SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day (2 Viewers)

[VAPny54]

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.

I do remember a post about that in the past but have not been able to find it. I have someone that is willing to make it work but curious if end of day (cost / piece of mind), the $300 is the best option.

Regarding styling, I just think the badge is super cool and if someone calls me out, it's probably another Land Cruiser enthusiast so we'd end up being friends anyway haha.

Never hurts to have someone else to hit the trails with

 

[greynolds]

I do remember a post about that in the past but have not been able to find it.

Look up

 

[thezbone]

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.

I recently bought Rock Warriors from a guy who got them new from Toyota within the last couple years. The RW Tundras aren’t nearly as limited as the HEs, but I was still surprised Toyota had them stocked as the RW Tundra hasn’t been available for the better part of a decade now.

I wonder if they manufacture X amount of all special edition parts, or if it varies depending on the part (more wheels than headlights, for instance). My completely uneducated guess is it’s the latter.

 

[Chewbacca]

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.

I don't think that it's wanting people to think you have an HE because unlike the M3/325 comparison, if someone wants an HE, they will get one. The price difference is so small and these trucks cost so much that if someone wants an HE instead of a base LC, they will get one. Non-LC owners likely don't even know what a HE is.

For me, I initially wanted an HE but no Terra interior was a deal breaker, as was no running boards (truck is my 5'3" wife's daily driver - if not for Terra I could have fixed with with some Slee sliders). It wasn't cost that kept me from getting one. When you're already spending $90k, the extra money is inconsequential. Then look at how LC owners around here like to customize their rigs and you can see why people want the badges. I don't think it's people wanting to fool others that they have an HE when they don't, though. It's not like having an HE gets you some big upgrade over a base that isn't there. It's cosmetic.

 

[linuxgod]

Trying to get someone's attention with an HE badge is like that Steve Martin bit in The Three Amigos where nobody notices him acting subtle.



If I ran across a retro TLS and/or 4WD badge I'd slap them on my rig. It your way of saying you get the LC and weren't hoodwinked by a salesman to buy this top-of-the-line Highlander

 

[TeCKis300]

Imma gonna put a heritage badge on my LX.

 

[tbisaacs]

Imma gonna put a heritage badge on my LX.

I find the “lard” stickers equally silly

 

[Chewbacca]

I find the “lard” stickers equally silly

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Meh, people like customizing their Cruisers. You've done quite a bit to yours. Some of which others might find silly. To each his own.

 

[tbisaacs]

Meh, people like customizing their Cruisers. You've done quite a bit to yours. Some of which others might find silly. To each his own.

It’s definitely a silly affliction of which I’m afflicted with


LRD makes me laugh because it’s not a thing.
Joe Bacal raced under Lexus Factory Off-Road Racing livery. There is no history or heritage. It’s not a product line or trim.

 

[Chewbacca]

It’s definitely a silly affliction of which I’m afflicted with


LRD makes me laugh because it’s not a thing.
Joe Bacal raced under Lexus Factory Off-Road Racing livery. There is no history or heritage. It’s not a product line or trim.

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Gotcha.

 

[greynolds]

Imma gonna put a heritage badge on my LX.

THAT's a mod I can get behind. I get why Lexus went with LX to fit in their naming scheme, but I think it would have been really cool for them to go with "Lexus Land Cruiser". It has just enough differentiation with the nicer interior, hydraulic suspension, Mark Levinson audio, and so on to be the Lexus version, but calling it a Land Cruiser instead of LX would just work better for me for some reason (but perhaps not for the target demographic...). So go ahead and slap those Land Cruiser badges on that LX.

 

[CharlieS]

Another question where I think I already know the answer. On my 2016 4Runner, I never could find a way to dim or simply turn off the nav/entertainment screen. I've looked a bit on the LC, but it seems that I still don't have the option? Wife and daughter's Mazdas had the option, which was nice on long stretches of dark road, with the other instruments dimmed.

If nothing's available, I'll just stick the iPad in front of it, but I don't always have it with me.

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@Slow Paddler You can turn the screen off (black screen). It is in different places in the menu system on the different generations, but it was there on my 13 and is on my 16.

 

[lx200inAR]

@Slow Paddler You can turn the screen off (black screen). It is in different places in the menu system on the different generations, but it was there on my 13 and is on my 16.

My 2010 LX does as well. Also, take heed of the comment about night mode above. When I got my LX, the interior light was set to MAX so the screen never went into night mode. I drove it like this for a few weeks and it made it nearly impossible to drive at night. Once I fixed the interior light setting, it was much more manageable and I would have no reason to turn the screen off.

 

[tbisaacs]

It has just enough differentiation with the nicer interior, air suspension, Mark Levinson audio, and so on to be the Lexus version

* hydraulic suspension, not air.

 

[greynolds]

* hydraulic suspension, not air.

Oops - corrected.

 

[kevinfoutch]

Don’t know if it is gear oil or engine oil. I was due for an (engine) oil change so while at it, took some addl photos.

@indycole no recent / relevant mods (brake pads and rotors), no heavy wheeling recently.

Since re-gearing last year, plenty of wheeling trips as well as a few towing events with a camper.

Only noticed the leak recently.

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Updating my own thread for posterity.

Both front and rear transfer case seals are shot and the cause of oil to be spewing.

Unknown what caused the issue.

Unknown if the transfer case itself is damaged, so the course of action will be to replace both seals and monitor over the next few weeks.

No more leaks? Good to go.

Still leaking? Could be time to replace the transfer case (and upgrade my skid platform).

 

[linuxgod]

Anyone know what this long ribbon thing is for inside the top of the trunk lid? Mine seems to only be attached in the middle, not on the sides, so when I close the trunk lid it tha-tha-thunks inside. It also makes a slight klunk when I go over a bump.

I started to pull the panel off but decided since I'm about to leave it was probably not wise for me to start disassembling my trunk since it's only a minor nusiance. But I'm wondering if this is "normal" or more likely if I need to pull the panel off when I get home later and glue/strap/ziptie/etc it so it doesn't move around

 

[Markuson]

@Slow Paddler You can turn the screen off (black screen). It is in different places in the menu system on the different generations, but it was there on my 13 and is on my 16.

On my 08 LC:
Display button…then Screen Off in upper right.

 

[CharlieS]

2016: setup physical button, display icon, screen off button (or adjust brightness/contrast by selecting the general button):

 

[Dan Lee]

Having taken a few trips to dusty, sandy areas, my engine bay is covered with dust. My first truck - never had a need / desire to clean my car engine compartment before.

What's the general method for cleaning the dust out? Detailer? Just spray w/ a hose?

And also, my LX has had the valley leak based on coolant evidence in the valley. But I've filled the coolant reservoir and it's been holding steady (basically still full) over 1000+ miles in the summer heat. So, it's either been fixed (I bought the LX used) or the leak is very slow. How can I clean up the valley so that I can see if coolant is still continuing to build up? Or just forget about it - too complicated and not worth it. Just continue to monitor the coolant level.