What's the opinion of the Sequioa as a general purpose expo vehicle?

[kcowyo]

I would argue that a stock Sequoia or at least a Sequioa with mild lift and tires, would probably be more capable than a 60 series Cruiser with only a mild lift and tires.

That's blasphemy!! :violent-smiley-031:


Equal 'maybe', but not more capable. Afterall, if a Sequioa is only 72% as capable as the 100 series, than the math would dictate that a Sequioa is only 63% as capable as a 60, since we all know the 60 series is superior to a hundy. If we don't care how the Sequioa's acres of sheetmetal looks afterwards... then yeah, a competent driver could probably get them to the same places.


:coffeedrink:
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[4Rescue]

Wow, those lifted 1Gen Sequoia's in the Wheelers link look pretty cool. I'm now envisioning them with an ARB Bull bar and some goodies. I think I prefer the 1st Gen look-wise, and hell if people are wheeling the Comanders and Tahoes then I'd say this thing should do great. As KC so elequently put it, it's "how much you care about the sheetmetal" that makes the biggest difference. And for general back-roads and light trail work I'm sure they'd fare quite well. I'd say the only thing better in this category would be another big Toyota...

Cheers

Dave

Edit: Ya know though if I were looking at the NEW Seq. , for my needs and ways of traveling I'd probably go with the 4dr Tundra and a nice Flipac (if they make on for it) because I prefer to throw things in my travel boxes/dry-boxes and throw'm in the back. Plus I like having the bed to throw wet gear and the odd rolled up raft and or Cat tubes in for the long sad trip home I hate having to come back in when I've finaly managed to get out...

 

[bohemianjsr]

Are you talking a late model Sequoia, like the series 200. I am stepping out on a limb here, you may want to ask Sleeoffroad if the LC 200 armor can be modified for the late model sequoia. I am talking sliders, and if he has a center diff skid plate as well. Otherwise, I am sure it would make a fine light expedition rig. But at some point you probably would be wondering why you didn't get a 100 series LC for less dough instead.

 

[calamaridog]

However, the 100 series is at a whole different level when it comes to overall strength, including chassis and suspension strength. This is especially critical when it comes to overloading the vehicle with modifications and gear.

BINGO.


The Sequoia would be fine for the duties described by CSR. If you did the 2.5-3" of suspension lift, you could clear 33" tires even. Yes, the Sequoia has more interior room. I guess that might come into play if you have 6 kids and really want to use the 3rd row seats.

With that being said, the 100 series has beefier brakes, suspension, frame, front diff, cv joints, rear diff, rear axles, body, rack and pinion, etc. etc. etc. Totally different vehicle. 33" tires fit the vehicle without modification too.

And the real kicker? You can get a used 100 series for similar money as the cost of the same year Sequoia.

 

[cruiser guy]

He would argue "capable".
Durable? He might pop in and tell us. :safari-rig:

The way I look at it, if the truck can't travel the terrain without failure then it is not capable of travelling the terrain. There is a reason why the Sequoia is NOT a world wide vehicle like the Land Cruiser.

The Sequoia is probably just fine for vehicle camping and mild off-road. Not so fine when you need to get somewhere that progresses beyond the "mild off-road".

 

[6Pins]

I don't know about that. I picked up a low mileage 05 Sequoia about 2 months ago for a shade over $15K, with under 40k miles and it was a former fleet vehicle for Toyota. Most 05 Cruisers are still in the high 20's, low 30's here on the east coast. We got a pretty good deal on our b/c it was in January and had been sitting, but we saw quite a few late 1rst gen Sequoia's in the sub $25k range.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

If you were certain you would be able to accomplish all of your trails with just 4LO and no locking differentials, I think the 1Gen Sequoia would be as capable as a 100 series.

Not even close. You're forgetting:

Articulation (about 1/3 more in the LC)
Ground clearance
Approach and departure angles

The Traction Control and VSC programming in the Seq is very inhibiting especially on sharp turns and then in the sand where it halts the vehicle to a stuck postion. It's a large vehicle and the systems are programmed for safety first. The LC has programming more biased for keeping forward progress.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

And the real kicker? You can get a used 100 series for similar money as the cost of the same year Sequoia.

This was where I was going.

Soon as someone says "Overland", "Expedition", "Wheeling", and the like my antennas go up.

The Seq was designed for hauling families and gear (mainly on-road) for US buyers. It's excellent at that and a better choice for MOST compared to a high-priced LC.

When it comes to overland, etc use...the Seq is out. A far better choice would be a 1-2 year older LC instead of a newer Seq. I'll tell you what else....

**Two fam's buy two rigs, a 2007 Seq and a 2005 LC. Both were in the same like-new condition and cost about the same. They spend two years traveling all over the place. Highway, dirt roads, haul stuff, long trips, etc...check out their condition after 2 years of Overland, Expo, and light-to-medium wheeling....then you'll see which vehicle was more up to THAT task.

 

[xcmountain80]

Ok so we have learned that the Seq. no matter the year is not as capable as a like year LC or any year for that matter. Good for trails rated 1-2 and no further (while some will argue I'm just compiling what I have read and understood) A 4Runner of any year would be better as would a LC (except for the new one as it didn't capable of anything but hauling MMM with the 5.7L).

Aaron

 

[RoundOut]

This thread is inching ever so closely to the "my truck is better", "Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge" type discussion.

They are both made by Toyota. 'Nuff said.

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[ShottsCruisers]

They are both made by Toyota. 'Nuff said.

.

Yes, though they are designed for two totally different applications. That makes one better than the other for their respective applications.

 

[calamaridog]

I don't know about that. I picked up a low mileage 05 Sequoia about 2 months ago for a shade over $15K, with under 40k miles and it was a former fleet vehicle for Toyota. Most 05 Cruisers are still in the high 20's, low 30's here on the east coast. We got a pretty good deal on our b/c it was in January and had been sitting, but we saw quite a few late 1rst gen Sequoia's in the sub $25k range.

I didn't make my point very well. You can do a "custom" search on autotrader and see what I mean. Land Cruiser was a 55k vehicle new. Sequoia was a 35k vehicle new. Used LC100 is a better value, as the cost of owning a used one has gone down a larger percentage compared to the Sequoia. So for a similar age/mileage vehicle, I can maybe spend 5k more and get the used LC100 instead.

I think we are talking about used vehicles here and I still believe the 100 series is a great used value. A better value than the Sequoia and, depending on your needs, a better choice perhaps for off road use.

I like the Tundra/Sequoia platform. I drove a Tundra for 6 months. Great truck.

 

[haven]

It looks to me like today's asking price for a 1998-1999 Land Cruiser with locking rear differential is about $14,000. Expect about 140,000 miles on the odometer. For the same money, you can purchase a 2003 Sequoia 4x4 with 70,000 miles.

If the plan is to build a machine to overcome all trail obstacles, then the Cruiser would be the way to go. Otherwise, get the Sequoia.

While this may be heresy to Toyota fans, you might also consider a 2004 Land Rover Discovery. This is the last year they made the Series II body style, and a locking rear differential was optional. Here's a 2004 Disco SE with 43,000 miles and locking diff for $12K.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=255427959

 

[calamaridog]

Maybe you guys remember this 100 series:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22607

$15K - 100K miles and all the 90k work was done - fully built

Saw this in person and it was nice.



You see a bunch of the Sequoia's being sold with 85k miles. Just before the expensive service hits. Please factor in the $1500 service at 90k into any price. A vehicle with the 90k service already done is a good one.

Also consider the Discovery is quite a bit smaller than a 100 series, which is again, smaller than a Sequoia.

 

[cruiser guy]

While this may be heresy to Toyota fans, you might also consider a 2004 Land Rover Discovery. This is the last year they made the Series II body style, and a locking rear differential was optional. Here's a 2004 Disco SE with 43,000 miles and locking diff for $12K.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=255427959

You might....



....if you want to ensure your mechanic has steady work!

I think even most Disco fans will admit that a Rover is not the most reliable vehicle they have ever had. What I have heard from past owners of Disco's tells me there will not be one in my driveway!