Tinker's latest brutal review of LC250 (2 Viewers)

[Specialeyes]

The split tailgate is my favorite design but I admit I haven’t found myself using it for much more than changing shoes when going for a hike or a round of golf. I thought it would be a good table to set up and change into my gear for bike rides but even with my rack lowered it just gets in the way basically rendering the tailgate useless.

 

[pawnthatdude]

The whole angst from the enthusiasts is really perplexing academic whinging. Toyota is a business and they are in the business of making money. Not the business of making feel good juju with a tiny fraction of internet users who probably weren't going to buy the car anyway.

Particularly with the 200, unless you bought your 200 new, you don't have much ground to stand on. If you wanted to save the "full fat" Land Cruisers you should have bought a new one. If it was too expensive, you're just proving Toyota correct that making a cheaper, less "prestige" one was the move, since they are selling great. They are laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[turbo8]

Monica has stock primary suspension (UCAs, LCAs, rear suspension links) and King shocks and springs. 37" tires and a 3" body lift.

The pic of Monica that was used above had the front suspension at full droop and the rear nearly there. Definitely not a good comparison on ground clearance to any 250 that's not also half airborne.

I don't think the front suspension arms, CVs, or outer tie rod ends are from a 200 series...

 

[TeCKis300]

It’s nothing to do with SEMA vs Baja. There is nothing stock about the suspension in the Baja truck (maybe Curt will chime in on height specs of their race truck), so your comparison to a bone stock 250 is ridiculous. I found the other photo in .00003 second google search for “lifted LC250”. I have no idea who built it or why. Nor is it important here.

Point lost in the mix and my fault for a distracting picture. I was trying to find a good view that showed the underbelly of the 200-series and how everything is high and tight within the frame. Just happened that Monica jumping in the air was that pic.

 

[cruisergreen]

I don't think the front suspension arms, CVs, or outer tie rod ends are from a 200 series...

 

[hoser]

Disagree on that one. The side door makes a great place to mount a camping/cooking table, without restricting access into the back of the rig like cooking on a liftgate/tailgate combo would. A downpour has not coincided with dinner/breakfast cooking yet in my camping/hiking/swimming/cycling trips, so the un-covered cooking location is far outweighed by the utility of having the fold-up table. I have cooking utensils in pouches behind the table, and pots/pans/plates etc. in the DS drawer, which is not impeded by use of the table.

View attachment 3935877

The downpour doesn't just happen with cooking. Happens when I arrive and trying to set camp. The ljftgate can also be closed while the tailgate is open to reduce cooking odors inside. The tailgate also adds 18" or so if one wants to sleep in the back with the 2nd row flipped forward (no drawers). I have this little 3 season DAC tent. Looks like....

One can also put your set-up on a bumper swing out to have all the advantages of both split gate and side swinging.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Yet another option we didn't get here - the 105 series half door rear. The chicken tax kills a lot of the fun options. The lack of the swing gate in the new generation LC/GX kinda kills it for me. Liftgates are boring.

View attachment 3935505

I f-ing hate the chicken tax.

 

[TeCKis300]

I don't think the front suspension arms, CVs, or outer tie rod ends are from a 200 series...

To be fair, the majority of races over the decade Monica has campaigned were with all 200-series primary parts. I think I only saw the OEM Tundra (longer) arms in more recent races?

Which brings up the potential same opportunity for the LC250 and TNGA-F modularity. It's very possibly parts like control arms, CVs, TREs, suspension from the 4R, Tundra, GX550, or even LC300 may just drop in.

 

[Noctilucent]

Hm, I think the 5th gen 4Runners with the slide out table are the real winners. You've got the roll down rear window a slide out tailgate and a full sized weather shield thanks to the non split hatch. I just wish Toyota had included that slide out table in more 5th gens. Most people seemed to pass on it for the sake of extra room but its utility was seriously underrated.

 

[turbo8]

To be fair, the majority of races over the decade Monica has campaigned were with all 200-series primary parts. I think I only saw the OEM Tundra (longer) arms in more recent races?

Which brings up the potential same opportunity for the LC250 and TNGA-F modularity. It's very possibly parts like control arms, CVs, TREs, suspension from the 4R, Tundra, GX550, or even LC300 may just drop in.

I have a lower control arm from the 300 series on order to see the differences from the GX550.

I know the Tundra arms won't bolt on, their frame mounting point width was about 1" too wide.

 

[hoser]

Hm, I think the 5th gen 4Runners with the slide out table are the real winners. You've got the roll down rear window a slide out tailgate and a full sized weather shield thanks to the non split hatch. I just wish Toyota had included that slide out table in more 5th gens. Most people seemed to pass on it for the sake of extra room but its utility was seriously underrated.

When you slide out the 4runner table, you have to push all the crap you have on top towards the front of the vehicle to get table space. Crap goes into the hole and when you want to return the table to the original position, you have to clear out the hole

 

[Noctilucent]

When you slide out the 4runner table, you have to push all the crap you have on top towards the front of the vehicle to get table space. Crap goes into the hole and when you want to return the table to the original position, you have to clear out the hole

True, very true. But! the station wagon's tailgate kinda blocks from reaching the stuff in the back some would have to kinda crawl to reach at times. depending on how you store things the 4R slide out could pull those hard to reach items close enough to grab but it depends, if it's something's loose it would get caught in the space for sure. 4runner has the full hatch non split tailgate above giving you the best shelter from the elements AND the roll down window. hmm seems like the 4runner gives you more ability here but The Tailgate the station wagon lcs can withstand more weight I'm sure. Again we run into pros and cons. 4R = You get a Roll down window WIN, you get better weather shelter WIN, You get a lesser tailgate area lose, LC, you get a split tailgate for shelter 4R is Better here, No rolldown window 4R is better here, you get a full pledge tailgate LC is better here. Overall, I think the 4R with the slide out table has a slight edge to give it the win on the best design imo.

 

[hoser]

Its main purpose is access, that's it. It doesn't add workspace, only shifts it..... and takes up cargo space.

 

[Noctilucent]

Its main purpose is access, that's it. It doesn't add workspace, only shifts it..... and takes up cargo space.

Hmm, If it's main purpose is access then the tailgate makes it difficult to access things in the far back rendering the 4R winner wouldn't you agree? Edit: That said I wouldn't say its main purpose is just access. I’d argue its real main purpose is versatility functioning as a bench a pseudo table and making loading/unloading easier. It’s not perfect, but it tries to offer more than just one use utility.

 

[Jeremy556]

Its main purpose is access, that's it. It doesn't add workspace, only shifts it..... and takes up cargo space.

And turns into a rattly POS if you carry much weight on it on bumpy roads. I deleted my sliding tray within 6 months.

 

[Noctilucent]

And turns into a rattly POS if you carry much weight on it on bumpy roads. I deleted my sliding tray within 6 months.

Oof, it rattles? I’ve never heard that before. Do you think they all do? When I was looking for a 4Runner, I couldn’t even find one with the slide out cargo deck they were super rare. If every single one rattles, that’d be a poor design… but honestly I doubt they all do. Never the less, the Station wagons have an awesome cargo area. Well, up until the 300 and new LX(they removed the tailgate which we should honestly all raise hell about). I just the think 4R with the slide out had the most feature rich overall design. that being said, I prefer the station wagon because of the sturdy and proper tailgate.

 

[hoser]

Hmm, If it's main purpose is access, then the tailgate makes it difficult to access things in the far back, rendering the 4R winner wouldn't you agree?

If your main concern is access, then I suppose. I prioritize utility and space over access.

 

[Noctilucent]

The station wagon definitely wins when it comes to space. But if we’re talking about the overall design of the rear hatch and cargo area, I’d say the 4Runner with the slide out might have the edge offering better weather protection and a roll down window even if it has a less traditional tailgate. I was under the impression we were discussing the best overall hatch/cargo setup? because to me that has all the desired super powers. Roll Down window, Tailgate and Full Shelter. Yes the slide out table is inferior to the Station wagon but because it still gives you that ability to use it as a bench,table etc and you get a roll down window and full shelter two things you don't get with the station wagons I think those advantages are enough to put it at the top of the best hatch list. IMO. To be clear I definitely value utility and space too no question. But when weighing everything together I still think the 4Runner slide out setup edges ahead in overall design. That said I personally prefer the station wagon layout for the proper tailgate even though I recognize the 4Runner slideout is more feature rich.

 

[Yanu]

I have no interest in slide out trays, but sure do wish for barn doors.

 

[Noctilucent]

I have no interest in slide out trays, but sure do wish for barn doors.

From what I've heard those barn doors are pretty damn cool.