New to me 2008 LC 200 GX

[Blayde]

Hey all,

Lurking this place for almost 6 months since I got my LC and figured i'd start posting about it.

We were looking for a family hauler and debating between the Prado and the LC, and this thing came up at a fairly good price.

For anyone confused, It's a 2008 Landcruiser GX with a 2015 aftermarket visual upgrade, hence the newer style front and rear. This was how I got it and I don't really plan to change it back. The last owner had noisy offroad tyres on aftermarket rims and it was in an untended to state, so he came down to a fairly reasonable price, as I had an idea of what I needed to spend on it to refresh it back to good condition.

it's done a fairly high mileage, just crossed 400,000 kms after I took it over, but it runs so smooth it puts our newer cars to shame.

Once I bought it, I handed it over to my mechanic (who did a full PPI, including a visit to the Toyota dealer for any deep issues). He refreshed all the joints and bushings, major service on the engine and anything else that needed doing and handed me back a ready car. I got it deep cleaned on the inside, put some new tyres on and basically started enjoying it.

One of the benefits of the region is parts and availability of fixes are fairly easy as there are experts here on these things, being one of the biggest markets for Landcruisers.

My current mods have been fairly tame, as this is primarily a people carrier and meant to do long road trips:

• Android Auto Headunit and backup camera
• Phone Mount
• Dashcam

The planned mods are also fairly tame and more quality of life changes:

• Delete the rear aftermarket tyre mount (not a fan of it, i'll mount the tyre underneath)
• Replace the rims with OEM 17" alloys from this generation, so I don't need to replace the tyres as the current rims are also 17"
• Replace the unusable cupholders, getting something 3D printed for that
• Leather upgrade
• Steering wheel replacement to one with media/call controls
• Rear top spoiler for some added sun protection
• Rear tailgate mod from the LX

One issue I have noticed is a lower than expected efficiency of 9-11 MPG, and I was wondering if there were a few things that could be checked that are common issues. I know this isn't exactly light on fuel but i'm getting lower than combined quoted mileage, for tame driving. I don't think it's a servicing issue as it's been this way since the major service. Will get it check as it's due for a service soon but any tips are welcome.

 

[Willie G]

The only tips I can offer on fuel economy are:

No roof rack - you've got that

Alloy rims with tyre weight as low as possible - I try for about 40 pounds per.

Beyond that, it seems to be the luck of the draw...identical trucks with large variations in economy.

 

[bloc]

Cool rig.

Are you sure that tire carrier isn’t factory?

 

[Blayde]

The only tips I can offer on fuel economy are:

No roof rack - you've got that

Alloy rims with tyre weight as low as possible - I try for about 40 pounds per.

Beyond that, it seems to be the luck of the draw...identical trucks with large variations in economy.

Thanks for the tips, will get it checked out if in fact it isn't something that needs attention like fuel syAttach filesstem or spark plugs.

 

[Blayde]

Cool rig.

Are you sure that tire carrier isn’t factory?

Thanks!

Yeah, as far as I'm aware there was no factory rear mounted tyre offered. It may have been offered in UAE/Qatar as it's very popular there, but the earliest I could find was 2012. I believe this is very much aftermarket looking at the welds and installation.

 

[TheComedian]

Oh there was a rear mounted offered by factory and yours look pretty much like it.

 

[Blayde]

Oh there was a rear mounted offered by factory and yours look pretty much like it.

View attachment 3950236

Huh, I guess it is, I was looking for a proper reference but didn't see it. Thanks.

I'm honestly looking for another local LC owner to swap out the stock rear and give him this, in exchange for the labour it would cost.

 

[Willie G]

Huh, I guess it is, I was looking for a proper reference but didn't see it. Thanks.

I'm honestly looking for another local LC owner to swap out the stock rear and give him this, in exchange for the labour it would cost.

There are internal reinforcements in the body panels that will stymie your efforts, not to mention holes that will be exposed.

You would almost be time and money ahead to just swap vehicles.

 

[Blayde]

There are internal reinforcements in the body panels that will stymie your efforts, not to mention holes that will be exposed.

You would almost be time and money ahead to just swap vehicles.

As I mentioned, this is an aftermarket installation, and I can see the anchor points where it was done. The bumper and lower tailgate will be part of the swap, the only hole I'm concerned about is on the D Pillar, and i've met enough people to find the necessary parts/bodywork guy.

In any case, this is a long term goal whenever I can get to it, maybe I just live with it.

Also, started off on few smaller internal mods:

• LED swap for all internal dome and vanity lights, what a night and day difference. Found a decent kit that kept the warm white colour throughout.
• Getting a digital speedo HUD that will sit on the dash. I'm used to a digital speedo in my other car and with the strictness of speed cameras around here I wanted to trust a digital readout over analog.

Also got an oil and filter change done after 6 months. I spoke to my mechanic about the fuel efficiency and he basically said 'c'est la vie'. So that's a deadend for improving that. Maybe in a few years we swap to a '16+ V8 if prices come down .