Green ovel to Toyota but which one....

[Smego]

Hello Toyota people, well I have just sold my Range Rover and am looking to go Toyota in the future (not yet so I DON'T want to buy yours  
BUT WHICH ONE:
The reason and thoughts /requirements below...
Range Rover was amazing in the mud but slow and tedious on-road AND kept having silly breakdowns, oil leak, wheel bearings, diffs, electrical issues, breaking belt bearings the list goes on...and I only do less than 3k a year and only at week-ends...I don't repair much myself always a 4x4 specialist...
I need a truck I would be happy to use to do a 500mile round trip with the kids - economy is not an issue so V8 not a prob.
want towing ability for the future AND some off-road ability as this is really a fun truck so want to be able to go to play days with and join in too + want green laning ability. truck will probably live on M/T's and have winch/protection underneath insides will be keep immaculate as was with my Rangie.
budget about 4.5k
So on the list are 3 trucks, sorry I don't know the series numbers but
1, LC amazon VX - V8 (all round diff locks) - the hearts choice (heard TD's blow gaskets and then need 2k in repair??
2, Surf ssx-g 3rd gen3.0l, Heads choice
3, 3ld LC Colorado

for and against
option 1 Amazon
for - massive 8 seats (handy 3 kids + grands on a day out) massive fun V8 power great off-road - diff locks
Against: Are they any good in green lanes and events or just TOO big to maneuver? only afford 140K miles + one heard TD's have weak head gaskets? Can the V8 wade or is it a bad as a LR for dieing in a puddle?

Option 2: Surf, great on-road nice to drive well specced cheapish to buy.
like the looks
against, well are they any good off-road, will be the permanent 4x4 with centre diff lock and I think has older LC style suspension, will it just get stuck all the time?? anyone really off-road one?

Option 3 the wildcard,
for: smaller than amazon, still has 7/8(?) seats, lots of them out there.
against? again is it any good off road, - same concerns as I have for the surf... I have heard the 3.0 TD engines are unreliable? - have added this version to my list as if it is any good it actually ticks more boxes...??

Sorry if I am boring anyone I know all of these are going to make my old rangie look feel like a dog, but I just want a truck I can go and follow my mates in their defenders while I am in 'comfort' with out worrying if I can still drive home, then after a wash-down, Mum and kids will be happy to drive for a couple of hours in it to go camping.
Any other advise, things I have not considered please add!!

Thank you I look forward to driving to some Toyota meets!!

[Silvery Thing]

1. A very nice car but expensive to run
2. Good car, plenty around and cheaper, so why not buy it!
3. D4-D engine very reliable. If you have to question whether it is good off road then you don't know the Land Cruiser :?
4. Engine can let you down if not properly maintained. More expensive to run than options 2 & 3 but less than 1.

If you want a good all rounder with plenty of seats and decent running costs then go for option 3. It is good on the road and the LC off-road ability is terrific, if you don't believe me then take a look at what is used in Africa and what cars the UN use the world over.

[Woodzie]

I can only advise on surfs .....The 2.4 ain't bad BUT has a head problem

The 3 ltr second gens are better and still have the look of the 2.4
The third gens (we call them haidressers cars ) have the 3.0 ltr engine and coil sprung all round

All can be lifted without too much problem

For more surf information

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/
http://www.yotatech.com/forumindex.php
http://forums.bauchan.org/portal/downloads.php
http://www.4x4toys.co.uk/
http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/


Oh and for off road

[Team Landzuki]

We chose the LC Colorado over the surf because it was £150 less on insurance.

[Smego]

Did you off-raod it, or just turn it into an SJ?

[Team Landzuki]

Anything can happen when Bill goes in the garage.

The LC is my daily drive the SJ is the family off road toy lol

[laser_jock99]

Can Surfs offroad?

http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/Offroad%20and%204x4%20Photos/Sibertoft%20Avalanch%204x4%20Weekend/

[Smego]

Well I have almost decided on buying a late 2nd gen surf when I stumbled upon this...

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TOYOTA+LANDCRUISER/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-20-4294966561-4294967173/advert.action?R=200738294879496&distance=13&postcode=GU10+4JS&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=


What do people think, seems strange to me that somebody starts to modify and then sells like this?  also seems a bit expensive....?

Anyone know this truck?

[laser_jock99]

Looks like an interesting car- half the mods are already done! I wouldn't say it's expensive for a dealer- that's a LOT of car for the money. The winch bumper & snorkel mod must have cost £1K.

[clayton8798]

I like the L/C. But wont have anything other than a surf now. But i think the L/C is a bit too big for this country.

[Silvery Thing]

I like the L/C. But wont have anything other than a surf now. But i think the L/C is a bit too big for this country.

What a load of old cobblers :shock:

Get out there and drive one and you will find that it is certainly NOT too big :?

[andyw]

I have both a Landcruiser VX80 4.2td and a Surf 3.0td Intercooler, and could not choose between them, maybe that's why I have both, but they both have nice points, the Surf is much quicker but the Landcruiser is nicer on a run, neither are that big though and would think that they are not as big as a R/Rover.

[Smego]

Did it, I have brought a 3rd Gen.... :oops:

Decided on the sensible option...

head not heart!

Drives like a dream.

[Silvery Thing]

Superb.... I really do hope you enjoy your new car  :)

[Smego]

Now to start with the mods.....

[Silvery Thing]

Now to start with the mods.....

Please keep us posted as to your progress.... I for one will be very interested to see how you get on. Good luck :)

[Ja1983]

Can Surfs offroad?

http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/Offroad%20and%204x4%20Photos/Sibertoft%20Avalanch%204x4%20Weekend/

[Edited]?? :shock:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/Offroad%20and%204x4%20Photos/Sibertoft%20Avalanch%204x4%20Weekend/Image3.jpg

[Smego]

One question for the clever chappies out there:

When I either floor it in 2wd or skid around the sand in 4wd my (hand) brake light flashes and sometimes stays on for a few seconds  SO  my question is do 3rd Gen surfs have a crude version of traction control or do I have either have badly worn brakes or a dodgy sensor that is getting knocked??

Ta, people.
 :?:

[Range Rover Ron]

Hello Guys,
I'm thinking of going form the green oval to a Land Cruiser too.
I've spotted a tidy VX4.2 import with low miles.
I've gone over the pros & cons and just don't know what to do.
The TLC is £6K
I should get at least £2.5K for the RRC.

I think I'll notice a higher fuel consuption in the TLC,
it's heavier than the RRC when off road in the mud,

My main use is greenlaning.
The TLC is a bit longer than the RRC but not as long as my 110 used to be,
it is the same width as my RRC exactly.

The main thing is that the Toyota scene is not as big as the LR scene,
parts are not as easy to get
but then again the parts last longer on the TLC

Decisions, decisions!!!!

[Silvery Thing]

Hello Guys,
I'm thinking of going form the green oval to a Land Cruiser too.
I've spotted a tidy VX4.2 import with low miles.
I've gone over the pros & cons and just don't know what to do.
The TLC is £6K
I should get at least £2.5K for the RRC.

I think I'll notice a higher fuel consuption in the TLC,
it's heavier than the RRC when off road in the mud,

My main use is greenlaning.
The TLC is a bit longer than the RRC but not as long as my 110 used to be,
it is the same width as my RRC exactly.

The main thing is that the Toyota scene is not as big as the LR scene,
parts are not as easy to get
but then again the parts last longer on the TLC

Decisions, decisions!!!!

I think this is a spanner question :-.

Do you like using your spanners week in and week out :-k If you like the idea of retiring your spanners for long periods then I say go for the LC.

Good luck :)

[UDTrev]

One question for the clever chappies out there:

When I either floor it in 2wd or skid around the sand in 4wd my (hand) brake light flashes and sometimes stays on for a few seconds  SO  my question is do 3rd Gen surfs have a crude version of traction control or do I have either have badly worn brakes or a dodgy sensor that is getting knocked??

Ta, people.
 :?:

If your salon (WHERE do you keep the curlers  :lol: :lol:) is like my 2nd Gen check your Brake Fluid level and the float for sticking.


Trev

[uk_vette]

Here is another vote for the surf
in my opinion, only go for the late 1995 onwards.
Thats the 3rd gen.

Again, the 3rd gen are all 3.0L turbo diesel, (yea, I know some, about 0.5% are petrol)
They can be used on the road in 4x4 as they have center diff.

They are serious off road machines.
All 4 corners coil sprung, so very easy to add 2 inch springs, and a 2 inch body lift, now how big was them tyres you were thinking about !

They do represent very good value for money,
.
These are before the lift kit went on.
.

.
.
.
Then a good hose down, and looing like new.

[uk_vette]

One question for the clever chappies out there:

When I either floor it in 2wd or skid around the sand in 4wd my (hand) brake light flashes and sometimes stays on for a few seconds  SO  my question is do 3rd Gen surfs have a crude version of traction control or do I have either have badly worn brakes or a dodgy sensor that is getting knocked??

Ta, people.
 :?:

.
.
i think thats the ABS getting confused.
Just drive it normal for say half a mile and it will reset.

[Smego]

GOD this IS an old thread been revived over a year ago this was posted....

The light was due to the rear drum self adjusters getting clogged with gunk (you don't even need to off-road it, just normal gunk)! and then the rear brakes dunnee work so the fluid level goes to pop.

happened again now just awaiting the mecanic to be in a position to pop round to fix it!

[pux]

And how are you finding the surf etc as i might be looking at them :doh: are they any good on fuel the 3.0ltr ones :D

[ben-dent]

If you want any info on the toyotas then go to www.elite4x4.co.uk and ask on there, they are the only people i would trust to ask about them

[stratie]

If you want any info on the toyotas then go to www.elite4x4.co.uk and ask on there, there are the only people i would trust to ask about them

I'll second that  Fantastic bunch of toyota nuts 

[J_K]

Anything jap is the way ahead.
Unfortunatley, we british lost the ability to build cars. I think it was probably bred out of us..

Lots of good helpful information and FRIENDLY people at www.elite4x4.co.uk

[paul_humphreys]

The best Toyota site is www.ih8mud.com and a good british ine of the Land Cruiser Owners forum.

Paul

[J_K]

The best Toyota site is www.i8hmud.com and a good british ine of the Land Cruiser Owners forum.

Paul

Isn't that affiliated with the disco owners club?