored Mount Rushmore, hit the hotel swimming pool, and caught an evening movie. The following day we headed to Nebraska for some family events, stayed the weekend, and then headed home through Kansas, Oklahoma, and finally back into Texas.
All total, it was 14 days on the road and right at 3,800 miles.
Here are my initial observations:
1. This is one **** of a vehicle. It is big and heavy (which I love), but this engine/powertrain combination has every bit of power you want.
2. We didn't do any serious trails, but the LC felt at home on the highway or climbing up mountain passes at 10,000' elevation. It is sure-footed and nimble when maneuvering. On the highway, you had every bit of power to do whatever you wanted for passing at any speed.
3. We were pretty loaded with effectively three adults and one middle school-aged child. We had the back packed, including a Yeti cooler packed with drinks and sandwich makings. Check out the Yeti gear: it is a little pricey but is AWESOME. Held temperature very well for several days at a time before needing more ice. All said, the rear end does feel a little squishy when loaded and it squats more than I would like when you're loaded up. Someday, a little suspension work will be one of the mods that I pursue.
4. The ventilated seats were a welcome treat, and the AC in the vehicle is great. Even when traveling across west Texas on the way out, or coming through southern Oklahoma on the way back, we could set the temperature at whatever we wanted and it would get there quickly. This is the first vehicle where I had to turn the AC warmer in 105 degree weather because I was freezing inside the vehicle.
5. Cruise control is much improved from our older Tundra or my wife's GX470. The laser speed control took some getting used to, but worked completely as advertised.
I had to laugh, as my son rode with me on the leg out to Wyoming. (My wife and daughter flew the first leg and then rode the rest of the way.) He knows how much I had loved Land Cruisers, so every time he spotted one (no matter what series), he would wave to them and say "Brethren!"
I thoroughly loved the trip and the LC is every bit the vehicle I have dreamed of. We'll get it on the trails before too long…
Brethren !
