Newbie searching for a 100, 98-99

[BMWSTOY]

Greetings. Love the reading so far. Coming over from a 4Runner forum site, but I can tell with my new love for the 100, I will be spending time in here.
I live in beautiful Colorado and will be visiting Slee real soon and perhaps the UTE builder to gain more knowledge of the 100?
Plans: 98-99 LC 100 with Diff Lock. Then OME kit or modified with Billies - I love Billsteins - at least on my runner they were superb.
Then onto the ARB or WARN bumper and winch and likely back to some Michellin LTX-AT's - absolutly the best all around tire I have ever driven on.
Then onto the Colorado back country for some skiing and camping and canoe and etc...

 

[1loudLX]

Welcome brother. Do you have the 100 yet or are you still trying to find one? Your sig says "wanted"...maybe we could, well not me as im no where near you, but maybe everyone else could help you find the perfect 100 to mod and wheel into the colorado back country.

We used to have a 1996 Toyota 4Runner Limited, Desert Dune w/ tan interior. In 2000 we bought the LX470 and eventually in 2001 sent my grandma the 4runner to use in washington. She then moved to nevada and it spent some time there and now its sold. I really wish i could get it back so i could have something to tool around in.

 

[wareagle]

I might suggest you consider a 2000 model. You do give up the rear locker option, but you gain 4pinion front, traction control, and skid control.

 

[BMWSTOY]

I appreciate the advise so far. I had a 99 for the good part of the day on Monday trying to talk myself out of the gas mileage and the maintance factor - it did not work. I drove a 2001 4Runner and it felt too small and well, just not a Land Cruiser - I am sure you all know.
Due to cost, I am interested in the 98-99, but I will keep the 2000 in mind. I just wrenched the timing belt, h20 pump, all pulleys and all belts in my Runner, so this new V8 will scare me some.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I appreciate the advise so far. I had a 99 for the good part of the day on Monday trying to talk myself out of the gas mileage and the maintance factor - it did not work. I drove a 2001 4Runner and it felt too small and well, just not a Land Cruiser - I am sure you all know.
Due to cost, I am interested in the 98-99, but I will keep the 2000 in mind. I just wrenched the timing belt, h20 pump, all pulleys and all belts in my Runner, so this new V8 will scare me some.

I think you'll regret the saving of a thousand or dollars in settling for a 98-99...especially in Colorado.

The benefits of TRAC in snow and ice are immense.

In the vast majority of off road driving (difficult trails included) the TRAC vehicle will take you farther than a rear-lock one. (Proven many times over and over)

It's safer with VSC...they don't tip onto 2 wheels in manuevers.

The front diffs don't explode if you wheel.

2000 = More safety, more capable, more reliable. For the small added investment I do not believe you can go wrong. For the avid 4-wheeler, a 2000+ is a no brainer if it can be afforded.

Good luck!

 

[farinvail]

The Vail Daily's had a 99 for a week now listed at 19K. www.vaildaily.com. Everyone is probably right about getting a 2000+ unless you arb the front dif Expect to drop additional $2K, so reallly no savings.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The Vail Daily's had a 99 for a week now listed at 19K. www.vaildaily.com. Everyone is probably right about getting a 2000+ unless you arb the front dif Expect to drop additional $2K, so reallly no savings.

You'll get a 2000 for $19K.

 

[1loudLX]

plus a 2000+ is Y2K Compliant...lol remember that? We humans are weird. Anyways I drove a 99 with a rear locker and then the 2000 with the traction control and stuff in teh snow. I was bored one day and went to a toyota dealership to do some "test driving". Must say i felt more control in the 2000.

 

[wareagle]

You'll get a 2000 for $19K.

Heck, I paid $18.3k for a very clean 2000 w/ 90k miles back in July.

 

[BMWSTOY]

Well, so much for the 99 for $18K + at John Elway. Sure did love that 100, but I thought it was about $2k too high. I have seen some go for close to $16 regardelss of the $16,9 trade in value with NADA.
I would like to find a 2000 for $18K but it does not seem that they are available right now - gas down and snow flying. But, the good news, I am not in a hurry.

Thanks for the continued support.

 

[HiFiGuy]

I paid $19,900 for my 1999 LC. It has the optional rear locker, it was very clean, and it only had 52k miles on it. Also has rear climate control, which apparently was an option. I thought it was a fair deal. Except for the gas mileage and the inexplicable need for premium fuel, I am very happy with her. It is interesting to hear the comments from people on here about the benefits of the TRAC for off-roading. I was told when I was looking that I definitely wanted one with the optional rear locker, and had to search long and hard for one. It would have been easy to pick from all the available 2000+ models with TRAC if I had known that was better. Oh well. Live and learn!

 

[HiFiGuy]

Hey, BMWSTOY, wanna buy my 1999 w/Locking Diff?

 

[HiFiGuy]

wareagle,
How long have you been in Franklin? If you have been there a while, may I PM you about the area? I may be looking at relocating nearby.

 

[uzj100]

I recommend a 2000 also. All the above comments plus the 00 rig is just seems tighter, quieter, etc. Along with trac, 4 pinion front diff.

 

[wareagle]

wareagle,
How long have you been in Franklin? If you have been there a while, may I PM you about the area? I may be looking at relocating nearby.

I';ve been here 5 years, PM away.

 

[BMWSTOY]

I need to read about the 4 pinion vs. 2 -
If my 95 4Runner was a great Colorado Truck in the snow and back roads, the LC need it be a 99 or 00 has to be better - just with the added horsepower and torque alone, never mind the comforts of luxury and more room.

From the forum I came from this stuff about geography in my newbie thread is called highjacking, but I will live with it to get advise. One thing for sure is that I will never use the finger smilie - I do not think there is any place for that and recommend that it be removed.

 

[1loudLX]

What? haha just kidding. Yeah I will definately have to say, that our LX470 was A LOT better in the snow then our 4Runner. I dont think it was so much the power/tourque, but the added weight, to help catch traction during braking. The 4Runner could get going alright, but you better have a runway to stop. The LX can stop a lot better, but that doesnt mean im not saying its also a lot better at getting going.


What color are you looking for, anything in particular?

 

[BMWSTOY]

I dont't care for gray only because my wife has a gray Odyssey. I want tan leather as opposed to gray as well. After that, I will remain open. I would love another black/tan vehicle because I love to wax it up and make it shine.
It appears I need to save a little more as the 2K is between high 18's and 22. And I have to stick with Toyota because I will be changing that suspension sooner rather than later.

 

[1loudLX]

yeah, no point in spending extra money for AHC when your just going to rip it out. Plus i think the Land Cruisers look better when you armor them up with ARB/Kaymar/Slee products. Dont get me wrong, ied love to put armor on my truck but i dont think it flows as week as if it was on a LandCruiser.

Also, i was reading somewhere that the dark red/burgandy color is a dirt cheap color as nobody really wants that color.

 

[Abe Nitro]

00 vs 99

Wow, I did not realize that the 00 drive train provided a higher level of traction in extreme conditions.. If I new that I probably would have spent less than 3 months trying to find the 99 with locker I bought. Does anyone know the upside of the 99 w/locker over the 00. Come on give me something!