Questions RE 2000 TLC

[CheeseMan]

Hey All,

I am on the verge of buying my first TLC and am giddy as a school girl. I have a few questions I hope you can help me with. I have reviewd every page of 100 tech section so I hope I am not asking questions previously asked.

I found a good deal on a 2000 with 48K miles. The one and only owner traveled alot with work so the car was only used about 50% of normal. With that said, I am still concerned about the age of the vehicle. All of the service discussed is reference in miles. With only 48K miles should I be concerned about the normal 90K service issues(TB, Starter) that a vehicle of this age should be approaching? I am not sure if service reccomendations are based more on miles or years.

The CD player is crapped out. Other than the dash slap method, is there something I can do? Are there good aftermarket units that fit the console?

The vehicle does not have thrid row option. I orginally thought I would be able to buy seats of ebay or craigslist but I am not sure I can ad 3rd row if it wasn't a factory installed option. Is this possibe? Are the anchors and connection in the vehice just ready to have seats added or would it take a serious anchor/bracket install to make this work.

I look forward to many more posts and contributing to the discussion as I learn more.

Thanks for your input - Feel free to direct me to other threads if these issues have been discussed.

 

[mobi-arc]

If it's a good deal, I see the CD issue as a minor annoyance that can be rectified with a couple hundred bucks. With respect to third row seats, they do come up on e-bay occasionally and there's no "special" mounting points that would be present in an LC that has 3rd row, verses an LC that doesn't. I, for one, took my 3rd row seats out shortly after purchase, and had them sealed in mil-spec plastic where they'll remain in storage for ten years. Won't part with them as I want to preserve the 3rd row option should I need it, but maybe someone on this board feels differently. With respect to maintenance, the starter is a luck-of-the-draw issue. I have a '98 with 135,000 and just a couple weeks ago had to replace the starter. I think the only thing to be concerned about is the timing belt and you'd need an opinion on how rapidly the belt deteriorates over time verses mileage. Maybe Christo or Cdan.

 

[spressomon]

Where did this LC spend it's life? If Arizona then maybe the extreme heat will accelerate the 90K PM (belts). As mobiarc stated the cd is an easy cheap fix. Mine crapped out about a month after I took delivery of my '99. I have seen 3rd row seats on eBay...around $1,000 give or take if I remember. Don't know about the latch and mount hardware...plus shoulder/lap belt hardware...if it is present in non-3rd row equipped rigs or not. Mine came with the 3rd row seats...

If it's a fair price sounds like you found a keeper!

 

[CheeseMan]

Thanks for the input. The final price was 20K even which was below edmunds TMV and I have been looking for awhile and this was the best deal I found locally. The LC has been in Seattle it's entire life which is great, not too hot and not too cold and it's been garaged.

I am not too concerned about the 3rd row seat right now but I would like the option in the future. I know it is doesn't have the ceiling temp controls like I have seen on 3rd row seet models.

Any other input is appreciated.

 

[SWUtah]

Welcome cheese. I had a 99 LC with 58K miles and based on time (per toyota) it needed the 90K miles service. I did the timing belt and water pump along with wheel bearings and all hoses and belts and it needed it. But my LC spent its life in hot dry AZ. I would look at your Ass. drive belt and see how it looks. Mine was cracked and so was the timing belt. If yours is OK then you should be good to go for another year but I would not push it more then a couple of years over the toyota recommended time interval. I don't know how long you plan on keeping your LC but if you now have 50K on it and you won't keep it over 150K then you might as well change it now since you are going to end up changing it once anyway during your ownership. Good luck.

 

[e9999]

good luck and Welcome to the site!


age vs miles is indeed an interesting question. Not sure there are clear cut answers on that, but the cracked timing belt above is an interesting datum...

 

[BMWSTOY]

Sounds like a deal

I would consider everything just as one with 90K on it. I am finding out that there are options on everything - for starters the stereo can be replaced for around $130 - 200 depending on your wants - I have to do mine and I purchased a 2000 with 117K on it.
Of course there are NAV/DVD/CD Stereo options I am looking at for $900-1000. I am doing all the work these need at this intervall and to give you an idea, the tune up is going to cost me about $300 or just a bit more. It will be in the thousands if done at a dealer if everything is needed: timing belt, h2o pump, wheel bearings, throttle body, and starter are the biggies.

Good luck - feel free to PM me as I am going through this too.

 

[CheeseMan]

This is a great forum!

We are picking up the LC tomorrow night. First order of business is a severe detailing and reading of the manual. The test drive went well. The LC was tight, smooth, and quiet. I can't believe how quiet the V8 is on this thing. No noticealbe squeaks, rattles, or vibration. My wife fell in love. This will be her DD for a few years and then be our rec vehicle for many years to come. I am a DIY novice so we'll so how courageous I am about self servicing. This seems like a great resource to guide me through it. Can anyone confirm what Mobi said about the 3rd row seats?

Can life get any better with an LC on the way and Seahawks wining in miracle fashion in one weekend?

 

[BMWSTOY]

3rd Row Seats

This photo shows the 4 attachement points for the 3rd row seats. The seat is installed and locked in the up position to allow for more floor space. If you have the 4 anchors per seat, then you should be able to pick up some seats.
I too have seen them on ebay for $1200 + shipping for the set - the ones I saw were Ivory - there are 2 color interiors for 2000, Gray and Ivory (mine).
If you can not make out the photo, PM me and I will send you the full size through email.

Congrats on the Cruiser

 

[CheeseMan]

May not work

I notice there were no cutouts in the flooing for these attachments when I drove it. I didn't notice if it had the two side attachment points. I am hoping they may under the carpet but I am not counting on it. Oh well, I guess that leaves more room for gear.

Thanks for the quick reponse and pics.

 

[SWUtah]

I notice there were no cutouts in the flooing for these attachments when I drove it. I didn't notice if it had the two side attachment points. I am hoping they may under the carpet but I am not counting on it. Oh well, I guess that leaves more room for gear.

Thanks for the quick reponse and pics.

I've never seen one without the third row seats? I'm sure you have the connections. There are plastice covers that go over the hook-ups for the seats. I bet when you get it home you will find them. I've had 2 100 series and the first thing I do when I get one home is take the third row seats out and put them in a closet, to put back into the 100 when I sell it

 

[EdsCruisin]

You may be surprised at the 3rd row differences - I have a 4Runner without the 3rd row and when I spec'd the parts to convert, I found that the entire 2nd row was different, as well as the floor pans, and interior trim up to the the ceiling. Another item is ceiling mounted grab handles, which also double for holding the seats in the folded up position.

I have never seen a LC without the factory option, but note that there are 8 brackets sunk into the rear floor, and two shoulder/seat belts that are attached to the floor and roof of the vehicle. I wouldn't be surprised if the 8 brackets are there, but covered, as it seems Toyota uses a lot of padding under the carpet to hide wire channels, etc.

I would bet it is easier to convert in the LC than the 4R. Good luck, sounds like a nice rig.

 

[CheeseMan]

The owner said he ordered it directly from the factory without the 3rd row seat option. He even picked it up at the docks!

Tomorrow will tell the tale. In any case, we wouldn't be using those seats until many kids were in the mix which will be awhile. We have one on the way and I want the space in the back to carry baby stuff, dog, and misc gear so I can't see missing them for 3-5 years. By then It will probably be my fishing and outdoor expedition vehicle anyways.
I'll let you all know what I find out and post a few pics of the new rig.

Ryan

 

[mobi-arc]

I would have paid extra NOT to have third row.....and leather and sunroof for that matter.

 

[LXPearl]

I would place more value on the 3rd row A/C vs seats living in the south. I have removed the seats and stored them. Even when used, they are not very comfortable for adults and only slightly better for children - they are so close to the floor.

However, living in the NW, the main A/C is one of the best I have found in a vehicle, so I doubt you will need the rear A/C.

 

[BMWSTOY]

3rd row on ebay

Here are those seats that were referenced above:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-0...007QQitemZ170066910676QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Don't forget the pics of the new 100

 

[CheeseMan]

What a blast!

Well, we have had our new TLC for 4 days and it has been snowy in Seattle for two of them. I can't believe how good our purchase timing was. We would have been completed screwed had the LC not been here to guide us through. This thing is a monster in the snow. I had to work real hard in an empty parking lot to feel the slightest skid. I assume that was the VSC beeping at me. I can't say enough about how fun to drive these are. I can't wait for spring to find some nice trails to explore.

I think it would require some serious mods to put in a 3rd seat. There are not seatbelt or seat attachment points in the back. I am sure it is doable but not as easy as buying seats and throwing them in. For now I am just happy with the space in the back. My wife loves the luxury aspect of the TLC and I love the ruggedness at heart. Time for some new Revos and we are good to go. I inpected the exposed belts and they were pristine.

 

[EdsCruisin]

From looking at your pictures, you are correct that you would need to replace all of the plastic in the rear at a minimum. It is possible that the hooks are in place under the carpet and you would only need the plastic and seatbelts with the seats to install. Not a tough job, but just need all the pieces.

I would bet you could trade the entire assembly with somebody else here who doesn't want their seat assembly.

 

[drsales]

The 2000 LC is a great truck. I have had mine now for a few months and by far for the money the best of any used SUV that I have ever driven. Looks nice lets see some more pics. Great color just like mine. Good luck.

 

[CheeseMan]

From looking at your pictures, you are correct that you would need to replace all of the plastic in the rear at a minimum. It is possible that the hooks are in place under the carpet and you would only need the plastic and seatbelts with the seats to install. Not a tough job, but just need all the pieces.

I would bet you could trade the entire assembly with somebody else here who doesn't want their seat assembly.

LOL - I never thought of that but you are probably right!