SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day (8 Viewers)

[greynolds]

Different leather quality

This is the one difference that caused me to put any real thought into choosing between HE or not. The leather is definitely different, but I do wonder if the quality is ultimately different. Essentially I'm wondering if it's a choice between softer and slightly less durable (non-HE) or less soft but more durable (HE). Since I ended up with an HE, I certainly hope the durability is fine (I'm not too concerned, to be honest).

 

[prwillard2]

This is the one difference that caused me to put any real thought into choosing between HE or not. The leather is definitely different, but I do wonder if the quality is ultimately different. Essentially I'm wondering if it's a choice between softer and slightly less durable (non-HE) or less soft but more durable (HE). Since I ended up with an HE, I certainly hope the durability is fine (I'm not too concerned, to be honest).

I really wanted terra interior on my HE. Bummer they don't offer it. I decided to just put Escape Gear seat covers on it in the end though.

 

[greynolds]

I really wanted terra interior on my HE. Bummer they don't offer it. I decided to just put Escape Gear seat covers on it in the end though.

I had thought that I wanted terra, but when I bought the HE, the dealer had 2 LC's on the lot that were black with terra and I really wasn't crazy about the terra color (the black exterior is sharp with the usual hard to keep it clean caveat). I could have gotten those for somewhat less because they were leftover 2019's, but the other factors I mentioned plus not being too crazy about terra made the decision for me. In the end, I negotiated a deal on the 2020 HE that wasn't too much more and am still happy with my choice just over 1 year later.

 

[300blk]

I'm not much of a BMW person, but isn't the M more or less analogous to AMG from Mercedes? If so, it would be the same platform with a more powerful engine, tuned suspension, and some appearance stuff (sometimes a little, sometimes a lot) more or less. AMG vehicles almost always have better leather available, exclusive color choices, tuned suspensions, etc. The HE package is definitely a much less extreme difference, but these all ultimately come down to trim levels on the same basic vehicle.

Yes, it’s essentially the same vehicle except it has a completely different body, engine, suspension, interior, transmission, wheels, but, yeah, otherwise it’s virtually the same thing.

 

[lx200inAR]

WIth M cars, i suspect it depends on where you draw the line on "appearance package." Also depends on which car/market you are talking about. E36 USA spec M3s could pretty much be called an appearance package, since it was mostly different bumpers/side skirts and a 20% bump in HP. E36 ROW spec M3s got 60% bump in power via a much more advanced intake system and a different transmission. There are many M cars that share almost no sheet metal or interior pieces with their non M counterparts. Basically the frame is the same, and almost everything else is different. Of course BMW has muddied the waters quite a bit with the "M Appearance Packages" that they will option onto standard models. I don't really keep up with it anymore, so not sure how much all that is still the same.

 

[greynolds]

Yes, it’s essentially the same vehicle except it has a completely different body, engine, suspension, interior, transmission, wheels, but, yeah, otherwise it’s virtually the same thing.

Thanks for the snarky, sarcastic response. It's truly appreciated. My apologies for not knowing all things BMW when posting on a Toyota forum. (yes, that was sarcasm)

I was asking an honest question as a non-BMW person. That's why I asked if it was analogous to Mercedes AMG models where the base model is usually very similar. Moving from a G550 to a G63 AMG, you get a higher performance engine, suspension that's tuned differently, options for nicer leather, plus other stuff that definitely counts as appearance package stuff. It's the same thing for most Mercedes models. That's not to say that the differences don't collectively make a huge difference in many cases.

WIth M cars, i suspect it depends on where you draw the line on "appearance package." Also depends on which car/market you are talking about. E36 USA spec M3s could pretty much be called an appearance package, since it was mostly different bumpers/side skirts and a 20% bump in HP. E36 ROW spec M3s got 60% bump in power via a much more advanced intake system and a different transmission. There are many M cars that share almost no sheet metal or interior pieces with their non M counterparts. Basically the frame is the same, and almost everything else is different. Of course BMW has muddied the waters quite a bit with the "M Appearance Packages" that they will option onto standard models. I don't really keep up with it anymore, so not sure how much all that is still the same.

Thanks for a much more useful reply.

 

[jmcclusk]

Does anyone have a link to a Land Cruiser Heritage Emblem / Badge for purchase? I found the OEM Toyota badge which would run me about $300.

Anyone found success with finding a more cost-effective option?

I bought a couple aluminum ones on etsy and they look good: Aluminum Retro Toyota 4 Wheel Drive Badge | Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/listing/248866344 check his other items for sale for the other styles over the years. He makes the 3d printed cup holders as well and I love mine in my 60.

edit: yeah, he's a supporting vendor on mud here too, username bhicks

 

[TheGrrrrr]

I think lots of folks added that badge or even the 4 Wheel Drive badge to their 200 series before the HE was ever even in existence. It was a cool way of setting the truck apart and giving a nod to the 'heritage' of the Land Cruiser. If anything I think Toyota copied the enthusiasts, and I couldn't care less if someone has the badge and certainly wouldn't see it as a poser move. Definitely not analogous to slapping a '5.0' badge on v6 mustang or the like.

 

[300blk]

Now I want to put one on my 2008 just to piss people off.

 

[CharlieS]

Now I want to put one on my 2008 just to piss people off.

You do you.

 

[Chewbacca]

This ^

But why you’d want to rebadge your cruiser to look like a heritage edition is beyond me. To me it is a lot like like putting a M3 badge on a 325.

While I don't have any HE emblems on my 21, this is a ridiculous take. M3 is a completely different car from a 325. HE costs ~2300 more and has minor differences from base LC. Same engine, same transmission, same interior (except you can't get Terra in HE).

 

[slowride]

Built in France by real France people...

 

[TheGrrrrr]

WIth M cars, i suspect it depends on where you draw the line on "appearance package." Also depends on which car/market you are talking about. E36 USA spec M3s could pretty much be called an appearance package, since it was mostly different bumpers/side skirts and a 20% bump in HP. E36 ROW spec M3s got 60% bump in power via a much more advanced intake system and a different transmission. There are many M cars that share almost no sheet metal or interior pieces with their non M counterparts. Basically the frame is the same, and almost everything else is different. Of course BMW has muddied the waters quite a bit with the "M Appearance Packages" that they will option onto standard models. I don't really keep up with it anymore, so not sure how much all that is still the same.

Having owned both an M4 and SLK55, I feel like I have some sort of perspective on this because until I owned one I didn't know the differences either. Many of the Mercedes models over the years have been sold with an AMG "Appearance Package", usually some body moldings, wheels and other cosmetic things, but you know its not an AMG because it has a 3 number designation ie. SLK350 vs the AMG 2 number designation SLK55. An AMG Mercedes will almost always have a different engine, transmission and suspension and it will be hand built in Germany and imported as a finished product to the US. Much the same for BMW's M series. Like Mercedes, BMW has offered many models with an 'M' appearance package, but that doesn't make it an M series vehicle. Like Mercedes the M appearance package vehicles will have the same model designation as the regular models, but with an 'M' tacked on to the end, where as 'M' series vehicles with start with 'M' most of the time. 'M' vehicles will also usually have a different engine entirely or the same engine but with twin turbos or something, usually a different transmission as well. It will also be hand-built in Germany and imported to the US as a finished product.

The Heritage Edition is essentially an appearance package. I would agrue that at least in the truck/suv space TRD is also an appearance package as the drivetrain is typically the same and its built on the same factory lines. Frankly, I understand why people care about the differences when it come to BMW and Mercedes, but I don't get it on Toyotas aside from resell value due to scarcity by design. I would have a much bigger issue to someone trying pass off a 325 as an M3 than someone throwing some badging on Toyota truck, particularly if their aftermarket mods exceeded the functional differences between the base model and the TRD model. I've seen lots of 5th gen SR5 4-Runners built well beyond a TRD Pro or Off-Road and wouldn't be bothered with them running that badging, so long as they didn't misrepresent it when it came time to sell it.


Thats my 25 cents nobody asked for.

 

[PhuckItImDone]

So, we are running 5.0 and M badges? I have most of the alphabet soup from every car I've owned, so ill just put everything on there...

 

[CharlieS]

While I don't have any HE emblems on my 21, this is a ridiculous take. M3 is a completely different car from a 325. HE costs ~2300 more and has minor differences from base LC. Same engine, same transmission, same interior (except you can't get Terra in HE).

Yeah I get you guys. I’m not into current bmws. Back when I was into them there were a lot of people putting badges and body kits on their 3 series to make them look more like an m3. I chose a bad example. Mea culpa.

My point is that adding a badge or the rims from a different but similar model doesn’t make it into that model.

 

[Chewbacca]

Yeah I get you guys. I’m not into current bmws. Back when I was into them there were a lot of people putting badges and body kits on their 3 series to make them look more like an m3. I chose a bad example. Mea culpa.

My point is that adding a badge or the rims from a different but similar model doesn’t make it into that model.

I don't think people are trying to turn their trucks into HEs, i think they think the badges look cool, which they do.

 

[VAPny54]

I don't think people are trying to turn their trucks into HEs, i think they think the badges look cool, which they do.

Well this thread has blown up - good hearing everyone's input.

It looks like best scenario is to purchase the old FJ40 badge which needs to be modified before applying (or pony up and give Toyota $300 haha).

 

[greynolds]

I don't think people are trying to turn their trucks into HEs, i think they think the badges look cool, which they do.

I suspect it's a bit of a mix of wanting people to think you've got an HE and thinking the badges look cool. Of course, only a real enthusiast is really going to notice it either way. Like my comment above about people spending thousands to make their G-wagons look like a newer model year or making a G550 look like a G63 - most people just see it as a G-wagon (those changes probably hurt resale value, if anything, especially when OEM parts aren't being used). But as long as people are happy AND there are enough spare parts for actual HE's (whether it be badges or replacement wheels), it's all good. Still deciding whether I should buy a 5th HE wheel so I can do 5 tire rotations - I better grab one before all the posers buy them up .

I guess that does bring up a potentially stupid question... Does anyone know how good Toyota tends to be about having sufficient inventory of the "special" spare parts for limited editions like the HE? There aren't too many items that are specific to the HE, but I'm thinking about things like the blacked out headlights. It would obviously be possible to just swap both out for regular LC headlights if it came to it.

 

[greynolds]

It looks like best scenario is to purchase the old FJ40 badge which needs to be modified before applying (or pony up and give Toyota $300 haha).

IIRC, @Eric Sarjeant had posted something showing what needed to be done. IIRC, the old badge had studs that need to be removed and it also needs to be bent slightly to conform to the shape of the body panel. Probably a bit tricky to get a nice looking result, but it was a lot less expensive.

 

[Eric Sarjeant]

IIRC, @Eric Sarjeant had posted something showing what needed to be done. IIRC, the old badge had studs that need to be removed and it also needs to be bent slightly to conform to the shape of the body panel. Probably a bit tricky to get a nice looking result, but it was a lot less expensive.