Switching from Tacoma, need some help on picking a model.

[peripatew]

Hello! I'm thinking heavily about switch from my 2003 Double Cab Tacoma to a Landcruiser/LX.

I'm a wee bit overwhelmed on all of the various models and years. I'm living in Cambodia, so that greatly complicates things. I have access to just about any year/model, as they import from US and everywhere else here. BUT, there's no hope of maintenance records, and all the miles get rolled back.

Import tax here is 130%, so I'm stuck with finding something here.

I've only had my Taco for 6 months, thinking it would be more than enough for us. The truck bed is great, but that cab is just toooo small for a family of 5. It has the rear diff lock, which has made me hungry for more diff lock It's been a beast off-road.

So, Landcruisers. I'm looking at 80's, 100's, and their Lexus counter parts (450,470). I'd prefer to not have a Lexus as its a weird status symbol here, but frequently they are in better shape.

I'm not sure excited about moving from a 2003 to a 1997, but as long as I can find a good one I'm ok with that.

What are the main things I should be looking for in terms of problems on a 80/100? I like the idea of a solid front axel.

There's a 97 with "low miles" that I'm going to checkout this week from a friend of a friend. It has front and rear diff lock.

My main wants are mechanical reliability, as new parts take time to get from the US, or I have to hunt to salvage from others, which there are a great abundance. This will be our only vehicle, so daily driver, with as many off-road trips as I can squeeze in, usually a weekend every 2 months. I don't need to go hardcore with mods, but want it to be capable.

I'd immediately upgrade the suspension (Ironman is available here and I've liked it on my Tacoma). Get a roof rack, and start thinking about bumpers and sliders as the terrain here is crazy. I'll stick with all terrains, I've had great luck with my Geolanders to the chagrin of everyone else running waaaay to big MT's here

I've had a lot of abdominal surgeries, so I'm looking forward to a more comfortable drive. The Taco is pretty rough on roads that are more pothole than pavement.

Let me know if I can provide any more information to help with thoughts and suggestions!

 

[peripatew]

Should have added: what maintenance would I be looking at, assuming near to nothing has ever been done?

 

[sseaman]

I would check out the buyers guide of Slee, will give you a good list to check through. Do you get the diesel there or are the N/A spec?

 

[peripatew]

We have it all, inline 6, V8, diesel and turbo diesel (depending on the year of course)

 

[redthies]

Based on what you've described, I'd look for a turbo diesel 100 series. It's not the solid front axle of the 105 series, but if you found your '03 Tacoma hard on your guts, a solid axle is going to be even worse. My 100 with rear dif lock and 285/75-16 BFG ATs and OME suspension goes just about anywhere. The jungle terrain in Cambodia doesn't need the massive clearance of the Rubicon or similar rock crawling trails, so the ifs will work just fine!

 

[Ozymandias]

First thing you have to checknis if Toyota will supply spareparts for this particular Modell in Cambodia.
There have been big problems with other travellers in south-east Asia with J7 Toyotas they didn't get ANY spareparts for their vehicle, had to fly home just to pick up a spare Gearbox and import them self.

Ozy

 

[peripatew]

First thing you have to checknis if Toyota will supply spareparts for this particular Modell in Cambodia.
There have been big problems with other travellers in south-east Asia with J7 Toyotas they didn't get ANY spareparts for their vehicle, had to fly home just to pick up a spare Gearbox and import them self.

Ozy

OEM parts are not very available here. I have the same issue with my Tacoma. Everyone just wants the cheapest parts, so no one stocks the good stuff. I've had a lot of stuff brought over, which is fine for most things.

I'll just need to plan ahead for a "big" maintenance round when I get one, and then carry the top 10 spare parts is need.

The problem would be if something major when wrong, or that required a heavy part. Then I'd be foraging the junk yards.

 

[peripatew]

Based on what you've described, I'd look for a turbo diesel 100 series. It's not the solid front axle of the 105 series, but if you found your '03 Tacoma hard on your guts, a solid axle is going to be even worse. My 100 with rear dif lock and 285/75-16 BFG ATs and OME suspension goes just about anywhere. The jungle terrain in Cambodia doesn't need the massive clearance of the Rubicon or similar rock crawling trails, so the ifs will work just fine!

Definitely not as much rock crawling here, but I've been on some pretty brutal trails, that the lead team is clearing with machetes as we go along. That being said, my Tacoma w/ 2" lift, 31's, read locker has been able to handle it all, with only a few big rock crunches.

They most difficult spots have been where they "make" a bridge with cut down trees to get a vehicle across, but then the flood comes and washes out the hole, leaving swamped logs with huge deep pits. That's the only spot where the Tacoma didn't make it after a few attempts.

That being said, I'd much rather have more control from a solid axel and dual lockers to prevent vehicle damage. Thankful winches are plentiful here.