This thread is funny. G Merc vs Toyota LC. Let me stir the pot some more
So lets see we are talking about a number of topics:
- Frame strength
- Crawl ratio
- Flex
- Tires
I dont have a pic of the LC100, but I sure it will be more beefy that my 4R. Here is the best pic I could get of the 4R frame.
4R 9 welded cross members, G has 6?? Both are fully boxed, and guess what that is not all of the equation. What is the size of the frame rails, and how far are they apart for each? I can get it for the 4R Thai measure it for the G. What is the wheelbase of each and track? WIth this we can at least get close to the comaprison of the torsional rigidity of each frame. The Gs frame looks very narrow to me, but lets get hard numbers and then we compare.
Crawl ratio. What is the gear ratios of the G?? I can get the ones for the 4Runner and I think we can easily get the ones for the 100 and then compare.
Flex is important not only for traction, but more so for stability while on the trail. That is why guys like Slee building suspension kits for the 80 go to great lenghts to improve flex. WIth 8 inches of suspension travel the G is in the same league as my 4Runners IFS and far worse than my rear at 13+ inches stock. I'm sure the 80 or 100 will beat the 4Runner. So this is no contest.
Tires stock they all come with iffy tires stock
80 - 275/70/16 (5xxxlb)
100 (old) - 275/65/17 (5400lb)
100 (new) - 275/60/18
G - 265/60/18 (only one listed with "high perfromance tires") (5500lb)
4R - 265/65/17 (4500lb)
So all the LCs have bigger tires by about an inch and a little wider than the G and the 4R about the same size stock. All the Toyotas have more sidewall stock than the G. Add to the fact that the G weighs more than the 80 and 4R Again no contest, especially with the 100 and 80. That is also the problem with the Touareg, carrying 5500lbs on 18s wheels with no sidewall does not inspire a lot of confidence. The new 100s with 18 wheels are bad but no close to the LR, VW and G in this at all. No point in having all the power, traction controlas and lockers in the world if the tires can't put it down on the surface. In this department Toyota is still ahead of most of the competition.
Oh and lastly how much weight can the G carry compared to the 4R? I wont even ask for the 100. Not much fun if you can't take your gear with. The 4R is a bit weak in this area, but I believe the G will be even weaker. What is the rating for the G? I believe it is like 1300lb where the 4R is 1450.
The G is nice having lockers and all, but then they hamstrung it with weak tires and even worse flex. Same goes for VW. AT least LR has solved the flex issue with the LR3 and RR. None of the new vehicles will stock go were you truly need to be fully locked, maybe that is why Toyota dropped the lockers on the LCs and decided TRAC is good enough. If you are going to go places with any of them stock where you need to be fully locked, you will find half the vehicle left behind, start with running boards (mine was sufficiently bend before I got sliders). If you going to mod it to go places where you need to be fully locked you might as well get lockers at that point
Let me put it this way. I have seen plenty of Toys (yes even LCs) and Jeeps on the Rubicon even a few LRs, I have yet to see any Gs or Touaregs or Cayenne's.
