Stupid Toyota Land Cruiser question...

[Maryland Pinz]

I'm new to Toyotas, so forgive the stupid question:

Is a 1997 Lexus LX450 4x4 identical (except for the name) to a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser? Specifically, is the engine, suspension, drivetrain, etc. the same? I am interested in the off-road ability of the Toyota Land Cruiser, but seem to find better deals on the LX450. Thanks. -Jon

 

[Pskhaat]

For all intents and purposes, yes, identical. The LXen had some softer springs, and some different leather and not as many locked ones out there, but yeah same thing. As for off-road capability, 6 | half-dozen, one of the other.

 

[THATSALEXUS?]

One other observation that I made early on in the search for my Landcruiser was how much better cared for the Lexus' that I looked at were than the Landcruiser's.

 

[7wt]

Somebody wants a sponge mobile of his own!

 

[Root Moose]

There is a FAQ on the differences either at Slee or ih8mud. Do a search of those sites for info and you'll have enough data swimming in your grey matter to make your head explode.

If I was going to buy a FZJ80 I'd probably settle on the LX450 just because they mostly were used as mommy mobiles. Well that and the TLC was never sold in Canada but the LX450 was. The TLCs may have actually been used as intended so are potentially more used up. IIRC the base config of the Lexus is a higher spec as well.

Either owned by an enthusiast is worth a look as they tend to be really well cared for trucks in that instance.

 

[lowenbrau]

For all intents and purposes, yes, identical. The LXen had some softer springs, and some different leather and not as many locked ones out there, but yeah same thing. As for off-road capability, 6 | half-dozen, one of the other.

It's interesting to see the US perspective. In Canada, we got no 80 series LCs but 95% of the LX450s we got were locked.

 

[MoGas]

For all intents and purposes, yes, identical. The LXen had some softer springs, and some different leather and not as many locked ones out there, but yeah same thing. As for off-road capability, 6 | half-dozen, one of the other.

I've actually noticed more LX450s with lockers than without. I attribute that to the whole "check every box" mentality of the typical Lexus buyer in the late 90s

Dave

 

[THATSALEXUS?]

It's interesting to see the US perspective. In Canada, we got no 80 series LCs but 95% of the LX450s we got were locked.

I thought I'd read 100% in Canada, and something like 17% in the States (I made the 17% cut )

 

[Root Moose]

I dunno about 80% lockers on the LX450 in Canada. Last summer when I was seriously thinking about one and watching the adverts my gut on it was that the ratio would have been somewhere between 40-60%. I spent a good 3-4 months watching the adverts and while it wasn't consistent what was available it was within that band.

 

[Maryland Pinz]

Sponge Mobile

Somebody wants a sponge mobile of his own!

I haven't been able to log on for a while b/c I was having password problems... Problem solved! You're right--I was thinking about buying my own sponge mobile. I found a 1997 Lexus LX450 in really good condition. I went down to see it and almost bought it. The guy was adamant about how everything worked perfect, but when I got there, it didn't shift into 4 wheel drive low! It also did NOT have the front or rear lockers, so I decided to hold out for another vehicle. He had the center diff repaired (for about $50) so it now shifts into 4 low, but I still think I'm going to wait. Besides, I still have the engine swap on the Jeep Wrangler and the Pinzgauer to play with! -Jon

 

[Maryland Pinz]

Thanks for the replies!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think you're right in that most of the Lexus LX450's I have seen tend to be in better shape than the 80 series Toyota Land Cruisers. I'm just waiting for one w/ lockers front and rear so I don't have to spend $2500 - $3000 getting ARB air lockers installed. -Jon

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Another option is worse comes to worse you can just source the axles from a junk yard and swap them over. The wiring is in place, you need the computer and switch and the actual e lockers and you are good to go. I have a set under a parts 80 but we are holding on them for no particular reason. The 80 series I acquired before that was a total that I acquired for only about $800. The sale of the engine/trans alone was at least $800 if I remember correctly. So there are options if you find nothing.