- Thread starter
- #21
I thought our infotainment systems weren’t upgradable due to it controlling so many parts of the functions of the vehicle
Talk me out of trading in my 2013 for a 2021!
- Thread starter PhillipPinot
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- Thread starter
- #22
Yes it did help. Thank you!
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Well the 200 is built like a brick s***house. The GX550 is built like a ….GX
OK...fine...here is something that sucks....range on my LC is 320 miles at best. (My F150 can do double that....)
It’s all in the threads. RWs fit.
Stock lines, must drill knuckle, which is easy with the right tools
Big brakes for 08-15 using 16+ parts
Anyone paying attention to this section recently will have noticed @TeCKis300 excellent thread on an easy big brake kit for 08-15 cruisers using Tundra parts. Deep in that thread info emerged that fitting the 16+ brakes was more easy than initially thought, and as that method has been developed...
forum.ih8mud.com
No knuckle mods, must change lines
DIY Tundra Brakes (BBK)
Time for bigger tires and with that, need a big brake kit (BBK). Thanks to the pioneers @TexAZ, @bjowett, and others before me, it's been known that upsized Tundra front brakes, rotor and caliper, largely bolt in. Here's my attempt to simplify the install for others that may want to tackle...
forum.ih8mud.com
- Thread starter
- #26
Thank you for the very detailed instructions, but it’s way out of my wheelhouse (I’m a hobbiest woodworker). Honestly, it doesn’t look too bad… you provided great videos and pics, I just don’t feel comfortable messing around the brakes on the family vehicle. I’ll just show this to a shop and see how much they charge. Thanks again!
Ps. This is what all my spare brain power is concentrated on. Lol
Ps. This is what all my spare brain power is concentrated on. Lol
- Thread starter
- #27
Mine is 200 miles…
Do it
16+ is the best looking 200.
16+ is the best looking 200.
You're not usually wrong Ryan, but.. 13 is the best looking 200
In all seriousness, when we shopped for an LC, we were open to any year 200 and considered every option from $25k to $85k. We ended up getting a '13 a few years ago in the mid-high $60's since it included many standard features and we actually prefer the exterior styling of 13-15. The small stuff like the brakes upgrade is only $500, the new radiator is $220, we actually prefer the 6sp, the mpg and range is the same.. I think even if both were identically priced with similar miles, we would still choose the '13-15 over 16 and do the small upgrades. Hope that helps
- Thread starter
- #31
Guys… what about this.
Interesting dilemma, certainly a first world problem 
I must say am very happy with my 2021 LC200 and do not plan to sell it for the next 25 years. Just slowly build on it, knowing I can enjoy it for a long time.
What I like in specific of the 200 series:
- the more traditional Japanese Toyota looks compared to the latest Toyota creations
- the 2016+ head light styling leaning towards the awesome 80 series
- the 2016+ hood shape (i know, this is minor)
- the great V8 and the 8 speed which I leave in ECT mode and shifts with no issues
- the fact it was over designed by a big group of mostly Japanese engineers in Japan in the late nineties/early two thousands. Do not think any Hillbilly Engineer got involved in the 200 looking to add a bigger screen or car play or some fancy gear shifter or extravagant looks. Clearly the focus of the 200 series was to build a worthy 80 and 100 series successor to be the durable and capable ultimate King of all roads.
IMO Toyota with recent designs (Sequoia, Tundra, RAV4, Tacoma, GX550, LC Prado 250) is focused on styling, features and marketing. Nobody can blame them, but not clear yet they are build to last as long as before, time will tell of course. I recall Mercedes basically losing it in the late nineties and still are lost from otherwise awesome vehicle such as the W124 in the early nineties.
If they only build them this way in 2024, I would consider saving for one.
Clearly with a later model year you will be happy to know it can last another 300k miles+ or 15 to 20 years+
Regarding the GX550, it looks to me it is offering the Jeep/Bronco type "screaming" looks instead of being a more simple, understated and timeless design like the 100 and 200 series. It is also based on the lighter duty Prado line. Nothing wrong with that but for the same price you can buy the 200 series which probably will outlast the GX550. If however you really fancy the GX550 (all our tastes and likes differ, it is good we are all different), I would keep the 2013 LC200 and test drive a 3rd or 4th model year GX550, once they worked out the issues and dealers treat you normal again.
Good luck with the choice!
I must say am very happy with my 2021 LC200 and do not plan to sell it for the next 25 years. Just slowly build on it, knowing I can enjoy it for a long time.
What I like in specific of the 200 series:
- the more traditional Japanese Toyota looks compared to the latest Toyota creations
- the 2016+ head light styling leaning towards the awesome 80 series
- the 2016+ hood shape (i know, this is minor)
- the great V8 and the 8 speed which I leave in ECT mode and shifts with no issues
- the fact it was over designed by a big group of mostly Japanese engineers in Japan in the late nineties/early two thousands. Do not think any Hillbilly Engineer got involved in the 200 looking to add a bigger screen or car play or some fancy gear shifter or extravagant looks. Clearly the focus of the 200 series was to build a worthy 80 and 100 series successor to be the durable and capable ultimate King of all roads.
IMO Toyota with recent designs (Sequoia, Tundra, RAV4, Tacoma, GX550, LC Prado 250) is focused on styling, features and marketing. Nobody can blame them, but not clear yet they are build to last as long as before, time will tell of course. I recall Mercedes basically losing it in the late nineties and still are lost from otherwise awesome vehicle such as the W124 in the early nineties.
If they only build them this way in 2024, I would consider saving for one.
Clearly with a later model year you will be happy to know it can last another 300k miles+ or 15 to 20 years+
Regarding the GX550, it looks to me it is offering the Jeep/Bronco type "screaming" looks instead of being a more simple, understated and timeless design like the 100 and 200 series. It is also based on the lighter duty Prado line. Nothing wrong with that but for the same price you can buy the 200 series which probably will outlast the GX550. If however you really fancy the GX550 (all our tastes and likes differ, it is good we are all different), I would keep the 2013 LC200 and test drive a 3rd or 4th model year GX550, once they worked out the issues and dealers treat you normal again.
Good luck with the choice!
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With the understated CBI bumper reducing the enormous hourglass grill, the 2016+ LX570 has real potential. In fact I would consider one beside the LC200 and build it per below.
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- Thread starter
- #34
It’s also less expensive than the Toyota with the same mileage and year
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Well I got a really good feeling that if I took the 37x13.50s off of my 200 and (somehow) bolted them onto a GX550 I would only make it about 100 yards down my favorite trail before a tie rod, steering rack, axle, or diff blew.
I feel this in my heart.
I feel this in my heart.
Yes, you could buy all the CBI pieces for the difference (at least a lot of it) and have a very nice rig. Head and shoulders over the GX550 in my opinion.
Was it all that low end torque plus the brake-grabbing traction control that did it in?
keep shopping around. they are at least $5k high.
picked up a 17 with less than 50k for right at $52 and it was in mint shape just a few months ago.
I’m sorry, but the LX, and any Lexus product is just butt ugly. As for 2013 vs 2021, I vastly prefer the looks of the 2013. And I own a 2020. The 2013 is more true to the original design of the 200, whereas the 2016+ just made it look worse. I mean it’s still a LC and it’s newer so it’s technically “better” but if I could swap the aesthetics for an earlier model 200 I would. At 100k miles, I’d say keep your 2013 and enjoy it.
Nah older LX and LC look too much like Highlander. That is not “original design,” that is just conservative lazy design team.