Hello trying to find some opinions from Toyota people for an overland/off road vehicle; I currently have a 2006 LX470 with 80,000 miles. I have done lots of backpacking thru out the world but all was on foot with boats, trains, and planes etc. Planning a trip for next summer to do the USA (moab, yosemite, etc) and need a good reliable off road vehicle. Here is the problem; update the LX470 with lockers and power supply mods or get a 200 series with the crawl control and all the modern traction control updates. I currently on the LX so money plays a significant issue; I would have to make payments etc which would affect my trip. Any suggestions or concerns would be appreciated; I really wanted to get a hold of Scott and question why they chose the 70 series for their 7 continent trip and not the 200 series. Not sure if they had some sort of deal with Toyota or if it was privately funded and cost was an issue.
stay old (2006 LX470 80K miles) or go new 200 series???
- Thread starter r3run33
- Start date
Why fix something that isn't broken? I don't think that most people consider a 2006 to be "old." My opinion, the vehicle you have is great. Seems to already offer what you need, for less money. 80,000 miles is nothing on those vehicles, my brothers is somewhere around 280,000. I think that the lx could do your trip without upgrades at all. Great vehicle, stick with it.
BUT, a bangin' stereo would be an upgrade that I would suggest.
BUT, a bangin' stereo would be an upgrade that I would suggest.
Sempertoy
Explorer
Stay with your 470! You have such a low mileage vehicle that you have years and years of adventure left. It will also be cheaper to accesorize your 470 VS a 200 series LC. The nice thing is the 470 is a little smaller and these things are already whales on the trail, I cant imagine trying to squeeze a 200 into the places I have had my 80.
As for why they chose a 70 series for Ex7, its because they could. They had an opportunity to get something that no one here in the states can drive, a turbo diesel, solid axle, factory locked troop carrier. They jumped on that opportunity and I would do the same if afforded the chance. It was a privately funded expedition, but I am sure they have more into their rigs than the cost of a 200.
As for why they chose a 70 series for Ex7, its because they could. They had an opportunity to get something that no one here in the states can drive, a turbo diesel, solid axle, factory locked troop carrier. They jumped on that opportunity and I would do the same if afforded the chance. It was a privately funded expedition, but I am sure they have more into their rigs than the cost of a 200.
cruiser guy
Explorer
Stay with your current rig. 2006 is hardly time to retire it!! Mine is a 1982 and I take it everywhere. I spent from 2004 to 2009 in Central America with yearly trips back to Canada and am now in West Africa with my truck. I just sold my 1976 FJ55 that was also all over from Canada to Central America!
Why the '70 series? Easy, the less electronics the better for anywhere outside the developing world. When most mechanics in the developing world can carry all their tools in one hand you'd understand why electronics are trouble. Here in Sierra Leone (I think that should qualify for "developing world") they have the 200 series turbo diesel V8 and when I go to the Toyota garage they inevitably have a few which have been "serviced" in the bush and had to be towed in! A '70 series can be serviced in the bush as it doesn't have nearly the electronics of the '200 series.
In my opinion electronics critical to the operation of the vehicle have no place in a true expedition rig. If you can't fix most everything on the side of the road with a well equipped tool box your rig is too complicated. That will not change until the "bush mechanics" get code readers and the like, but don't hold your breath as many of them are functionally illiterate (could not read a middle school novel with some understanding of what they are reading).
That's just my opinion!
Why the '70 series? Easy, the less electronics the better for anywhere outside the developing world. When most mechanics in the developing world can carry all their tools in one hand you'd understand why electronics are trouble. Here in Sierra Leone (I think that should qualify for "developing world") they have the 200 series turbo diesel V8 and when I go to the Toyota garage they inevitably have a few which have been "serviced" in the bush and had to be towed in! A '70 series can be serviced in the bush as it doesn't have nearly the electronics of the '200 series.
In my opinion electronics critical to the operation of the vehicle have no place in a true expedition rig. If you can't fix most everything on the side of the road with a well equipped tool box your rig is too complicated. That will not change until the "bush mechanics" get code readers and the like, but don't hold your breath as many of them are functionally illiterate (could not read a middle school novel with some understanding of what they are reading).
That's just my opinion!
ChuckB
Expedition Leader
Keep the LX! I have 43,000 miles on mine and I will be driving it until I can't get parts for it any more. I will probably start looking at a 500-Series LC by then... pre-owned of course.
With a few mods, if even necessary, it will do everything you need it to in North America. I would not waste money on trying to upgrade to a 200. Save the money and enjoy the trip.
It would help people give their opinions if you list the current mods on your Cruiser.
With a few mods, if even necessary, it will do everything you need it to in North America. I would not waste money on trying to upgrade to a 200. Save the money and enjoy the trip.
It would help people give their opinions if you list the current mods on your Cruiser.
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lol thanks a bunch for the replies. I need a front locker for the trip I'm gonna do. Plus with me traveling as a single vehicle I will need a winch also. I just got back from a toyota dealership with my daughter and I'm keeping my baby (the Lx that is). I have to say its a nice new 200 series but money is tight and I can't afford something of a big ticket like that. So to keep this tread going I guess to set up a parts bin for possible break down any suggestions on what to bring??? Hoses and a CV boot repare kit is what I have currently on the list.