ah ok, sorry. What about top speed?
Honest LC250 review that goes into more technical details & why Toyota missed the mark on LC250
- Thread starter LC_DFW
- Start date
Hasn't one of the main complaints about just about any off-road capable vehicle been that the manufacturer put on (and charged for) "upgraded" stuff that the every day user (even doing light overlanding) doesn't need but isn't sufficient for hard core users who end up replacing those "upgrades" with true high performance components, and it would just be easier for everyone if the base model did exactly what it is supposed to without costly but essentially meaningless "upgrades"?
Keeping in mind that the LC250 is a Prado, didn't Toyota give us exactly that?
(okay, I'll admit, the fuel tank thing could have been better engineered...anyone know how much engineering would go into retrofitting that crossbar that seems to be limiting the tank size?)
Keeping in mind that the LC250 is a Prado, didn't Toyota give us exactly that?
(okay, I'll admit, the fuel tank thing could have been better engineered...anyone know how much engineering would go into retrofitting that crossbar that seems to be limiting the tank size?)
- Moderator
- #43
Not sure what crossbar you are referring to, there is a link mount that prevents the larger GX tank from mounting (approx 3-4 inches).
I can understand why the LC250 has a smaller rear diff than the Tacoma trims that have the bigger rear end. The Tacoma is rear wheel drive, whereas the Land Cruiser is full time four wheel drive. Meaning, the driving force on the Land Cruiser (at least when on road) is almost always split between both the front and rear diffs. Unless the Tacoma is in four-wheel drive, all the driving force is in the rear. That's something completely obvious that Tinkerer does not mention.
But then the GX550 has the bigger rear diff, which makes me feel like the Land Cruiser got the raw end of the deal.
I imagine there will be upgrades for those who want them in the future. That said, the guys who are out there wheeling the tar out of the 250 (thinking Dissent off-road) haven't complained about the diff that I am aware of. I think they bent some of the external suspension brackets on their rear axle, but that's probably because they are also running portals (which puts a lot more stress on those parts).
one of the reason GX550 is getting a bigger rear diff is that it has higher towing and payload ratings
| LC250 | GX550 | |
| towing, max | 6,000lb | 9,000lb |
| payload, max | 1,100lb | 1,500lb |
| weight | 5,500lb (base) | 5,700lb (OT) |
Last edited:
Talking about 4runner and Tacoma rear diffs. Does anybody have a comprehensive official table for every single trim/drivetrain combination? I bet with all the data at hand it'll be easier to spot the pattern and derive Toyota engineer's reasoning behind throwing different diff sizes at different trims. Without any data I can only speculate (echoing thoughts sounded previously in this thread) that some trims are getting bigger diffs because of part wheel drive when rear diff is getting 100% of the torque 90% of the time and rear diff alone is supposed to push both the truck and the trailer, on top of that hybrid models are getting extra 148lb.-ft. that the diff needs to deal with.
Not a fan of that video.
A lot of misleading information and mostly a pointless apples to oranges comparison of a two door, short wheel base, part time 4WD, 15 year old design to the new generation 4 door, long wheel base, full time 4WD LC 250. Not surprisingly, the FJ loses in just about every metric. As a result, he has to bounce around to what about the GX, the Tacoma, and even the Tundra? Yawn.
The fact he did not do the comparison of the $100K FJ fanboy cruiser to a 2 door Jeep, Bronco, Suzuki, or Land Rover tells you all you need to know.
Haters gonna hate.....
A lot of misleading information and mostly a pointless apples to oranges comparison of a two door, short wheel base, part time 4WD, 15 year old design to the new generation 4 door, long wheel base, full time 4WD LC 250. Not surprisingly, the FJ loses in just about every metric. As a result, he has to bounce around to what about the GX, the Tacoma, and even the Tundra? Yawn.
The fact he did not do the comparison of the $100K FJ fanboy cruiser to a 2 door Jeep, Bronco, Suzuki, or Land Rover tells you all you need to know.
Haters gonna hate.....
I agree that in the current market, the 4-door Bronco is definitely a better comparison with the LC 250...
But, I also think that a comparison against the FJ is fair...the FJ was pretty much the "US Prado" when it came out, and obviously it's name and styling reference a classic Land Cruiser look as well. At the time, I suppose it was positioned against the Wrangler, among others, and certainly would have competed against the Bronco if it existed at the time. I came extremely close to buying one at one point, but opted for a Tacoma instead...and as much as I loved that Tacoma, part of me had some regret about not getting the FJ, especially after the model was discontinued. In the end, I think the reason that they didn't sell better is because even though it had its fans, it was a juuuuust a bit too weird for the casual buyer...where as the LC 250 has a more classic look that appeals to a broader audience than just Toyota truck and Land Cruiser enthusiasts.
I guess my point is that the FJ and LC 250 target a very similar audience, and personally I would put them in the same class...and I believe that both the modern Bronco and the LC 250 compete against the Wrangler (even if I'd never consider a Stellantis vehicle myself). As someone that was eagerly waiting for news about the 6th Gen 4Runner, when the Land Cruiser entered the picture, I knew I'd rather have that...and finally scratch that itch that I'd had since not choosing the FJ all those years ago....
It has to do with the fact that this is the Prado (light duty), and not the heavy duty. He presented it as a knock, but it's not.
FJ’s are 4 door, and the MTs (like both I had) are full time 4WD. I wasn’t going to buy a replacement for my FJ until I found something that had at least full time 4WD and rear and center diff locks like it had. Which is why I have a Land Cruiser now, it’s the first time in a decade Toyota has offered that again.
Smaller rear diff = better clearance
The irony in this is that the rear diff HOUSING is the same size on the Tacoma, GX550, 4runner, and LC250. Which means no extra ground clearance for the LC250
Batteries are HEAVY
Not going to lie… “mythical $72k GX550 Overtrail” got a laugh out of me.
The cheapest I saw when looking was $78,000 for a 2024 with 15,000 miles on it.
I enjoy his videos, but you’re not wrong about the clickbait titles and thumbnails.
I'll just add, on the handling piece and body roll; Yes, it's a bit of a boat and has a lot of body roll, and yes a heavier stabilizer might lesson that, but the tradeoff there is ride quality and smoothness. I knew this going in. For me, the LC is a daily driver with off road capability. I intentionally wanted a little bit softer and less harsh of a ride. I think it delivers that over any 4Runner trim, even the Limited, and certainly over the Tacoma.
There's also a big chunk of dealing with that tradeoff in driving technique. Anticipate corners, set the chassis up to enter level, and smooth accelerator or braking to keep it level through turns. I found myself on a very windy section of road near Deckers Colorado last evening with a little Porsche chasing me. With 2500 miles on the odometer I decided to really cut loose. It's obviously no Porsche, but I'm telling you that little motor can rock it pretty well, and for the boat she is, it's quite capable of keeping a quick pace on mountain roads and twistys. Driver passed me on a straight with his thumb up. With that, and a 140 mile jaunt, I pulled into the driveway hitting over 24mpg for the first time.
I think the video illustrates confusing product positioning for Toyota. The new LC is slightly less off road capable than the 4Runner and Tacoma, but is better in creature comfort. His points on high price are fair. For me, I won't mod the suspension, so while I'd rather see the bigger rear end and upgraded axles, it's not a real world issue. I love the truck! It's quick, pretty nimble, comfortable, capable off road, and with stock tires so far, gets very good mpg. It fits my use case spot on.
There's also a big chunk of dealing with that tradeoff in driving technique. Anticipate corners, set the chassis up to enter level, and smooth accelerator or braking to keep it level through turns. I found myself on a very windy section of road near Deckers Colorado last evening with a little Porsche chasing me. With 2500 miles on the odometer I decided to really cut loose. It's obviously no Porsche, but I'm telling you that little motor can rock it pretty well, and for the boat she is, it's quite capable of keeping a quick pace on mountain roads and twistys. Driver passed me on a straight with his thumb up. With that, and a 140 mile jaunt, I pulled into the driveway hitting over 24mpg for the first time.
I think the video illustrates confusing product positioning for Toyota. The new LC is slightly less off road capable than the 4Runner and Tacoma, but is better in creature comfort. His points on high price are fair. For me, I won't mod the suspension, so while I'd rather see the bigger rear end and upgraded axles, it's not a real world issue. I love the truck! It's quick, pretty nimble, comfortable, capable off road, and with stock tires so far, gets very good mpg. It fits my use case spot on.
Toyota Technical Review Article
There is an article about 250 development in the most recent issue of the Toyota Technical Review (Vol. 70 No. 1): https://global.toyota/pages/global_toyota/mobility/technology/toyota-technical-review/TTR_Vol70-1_E.pdf#page=35 There is an interesting figure comparing acceleration for the...
www.landcruiserforum.com
Not sure if you were on 67 or 126 near Deckers but the drive from C Springs to Pine Junction is pretty amazing. Shhhh, don't tell anyone
.I love the passing/cruising gear in these LCs! It's super petty, but I was headed up 285 through Turkey Creek yesterday with my Big Tex SV35 12' trailer towing around 2500# and blowing by the V6 4runners, tacomas, and an FJ on the twistys. I couldn't help but get a shit eating grin hearing some of them down shift and the radiator fans sounding like they are having an asthma attack. The Land Cruiser definitely cruises.
I don't have any experience with sports cars but how would a larger sway negatively affect the ride quality and smoothness? Also would it change/limit the off-road articulation as well?
I never really noticed it until my wife complained about getting car sick, then I notice my dog getting it too. At first I thought it was the Dunlop tires on the 1958 so I bought a pair of 18" LC/LC wheel/tire take-offs. I played with the tire pressure on both wheels but it doesn't seem to help. I can only wonder if a heavier duty sway bar might help, but then again, I don't want them slamming against the car door because the chassis is too stiff.
*Whoops. I meant Yokohama not Dunlop tires and the trailer load was 2000# not 2500 (got the trailer weight wrong).
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Poll
