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Sun Roof Wind Deflector: Try polishing your roof before you install it (mfg recommendation). Then be sure you center it before tightening down the lock nuts. Park or drive in the sun for awhile, then retighten the nuts. About once a month, check the nuts and retighten as necessary.
Rear Window Deflector: Yeah, it doesn't do everything its supposed to, but it sure looks neat. However, it does help (a little) in wet weather and does blow off a certain about of dust in dry weather. I've tried it both ways, with and without, and I'll take with.
Problem with one set and an open diff is that in really poor conditions (black ice, melting water over ice, etc) the chains may provide enough traction to transfer all the torque to the axle that has no chains - and no traction. Be prepared to temporarily lock and un-lock the center diff frequently to re-gain traction.
All this applys only to pre 2000 LC's. After 99 they have traction control standard. For the 2000+, I'd probably put the chains on the front and use low gear (or even low range) for icy downhill sections.
Still, if your gonna be climbing out of the car to roll around in the snow/slush/mud to install chains, you might as well do both axles. I carry a set of old waterproof overalls just for that purpose.
Finally, (this is optional) you might want to carry a tow strap. Use it to drag stupid SUV drivers out of the ditch who think having 4wd is all you need to play snowmobile.
HiC
Chains on all four wheels are the best, regardless, for two primary reasons: 1.) makes all the wheels have the same circumference which prevents slippage (or worse, damage) when the center diff is locked and 2. provides the same level of traction on all wheels which allows the AWD to take full advantage of its abilities.
HiC
Change of subject: I've noticed that a very few '00 LCs in black or white have color matched bumpers and side moulding. Is this some kind of a "special" dealer option? Perhaps Dianne or Cliffy may have some inside info on this subject. Just curious because it is unusual and it does give the LC a different look.
Why not just REPLACE THE DANG THING!!!!!!!!
The money you will spend on a lawyer, the time you have already spent (opportunity cost. how much do you make an hour * the number of hours you have spent on the phone with toyota), and court cost will wind up costing you a fortune.
5-6xs what a new amp, etc. would cost.
Suggestion:
go out to your nearest audiophile shop and let the guys play with it for a minute. Let them suggest a fix. It may be as simple as installing a cross-over, making adjustments to your amp settings or installing(this thing that allows you to control the amount of bass signal that is being sent to the speakers)
who knows it might only wind up costing you about $1-200 bucks.
Just think about it! You spent $50k+ and are killing yourselves over a less than $1k fix.
Not worth it.
Truck
By the way... Do you work for Toyota???
or passive) would solve the problem.
Passives are put between the amplifier and the
speakers, it is in most case a R-L-C network which
"hides" driver outside its frequency band. But a
driver has no frequency independent parameters, so
a passive crossover is good for particulars drivers and is not universal, and because they work with amplified signals they are sometimes referred to as "high-level networks.
Active, or electronic, crossovers split the audio
spectrum in several bands before amplification,
they are very easy to compute and build, but the
main drawback is that there should be an amplifier
for each band, and because they work with
non-amplified signals they are often referred to as "low-level networks.
There exists a third type of filter, the
line-level passive filter. Like the active one it
performs the splitting before the amplifiers, but
it is much more economical. The (high) price to be
paid is represented by the inevitable attenuation
introduced on the signal.
This solution, however, for Toyota (or JBL), would
cost thousands, perhaps more.
I don't agree with truckdiger's outlook on
stevengina's litigation efforts though.
Opportunity cost is the difference between the
best payoff and that payoff resulting from your
choice. It is defined as the value of a resource in its best alternative use, but this is not a real outlay in that it doesn't have to be an expenditure or an expense itself (i.e. alternative strategies rather than “foregone” profitability).
Factor in objectives (what a decision maker seeks
to accomplish or to obtain by means of his
decision) and that a decision maker may have more
than one objective, it becomes apparent that
opportunity cost can't be used as a criticism
against stevengina. No person can put a value on
another's decisions.
As for the lawsuit, there is always the
possibility that the judge will award attorney's
fees to stevengina (thereby lowering his
opportunity cost because the value of resources
used to produce the outcome...
I say go for it...the squeaky wheel gets the
grease (or is the booming stereo?...) We're all better off through your efforts stevengina, thank you.
Let Toy be the ones to figure what the cost of litigation is.
BTW: I never even hear my stereo. Kids are louder that it will ever go.
HiC
Just begs for bigger tires.
HiC
Judge: Is the stereo important to you?
S/gina : Yes your honor, I have a collection of fine music and like to enjoy it whilst in my vehicle.
Judge: Was this an expensive vehicle?
S /gina: Yes your honor.
Judge: So then you did your diligence prior to purchasing it?
S / gina: Of course your honor.
Judge: Did you listen to the stereo?
Don't bow down! My fellow members of the bar will love you for it.
2. If you are pursuing this for principle only then I guess I can sorta understand why you would devote your time to this issue. BUT I will say again there are HOW many people in the world that have the ability to purchase a LC? hundreds of thousands maybe. Well, how is one to expect a company to make a stereo that fits everyones taste. This is the reason for aftermarket stereos. This way you have the option to taylor your stereo to your liking.
3. dmac8 had a Darn good point. "Did you listen to the stereo before you purchased the LC?" If you did your home work and spent more time examining and researching the 2001 LC maybe you would have noticed this. So basically you are trying to make toyota pay for your mistake.
(Example: you go and you order a bacon cheese burger and you failed to see that the burger comes with honey mustard. You assumed it came with mayo. And you really want mayo and are allergic to honey. So basically you ?#$@*d up. You are the type of person that would make a scene in the restraunt if they refused to make you another. You would want them to pay for your mistake.)
This whole issue about the stereo is not some crusade against the big bad toyota. You are driving a great machine and love everything but the stereo. do as janaschicago and I have suggested. Go out get a crossover save your heart, blood pressure, money, time etc. , enjoy your 50k+ truck and stop crying.
You act like by persuing this you will save lives IE: firestone laysuits, or you could be the lucky owner of a JGC. those are worth while law suits.
Your stupid lawsuit over a $100 customization is what will really wind up hurting folks ("in the long run") that may really have a problem with a toy and are seeking compensation. Stupid lawsuits hurt everyone.
If you need a release why not go Bungy Jumping, pull a car with your teeth, join the Gore campaign in FL, or help Sally Strothers FEED THE CHILDREN. Crying over a darn bass issue that is easily fixed is nothing but a booszy temper tantrum.
I am not asking you to bow down to anyone. I am asking you to stop bending over and being an...
Am I a toy salesman? No! ask Dainne or Cliffy they know me. you don't see me trying to sell toys. I just hate having to skim through your BS post crying about nothing. you are just as bad as the loon crying about a vibration in the gear shift nob.
I guess now I am starting something.
janaschicago,
are you a lawyer or are you the professor I had for my Critical Thinking course in Grad school Great post!
Truck
Regarding the point about the cost of the vehicle, and the test drive remarks - give me a break. When you buy ANY new car, you certainly have the reasonable right to assume that the components do not have any major design flaws inhibiting their usage. Granted, it's not a saftey issue, but in the case of the TLC some of that $55K out-the-door cost went to that darn radio. As for the test drive, I ALWAYS turn the stereo off. I want to hear the car - listening for squeaks and/or rattles and generally getting a feel for the quietness of the car. I don't test every feature. Although i may not use the ABS, the heater, the dome light, the left turn signal, etc. - I do have the reasonable right to assume that they all work.
Regarding a non-dealer remedy - don't fool yourself. As you may recall, I'm the guy who just ripped out all the factory stuff in favor of the Alpine system. As I pointed out in that post, the wiring is a little unique. Toyota has done (at least in the '98) a lot of non-standard connections between the amp and their head unit. If you replace one, likely you'll be replacing the other - or spending a lot of time jury-rigging a solution.
Why the %^&* should an owner have to take money out of their own pocket to pay for a repair?? This is absurd - especially if you consider that the "evidence" is that EVERY single 2001 TLC has this problem. About half dozen have been reported here and not a single individual who has a 2001 without the problem.
Now, mind you, I don't even have one - but I've heard it. I'm very ticked at Toyota for their procrastination and denials. They blew it and instead of acting like a mature and responsible compnay - they're running away like a bunch of cowards.
I salut the owners who are pursuing this problem. Keep going and I hope that Toyota will grow-up soon!
Truckdigger: The problem with the 2001 TLC stereos is real. It is not an issue of any individuals personnal taste. This system has a clear and distinct design flaw: the low end bass is boosted when the engine is turned on to the point where it overwhelms the higherend bass, midrange and treble frequencies. Mind you this only occurs a lower volumes when the engine is on; at high volumes, the bass levels are not particularly excessive. I suggest you or anyone else that dobts the problem go listen to a 2001 TLC stereo (however, make sure the engine is running, the stereo is just fine when the engine is off).
JAnaschicago: Thank you for the suggestion with regard to a crossover. Unfortunately, given the nature of the problem the crossover would not be a fix. Rather, it would trade one problem for another. The crossover may improve the stereo when playing music at low volumes when the engine is running, but the result would be less than adequate amounts of bass at higher volumes or at any volume when the engine is turned off. I suspect the problem relates to a designed in bass boast switch in the amp. If this switch could be bypassed so that the bass would remain at engine-off levels, the problem would be solved. Here is the rub: I will bet significant amounts of cash that the boost switch is integrated into an IC on the circuit board and cannot by bypassed without a complete redesign of the board.
With regard to Steve's lawsuit: Perhaps steve is being a bit premature in filing a lawsuit, perhaps not. Toyota did deny the problem in his arbitration hearing after admitting the problem in pre-arbitration discussions. Toyota has made comments to other TLC owners complaining about the problem that a fix is on the way while denying the problem even exists to others. Frankly, I am disappointed in the manner Toyota has handled this whole thing. A lawsuit may be just the type of threat that is necessary to get Toyota to take this whole thing seriously.
For those of you who own a 2001 TLC with the stereo problem, please send me your email address (if you have not done so). I am putting togethor a email list so that we might share our progress in dealing with Toyota to resolve this problem. My email: kleyendecker@usa.net.
Lets all let cooler heads prevail and stop using this board as a place to ridicule one another. Thanx.
Truckdigger: The problem with the 2001 TLC stereos is real. It is not an issue of any individuals personnal taste. This system has a clear and distinct design flaw: the low end bass is boosted when the engine is turned on to the point where it overwhelms the higherend bass, midrange and treble frequencies. Mind you this only occurs a lower volumes when the engine is on; at high volumes, the bass levels are not particularly excessive. I suggest you or anyone else that dobts the problem go listen to a 2001 TLC stereo (however, make sure the engine is running, the stereo is just fine when the engine is off).
JAnaschicago: Thank you for the suggestion with regard to a crossover. Unfortunately, given the nature of the problem the crossover would not be a fix. Rather, it would trade one problem for another. The crossover may improve the stereo when playing music at low volumes when the engine is running, but the result would be less than adequate amounts of bass at higher volumes or at any volume when the engine is turned off. I suspect the problem relates to a designed in bass boast switch in the amp. If this switch could be bypassed so that the bass would remain at engine-off levels, the problem would be solved. Here is the rub: I will bet significant amounts of cash that the boost switch is integrated into an IC on the circuit board and cannot by bypassed without a complete redesign of the board.
With regard to Steve's lawsuit: Perhaps steve is being a bit premature in filing a lawsuit, perhaps not. Toyota did deny the problem in his arbitration hearing after admitting the problem in pre-arbitration discussions. Toyota has made comments to other TLC owners complaining about the problem that a fix is on the way while denying the problem even exists to others. Frankly, I am disappointed in the manner Toyota has handled this whole thing. A lawsuit may be just the type of threat that is necessary to get Toyota to take this whole thing seriously.
For those of you who own a 2001 TLC with the stereo problem, please send me your email address (if you have not done so). I am putting togethor a email list so that we might share our progress in dealing with Toyota to resolve this problem. My email: kleyendecker@usa.net.
Lets all let cooler heads prevail and stop using this board as a place to ridicule one another. Thanx.
Truckdigger: The problem with the 2001 TLC stereos is real. It is not an issue of any individuals personnal taste. This system has a clear and distinct design flaw: the low end bass is boosted when the engine is turned on to the point where it overwhelms the higherend bass, midrange and treble frequencies. Mind you this only occurs a lower volumes when the engine is on; at high volumes, the bass levels are not particularly excessive. I suggest you or anyone else that dobts the problem go listen to a 2001 TLC stereo (however, make sure the engine is running, the stereo is just fine when the engine is off).
JAnaschicago: Thank you for the suggestion with regard to a crossover. Unfortunately, given the nature of the problem the crossover would not be a fix. Rather, it would trade one problem for another. The crossover may improve the stereo when playing music at low volumes when the engine is running, but the result would be less than adequate amounts of bass at higher volumes or at any volume when the engine is turned off. I suspect the problem relates to a designed in bass boast switch in the amp. If this switch could be bypassed so that the bass would remain at engine-off levels, the problem would be solved. Here is the rub: I will bet significant amounts of cash that the boost switch is integrated into an IC on the circuit board and cannot by bypassed without a complete redesign of the board.
With regard to Steve's lawsuit: Perhaps steve is being a bit premature in filing a lawsuit, perhaps not. Toyota did deny the problem in his arbitration hearing after admitting the problem in pre-arbitration discussions. Toyota has made comments to other TLC owners complaining about the problem that a fix is on the way while denying the problem even exists to others. Frankly, I am disappointed in the manner Toyota has handled this whole thing. A lawsuit may be just the type of threat that is necessary to get Toyota to take this whole thing seriously.
For those of you who own a 2001 TLC with the stereo problem, please send me your email address (if you have not done so). I am putting togethor a email list so that we might share our progress in dealing with Toyota to resolve this problem. My email: kleyendecker@usa.net.
Lets all let cooler heads prevail and stop using this board as a place to ridicule one another. Thanx.
As far as music is concerned, my home rig consists of Krell electronics and high end Thiel speakers. The XLO speaker wires and interconnects were $5,000. The purpose of this is not to boast, but illustrate that I'm pretty anal about listening to music.
Back to the test drive. I want to drive the truck with the stereo on, and off. After all, this is what you will do when you own it.
I want to drive it in traffic, and also on the highway as fast as I can safely go. I take copies of CD's I like to listen to. After driving the car at various speeds without the stereo, I'd do the same while listening.
AM radio and music from CD are the only things I'm interested in so, basically, I want to make sure the stereo is audible at 80mph.
I have 2 TLC's, a 92 and 95, plus some cars. I would suggest to anyone on this board, that the interior of the TLC is an entirely compromised place for good stereo.
There is too much glass and steel creating the types of reflective surfaces that compromise the audio environment. Add to this the fact that the TLC is still a heavy body on frame vehicle with a relatively short wheelbase and you can understand how much ambient noise is generated.
To overcome this, Toyota (like most others) put in a lot of bass response. If you don't have the hearing of a normal 20 year old, chances are you won't like it.
Personally, I can't stand it because I'm used to a stereo that reproduces the original music without any additives.
Truckdigger offers some ingenuous advice with the crossover. Tweaking that is your vest solution to get a sound you can live with.
Though I don't own a 100 series, I'm familiar enough with their characteristics to comment.
I usually agonize on this board about getting a new one. If my current 80's died, I'd do so in a minute.
While the 100 is a terrific vehicle, at the end of the day it's a tarted up truck. When I want to go fast, have good handling and listen to nice sounds, I drive my car.
This board is a nice place when people share their opinions, however strong they may be. It's not so cool when someone gets snobby or condescending. Contrived snootiness is quite funny, but the real thing isn't.
But As I said in the earlier post. If you are unhappy with your stereo you only have yourself to blame.
All of you say that the bass is so bad that you turn it off, etc. Well, didn't you notice this on your way home form the dealership. maybe the next day or even the next day.
most states allow you to return a vehicle that you are unhappy with with in like ~ 72hrs. If the stereo is so bad why didn't you take it back.
All of you say that it is so noticeable. Right? I have a problem with that.
dmac8 beat me to the punch. I would never assume anything when buying a 50K+ car. I will actually drive the vehicle for at least a day or two before I decide to buy one.
You are basically pissed with Toyota because you did not do your homework. ADMIT IT!
But heh! I had planned on test driving the LC again this week-end anyway. I promise that I will try my best to find this problem. If I do find it and it is as bad as you all say I will apologize for insinuating that your displeasure is silly.
I will not apologize for saying that you did not do your homework before buying the 2001 LC. i am sorry test driving a 2000 just wouldn't do it for me.
Heh! when you purchased your house did you just look at the model?
nota4re,
You said:
"especially if you consider that the
"evidence" is that EVERY single 2001 TLC has this
problem. About half dozen have been reported here
and not a single individual who has a 2001 without the problem."
WOW! are you trying to temp me with this one? EVERY is a strong word? isn't it?
I do believe that if you go back and read the post you will see at least 2-3 2001 owners that have said they do not have this problem.
Also, to say that EVERY owner has it because 12 or so on Edmund's has it is pushing JUST A LITTLE BIT!!!!!
Truck
Kurt100, I agree that the problem & fix most likely lies within the amp circuitry (a faulty integrated active crossover which is improperly raising its gain? who knows? JBL?)
My intention was to add to truckdigger's suggestion of a crossover (a variable active electronic crossover could solve (not perfect) bass levels when the engine is off or at any volume level, albeit with manual adjustment).
Though, as nota4re stated, that misses the point. Again, I totally agree with your post.
I'm glad you can still be saved from purchasing the new 2001 TLC . My persistence on this board my pay off with you- how ironic:)- All I can say is you won't be buying this vehicle now that you are aware of the problem. I already except your apology that will come in the near future:) By the way in California it is very common to buy a house with just looking at the model. The models are built well before they break ground on the house you purchase from the model.
Did I make a mistake by not fully testing all aspects of the 2001 TLC- YOU BET!!! In hindsight, I sure wish I did.
But Under California state law- This by far does not let Toyota off the hook!!
Do you think the families that had problems with there firestone tires went out to see if cracks were forming after a few years- No they assumed that they were designed to a certain spec.
I know this is different, but this is a fairly obvious point I'm making.
The consumer (By Law) is not responsible by any means to know for a fact that everything is designed properly in a vehicle they purchase- this is a know brainer!
I would be more than happy to let Toyota fix this problem originally- But because of the lies and dishonesty- and still claiming that it is not a problem, they have given me know choice but to file a law suite.
So, Trucker- please calm down. Do yourself a favor, don't buy this TLC till Toyota reenginers this problem out. I do believe that I'm doing the right thing- I hope you understand a little better now.
By the way, I have over 27 people now that have emailed me with the same problem. I would invite anyone who has the 2001 TLC without this problem to please respond!!! A few people who originally post that said they loved there 2001 TLC have now emailed me with the same problem. This is most definitely designed into all 2001 TLC. Thats why Toyota will not admit the problem!!
I sometimes wish I could scribble other peoples' posts....
HiC
His full name is Jeffrey N. wilens.
And for you non owners- please no negative comments on this subject.
I always invite something that will help in the fix to this most obvious problem.
Again my email is steven_schreiber@genevaco.com
please feel free to email me any time for a update on my case with Toyota.
Toyota works very hard to make the best SUV for us and you guys are crushing this dream. Just let them know about the problem and wait, they will fix it it just takes time.
Regards,
MG
Thanks for the help.
In the 98 I leave the center open on plowed roads to prevent wheel slippage. In anything more than a few inches and I will lock the center and live with the occaisonal wheel spin (in fact, its kind of fun). When the snow is up to the running board I'll even lock the rear. If it's deeper than that and a real wet snow, I'm usually outside the car trying to free myself with a shovel -
BTW: I've been able to plow through 30" deep snow - light powder - uphill in stock tires with just the center locked. As soon as I unlocked it (to see how it would behave), I bogged down almost immediately. Locked it again and I was on my way. Giggling like a 4 year old.
HiC
I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about stereos nor cars. That said when I first notice this problem with my LC I brought it to the local dealer, their mechanic identified the problem right away and said there is definitely something wrong. After browsing through the two volumes of 2001 LC mechanic manuals and talking on the phone for half an hour with Toyota's Cali headquarter he told me he's not sure what he could do and told me to call the hotline. I think Steve actually got a little more response initially, they were going to replace his system until they found out all the 2001 LC have the same problem. What really peeves me is how these mechanics were able to say that there is something really wrong with the stereo until they compare it to another 2001 LC...suddenly its a feature, an enhancement for your listening pleasure.
As a 24-years-old, club-hopping, rap-listening gal, I love bass, but this thing is so bad it gives me migraines. I can even listen to my little brother's car stereo with his huge mother of all aftermarket-subwoofers and all it does is get my heart-rate up a little.
Basically what I'm trying to say is this stereo has some real issues and no one has a proven solution. I've brought my car to two different local dealers and both offer completely different solutions (with no guarantees for a fix, nothing about crossovers either) at various costs. Steve, himself, met with a head engineer of Toyota who attempted a fix to keep him out of arbitration but failed utterly.
I'm always on the look out for posts regarding fixes for the stereo, what to do for best winter tractions and what's the best danged all-terrain tires out there and this board has been great on that. Still, I'm a little disappointed by the amount of bashing done on someone who is only trying to find a fix.
Onto a nicer topic, what tires do people recommend for a newbie offroader? I've read in some post that people don't particular care for the Dunlop Grandtec P275/70R16 that comes with my LC.
I just came from checking the issue out for myself and sure enough it is PROBLEM. With the engine off the volume control works normally. But, with the engine on, the volume control will not reduce the bass after a certain point. One notch above zero, you can not hear anything, except a loud bass thump, thump. So much for listening to anything soft.
I am going to wait for the fix, assuming it is coming. Or . . . ?? Again, thanks for the heads up.
Smitty
(Personally, I don't recall seeing a post on the 2001 WITHOUT the problem - hence my assertion that there is a strong lillihood that ALL 2001's are effected.)
My understanding is that 95's were Fj100s and that the Fj80 was phased out in 1992.
Anyone clarify?
FZJ80 - Was from '93 to '97, Inline 6, 24valve, 212 hp
FJ100 - '98 to Present, V8, Completely redesigned.
I use to have a '95 FZJ80. I currently have a FJ100.
Thanks