What do we think of the Land Cruiser/LX470?

[cantdrv55]

I have the hots for one and am waiting for prices to come down on these gas guzzlers. Heard they’re pretty bulletproof go anywhere trucks that’s comfortable on dirt and valet parking.

[LWJ]

I have a 2001 LC. It has 180,xxx miles. Drives like a car in town. Use it like a truck. It never breaks. Hauls the family, the dog, and lots of junk.

I am VERY pleased with everything about it...except the mileage!

[Seahawk]

1996 here...a gen or two behind.

The Lexus will be more upscale than the regular LC but still a beast.

I DD mine since I like the size and ease around town. I play mpg games with mine all the time. Best I have ever averaged was 17 something.

The good news is I drive about 40 miles a day.

[Tobra]

Great rigs, built like tanks, but I think the Sherman M4A1 is a little easier on gas.

[CarreraDan]

Go read up on Ih8mud.com, it is the Land Cruiser equivalent to Pelican. Rust is the main issue with any Toyota and the Land Cruiser is no exception. Buy the nicest example you can afford and enjoy the best Toyota could offer. The 4.7L V8 does have a timing belt that should be done around 100k miles.

I originally sought a LC100 and then decided that LC 200 was what we really needed. We ended up with a 2016 and had to drive 9 hours to get one in the condition that we wanted. My wife thought it was insanely expensive for a 5 year old vehicle with 100k miles on it, then she drove it and fell in love with how solid it is. Ours is built like a tank and the suspension looks to be off a diesel truck. We routinely pull 7k lbs during the summer and have driven across the country once so far and plan to take it to the Grand Canyon next May. Gas mpg's is around 15-17 but that really doesn't matter to us as we bought it to be our adventure base/overlanding rig. Zero issues in 50k miles other than oil changes and tires are coming up. Zero squeaks or rattles and it drives like a brand new one. Our only problem is that she now proclaims it will be her driver until she cannot buy gas. We are shooting for 800k miles and I don't see why it won't make it.

[IROC]

I had a 2007 LX470. Great vehicle. Not as rugged and bulletproof as an 80 series, but much better on the highway. The 2UZ V8 is not super powerful, but will run forever with no issues and moves the 100 around easily. IMHO, I would look for the Land Cruiser and not an LX470. The LX came with the AHC (automatic height control) which is nice, but old enough now that if it has issues, the best thing to do is rip it off and install a conventional suspension lift. The LX version also has more luxury items that, for me, are just things to go wrong. Like the variable ratio steering. Not needed…

But, you really can’t go wrong with a Land Cruiser. IMHO, Land Cruisers and air-cooled 911s are the greatest vehicles ever produced. I will probably keep my 911 and my 80 forever.

[juanbenae]

A guy in my club has a built up one that is a very capable rig. not sure of all the work done other than a lift and lockers. by the way, that is our buddy CBeers in his very well-built 1st gen 4-runner CP.

[DonDavis]

I've had my basket case LR 109 since '18. It needs everything...frame, engine, trans, brakes, suspension, wiring, radiator. Did I say everything?

And in the end, 55mph max and no ac. Total no-go here in the Phx area.

Then I see those crawling pics and I think "I have absolutely zero interest in spending a day doing that...none."

Prob should just get rid of it and focus on finding a 997.2. I could drive the hell out of one of those.

A great friend has a '65 Unimog highly modded rock crawler. We've talked bunches about it. Snoozeville to me. He laughs.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by juanbenae

A guy in my club has a built up one that is a very capable rig. not sure of all the work done other than a lift and lockers. by the way, that is our buddy CBeers in his very well-built 1st gen 4-runner CP.

You guys are having all the fun! I did some light wheeling in my Titan stock 4wd but nothing like those big boulders. I should get out to join you guys some day. Tell CBeers I said hi.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by CarreraDan

Go read up on Ih8mud.com, it is the Land Cruiser equivalent to Pelican.

Thanks for the link man!

[cantdrv55]

80 series are waay out of my reach. Heck, 100 series right now are too. I'll have to wait for the used car prices to bottom out. Good point about the LX having to much luxury stuff that can go wrong. Weird though that LXs are cheaper around here than LCs.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

You guys are having all the fun! I did some light wheeling in my Titan stock 4wd but nothing like those big boulders. I should get out to join you guys some day. Tell CBeers I said hi.

it is a ton of fun. different from tracking and racing my car in that in the car there was huge adrenaline for 20-30 minutes 3x a day and a ton of waiting around in the paddock in between. doing the jeep thing is not as much of an instant rush, although there are moments are close. but, it's all day again and again.

i will reach out when chris next comes up for a run in the spring. you might be able to sit in his daughter's seat.... that's her in the photo, she has rode slick rock!! be great to have you up.

im a jeep guy...

[cantdrv55]

Nice rig T!

[DonDavis]

^^^ +1!

[Sarc]

It drinks gas like Dean Martin at a Friar's roast, but I love the thing.

Purchased ours sight unseen in Denver and drove it home. It does everything well. Very happy to have found ours well before the price increases.

[mattdavis11]

My dad drove a 2003 LX470 for 17 years, then gave it to my nephew who now DD's it. It has a bunch of miles, north of 200K I think. Timing belt has been changed.

Do not confuse the AHC reservoir for the coolant reservoir, the AHC system doesn't like that at all. It now has a different suspension setup. I know my nephew has replaced the valve cover gaskets, which was a pita.

I have not tinkered around enough to know much about the 100 series, but if they are built like my 80 series, it's a solid vehicle.

[cantdrv55]

Yep, prices are crazy still. Rigs with 200+k miles sell for up at $12k with torn up seats and dog stains.

[Roswell]

Rust is a huge issue with the 100 LC's, check accordingly.

AHC is a great suspension system, when it is new. And they are relatively easy to repair. But the price of parts are expensive. Best bet is to find a LC without AHC.

If the truck has over 200k, chances are the steering rack and ball joints may need to be replaced. New CV axles. A new radiator would be smart. And the heater t joint.

The website CarreraDan mentioned is excellent. Seahawk introduced the site to me. Great resource.

Best of Luck with your search. LC's are great trucks. IROC nailed it, Land Cruisers and air-cooled 911s are the greatest vehicles ever produced.

[Eric at Pelican Parts]

My 80 is still my favorite go anywhere rig. With a simple 2.5” lift I was able to tackle some really technical rails on even just street tires. It was a great way to learn the capabilities of the 80 and after getting all terrain tires it just got even better. ~9-10 MPG mixed is what I’m getting, but I’m not complaining! I’d definitely get one if you’re looking at it. Also eyeing a 200 to add to the stable when prices get lower too

[MikeSid]

We have an FJ100 and an 2018 MB 450GLS. I vastly prefer the FJ. It's not even close. It has around 280K miles on it and is still an absolute joy to drive.

These are heavy and thirsty cars, so consider brake pads to be a consumable like gas and oil. When my wife was the primary driver of this car, her "style" of driving would result in warped rotors before the pads wore out. But even without a race-to-the-stoplight style of driving, pads wear quicker than most vehicles.

The 3rd row seats are not easy to use and ingress/egress is difficult. But they are removable and they fit nicely into a contractor garbage bag and onto a shelf in your garage. The weight saving is considerable.

I'd opt for an early FJ100 without the navigation screen and more analogue controls.