The V8 Highlander has arrived...

[landtank]

It's funny how much I'm about to sound like my father.

The 2003 4Runner has so much crap in it it's mind boggling. In fact at 75k I've got a load sensing suspension with it's fuse pulled. With the fuse installed it likes to pump air into the bags until it can't any more and then tries to add some more for good measure.

Troubleshooting the circuit is easiest with the specified Toyota hand held scanner so I can read the height sensors through the OBDII port. Well that ain't going to happen. I haven't looked into the price of one of those gizmos but I really don't think I have to either. I can't afford one.

I could take the truck down to the dealer and have them repair it at who knows what expense but I'm as stubborn as a mule about letting others work on my vehicles so it's time to man up and see what I'm made of.

The point is that what my father saw as over the top electronics with fuel injection I'm now seeing with do dad accessories. Like Beno said the DIY element of these new trucks is getting smaller and smaller with each iteration. Keeping up is a full time job.

 

[cruiserdan]

Most of us couldn't pay the 70k plus & I personally wouldn't, but as Dan said. Throw some meats, bumpers, winch and a rack on that bitch & it will surely get you deep enough into the woods to surprise any LC owner.

Um, :whoops:

I suggested doing that with a Hybrid Highlander in order to further confuse Cruiser watchers.........

 

[dtt255]

what ever lifts your skirt

Here is why....If it weren't for bad taste, some people would have no taste at all !!

Um, :whoops:

I suggested doing that with a Hybrid Highlander in order to further confuse Cruiser watchers.........

What I think is funny is that all everyone keeps bagging on is the looks.

All that does it make me feel great about my purchase. Meaning that I obviously chose a VERY well built truck with great abilities.

So please...keep bagging on the looks, because if that is the biggest issue you can find...then I am happy.

 

[dclee]

So please...keep bagging on the looks, because if that is the biggest issue you can find...then I am happy.

I don't think anyone is trying to bag on your truck for the sake of bagging on it. There are some very intelligent people on this board who understand the assets of a Toyota Land Cruiser beyond the shape of the sheetmetal. People are just expressing their honest opinions on one aspect that seems to be somewhat controversial.

Now, that drive-line clunk you had, that actually qualifies as a real issue that never should have happened in a new $70K truck. And, depending on what caused it, may not actually be fixed (and may never be without replacing parts).

 

[dtt255]

I don't think anyone is trying to bag on your truck for the sake of bagging on it. There are some very intelligent people on this board who understand the assets of a Toyota Land Cruiser beyond the shape of the sheetmetal. People are just expressing their honest opinions on one aspect that seems to be somewhat controversial.

Now, that drive-line clunk you had, that actually qualifies as a real issue that never should have happened in a new $70K truck. And, depending on what caused it, may not actually be fixed (and may never be without replacing parts).

I am not saying anything about anyones knowledge on the vehicle at all! I respect and appriciate all the input that I have and will receive. That is why I was just mentioning just about the opinion on the looks.

About the clunk. I agree but with only 6 miles on it when I got it. I can assume that it was never really driven by anyone but me. So nobody should have heard it but me.

Should it have happened...of course not....but stuff happens. If it comes back sometime soon....well then that will have to be dealt with.

 

[landtank]

dtt225, I think you have a complex of some sort. I made a broad statement that the entire Toyota truck line looks and is designed very similar to one another and in my opinion lacks any character or distinction.

How you saw that as bagging on your truck is beyond me. But if you want to be the self proclaimed victim by all means enjoy yourself.

 

[dtt255]

dtt225, I think you have a complex of some sort. I made a broad statement that the entire Toyota truck line looks and is designed very similar to one another and in my opinion lacks any character or distinction.

How you saw that as bagging on your truck is beyond me. But if you want to be the self proclaimed victim by all means enjoy yourself.

ummm actually my statements were not in response to what you said.

I give a general disclaimer about the looks statements that are made in general about every 3-4 days. Makes people think I care

and notice that it is response to others posts...not initiated by me...so if I had the complex...wouldn't I mention it first? hmm something to think about .....

 

[dtt255]

Hmm, gotta have the last word on everything, and is never wrong. Do I sense a mini-Shotts in the making? Heh-heh. :shotts:

Have the last word....umm nope don't need to, not at all. There are several other posts that I have not responded to.

but I have been married for 13 years.....so when I can get a word in, I always will

 

[dclee]

Have the last word....umm nope don't need to, not at all. There are several other posts that I have not responded to.

but I have been married for 13 years.....so when I can get a word in, I always will

Wow, that was quick. I actually deleted that post in the interests of not escalating.

Anyway, I hear ya, I've been married for 10 years, but we met in college and have been together since '94, so I guess that qualifies as "a long time".

 

[landtank]

ummm actually my statements were not in response to what you said.

My bad, I got that impression from you quoting me in post #123

 

[FirstToy]

The 2003 4Runner has so much crap in it it's mind boggling. In fact at 75k I've got a load sensing suspension with it's fuse pulled. With the fuse installed it likes to pump air into the bags until it can't any more and then tries to add some more for good measure.

Troubleshooting the circuit is easiest with the specified Toyota hand held scanner so I can read the height sensors through the OBDII port. Well that ain't going to happen. I haven't looked into the price of one of those gizmos but I really don't think I have to either. I can't afford one.

I could take the truck down to the dealer and have them repair it at who knows what expense but I'm as stubborn as a mule about letting others work on my vehicles so it's time to man up and see what I'm made of.

The point is that what my father saw as over the top electronics with fuel injection I'm now seeing with do dad accessories. Like Beno said the DIY element of these new trucks is getting smaller and smaller with each iteration. Keeping up is a full time job.

Landtank,
The rear air susp is the same as the GX470 and Prado. It's similar to the LX470's.
The reason it's a bit difficult to find info on it is b/c it's a rare option on the 4Runner and the GX isn't wheeled here. They have extensive info in AUS, being a Prado has it standard on the up-trim. By your own posts, you said it was a simple system once you saw it.
In the 4 years of ownership, what things have made the 4Runner harder to DIY?
I've found it to be a very simple, robust platform without much complexity at all. It's basically all laid out like any other modern Toyota 4wd wagon and nothing mechanically or electronics that are impossible to DIY.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I just cannot fathom why it bothers so many folks that the Highlander and Cruiser look similar.

 

[cruiserdan]

I just cannot fathom why it bothers so many folks that the Highlander and Cruiser look similar.

I think it may be because Highlanders are really ugly.........;p

 

[dtt255]

I think it may be because Highlanders are really ugly.........;p

Haven't you heard the philosophy that ugly girls screw the best

 

[cruiserdan]

Only with an ample supply of brown paper bags.

 

[dtt255]

Only with an ample supply of brown paper bags.

Once you are inside....all else becomes irrelevant

 

[cruiserdan]

Once you are inside.

 

[landtank]

By your own posts, you said it was a simple system once you saw it.

It's a simple enough system, it's diagnosing and repairing it. Right now I've turned a blind eye to the whole thing and am concentrating on my rear locker issue on the 80 instead.

As far as the 4Runner, I need to build a test tool to figure out which one or if both height sensors are bad and then use that same tool to calibrate the two sensors so they report the same value at the same height +/- .10vdc. It's not like replacing a bad part alone is going to get the job done.

Probably making a bigger deal out of it than it will turn out to be but I'm not looking forward to the job.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I think it may be because Highlanders are really ugly.........;p

Hey Dan. Maybe you can do us all a favor by looking up some part numbers?

Since we can't tell VISUALLY when driving BY each vehicle-type on the road......could you compare part numbers between the new Highlander and the new Land Cruiser? Please compare:

CV axles
Front control arms
Transfer cases
Rear axles
Motor camshafts
Motor crankshafts
ABS/TRAC/CRAWL CPU's

I'd just like to make sure what everybody is SEEING when they drive by. They don't look alike to me. I can tell the difference quite easily.

 

[Atticus]

Hey Dan. Maybe you can do us all a favor by looking up some part numbers?

Since we can't tell VISUALLY when driving BY each vehicle-type on the road......could you compare part numbers between the new Highlander and the new Land Cruiser? Please compare:

CV axles
Front control arms
Transfer cases
Rear axles
Motor camshafts
Motor crankshafts
ABS/TRAC/CRAWL CPU's

I'd just like to make sure what everybody is SEEING when they drive by. They don't look alike to me. I can tell the difference quite easily.

Pointless.