100 Series - Educate me.

[Torquen]

So I've been thinking of getting out of a performance car and into a nice 4x4 which I can daily and use on the weekend.

I'm pretty set on a 100 Series LC Sahara. Now I know the come in either V6 TD or a 4.7L V8, I'm also leaning towards the V8. Apparently they're a pretty bullet proof engine, plus the V4 TD's are hard to find in the Sahara's.

Now I know they're also full time 4x4, but have seen you can get convo kits to make them part time 4x4 for under $700... seems and easy fix.

Reason on wanting the Sahara over the GXL is purely so I can still have a 'nice' daily with leather, sunroof and all the other good shit.

There was a facelift in 06-07? If so is there any major diffs between the early models and the latest ones before the 200 came out?

I've also noticed that the Lexus LX470's are almost the same price (if not a little cheaper) and AFAIK are the same car, bar a few extra luxuries. Is this correct? If so they seem a good option too.


So basically, looking at getting some feedback on how good they are, what to look out for, common faults, pro's con's etc.

Cheers lads :)

[joshg123]

They are great cars, one of the best. Personally i prefer the 1HD if your going sahara, so much torque and an incredible engine all round in terms of reliability.

The 2wd mod is good, fairly easy to do DIY. Only drama i've found with the mod is the bearing is a tad loose onto the unit. If you use a new genuine bearing and loctite it does work, but not a interferance fit like the original. However there may be other brands out there that dont have this issue, im not sure.

The V8's chew juice, the diesels are quite good even when loaded and from what ive seen seem to hold their value better.

If you can find one, that hasnt been underwater (becoming rare). Then snap it up fast, being saharas they didnt use them as miners but if you can get a service history and try and suss out what it was used for. Have a look in the bottom of the airbox with the filter out, this can tell you a lot, and if you see tide marks, walk away.

Ive really only seen electrical issues with 100's, some throw immobiliser solanoids on fuel pumps, keys etc etc. I've seen the occasional injector block, and plenty of rear diff's but thats all on cars that have been really worked hard.

[upgarage]

all v8 and td's are ifs
the td is a straight 6 4.2l best td toyota engine. power torque and economy

[upgarage]

lexus lx470 is an option if youre leaning towards a v8

[hako]

Will echo Josh here. Only problems I see are people taking them swimming or water damage from incorrectly installed windscreens.
If they go swimming it's both fuse/junction boxes in the kick panels and the dash loom that connects them. About 5-6k job, and I do them fairly regularly.

Also fuel solenoids for the diesels as mentioned, but not a big job. Problem usually emerges as not being able to start occasionally.
I don't rate the 2UZ V8 at all. Thirsty and gutless in my opinion. Problem is the 1HD command a steeper asking price, and probably fewer on the market.

[Torquen]

I highly doubt it's ever going to see any 'serious serious' 4wding so not too worried about going the IFS as you can still do 2" lift/33" tyres without any hassles.

The 1HD equipped Sahara's are sooooo expensive though :( Looking at 40k MIN... where as the V8's seem to be around 30k for a decent one.

How bad to the V8's chew the juice? I know the quote 16l/100k's (combined) but is this accurate? Are they better once on the open road?

[Torquen]

Also is there a difference between the early models and the newest models (ie. 2000 compared to 2007)?

[JAM3S]

Edit : seems like your allready aware of the ifs vs live axle thing

As far as I'm aware (someone correct me if I'm wrong) if you won't a live axle model which is far superior off road they only came with the 1hz motor? The ones that got the good turbo deisel motor are all independant front, I can't for the life of me figure out why Toyota chose to do it this way!

[upgarage]

1hdfte ftw
check out vx landcruiser
better std features than gxl but not as luxury as the sahara

[hako]

Solid axle is either 1HZ or 1FZ motor. (HZJ105 or FZJ105)
IFS is either 1HD or 2UZ motor. (HDJ100 or UZJ100)

The 100s are lower and have a wider track compared with the 105s.

[DanWA]

Shop around for them, father-in-law picked up a super low k kakadu (sahara) for 42k with all the nice bolt ons and hadn't seen a water crossing

[huggy_b]

Have you considered a Prado with the 3L D4D (120 series)?

For a "daily", I reckon it would be a better option personally having had both models.

[Yakky Bear]

Agree once again with Josh and hako. 1hdfte is an incredibly good motor. Also as huggy b mentioned the turbo diesel prado's are another viable option.

[5ltrs of fun]

1hdtfe for the win dont bother with anything else if your getting a cruiser. Huggy b prados are on a lux chassis and are shit they just dont compare with the cruiser.
my other suggestion would be to look at some of the 80 series with the 1hd in them ive seen some 80 series for sale on car sales that are in better condition than the 100's out there and the are live axle in the front.

[South]

Rear diffs are strong, NFI what people are doing to blow them... the IFS diff on the other hand is not strong, you'll blow it by simply cocking a wheel and coming down on it with wheel spinning...

1HD-FTE is the ducks nuts, frugal on juice and easy to work on. It's hybrid electronic, still direct injection and easy to work on. Fuel pump is expensive to repair/service
V8 is a strong engine, will make you poor as they slurp fuel big time, 16/100 my arse!

If you are thinking about taking it on corrugations, you'll need to get the IFS arms reinforced if not already done, they break easily!

Get the 2005 onward model, with the 5 speed auto. If its around 40k in price it'll be high kms, they are still selling in the high 50s low 60s for good ones.

It's IFS, you don't need a part-time... they are needed to remove driveline vibration when lifting a solid axle... you'll also loose ABS if you part-time it


Get a GXL, fit sat nav, and sheepskin seat covers... it'll be more comfortable than pleather, you just won't have the centre fridge.

[Torquen]

Had a Prado, don't want another.

Also IMO 80 series is no comparison as a daily, lacks so many features.

I'll take a peak at the "inbetween" model. As much as I'd like to go the V6 TD I think price wise it's out of my budget.

Do the Lexus LC470's use the 5 or 4 SPF autos? Also how much better is the 5spd?

Cheers for the info guys! Very helpful.

[South]

It's an inline 6!!!

Depends on the year to what auto, the 5spd tromps the 4spd.

You are sure as shit right, an 80 is not a daily... My 80 is built for touring, with all the gear, and bulk torque but it's a pingpingpingping to drive around town.

[Torquen]

Sorry I6 TD :p

Will look for the 5spd then.

[5ltrs of fun]

The 80 was just an option to have a good 4wd with a great donk. 100 series gxl would be the best option for you for value for money

[2jzlux]

Definately go 5 speed auto if you can, the 4 speed is a clunky shitbox in comparison.

[Torquen]

Anyone want to throw out a ball park figure about how many k's these 1UFZ engines will do? And possible cost of a rebuild?

[2jzlux]

1FZ or 3UZ?

I have seen 1FZ's with more than 500,000kms and still going strong on the original motor.
3UZ similar kms but coils shit themselves more often and stock exhaust manifolds crack

I would recommend NOT buying either of these on gas, you will find someone whos brothers uncles best mate has done a million kms on gas with no problems but the most issues i have seen on these engines are ones fitted with gas.

[Torquen]

2UZ-FE. Sorry I quoted the wrong engine in the above post.

[MrSparkle]

+1 about the gas powered ones.

Avoid it if you can.

[Torquen]

Why/what problems does gas cause?

[hako]

I'm an auto sparky so I'm not super clued up on actual engine effects of LPG, but I hate gas with a passion.

Always get Jew (also Christian, Muslim, Hindu) owners running cars on gas all the time, get bulk problems with stale fuel, corroded fuel tanks, burnt out fuel pumps, shorted wiring etc.

My rule of thumb is always buy the car that has been f**ked with the least.

[2jzlux]

Why/what problems does gas cause?


The valves do not like the higher combustion temps that come with running gas.
I have removed at least 10 sets of heads on the v8's with valve issues and all have been fitted with gas.
I havent removed a set of v8 heads that was just run on unleaded.
Also due to the design of the intake manifold with a vapour ring system the rear banks run leaner than the rest of the cylinders causing a shit load of wear to the bores on the rear cylinders.

Like i said though someone will know someone who has no problems but they have just been lucky and its only a matter of time before they fuck up.

[Torquen]

Cheers again for the info everyone. Very helpful.

[Kickit]

When you make up your mind about what one you're going for PM me. i actually work for a toyota dealership. so i can try find you a nice one and try get you the best deal i can get.

[Torquen]

PM'd :)

[Torquen]

Ended up with an '03 Lexus LX470 :)