What to get and why 04,05,06,07?

[Schmee7]

I am looking to buy an LC, I noticed quite a bit of difference in HP between the 04-05 (235) and the 06(275) and 07(265), I got the information from cars.com anyway. Can someone tell me if the added horse power in the 06-07 is worth it and noticeable. Are there any other reasons i should get an 06 over the others or and 05 over and 04. Did i read somewhere that the 05 has a locking center dif button and the 04 doesn't. Any help separating out the 4 years would be very helpful.
Thanks,

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

I am looking to buy an LC, I noticed quite a bit of difference in HP between the 04-05 (235) and the 06(275) and 07(265), I got the information from cars.com anyway. Can someone tell me if the added horse power in the 06-07 is worth it and noticeable. Are there any other reasons i should get an 06 over the others or and 05 over and 04. Did i read somewhere that the 05 has a locking center dif button and the 04 doesn't. Any help separating out the 4 years would be very helpful.
Thanks,

The 2004 DOES have a locking center diff, and a button to engage it. Of all these years I feel the 2004 was the best year. I just happened to get lucky and got one. The later models started with the AHC and the newer style rear spoiler which I really dislike.

 

[spressomon]

According to Gary (Waggoner5) there is a noticeable difference between a non-VVT ('03-'05) and VVT ('06 & '07): IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - 2006 Motor....worth the extra $$??

Me? I'm holding out for an '07...

 

[hoser]

schmee7, keep in mind, '06 and '07 engines are equally as powerful, just the '07 now complies with the new standardized rating for all cars.

 

[Schmee7]

spressomon,
Why are you holding out for an 07, what would be better about an 07.

what is AHC? Auto Height Control? can someone explain that to me and weather its good or bad.
Thanks,

 

[Schmee7]

Also I know this is a LC site but is there anything that compairs to the LC for what im looking for? what I'm looking for is input from people who use there Cruiser, 4runner, FJ, tundra, tacoma or any other vehicle Toyota or otherwise Ram, land rover... ect I am looking for a vehicle that will take me just about anywhere, with all my equipment, mountain bikes, camping, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking.. etc. Will also be very reliable. You know the drill I want one vehicle that will do it all and look bad doing it. slight lift, tires, brush guards winch etc.
I would like to be able to disappear into the mountains/woods for a weekend or so and get where I need to go and haul all I need, and then reapear into society and go to work in it on monday. By the way I'm 6'5" so nothing small will work for me.
Thanks for your input.

 

[irongrady]

Schmee... I have an 04 with 45k and I wouldn't trade it for any other vehicle available right now. The cruiser will do everything that you are looking to do in style. I have all the basic mods and for adventuring purposes I don't think there is a better vehicle. If you want to become a rock crawler then maybe there some better choices but thats not what I'm about. I am a fan of all the toyotas that you mentioned and I'm sure they would all be capable of doing what you need them to do but the cruiser is in a class by itself.

 

[spressomon]

spressomon,
Why are you holding out for an 07, what would be better about an 07.

what is AHC? Auto Height Control? can someone explain that to me and weather its good or bad.
Thanks,

I already have a heavily modded '99 100. My next will be a gently used '07 with VVT. That's not to say it is necessarily any better than '03-'06's...

I'll remove the AHC from any future LC I get and install Fox shocks with the appropriate coil springs and t-bars. This allows for simpler (more reliable?) suspension system and a little taller lift choice.

If you need the interior space of a LC and want this level of relative luxury I believe, at least for USA customers, the LC is absolutely the best, most reliable and versatile of rigs out there. If you can get by with less interior space the 4-Runner would be my second choice of the current offerings.

Ditto what irongrady said: It is an incredibly versatile platform but "rock crawling" isn't the center of its design target. Having said that I have crawled over some fairly large rocks in route on many of my destinations. But it won't really hang with say a 4" lifted 80-series in this department...

 

[ChuckB]

Also I know this is a LC site but is there anything that compairs to the LC for what im looking for? what I'm looking for is input from people who use there Cruiser, 4runner, FJ, tundra, tacoma or any other vehicle Toyota or otherwise Ram, land rover... ect I am looking for a vehicle that will take me just about anywhere, with all my equipment, mountain bikes, camping, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking.. etc. Will also be very reliable. You know the drill I want one vehicle that will do it all and look bad doing it. slight lift, tires, brush guards winch etc.
I would like to be able to disappear into the mountains/woods for a weekend or so and get where I need to go and haul all I need, and then reapear into society and go to work in it on monday. By the way I'm 6'5" so nothing small will work for me.
Thanks for your input.

If you want a somewhat unbiased opinion that includes other makes try this website Try doing a search, or there is a great thread here. HTH.

 

[sigep0359]

Buy my '99, it has low miles, and a rear diff locker already. You'll love it....

 

[SpokaneLX470]

Depends on your buget. I love my 99 LX 470 to death, but they only go for about half of what an 04-06 would go for. Personally I believe that the 2nd to last or last year of a body style and drive train is usually the sweet spot as they have had plenty of time to work out the kinks.

If you are doing moderate camping and fire road travel a newer one will be fine. If you are getting real serious I would stick with an 98-01 is as you wouldn't mind so much when you pinstripe it or replace the bumpers.

My 99 has plenty of power for me. Would I enjoy the extra +-50 hp yes, but the reality of it is that 80% if the tourqe is available @ 1100rpm so what it has it uses really effectivly. I know it's not a sports car, but it's no slouch either.

Me, I'll rack up 200k on this one then look for an 04ish or maybe even a 200 series if the price is right in 10 years or so.

 

[SpokaneLX470]

BTW I'm 6'4" and am very comfortable in the LX. The seating position and view of the road is sick.

My wife is 5' flat and she is also very comfortable driving it. Only vehicale we have ever had that the both of us really like.

 

[bwbski26]

get the newest and lowest miles you can aford

 

[Schmee7]

If I was to get a 4runner what years are best for moding, strongest frame, engine/tranny combo. V8 or v6. Do some years have better locking and tranction configurations?

 

[spressomon]

If I was to get a 4runner what years are best for moding, strongest frame, engine/tranny combo. V8 or v6. Do some years have better locking and tranction configurations?

I would go here:

Toyota: Tacoma, Truck, 4Runner: Sponsored by TRDParts4U - Expedition Portal Forums

And post your question there about 4R (or the 4R Forum on MUD). Redline, a local friend and wheeling partner, has a beautifully modded '06 4R. Send him a PM on Exped Portal as he doesn't frequent MUD very often.

 

[LXPearl]

I found the 4R seat uncomfortable in leg support on trips longer than about 2-3 hrs. I am 6'2" so I expect you may have a similar problem with the 4R seats (03 & up). Not a problem with the 100 - the seat is highly adjustable for tall and short drivers.

The 5 spd trans in 2003 is a more significant improvement than the increased HP in 06. However, the improvements over the years all have their merit. Find the best value you can afford.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Also I know this is a LC site but is there anything that compairs to the LC for what im looking for? what I'm looking for is input from people who use there Cruiser, 4runner, FJ, tundra, tacoma or any other vehicle Toyota or otherwise Ram, land rover... ect I am looking for a vehicle that will take me just about anywhere, with all my equipment, mountain bikes, camping, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking.. etc. Will also be very reliable. You know the drill I want one vehicle that will do it all and look bad doing it. slight lift, tires, brush guards winch etc.
I would like to be able to disappear into the mountains/woods for a weekend or so and get where I need to go and haul all I need, and then reapear into society and go to work in it on monday. By the way I'm 6'5" so nothing small will work for me.
Thanks for your input.

That should eliminate the 4runner right there. I'm 6'1" w/ long legs and rented a 4runner for a week (did some offroading on the FL panhandle [flat, but sandy]). Managed to get it stuck in 4wd. Only locking the center diff got us out. IMHO, the torsion center diff was useless. My 100 has maybe 2" more legroom than the 4runner, much more comfortable over long drives.

 

[gearguywb]

I have had both the 4Runner (new style with V8) and currently an '04 LC. No comparison. The 04 is the hands down winner, if on nothing else, the quality of build. As someone else stated in this thread, it would be VERY hard to find another vehicle (at any price) that brings the reliability, durability, and quality all together in one package. Add in that you can mod the truck and then really have a blast....we have a winner!

 

[SWUtah]

I have had both the 4Runner (new style with V8) and currently an '04 LC. No comparison. The 04 is the hands down winner, if on nothing else, the quality of build. As someone else stated in this thread, it would be VERY hard to find another vehicle (at any price) that brings the reliability, durability, and quality all together in one package. Add in that you can mod the truck and then really have a blast....we have a winner!

Same here, have owned a 2004 and 2007 4runner V8 and also 2/ 2004 LX470's. The LX is a high quality vehicle, the 4runner is a great vehicle to get you where you need to go. But it is not up to the LX/LC quality.