Should a GX470 be considered a LC clone or not? (5 Viewers)

[ShottsUZJ100]

heh heh heh...this sounds almost like the arguements people made against the 100 series a few years back...

Yezz, you;re right. Give the Runner time. You know there will be some 6-inch lift for the Runner before there's a 4-inch for the 100. Then that ground clearance deal is a mute point and the Runner's smaller. YIKES! I'm selling my 100 now before it's too late!

 

[Tom B]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall reading an "offroad" shootout from those editors at Truck Trend where they pitted the GX470 against the new RR, H2, and a few other luxury 4x4's. The GX470 was the ONLY fourwheel drive that was not able to complete all of the obstacles, and hence was dinged a bit in the ratings for whatever they're worth.

I think it had to deal with its traction control system killing all forward progress on sand hill climbs. Either way, doesn't seem like a real winner to me.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The Range Rover won the contest...in points. Stock to stock...I'd take the RRover too. I laugh at these car and truck mags though. I remember a test where they said the IFS/IRS Expedition was as good off-road as a 100. What were they driving? Forest road with 2 digits?
BTW: A 100's traction control won't kill the power on an uphill climb. Anybody wanna race?

 

[FirstToy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall reading an "offroad" shootout from those editors at Truck Trend where they pitted the GX470 against the new RR, H2, and a few other luxury 4x4's. The GX470 was the ONLY fourwheel drive that was not able to complete all of the obstacles, and hence was dinged a bit in the ratings for whatever they're worth.

I think it had to deal with its traction control system killing all forward progress on sand hill climbs. Either way, doesn't seem like a real winner to me.

Yeah those testers are morons. I think they did that on purpose or something.
You can get air all day on sand dune climbs, traction control doesn't get in the way at all. Here's my friend Andries at Pismo this year-

 

[Jim_Chow]

I for one don't think that going bigger and more luxurious is always an improvement. I don't want the next LC to be Suburban sized (1987 Suburban for Sale - Send me a PM). I like my luxury but consider reserves of capability more important than more wood trim and leather lined glove boxes. I wish we could get the rock solid mechanicals of the LC with fabric seats and rubber floor mats. Then I could afford to move up to a 2000+ with the traction control, stronger front diff ect.. that I value.

Toyota could do worse than moving the Landcruiser towards the 4wd purist and away from the Luxury Flagship at odds with the Lexus brand . I can see the next LC as the "Rubicon" version of the 120 platform.

I concur that a GX board would be empty but how about a 120 series board. Thats a lot of folks and if it was called a 120 board even purists would approve. Anyone know if the 4r frame is still labled a 120 by Toyota?

Random thought- Does Prado actually mean something or have a history?

A guy sitting next to me on the plane yesterday on the way back from tokyo to LA said his wheelin' buddies tell him it's rumored a 110-series LC is in the works to replace the 100.

In regards to the 4runner copying the 120, I have the latest hilux surf book from Japan w/ an interview of the chief engineer. He says the reason why the chassis is the way it is, was to reuse as many parts of the 120 as possible. Note the Japan version of the surf and prado share the same engine options (2.7L I-4, 3.4L V6, or 3.0L TD, all part-time 4wd) and only differ in price by about $1K. Prado has more vertical interior space (taller body, I think). I think the prado dates to 1990-92 ish. I've seen the early ones (still being used in Hokkaido) w/ leaf springs and 1PZ turbo diesel. The gov't offroad vehicles I saw were all either 80s, 3rd gen 4runners, or 70 series LC's...very few 100s on the road there. The Prado is probably the best selling 4x4 in Japan...at least it seems that way by the number of them I see on the roads (next w/ be hilux surfs).

 

[johnny4ever]

It would be a very empty forum... I know of one serious wheeler/GX owner and he is waiting for the warranty to expire before modding it out. I have asked others and NO GX will wheel with me. It's going to take a few years, imo.

Maybe a "120" forum to umbrella all the triplets? OK I'm sure this topic is pissing off the LC purists so I'll stop there!

Oooooooo history.

 

[GXO]

I built my GX in 09-10, so I knew what was up. 6400 people in GXOR and growing 300+ a month. I guess they all got out of warranty! haha. There are 2018s being built now!