Newbie to the 100

[jtun3d]

I've already looked at SLEES newbie guide to the LC, but I wanted to know the pros and cons for the 1998
lc 100. I tried looking but I wanted to hear your guys inputs because I found a 1998 that looks like it may suit all my needs.

Maintenance wise whats an estimate like for example assuming I need to change everything that is needed at 90,000miles and what extra parts would be good too for PMS so that I can be worry free of anything failing.

What are parts that usually fail on the 98'. I saw that replacing the abs master cylinder would cost roughly around 2300$ and the throttle body 1400$ if it fails? Should I be even worried about these parts failing on me? or is it rarely that such a situation would arise?

I know this is a gas guzzler but lets say I have a full tank of mid grade gas I travel about 60 miles a day at about 45mph - 55mph where would the meter be at by the time I'm home?

also I how do I know if the RR locker is working properly?

Thanks guys in advance if your able to answer my questions

 

[skhochay]

over all 100 is a good car but not for that year, you have to start 2000+ that year have lot of problems , charcoal canister, throttle position, rack and pinion mounts - stay away from that year, start 2000+ and if I was you I'll look for LX470 years 2000+

 

[jtun3d]

Hey skhochay thanks for your input. I actually wanted to stay away from the lx470 because of the AHC because to just take the whole system I hear is about 2000+ dollars. I heard a few of those problems and its quite disappointing that there are 2 more that were added to the list because the 98 I found was only running 66,000+ miles. But are the problems really that bad to not pick up?

 

[patrickfinley]

Unless you are reimbursed for travel expenses with your company you may want to reconsider a Land Cruiser for a 60 mile daily commute. That's roughly $400-500 a month just on gas.

You would probably need to refill 2x a week. Or 1x a week if you don't mind letting the tank go really low.

 

[yotasavg]

over all 100 is a good car but not for that year, you have to start 2000+ that year have lot of problems , charcoal canister, throttle position, rack and pinion mounts - stay away from that year, start 2000+ and if I was you I'll look for LX470 years 2000+

Why are you saying this? I've never heard anyone say this and there's plenty of 98-99's on here that are not complaining of such issues. If anything, you hear more about the 2000 trans issue... read up on that and make your own conclusion if you're worried.

I'm always nervous about getting the first MY of any vehicle, as I feel they work out some quirks in the coming years. On my 100 though, the only downside I can see to a 98 is that there's no rear ac option. I personally don't care about 3rd row cooling as they're usually not in my truck. The upside is that I have a rear locker and I love it. To test it you'll want to put the truck in low range (make sure you're not on pavement) and then activate the rear locker dial. The center diff will lock automatically as you put it in low range (main shifter must be in N to make the switch from H to L on the tcase shifter). After the center diff is locked in L, then you can engage the rear locker. Make some tight turns once engaged and try to listen/feel for your rear wheel on the inside of the turn slipping, that's how you'll know it's working regardless of the dash illumination.

The only other thing I can think of that would be a downside of the 98, is that for your 60 mile per day drive you may prefer the newer 03+ 5 speed trans. I personally have no issue with my trans, but some feel the extra gearing is worth the extra cost.

 

[yotasavg]

Hey skhochay thanks for your input. I actually wanted to stay away from the lx470 because of the AHC because to just take the whole system I hear is about 2000+ dollars. I heard a few of those problems and its quite disappointing that there are 2 more that were added to the list because the 98 I found was only running 66,000+ miles. But are the problems really that bad to not pick up?

My answer to this question is NO. 66k miles? I just passed 150 and it feels like it's new. I'd be getting this if the price were right and I didn't already have one.

 

[jtun3d]

@patrickfinley thanks for your input and ok maybe I over exaggerated the 60 mile daily commute because actually I'm looking for a place thats going to be near my job and that being said maybe it will be ok?

 

[yotasavg]

It's going to be ok as long as you know what you're getting into when you buy a 100. You've got to really like this vehicle to DD it, and IMO it's hard to not like it.

 

[jtun3d]

My answer to this question is NO. 66k miles? I just passed 150 and it feels like it's new. I'd be getting this if the price were right and I didn't already have one.

Hey man thanks uhm in speaking of what would be an average price on such a model you think? it has like maybe 5 or 6 bubble corrosions grouped together on the rear lift gear kinda near the backshield but not so much where in I will have to take out the back shield which have not penetrated the paint. then the interior is intact no rips or tears

 

[yotasavg]

PM'd you back.

 

[APKhaos]

First up, the suggestion of problems with "charcoal canister, throttle position, rack and pinion mounts". Somebody forgot to tell my '99 with over 250k miles about those.
Second, be very careful about rust. If there are visible rust spots there are probably more that you haven't seen yet. Before you buy this one go over and under it very carefully looking for more rust. If you find more, run Forrest run.
Thirdly, your 60 mile commute is going to be expensive as others have said. There are better solutions than the hundy for a daily commuter.

 

[jjstahl3]

I have owned a 99 for over a year and my abs pump went and I have to replace the entire master cylinder parts and labor were around 2800 to replace it other then that with 277000 miles on it seems to drive like any other cruiser. Was a expensive part but not something I wanted to skimp on fixing as brakes are kind of important

 

[jtun3d]

Thanks guys yah Ill consider everything you guys said and do what needs to be done when I go look at it once more thank you very much for all of your inputs

 

[playdrv4me]

I had never heard about the master cylinder or throttle body issues but Christ, 2300.00 for a master cylinder and 1400 for a throttle body are damn near Mercedes/BMW pricing! O_O

Aside from that, I've always considered ANY year of 100 Series to be about as bulletproof and still luxurious and capable a vehicle as you will ever be able to get anywhere. I do not like the 200 Series and know many people who feel the same way, in turn keeping their 100s for eternity. Someone else in the family has a 2003 LX470 now OVER 400,000 miles on the ORIGINAL engine and trans with minimal things replaced over the years. The family takes that truck EVERYWHERE and almost never flies, hence the mileage. I picked up a 2003 for resale purposes and it reminds me of why I've always loved these.

That said, I was NOT a fan of the transmission on my 2000 LX, so I agree with the above sentiments that you're better off being careful with the 2000 trans issue than whatever can go wrong with a '98. I mean, 2300 and 1400 is getting you pretty much to a brand new transmission should the ABS *and* the throttle body ever go south if all that is true, but I just did not like anything about the way my 2000 shifted. The 5 speed in the 2003 is an absolute dream by comparison... creamy smooth shifts, increased efficiency and good power.

 

[jtun3d]

@playdrv4me thanks very much man for your input