Eyedaho
SILVER Star
Same with my '99. It's only when pulling a trailer in crazy wind or over mountain passes that it struggles with gearing.
The 100 Series is "The Land Cruiser to Buy"
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- #22
Yup. And I forgot to mention mine is on stock gears also.
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I’d say with the lower 1st gear, the 5spd is somewhat less affected by larger tires, but running 80-90 mph (on flat ground), really hasn’t been an issue on either (with 33” tires & stock gearing).
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At WOT, yes there is a difference, especially at the “tops of gears”, but neither is likely to win many drag races, and in their daily use, is it really noticeable (except when racing other 100 series)?
Passing at above 60 MPH, dead stop to freeway entrance ramp, extreme mountain roads, and drag racing, I notice. Long road trip, or offroad, not so much.
The 5 speed trans is by far the best upgrade throughout the evolution of the 100 series. It's not even close.
Although the one to get is the one that was maintained the best, with little rust, kept stock, 1 or low owner(s), and priced right. You just have to get a little lucky finding one, and being first in line to establish contact with the seller.
Although the one to get is the one that was maintained the best, with little rust, kept stock, 1 or low owner(s), and priced right. You just have to get a little lucky finding one, and being first in line to establish contact with the seller.
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- #26
How would you compare the LC to the LX? I know you've had a gazillion of these things. Every LX I've driven, even the rotted used car lot examples for some reason always felt WAY nicer than the toyotas. I'm not sure if its the suspension or the interior being nicer but the toyota always left me unimpressed. And I am not some Lexus fanboy, I daily drive a sienna and have a 94 LC also so it's never been a lexus vs. toyota thing for me.
I sold my 200, looking to get back into another 06-07. Lol did prices increase since last year? damn
Ditto, it just takes a sec to get there. Not quick, but plenty fast.
And that is 100% exactly what I did! Wanted a rust free 03+ in stock form and thanks to this site I was able to find just the right one. Any 98-02 or "overlander build" I skipped right by.
Again, I'm not trying to knock the hundy, I love mine, I just could never imagine trying to tow even a small, light, 5k# trailer across the county with one.
My Super Duty with it's 7.3 gas job and a 36ft two car trailer with two cars on it I feel would walk my hundy in the hills. But that's apples to oranges and not a fair comparison.
The arguably best and most reliable part of my Land Rover (the 4.4 AJ and 6sp ZF trans) certainly is much more enjoyable from a power prospective in an apples to apples comparison. No it's not a million mile engine like the 2UZ and the need for premium does suck.
Hence why I feel a 06/07 is "just right", but not having driven one I can't say for sure. I'd love to drive a 200, but simply out of my price range, so not even worth discussing.
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Part of it would depend on if you were comparing “like model years”, or early models to late models.
I like the front end “look” of the LC, but the sound deadening, and electronic “bells and whistles” favor the LX.
The interior finishes also (slightly) favor the LX.
Yes, I agree with the “just feels better” impression.
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Having owned/driven 94-06 LC/LX new & used, I love my 06 LX, but at this point in time, maintenance would be more important than mileage, make, or model year, to me
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Over the years, there seems to be a number of people on this forum, that build a 100 series, lose interest, sell, build something else, lose interest, sell, build another 100, lose interest, sell (rinse & repeat).
After having a couple of each over a couple decades now….
‘98-99 Hundys… no longer an option due to only one year newer having ATRAC at no extra cost.
‘00-02… I like the 2000 models. They have been pretty solid to me and I like seeing the 16” wheels after seeing the 18s on my newer models. I like that the 2000 has the simple radio and HVAC and does not have NAV like most ‘01-02s. 2000 typically has no rear wind deflector. Not my preference but does give a unique 2000 look. ‘01-02 typically do have deflector. Some colored coded. Also the ‘01-02 models commonly have bad wheel paint.
‘03-05… The bomb of both worlds to me assuming you don’t get one of the ‘04 models with the tranny shudder. Those three years have all the interior niceities including the secret little orange lights as the ‘06-07 but no interference engine. Which to me is not worth the VVTI engine and its potential complexity. Those three years also have my preference of NON LED tail lights.
‘06-07…. I like them but VVTI engine is not worth the extra cost or its potential headaches. Also do not like tail lights.
i still think a newer stock ‘96-97 LX with the shiny clean walled Michelins look better than any LX.
‘98-99 Hundys… no longer an option due to only one year newer having ATRAC at no extra cost.
‘00-02… I like the 2000 models. They have been pretty solid to me and I like seeing the 16” wheels after seeing the 18s on my newer models. I like that the 2000 has the simple radio and HVAC and does not have NAV like most ‘01-02s. 2000 typically has no rear wind deflector. Not my preference but does give a unique 2000 look. ‘01-02 typically do have deflector. Some colored coded. Also the ‘01-02 models commonly have bad wheel paint.
‘03-05… The bomb of both worlds to me assuming you don’t get one of the ‘04 models with the tranny shudder. Those three years have all the interior niceities including the secret little orange lights as the ‘06-07 but no interference engine. Which to me is not worth the VVTI engine and its potential complexity. Those three years also have my preference of NON LED tail lights.
‘06-07…. I like them but VVTI engine is not worth the extra cost or its potential headaches. Also do not like tail lights.
i still think a newer stock ‘96-97 LX with the shiny clean walled Michelins look better than any LX.
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- #34
When is the interference engine ever been an issue for someone? They stuffed that motor in every newer GX, Tundra, and Sequoia and made millions of them probably. Change your timing belt on time and it’s a non issue. I don’t buy that as an argument against vvti. Every modern Toyota motor is interference.
To me that’s about as valid as the morons that used to say the Toyota V6s (3.0 and 3.3) were bad motors because of oil sludge issue. Of course only complained about by idiots that went 40,000 between oil changes. I probably have around 500,000 on several vehicles wirh those drivetrains and every time I did a valve cover job the heads looks clean as a brand new motor. Point being, don’t neglect your maintenance and it’s a non issue.
I agree that it is a very rare issue and with my '06 I will change my timing belt on time. But only with that engine. I couldn't care less about the older model timing belt service. However, the cost involved when the "interference" issue should come to life is not worth it when an '03-05 is an option. Again, I have both today but when a good condition '03-05' copy is an option, I would take it over the '06. Just not near enough reason not too. I don't buy that a few more horsepower and a secondary smog pump to limp home with is a reason for a VVTI engine.
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- #36
I get that but you’re driving a modern car and any issue on these cars basically puts you in limp mode. ATRAC, VSC, AHC all go in limp mode if some issue comes up. The brake booster thing that plagues all these cars, ABS can be deactivated in some cases. These issues are far more real and likely to happen than a broken Timing belt prematurely. I had a bad wheel sensor after an off-road trip and that wasn’t fun, AHC always had issues when wheeling.
100s have a ton of electronics and probably not the right car if you really want something bomb proof with no fear of going in limp mode. Prob want an early 80 series or even 60 tbh lol.
I seem to recall that he crashed it. Other than that-dunno. Has he bought a 100 now? I haven't watched the video, but from a practical standpoint his assertion certainly makes sense. Just imagine comparing a 100 series you could get versus a 40 for the same price point. OTOH, most people don't buy a Land Cruiser for practical purposes.
IMO the primary reason to do the service on time (with OEM parts) isn't necessarily the timing belt, it's the water pump. On my 05 I'm more concerned with the water pump developing a leak (which can lead to an overheating event if it goes on long enough), than my timing belt snapping.
Certainly can happen but ironically in 28 years and 13 LX/LC with many hundreds of thousands of miles I’ve replaced one water pump and it was one the previous owner put in the day before I bought the LX. Ive been fortunate.
Eyedaho
SILVER Star
So you agree that '98-'99 LC are better without all of those electronic systems to fail?
JK