Owner Experience Thread - Miscellaneous (9 Viewers)
- Thread starter wngrog
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The dealer can turn ECO mode control off for the A/C. Can also do it with any VIM that works with GTS (Techstream). Gotta pay 70 bucks for a subscription though. I have a Mini-VCI cable that I use for this are my Toyotas, confirmed it worked yesterday. With a compatible VIM you have all the functionality of the dealer minus key programming. Bummer the seat heater can’t be turned up though.
If doing it that way though fuel economy will likely take a permanent hit when using A/C functions.
Documentation reads that the A/C ECU can lower fan speed, can raise temp a few degree regardsless of called for temp and switches to recirc only to conserve fuel in ECO mode control. No word on what conditions cause the temp regulation, would image under higher loads and temps it probably intervenes? Recirc and it reads like fan speed reduction are immediately performed in ECO drive mode.
There is also ECO mode A/C control in the vehicle setup but that only changes whether all driving modes will implement ECO A/C control.
I got the Carista EVO and activated the discount subscription. The fake engine noise in ‘Sport +’ mode is now turned off as are the seatbelt chimes.
Has interesting adjustments like all window open/close, tweaking the bias of the cabin temperature higher/lower than the indicated on the center display. Also microphone sensitivity adjustment and HUD distortion adjustments.
Allows reading of a multitude OBD parameters (including transmission fluid temperature) via Carista app. Will monitor that when ambient temps are higher and the transmission is having to work a bit.
Has interesting adjustments like all window open/close, tweaking the bias of the cabin temperature higher/lower than the indicated on the center display. Also microphone sensitivity adjustment and HUD distortion adjustments.
Allows reading of a multitude OBD parameters (including transmission fluid temperature) via Carista app. Will monitor that when ambient temps are higher and the transmission is having to work a bit.
Figure this as good of any place to share…liked his run through on the history. Somewhat surprising, to me at least, preference of the 550 over the 250. Seemed he was primarily basing this on the powertrain and luxury aspects of the 550 to meet US market.
I still find the critiques on the power of the 250 puzzling. I too wish the 250 had a simpler powertrain, however, think it is plenty responsive as is.
I have no idea what he is talking about with the 250 being underpowered. Off the line (where you do most of your day to day driving) is faster than the 550 due the electric motor torque.
Who is trying to race a 250 to 60 MPH?
I like how he conveniently omitted the TTV6 engine issues like that shouldn’t be factored into the equation, even though he hammered on reliability.
I think a lot of enthusiasts like the Range Rover class of vehicle on a Toyota budget/reliability level rather than where the 55/60/80 series were at. 100-200 is their main context for the marquee so anything else in the Land Cruiser family feels poverty spec. IMO, 100-300 series feels like it’s own unique high end product grouping in the range.
I feel like I’m in the other camp where I see the 250 as a modern 60/80 series with a more simple interior and less exotic powertrain compared to the 300 series class.
I feel like I’m in the other camp where I see the 250 as a modern 60/80 series with a more simple interior and less exotic powertrain compared to the 300 series class.
I think this is spot on. I think one’s opinion on 250 might depend on if you think this rig should be a luxury utility vehicle, or a capable luxury vehicle… if that makes sense.
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I'm not an owner, but perhaps a soon-to-be owner. Drove a 1958 model today in Billings, Montana. All they had were 1958's. It's a bit small, but would suit our needs fine. Just me and 
most days, anyway. Definitely liking it. We are trying to decide color and model and are looking around our region.
most days, anyway. Definitely liking it. We are trying to decide color and model and are looking around our region.
I have had mine now for almost 6k miles and several months. These videos of reviewers who get the vehicle for a couple hour drive or whatever and then review hold little weight in my opinion. The longer I drive this vehicle the more I really like the nuances of it. I feel like it was built for me specifically. Yeah it has its unique characteristics as every car has but they are all strengths in my opinion. The only negative I can come up with are two things.... The gas range/mileage which only matters on long trips with the more frequent stop at gas stations because when it is almost empty I still only put 14 gallons in it and its a 17 gallon tank, so only 14 useable gallons. And the second is the steering control on windy roads it is aggressive when engaged so I usually take it off when driving curvy roads. Everything else is really thought out on this rig and is really fun to drive. Also majority drive time is in normal mode and occassionally sport.
I would add that the 250 in 58 spec seems much closer to the 100 than the 200 in terms of drivability albeit modernized. My 100 is much easier to daily drive than my 200 in terms of perceived balance, weight control, steering effort. I have a 700H coming in a few months but don’t think it’s as much of an upgrade over the 200 as the 250 is over the 100 at least in terms of daily drivability. Obviously this is given the fact that my 100 is a 2006 and my 200 is a 2021.
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- #311
I think he’s totally off base. The 250 suspension is great and the power is not an issue at all. None. Mine does not rattle like that either.
100%. I thought the same thing. I heard that engine rattle and thought to myself: Did he get a lemon?
something is off with that engine sound
Added one to the stable. We are super happy so far with only 95 miles. Just what I wanted, a blank canvas to do what I want. Added some 275/70/18 BFG KO3’s with no issues. Still getting used to not having roll up windows 
Nice. how does it ride compared to stock with the KO2's?Added one to the stable. We are super happy so far with only 95 miles. Just what I wanted, a blank canvas to do what I want. Added some 275/70/18 BFG KO3’s with no issues. Still getting used to not having roll up windows
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KO 3’s I actually think it rides better. I don’t notice any more road noise either.
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joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
Thank you gents for putting my mind at ease. I just watched the Haggerty video and his critique of the iForce Max had me really second guessing my decision on a 1958. I haven’t driven one yet, and since it will be my wife’s primary and my secondary, I’m more worried about whether she likes it. It will be a lease too, so I’m not worried about resale s much either. I will only tow 3,500 or so with it, and am never really in a hurry anymore (at least not on 4 wheels), so as long as it has adequate power, I’m good. I’ll have my 4.7 Sequoia for the V8 fix when needed.
Is the V6 in the 550 the same as the Tundra? I believe it is, and I’m definitely not in love with THAT power plant.
Is the V6 in the 550 the same as the Tundra? I believe it is, and I’m definitely not in love with THAT power plant.
joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
If only you had some previous experience with “real” Land Cruisers…
I traded in a Ram rebel truck with 420 hp. I don't miss it at all! This has same torque numbers as my truck had with a big V-8. Truck had 469 lb-ft and the landcruiser has 465lb-ft. This number is what matters as that is what you feel in the seat and pulling power. HP only matters over 55. Honestly it feels like a V-8 does. Maybe not in eco mode as it has a lag but in normal it is good and sport it is peppy!
Keep in mind, putting it in Tow/Haul removes the engine auto start stop, and fixes A LOT of the drivetrain wonkiness while taking off from a start… at the sacrifice of a little less mpg.
I highly recommend throwing it in both modes during your test drive to get a feel for what you consider your preference.
I highly recommend throwing it in both modes during your test drive to get a feel for what you consider your preference.
joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
I’m coming from a whole host of V8 Toyotas and I’m glad to hear you thought it wasn’t a giant step down from the Ram 5.7 because I’ve driven a ‘22 Ram with that motor and it’s got some serious jam!
