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Comments
In High range, with the center diff unlocked, your torque tends to go wherever the resistance is the least. In a very low traction situation (glare ice, for instance), the chained axle (say front, in this case) will have the resistance and the rear will not. The result is the rear spinning. If you are accelerating around a curve, or perhaps, going downhill into a curve under braking, you might find yourself pointing in the wrong direction in a hurry when the tractionless rear breaks loose. This sudden about-face will also probably put you in the oncoming lanes, assuming you were lucky enough to keep 5200 lbs of momentum on the road that is. You get a much different result though if those chains are on the rear: Not too much sudden directional control, but braking action to control speed and traction in the back that keeps your behind behind you.
Mechanically, with the open center diff, it really should make no difference. If you lock the diff though you CANNOT put chains on only one axle unless you are in the deep sloppy stuff where the un-chained axle can spin at a faster rate than the rear. This is a great way to get stuck, BTW. Even with chains on both axles though you should not lock the center diff unless in the slop or travelling in a straight line.
Since keeping all of that in mind can be quite a bit of work, the manual offers the simplest, and least dangerous recommendation: Put them in the rear.
BTW: I'm not sure how well this applies to the 2000+ versions with all the TC and VSC doodads. It holds true for my '98 though, as well as my prior 4Runner and prior to that, my 4WD P/U
HiC
The 6-speaker system is just OK in my opinion: it has fairly good frequency response & not too much distortion; but in a top-of-the-line SUV, one should expect at least a better-than-average stereo.
What could this be???? Bad caliper.
IdahoDoug
That's what I'd do first. I know it's a pain but it's the first thing a garage would charge you to do.
IdahoDoug
I dunno if the NAV system is tied into the wheel speed information from the ECM, but regular, hand-held GPS is not affected by tire size changes (obviously). Tire height changes will affect your speedometer and odometer.
A good time to change your pads is when the pad thickness is near or at the minimum assuming they are in good shape. Pull the wheels and look through the caliper to see how thick the pads are. A shimmy could be due to a warped rotor or unbalanced tires, etc.
Husky Cargo Mat - Do a web search on Husky cargo liner, then check prices and look for the added bonus of free shipping. I have the husky liners, front, middle and rear and would never run a vehicle without them.
Enjoy that '99 LC.
Later,
fj100
'99 LC, 68k miles, bfg at's 285's, ome lift, sway away torsion bars, arb winch bumper
check out http://www.pbase.com/roane10/inbox for pics of my modified LC
I am considering a '95 thru '97 series 80. I have run into conflicting info on the locking diferentials: were they or were they not standard equipment?
If they were optional, how can I positively i.d. the axles to be sure that they have lockers - are there air hoses or electrical wires going to the pumpkins? Where are the dash switches located?
How is this model LC on ice, with proper winter tires? I am assuming the diffs act as open units when they are unlocked. I would prefer to have traction control for snowy roads, but I really like the solid axles and lockers for off-road use.
I am also considering a 2003 Land Rover Discovery II S (US$35K), but the reliability problems, lack of a locking center diff, and miserable resale value have got me scared. So I am contemplating a 6 year old LC for about $18K-$20K instead of the new Disco to get the solid axles and off-road capability at a price I can afford.
Comments are very welcome.
The optional front and rear diff lock switch is to the left of the steering wheel. Here is a pic of what you are looking for. Also, you will need to add a center diff lock switch, very simple procedure and the wiring harness is already there. The switch from toyota is like $51 and takes about 10 minutes to install.
Check out the following link for the pic of the diff locker switch.
http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_locker.htm
Check out the following link for the pic of the center diff lock.
http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/products_interior_main.htm
The 80 series will do very well on ice and snow. We have used studded and siped mud tires for years and switched this winter to Michelin's new 4X4 Arctic Alpin. Improvement in onroad conditions for sure, offroad I don't know yet - didn't do any wheeling this winter.
I think FJ100 knows this, but you don't need to add a center locking diff switch as the 80's automatically lock the center diff in low range. If you want complete control of the center diff in high range, the switch is worth having.
As to your other questions, yes the diffs are open when not locked. On the Rangie - they do have a locking center diff in low range just like the 80 has. But you're wise to steer clear of them if you want reliability as well as offroad capability in one package.
IdahoDoug
Thanks for the other comments about LC and snow driving.
Is the suspension lower/ softer with the Lexus?
Any specific reasons to either choose or avoid the Lexus? I believe '96 was the first year for the LX450....
Would people think I'm crazy if I drove a Lexus down a muddy trail?
I will be installing OME springs and bigger tires anyway, so the suspension is a minor issue.
TIA.
People will think your crazy for driving a Lexus down a muddy trail but you have front and rear diff locks.
I would highly recommend installing the center diff lock button. It gives you more control over your drivetrain. Also discounnect the wiring for the automatic engagment of the center diff in low range. After you install the center diff button of course. This allows you to disengage the center diff in low range and regain your turning radius or for backing heavy trailers in low range. I have my wiring unplugged and people can not believe highly tightly I can turn around in low range.
Later,
fj100
Thanks
-Jay
For trails in Taxachusetts, go to the TLCA website and look for local clubs. Yankee Toys are in Boston, and they are an active club (www.yankeetoys.org)
IdahoDoug
(Former employee of Lexus and Toyota US HQ)
miles, F and R locking diffs and the extra goodies that Lexus
installs - more wood inside, nicer leather, 195(?) watt stereo with
CD changer, analog built-in car phone, rear heater, running boards
(poo!).... Everything works and looks great, with no kiddie stains
or bad smells. It has obviously never been seriously off-road. It
spent most of it's life in AZ and UT before being sold at auction to
the dealer here, so it is not at risk for salt damage.
The dealer (in Seattle, Washington) wants US$20K, which I think is a
_very_ fair price considering the cherry condition of the vehicle.
The Carfax report is clean. I do not yet know the repair history,
but all the engine fluids looked fresh and everything works well. I
intend to check the drivetrain when I get a chance. The dealer had
the car inspected by a Toyota dealer and it turned up clean.
My wife was test-driving it when we narrowly missed T-boning a Ford
pickup that had skidded and slammed sideways into the concrete
retaining wall at the edge of the highway. She threaded the Lexus
through the narrow opening between another sliding car and that
truck with great finesse. She was calm until we pulled over and
stopped - then she started shaking and told me "We have got to buy
this truck - that was karma!" Who am I to argue?
Questions:
Are there any problems fitting Land Cruiser aftermarket bits to the
Lexus? I intend to install OME springs, larger tires, and front and
rear off-road bumpers. I also need a rear tire carrier. In other
words, is the Lexus a perfect clone to the LC mechanically? Will the
bumpers clear the Lexus front body trim bits?
The truck seemed much more lively than the LC I drove recently.
Lexus recommends premium gas. Does Toyota recommend premium for the
LC? I thought that might account for the perceived differennce in
performance.
Any other reasons NOT to buy this truck over a similar (hard to
find) LC?
Any links to checklists for inspecting used LCs, like valve
clearance check and so on?
Any and all comments welcome - I will in all likelihood own this
truck by the weekend. So I need answers quickly please.
TIA.
PS: Will I still be allowed in this group if I drive a Lexus? I
promise not to make snooty remarks.
Later,
fj100
I have an old 96 Land Cruiser brochure and maybe 96 Lx450 somewhere. Let me know if questions about colors and options.
The Carfax was clear except for an accident about 2 years ago. The repairs were done very well.
I do not go off-road and really like on-road ride. I bought it because I have owned Toyotas for approximately 30 years but never had an LC. I shopped for LC's and would up buying the LX.
So far, so good!
This is for a '99 100 Series.
IdahoDoug
To give you an idea of this using hypothetical numbers, look at it this way. Let's say you owed $6000 in mileage penalties but could avoid them by paying $25K to buy it out. Sounds like a good deal right? Well, not if you could go out and buy a used one with the same miles for $16K.
I recently went through something like this and elected to not buy the vehicle I'd planned on purchasing after using it for a company lease. The purchase price was simply too high and the mfr would not negotiate with me. I've had friends who leased through local banks or leasing agents and they were willing to deal and discount at lease end. Unfortunately, the mfrs simply cannot do this as they have so many leases out it would be a huge job to handle these many negotiations, vs tossing them all in to auctions.
IdahoDoug
Bill
The received message:
Katy Cepraga wrote:
HELLO
I see that you have some interes for this vehicule that I want to sell so these are some details about it. The car has never been involved in any accidents and it is in perfect condition.It is registered in USA and it has all the necessary papers.You will get that and the title also with the car. For now I'm in Deutchland with the car because I have some bussiness here. But this doesn't involves any problem for you becouse I will pay all the shipping fees. I will also pay in advance for the situation when you are not satisfaied with the car and you want to return it. Because this is an oversea transaction the only way to do it in a safe way for both of us is an escrow service. The service that I chose and trust is: www.stcentral.net Like this we are both secure becouse they guarranty that you will get the car and I will get the money. Please check it out and let me kow if you are ready to do this. This is how this thing works. First you have to enter www.stcentral.net and register. You will get an username. Having this username you can initiate the transaction mentioning me as your partener.After the transaction has been initiated you can now send the money to escrow company. They will receive the amount and they will let me know. Now is the moment when I send the vehicule to your home address or whereever you want me to.You get the car and you have a poriod to inspect it. If everyhting is Ok and you want to keep it then you advice the escrow company to releas the money to me. In that moment I can get the money so only if you want to.I repeat I will get the money only after you inspect the car and decide either it is Ok or not. If you can not agree with this terms please do not start a transaction. I accept only this form of paymet.I'm waiting for your email soon. If you have more questions feel free to ask me. I will check my emails once a day due to my work, so don't worry if I don't answer very often.THANKS
They set up fake escrow companies and keep your money.
tidester, host
I know that Toyota is VERY competitive and I'm worried that a LC or LX470 will have another 50-75 HP if I wait for an '04. Plus maybe Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, which would be nice.
So, my question is: when will the 2004 models be available? In 2002 when did the 2003 models go on sale?
Thanks!
Torque is what makes you smile when you put your foot down. Torque is your friend - horsepower is for hot-rodding around. A big heavy SUV needs a high torque engine, and the hp rating is secondary.
If you like the 4.7 liter Land Cruiser, go ahead and buy one this year and install the "warranty safe" TRD supercharger and then you will really be happy. The kit is around $3000 online and is not labor intensive to install. For more info, just do a web search for "TRD supercharger".
Could it be the exhaust system, transmission?
It also idles pretty rough when in gear.
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks