Thinking about an '06 or '07, looking for input...

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619TOY

619TOY

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I've been giving some serious thought to replacing my 1996 4Runner with a 2006-2009 landcruiser or LX. I've been doing quite a bit of searching but I think it's time to ask for some assistance from the experts. This will be my daily driver and ultimately be set up as an expedition rig. I will expect to lift it slightly and in reading some of the older threads on the LX, it seems like maintaining the AHC and doing the Slee override switch is actually a viable option? There's a lot less info on dealing with AHC in a 200. So like I said, any advice will be greatly appreciated and if you could point out some of the more informative threads, I'd really appreciate that too. In short, I want a rig that has more room than the 4Runner, is as plush and comfy as can be expected, can get out of it's own way better than the 4Runner or 80 and is no slouch off-road!!

I think I've narrowed it down to this at this point: it really seems like a 100 can more easily be made into the expedition type rig I'm looking to build, but after driving the 200, it would be my first choice, hands down if it could be modified as easily and end up the way I want. My pre-concieved major desires are these:
2" lift±
305 tires (wider 33's than 285's)
Front bumper
Winch?
Rear bumper w/ tire and jerry can carriers
Step sliders
Roof rack
Rear cargo drawers with fridge
Dual Battery
Rear locker?

I feel like I'm leaning toward the 2006-2007. It seems like there's more concrete info and aftermarket components available. Still open minded and doin' my research though :D In a 100, I'm thinking of the '06-'07 primarily due to the HP increase (275HP) in case you're curious or if I'm overlooking something by doing so.
 
If the budget allows, the only consideration should be that there are less options for add-ons with a 200. I think you can still build a 200 within your criteria. It's a bigger, more powerful Cruiser. Does the LC have the crawl feature that the LX does? I was impressed with that when it came out.
 
With all that weight I don't think the AHC will work well for you. A 06-07 LC or LX is a great truck and can do what you want it to. I don't have any experience with the 200 since they're out of my price range, but we moved from a '99 4R to the '99LC and really love the extra space. I don't like the bigger size when out on the trails here in the east, but that wouldn't be a concern for you. I also miss the ability to keep it in 2WD and sling it around in the snow, which again given your locale is a non-issue!
 
If an 08-09 is not out of your price range, I'd grab that. Five years out from now you will be happy you did. I've seen some very nice built up 200 series out there with everything on your list. Check out the Slee builds on their site, certainly nothing lacking on aftermarket mods.

As the others have said, with that list I'd probably stick with an LC without AHC.
 
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Haven't done much looking, but I've got to imagine that 07's are going to be considerably less than 08+? Also, as mentioned, much better aftermarket support (for now). I think the 100 looks better as well, so I would stick with the 06-07, UNLESS you're planning to tow, and tow a lot.

Also, I thought all LX's had AHC in those years?
 
Last week I made the leap! I bought my first LC its a 2006 with 137K miles 24K out the door. I have the same plans as you. Good luck with your build
 
the new 200's are $90k, who the f#$k can afford that???? Seems ridiculous. Not saying it isn't superior, especially with the 5.7L, but don't see the point in buying a new LC for that kind of dough.

I bought my '06 two months ago, had 94k miles on it and i got it for $26. Super happy with it, even if it doesnt have the "new" features and only the 4.7L engine. For the kind of $ it would cost to buy and outfit a new 200, you could have 3 different trucks, or a LC, a Tundra 5.7, and a decent sedan?

But hey, if your IRS refund is burning a hole in your bottomless pocket then go for it, enjoy. Look forward to some pics if you do.
 
^Probably the same reason people buy 4000 sq ft houses with a family of 4, they have the means I guess. I think you are crazy for paying $26k for a 100, I could buy 2 of what I have for that! I'd feel bad getting the floor muddy in a $60-$80k truck, but that's just me.
 
I think the 200 is a great vehicle.... mechanically better than the 100 in many ways.... physically, worse in every way. But with the 100 series, you get something you won't get with the 200 at this point in time, and that is a lot of support for the mud community, the overland community and from folks who actually work on their vehicle... and not concerned with doing mods that may void their warranty.
 
I'm not ready to start wrenching on my 200, where as my 100's I have no problem. Biggest issue with all is there is no power outlet/ cig lighter that runs with truck shut off for fridge/freezer. Also, bumper mods are a lot more involved on 200.
 
TXLX100 said:
^Probably the same reason people buy 4000 sq ft houses with a family of 4, they have the means I guess. I think you are crazy for paying $26k for a 100, I could buy 2 of what I have for that! I'd feel bad getting the floor muddy in a $60-$80k truck, but that's just me.
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It was fair market value and I'm very happy with the truck and what I spent on it. That's all that matters. Try to keep in mind that a 1200sq ft house in the Bay Area is about $700k, something no texan would pay, so our perspectives and opinion about "value" differ significantly due to socio-economic and geographic opposites. I have family in texas and their mortgage is a car payment on a 2014 Land Cruiser.

Can we just agree that we both love Land Cruisers? LOL
 
BTW, I think one think I don't like about the new 200's, Sequoia's and Highlanders is they don't have too much different body styling, they all look pretty similar IMO. I like the boxier look of the 100's comparitively. That said, I do like the bodies of all of them, but I wished they'd done something to make the LC stand out. That is all.
 
Yotahound said:
It was fair market value and I'm very happy with the truck and what I spent on it. That's all that matters. Try to keep in mind that a 1200sq ft house in the Bay Area is about $700k, something no texan would pay, so our perspectives and opinion about "value" differ significantly due to socio-economic and geographic opposites. I have family in texas and their mortgage is a car payment on a 2014 Land Cruiser.

Can we just agree that we both love Land Cruisers? LOL
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Agree! I was just giving you a hard time. I would spend that on a car I can keep for 10-15 years. Buying quality cars at the right time and price is a prudent financial decision. I've been driving for about 15 years and estimate I've only lost about $15k due to depreciation on the various vehicles I've had ($10k of that on a GM truck).

Yotahound said:
BTW, I think one think I don't like about the new 200's, Sequoia's and Highlanders is they don't have too much different body styling, they all look pretty similar IMO. I like the boxier look of the 100's comparitively. That said, I do like the bodies of all of them, but I wished they'd done something to make the LC stand out. That is all.
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I've definitely noticed some of the Toyota & Lexus models are hard to tell apart at first look. They all look okay, just can't hardly tell some of them apart. I wonder what the logic is.
 
Hi 619Toy, I have an '06 TLC. Because it is my daily driver in the winter, it is important to me for the truck to be geometrically proportionate between lift, wheels (maintained 18" wheels) and tires. It is a very capable truck off-road.

Below are my mods.
Toyo 275/70R18 A/Ts (33"); OME 1.5" suspension; Removed AHC; Light Racing UCAs; ARB f/r air lockers; Slee rock sliders; ARB drawers; Replaced the cig lighter with dual USB ports (I posted step by step instructions a month or so ago in the 'what have you done this week' thread). Finally, I replaced the carpet and have a Wagongear tail gate lid on the way. Best of luck to you. I am very happy with the truck but I'd be just as happy with a completely rebuilt 80.
 
I have two 06's. They are great vehicles.

Nobody has mentioned it but DT makes headers for the vvt-i.

One thing about a 200 is the lack of head room if you are tall.
 
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