Land Cruiser active v invincible?
Discussion
I run an older 120 series LC5 which is more or less an Invincible but without the tuining chip to put it up to 200hp, but have run Toyota 4x4's for many years.
Not sure on the newer models you are looking at, but on older Prado sized Landcruisers it was only highest spec had the rear air suspension and electronic adjustable shock absorbers plus the touch screen integrated system.
The thing is all of those things are excellent while they work, but can and will cost serious money if they go wrong.
None of those things have failed on mine which is now 19 years old, but other's vehicles which maybe haven't had the TLC mine has seen have had issues with all of those things.
The good thing is that in almost all cases (except the touch screen system which controls audio climate satnav etc) those parts can be replaced by kits which replace the fancy stuff and put it back on steel springs and normal dampers at a fraction of the cost.
This isn't an issue for you given the age of car you are looking at, but when these vehicles get older the used Landcruiser buyers are more keen on the mid spec LC4 than they are the 5 or Invincible as less to go wrong and if the audio fails on an LC3/4 then a standard double din can slot stright in because climate etc is all manual control.
Airbags are actually easier to replace than springs, mine is still on originals as are the shockers, but electric adjustable shockers only come from Toyota and are something around £4/500 each IIRC, air suspension obviouly has an air pump and several height sensors.
Personally i like the air suspension and the really rather better than expected handling it helps provide.
The secret with whichever LC you choose is to get it seriously underbody rust protected asap (chassis rear live axle and exposed inner sills are the areas that need most protection) and to regularly squirt some ACF50 up covering any sensors or rheostats if you choose one with the air rear suspension.
Its only rust and neglect that kills Landcruisers off, looked after you could still be driving the car you buy right up to when you give up or the govt of the day outlaws private transport they don't approve of.
Might be worth checking the cost difference between the 17 and 19" tyres, a 17" with probably 65 or 70 aspect rubber its almost impossible to damage a wheel with such a large tyre sidewall depth.
Not sure on the newer models you are looking at, but on older Prado sized Landcruisers it was only highest spec had the rear air suspension and electronic adjustable shock absorbers plus the touch screen integrated system.
The thing is all of those things are excellent while they work, but can and will cost serious money if they go wrong.
None of those things have failed on mine which is now 19 years old, but other's vehicles which maybe haven't had the TLC mine has seen have had issues with all of those things.
The good thing is that in almost all cases (except the touch screen system which controls audio climate satnav etc) those parts can be replaced by kits which replace the fancy stuff and put it back on steel springs and normal dampers at a fraction of the cost.
This isn't an issue for you given the age of car you are looking at, but when these vehicles get older the used Landcruiser buyers are more keen on the mid spec LC4 than they are the 5 or Invincible as less to go wrong and if the audio fails on an LC3/4 then a standard double din can slot stright in because climate etc is all manual control.
Airbags are actually easier to replace than springs, mine is still on originals as are the shockers, but electric adjustable shockers only come from Toyota and are something around £4/500 each IIRC, air suspension obviouly has an air pump and several height sensors.
Personally i like the air suspension and the really rather better than expected handling it helps provide.
The secret with whichever LC you choose is to get it seriously underbody rust protected asap (chassis rear live axle and exposed inner sills are the areas that need most protection) and to regularly squirt some ACF50 up covering any sensors or rheostats if you choose one with the air rear suspension.
Its only rust and neglect that kills Landcruisers off, looked after you could still be driving the car you buy right up to when you give up or the govt of the day outlaws private transport they don't approve of.
Might be worth checking the cost difference between the 17 and 19" tyres, a 17" with probably 65 or 70 aspect rubber its almost impossible to damage a wheel with such a large tyre sidewall depth.
Smint said:
I run an older 120 series LC5 which is more or less an Invincible but without the tuining chip to put it up to 200hp, but have run Toyota 4x4's for many years.
Not sure on the newer models you are looking at, but on older Prado sized Landcruisers it was only highest spec had the rear air suspension and electronic adjustable shock absorbers plus the touch screen integrated system.
The thing is all of those things are excellent while they work, but can and will cost serious money if they go wrong.
None of those things have failed on mine which is now 19 years old, but other's vehicles which maybe haven't had the TLC mine has seen have had issues with all of those things.
The good thing is that in almost all cases (except the touch screen system which controls audio climate satnav etc) those parts can be replaced by kits which replace the fancy stuff and put it back on steel springs and normal dampers at a fraction of the cost.
This isn't an issue for you given the age of car you are looking at, but when these vehicles get older the used Landcruiser buyers are more keen on the mid spec LC4 than they are the 5 or Invincible as less to go wrong and if the audio fails on an LC3/4 then a standard double din can slot stright in because climate etc is all manual control.
Airbags are actually easier to replace than springs, mine is still on originals as are the shockers, but electric adjustable shockers only come from Toyota and are something around £4/500 each IIRC, air suspension obviouly has an air pump and several height sensors.
Personally i like the air suspension and the really rather better than expected handling it helps provide.
The secret with whichever LC you choose is to get it seriously underbody rust protected asap (chassis rear live axle and exposed inner sills are the areas that need most protection) and to regularly squirt some ACF50 up covering any sensors or rheostats if you choose one with the air rear suspension.
Its only rust and neglect that kills Landcruisers off, looked after you could still be driving the car you buy right up to when you give up or the govt of the day outlaws private transport they don't approve of.
Might be worth checking the cost difference between the 17 and 19" tyres, a 17" with probably 65 or 70 aspect rubber its almost impossible to damage a wheel with such a large tyre sidewall depth.
Cheers much appreciated Not sure on the newer models you are looking at, but on older Prado sized Landcruisers it was only highest spec had the rear air suspension and electronic adjustable shock absorbers plus the touch screen integrated system.
The thing is all of those things are excellent while they work, but can and will cost serious money if they go wrong.
None of those things have failed on mine which is now 19 years old, but other's vehicles which maybe haven't had the TLC mine has seen have had issues with all of those things.
The good thing is that in almost all cases (except the touch screen system which controls audio climate satnav etc) those parts can be replaced by kits which replace the fancy stuff and put it back on steel springs and normal dampers at a fraction of the cost.
This isn't an issue for you given the age of car you are looking at, but when these vehicles get older the used Landcruiser buyers are more keen on the mid spec LC4 than they are the 5 or Invincible as less to go wrong and if the audio fails on an LC3/4 then a standard double din can slot stright in because climate etc is all manual control.
Airbags are actually easier to replace than springs, mine is still on originals as are the shockers, but electric adjustable shockers only come from Toyota and are something around £4/500 each IIRC, air suspension obviouly has an air pump and several height sensors.
Personally i like the air suspension and the really rather better than expected handling it helps provide.
The secret with whichever LC you choose is to get it seriously underbody rust protected asap (chassis rear live axle and exposed inner sills are the areas that need most protection) and to regularly squirt some ACF50 up covering any sensors or rheostats if you choose one with the air rear suspension.
Its only rust and neglect that kills Landcruisers off, looked after you could still be driving the car you buy right up to when you give up or the govt of the day outlaws private transport they don't approve of.
Might be worth checking the cost difference between the 17 and 19" tyres, a 17" with probably 65 or 70 aspect rubber its almost impossible to damage a wheel with such a large tyre sidewall depth.
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