Several questions from a new 100 series owner.

[plarsen111]

Bought a 2000 LC for $6600 from a lady at work. It has high mileage (221,000) and a few things wrong with it, but the price was so low I had to take advantage.

I have several questions if someone doesn't mind helping me out.

1. Where do I learn more about servicing my vehicle. Oil changes, timing belt changes, etc.

2. Is there a great land cruiser website where I can order all kinds of parts? For example, that spring loaded cup holder part that is currently selling on eBay for $50.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-2007-T...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac3e5c67d&vxp=mtr

3. I went and had keys cut at Lowes. New keys wouldn't start the car. I have 2 working keys, but it would be nice to have a couple extra. How do I avoid paying $300 to dealer to have a key made?

4. I am not an off-road enthusiast (although I have done a few stupid things in a car): What does the power button do? Why lock the differentials?

Thanks! Love this forum!

Phil

 

[Muddy Bean]

Hi Phil. Welcome.. You're likely about to get railed on a little from some of the more experienced folks on this forum, so before they pile on and tell you to use the "search" function, I'll say it nicely, there are some very well laid out threads on here that can help you. In terms of parts, believe it or not, with our trucks, you generally do not want to go aftermarket. Most parts you will want to order from the Lowes Toyota dealer in Georgia. Sam and Joshua work there in parts and offer major discounts to us club members. They have a thread with their contact into. Search for "Sam Lowes Toyota". As for your cut keys not starting the truck, the factory keys come with a transponder inside that communicates with the antitheft function of the truck. Your plastic lowes keys won't start it. Here's what myself and a few others have done to save ourselves the $$$ of buying new transponders. The one master key you have that starts the truck obviously has the transponder inside. Take a tiny screwdriver and open up the key fob. Pull put the transponder guts and glue them or zip tie them securely behind your dash onto the ignition tumbler metal. Close up your dash and now any cheapo cut key will start your truck.
The PWR button changes the electronically controlled transmission ECT shift points to shift at a higher RPM for passing or towing etc. I'm typing with my iphone so I won't even attempt to explain why and when to use the diff locks. Definitely google search this. You need to know before using them. Good luck. In a few months you'll know a lot more about your cruiser.

 

[Sverige]

You calling offroading stupid?

MUD forum fail.

 

[SmoothLC]

Lots of good info. in the 100 series FAQ.

Post some pics too when you get the chance.

 

[VtaTom]

Congratulations on your Cruiser. Search feature is your friend for starters. To get dialed in on your maintenance you might want to search the term "baseline" and any threads related to timing belt replacement. It's basically a list of things you want to do so you know they've been done and similar to the 90k service but with all fluid related items being replaced instead of just checked and with more mileage you want to look at additional preventative maintenance. It's a lot to do at once so you will probably piece your way through it.
I'm on my phone now but I have a Toyota recommended service schedule PDF at home. I probably found the link on here or a web search.

 

[uHu]

Congrats. Welcome to the club.

The diff.locks are for turning your one-wheel-drive vehicle into a three-wheel-drive. Not that it doesn't normally drive all 4, but if you drive 1 wheel into a ditch, you suddenly have 1-wheel-drive, and that would be one of the wheels in the air, the one with the least traction. That's in short how it works without traction control.
Should be used with caution tho'. Read up on the matter.

@Sverige:
The stupid thing about offroading is that it is generally illegal in this country. How about in Sverige? That's why you are in Africa?