I consider myself a car enthusiast in the broader sense and if I didn’t think Land Cruisers were cool I wouldn’t be here. I actually do understand what’s going on. The difference between you and me is I can accept it.
Your Thoughts on the LC 250? (4 Viewers)
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The “Landcruiser” badge means a lot. A lot to us and 100X more to Toyota. Toyota knows full welll what type of vehicle deserves the Landcruiser nameplate and they certainly will not slap it on an undeserving vehicle.
Naysayers will naysay, but I trust Toyota on this. If they say a vehicle is a Landcruiser, then it is. Hell, they made the damn thing and every single one before it.
Naysayers will naysay, but I trust Toyota on this. If they say a vehicle is a Landcruiser, then it is. Hell, they made the damn thing and every single one before it.
I am not a believer of the Toyota US organization. From the information published by Toyota Japan it is very clear there is:
- the 40 to 300 series all know as Land Cruiser or King of the Desert or King of All Roads
- the 70 series aka Land Cruiser 70
- the 90 to 250 series Land Cruiser Prado aka Prado
Just renaming the latest Prado to Land Cruiser and claiming the Legendary Land Cruiser has returned is beyond believable while also selling the real Land Cruiser 300 series overseas, unless you have some clowns in marketing and/or finance Toyota US who think this is legit. The world is now larger then the next state or the US all together, for those who have not noticed.
Seems to me Kiichiro & Shoichiro Toyoda would turn around in their graves if they knew about this
I noticed on here they call it the “250 Series” rather than “250 Series Prado” like the previous generations. So maybe the LC250s bearing the Prado badge are the true impostors.
So strange that Toyota corporate, even on a vintage 2019 webpage calls all of these Land Cruisers? Hey, what do they know?
global.toyota
Evolution | HISTORY | Land Cruiser Special Website | Exclusive Product Stories | Toyota Brand | Mobility | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website
Overview and vehicle lineage of 1st to the current generation Land Cruiser.
Yep, Toyota Japan is in on this name game.View attachment 3590293
I noticed on here they call it the “250 Series” rather than “250 Series Prado” like the previous generations. So maybe the LC250s bearing the Prado badge are the true impostors.
They are clear though it is a 150 series follow up. In Australia there is no doubt what it is, so in most countries of this world. Makes the last real Land Cruiser in the US only more interesting and valuable, so there is an upside to all of this.
It says Prado series or am I missing something?So strange that Toyota corporate, even on a vintage 2019 webpage calls all of these Land Cruisers? Hey, what do they know?
Evolution | HISTORY | Land Cruiser Special Website | Exclusive Product Stories | Toyota Brand | Mobility | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website
Overview and vehicle lineage of 1st to the current generation Land Cruiser.
View attachment 3590302
Maybe as a Prado 120 owner i don't get it. They call it a Prado globally, list it as "light duty" on their lineage chart, but omit the "Prado" third of the badge for USDM rigs - a badge that's never been used on a USDM vehicle - and folks are still mad about what exactly?
It being claimed as "The return of the Legendary Land Cruiser" yet it is a one class down Land Cruiser Prado and not a 200 series King of All Roads follow up. Now we are left with the LX600 with its call for attention looks and steep price tag. At least two versions of the LC300 would have made sense and then bring out a 4runner follow up with the size and capabilities of a 250. What they will do for the next gen 4runner short of re badging the next gen RAV4 as 4runner is a miracle to me. I think 4runner enthusiasts would be less than amused as well.
Having said all of this, the 250 may fit the needs and desires of many current Toyota owners (like you possible replacing the GX470, which is pretty awesome by the way due to its solid Japanese design and build and naturally aspirated V8) and new owners wanting the badge. In my mind they tanked the Land Cruiser name and heritage though and then there is no return.
Like Jeep tanked the Cherokee name and appeal of the XJ by bringing out the dreadful Liberty and later some Hyundai looking Cherokee follow up. You wonder how they messed that up...
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From my 120-platform perspective, the attraction of a 100 or a 200 is really the bigger 9.5" diffs compared to the smaller 7.5"/8" (with the 8" known for breaking often). From my understanding the 250 and 300 both share the bigger diffs. So - again from my perspective - I think the 250 to 300 delta is a lot less than the 150 to 200 and 120 to 100 delta, where the Prado drivetrain components were significantly undersized compared to their big brothers (a full 1.5" less ring gear is a lot).
The N/A V8 is why I am not selling my GX470 for a very, very long time. I freaking love the engine especially with the mods I've done to it.
I totally get the drivetrain hesitation with the 250 (and even the 300/GX550). I would not purchase one until the drivetrain is sorted and proven. However, the change to the hybrid/turbo 4 and turbo V6 is not totally the fault of Toyota. They have to comply with USEPA emissions standards - and CAFE standards - which can swing wildly based on who is in power. These standards are hard to comply with for larger-displacement, N/A engines and Toyota was stuck in a bad spot (granted they might have been able to keep the V8 going another 5 years like Ford/GM, but not another 10 given how slow they are to update things). Hopefully these powertrains end up being proven - if not I'll buy a 2021 200 or a 2023 150 in a decade or so when my GX does need to be replaced.
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Be interesting to see some info on transfer case, differential, suspension and CV joint sizing between the 250 and 300 series. What I have seen so far, the 300 is beefier, like the 200, but interested to see some actual data and pictures.
Rear differential wise I believe the LC250 gets the BD21 at 8.19inch, the GX550 with either the BD21 at 8.19 inch (without lock capability) or the BD24 at 9.5inch (with lock capability) and the LC300 the BD24C at 9.7inch. I am sure there is much more to it regarding build strength and capacity. Happy to be educated by those having studied this.
Rear differential wise I believe the LC250 gets the BD21 at 8.19inch, the GX550 with either the BD21 at 8.19 inch (without lock capability) or the BD24 at 9.5inch (with lock capability) and the LC300 the BD24C at 9.7inch. I am sure there is much more to it regarding build strength and capacity. Happy to be educated by those having studied this.
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I am curious as well. Frankly I never understood why Toyota had so many different sizes of drivetrain components instead of just using the bigger diffs, TCs, CVs, etc. everywhere. You think there would be a lot of economy of scale in making nothing but 9.5" and 10.5" diffs instead of the 8, 8.2, 8.4, 9.5, and 10.5.
From the techstream info that went away, the GX550 gets the larger diffs, the LC250 gets 8" diffs
On a side note, I think the 16+ LX570 and GX460 with CBI bumper cutting down on the massive hour glass grill are pretty good looking. I actually would not mind having a LX570 with that build beside my LC200, once I need to replace my 535d. Then again that is twice similar. Will be driving the 535d into the ground first and it has been great so far short of a DPF plug up and delete of the same. Can do all minor and major repairs myself with ISTA+. Hope to get 5 to 10 years more.
Seems odd....why would they go back to the 8" vs. at least the 8.2" that the 150 had? The 8.2 was developed due to all the 120 and FJ diff failures. More torque is not going to help that.
I think he rounded off as the info i have seen the 250 with I4 turbo hybrid has 8.19". Looks like the GX gets bigger due to the more powerful engine.
Agreed, they don't look bad at all, and frankly better and more unique than a T4R. Had I realized my GX was going to evolve far beyond it's original $10K backroads beater plan, I would have ponied up more and bought a 460 to start with.
If it is the 8.2, then yes it is a "light duty" version. Although I'm personally going to be ponying up some $$$ to do the 8.2 upgrade on my 470 to proactively avoid blowing my 8" on the trail.
Yes, that is a dilemma when you start building. Or sell the GX470 for good money and start over apply what you learned. All is all this is why I think you want to be pretty sure the Toyota platform you chose is solid and will last 250k miles plus.
