99 or 2000 LC

[mph]

What are your thoughts on a 99 or 00 model LC? I am debating which one to go for...the 99 has the rear locker...nice...the 00 has the stronger front diff...mileage on both is roughly the same...the 00 has atrac and vsc...not sure which one to go for...it will be used strictly for camping and exploration trips...will be pulling a e1 popup at times...maybe see 6-7k miles a year...

thoughts??? and, much appreciated!
Mike

 

[2000UZJ]

get a 99 for a good price.

ARB the front, you are know F/R locked. With a extremely strong front diff.


If your family will be in it during long road trips you might want to consider the 2000+ for the safety features. As for building one, get a 99 and you won't have to bother with all the electronics.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

What are your thoughts on a 99 or 00 model LC? not sure which one to go for...it will be used strictly for camping and exploration trips

For YOUR use?

I'd RUN from the '99. The rear locker (if you ever use it) can't equal TRAC for your application. Take the added safety of VSC, the good diff, and extra capability of TRAC and be done with it. Add in the few other 2000-yr perks...no brainer for me (for your use).

 

[hoser]

If you live and travel where there is a lot of snow and ice (which I think you might), I'd go with the 2000. I would also add the cost of an ARB front locker to the purchase price no matter which year.

 

[Wareagle]

I went through the same thoughts a few years ago. I purchased the 2000 model. I have no regrets. I will warn you that some on www.ih8mud.com forum believe that the 2000 model year has tranny failure issues.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I read a lot of positive feedback from people in snow country about TRAC but for out west 4-wheeling I will take the rear locker over TRAC. For me TRAC makes your LC sound broke when working. TRAC has also been blamed for some front diff breakage even with 4 pinion. If your use is strictly for camping and exploration trips and live in snow country TRAC will be fine. FWIW I own both drive systems.

 

[Wareagle]

I read a lot of positive feedback from people in snow country about TRAC but for out west 4-wheeling I will take the rear locker over TRAC. For me TRAC makes your LC sound broke when working. TRAC has also been blamed for some front diff breakage even with 4 pinion. If your use is strictly for camping and exploration trips and live in snow country TRAC will be fine. FWIW I own both drive systems.

Isn't most of the front diff breakage on 4 pinion 3rds linked to drivers refusing to lock center diff? If so, some sort of breakage will occur with anything other than pure open. Also, locking center diff reduces 99% of the drama/ pulsation / "broken sound".

 

[spressomon]

I read a lot of positive feedback from people in snow country about TRAC but for out west 4-wheeling I will take the rear locker over TRAC. For me TRAC makes your LC sound broke when working. TRAC has also been blamed for some front diff breakage even with 4 pinion. If your use is strictly for camping and exploration trips and live in snow country TRAC will be fine. FWIW I own both drive systems.

I agree but to be fair I have not driven an ATRAC/TRAC equipped rig. The one situation I have found myself in wondering if ATRAC/TRAC would have helped (or possibly gotten me in 'deeper' ) is off-camber climbing on a turn on snow covered ice. I had chains on 4-wheels and eventually was triple locked (CDL locked first until I also needed the rear locker until I also needed the front locker) The locker(s) just want to pull you down to the center/apex of the curve; not good when its a 12' deep stream bed with nothing more than sage brush as a winch anchor).

But generally for, like you, western trails if I had to choose between lockers or ATRAC/TRAC its lockers for me.

2-choices...100 opinions about it :ylsmoke:

 

[ShottsCruisers]

It's not always lockers for us. No way!

There are so many situations where I will not lock. Off camber climbs, loose surface, ruts nearby, wet surface. TRAC will work better and safer as it doesn't "steer" the vehicle.

In other situations it's locking up that works.

Bottom line...there is nothing comparable to a vehicle with both lockers and a good traction control system. 2000+ 100's are the ticket.

Oh, and on ice...TRAC (and VSC depending on what you're doing) will take you farther and safer compared to lockers. It's amazing.

 

[Nick B]

Ok LC noob question . Can someone please explain TRAC ?

 

[spressomon]

Ok LC noob question . Can someone please explain TRAC ?

It is traction control (Automatic Traction Control or just Traction Control: Same thing AFAIK). Open differentials using ABS to grab the spinning wheel so that forward (or reverse) motion is maintained on slippery/low traction surfaces. It off-sets the nature of open diffs inability to provide traction to the slipping wheel. It all happens in nano-seconds.

As John stated: I think the ultimate (assuming when in ATRAC/TRAC mode the throttle is not being controlled or buffered) would be both lockers front/center/rear and ATRAC/TRAC.

For your next question :coffeedrink:: VSC = Vehicle Stability Control. With it turned on it is almost impossible to sway out of control (almost ;-). The vehicle computer along with an electronic gyro keeps the rig in control.


But regardless: Do yourself a huge favor: Assuming you will be off-roading add the ARB front locker ASAP. And avoid, whether ARB'd or not, spinning the front wheels especially in reverse as the high pinion diff is weaker in reverse direction. FWIW: I use my ARB front locker in far more situations than I do the rear. The 100 platform just seems to be ******** heavy...

 

[SCRover]

Great info, you LC gurus. Glad I found this post because I'm on the same search at present. I'm an LR guy, but looking to get a more reliable/comfortable vehicle as a back-up for our Sequoia (which we've been very happy with and will soon be replacing with another).

My specific question is what major maintenance should be performed on the '99/'00 100s by the time they reach 130K to 150K miles? I'm looking at an '00 that has had the serpentine and timing belts replaced (it's got 131K).

Any info would be appreciated. Oh, and didn't mean to hijack.

 

[spressomon]

The "biggy" is the 90K interval PM: Timing belt. While you're in there it seems most including me needed a water pump refresh along with idler pulley's, etc.

Starters seem to but not always start acting up at 100-120K; due to the very remote places I drive I replaced my starter even though no problems while I did my first 90K PM at 100k. Aside from other basic PM stuff like diff, t-case, tranny, brake, power steering, 120K plugs, etc. refresh you would do on any vehicle there's not much on the LC.

Not to make a big deal out of this but there was a bulletin on certain 2000 and maybe early 2001 (not totally sure on this one) LC's for tranny issues. Don't want it to be a red herring but just so you don't say 'I wish someone would have mentioned it'...

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Ok LC noob question . Can someone please explain TRAC ?

Traction Control

When a wheel begins to slip the braking system brakes the wheel which sends power to the other side hoping for more traction there. Power and brakes keep alternating hoping to maintain forward progress.