New Toyota Land Cruiser commercial
Discussion
2750 miles (in seven months). Very little to report. It's still brill.
I've bought a spare wheel for it. They come as standard with the obligatory get you home kit. I'd prefer the spare wheel on the rear for both looks and practicality, but it would mean a different tailgate and lots of faff, so its staying in the shed. I don't go far enough to be let down, and haven't had a puncture for around 20 years, but it was something to buy. The steel wheel/tyre is from the Hilux and identical in appearance to the ones on the car, but the rims are an inch wider, and the tyres are fatter. They would look much better if fitted.
It's a sod to clean. It takes me 2 hours to simply wash it properly. So many nooks, crannies, edges, gaps and shuts. I do keep it clean, it spends a fair bit of its time parked outside other people's nice houses and first impressions and all that. Keeping the new car gloss is appealing, but I'm losing interest and time is better spent elsewhere on a Sunday now the days are longer. Better to let the Poles wash it from now on and spend a Sunday polishing it back up once a year.
It's averaging 27.5mpg. Mostly short journeys. Perhaps not the best for a modern diesel, but there is a manual DPF regeneration switch that I'm dying to press. But it will only let you when the warning light comes on. I believe you should keep your distance when it's doing it's thing.
And I've started to cut up my lining kit for the back, but true to form have not gone much further. I'll post some pics when done.
I've bought a spare wheel for it. They come as standard with the obligatory get you home kit. I'd prefer the spare wheel on the rear for both looks and practicality, but it would mean a different tailgate and lots of faff, so its staying in the shed. I don't go far enough to be let down, and haven't had a puncture for around 20 years, but it was something to buy. The steel wheel/tyre is from the Hilux and identical in appearance to the ones on the car, but the rims are an inch wider, and the tyres are fatter. They would look much better if fitted.
It's a sod to clean. It takes me 2 hours to simply wash it properly. So many nooks, crannies, edges, gaps and shuts. I do keep it clean, it spends a fair bit of its time parked outside other people's nice houses and first impressions and all that. Keeping the new car gloss is appealing, but I'm losing interest and time is better spent elsewhere on a Sunday now the days are longer. Better to let the Poles wash it from now on and spend a Sunday polishing it back up once a year.
It's averaging 27.5mpg. Mostly short journeys. Perhaps not the best for a modern diesel, but there is a manual DPF regeneration switch that I'm dying to press. But it will only let you when the warning light comes on. I believe you should keep your distance when it's doing it's thing.
And I've started to cut up my lining kit for the back, but true to form have not gone much further. I'll post some pics when done.
I've put my first dent on it at just over 3000 miles. Backed it a bit too far whilst attempting to hitch up to the trailer and left a little dent/mark. I'm almost pleased, it means I can stop worrying about it happening now.
The trailer was needed to move my LS460 barge: it has thrown a gearbox related EML and is currently sorned due to you-know-what. Easier to just pop it onto the trailer and transport it to the trans shop. The LC tows incredibly well. Much better than a previous Hilux I owned (I don't like towing with an auto) and on a par with the Shogun I've previously been used to, which is also an excellent tower. The LC is preferable thanks to Spanish gears and low range that can be engaged without also locking the diff, ideal for slow speed manoeuvring of a fully loaded trailer without cooking the clutch or winding up the diffs. Averaged 20MPG on the trip, mostly winding A road, some big climbs and descents.
For trailer pervs, I've just refurbed my 16'0 Ifor Williams with new Knott brake shoes, cables, tyres, and new Buffalo board base. Even the wheels were treated to a paint. Now tows better than ever and the Toyota's brakes were barely tested downhill, the trailer taking all of the weight and more.
And I had to drive to collect something for work, close to one of the landmarks that Fred used to run up and down using ladders, lumps of nailed together 3x2 and bits of string.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg
The trailer was needed to move my LS460 barge: it has thrown a gearbox related EML and is currently sorned due to you-know-what. Easier to just pop it onto the trailer and transport it to the trans shop. The LC tows incredibly well. Much better than a previous Hilux I owned (I don't like towing with an auto) and on a par with the Shogun I've previously been used to, which is also an excellent tower. The LC is preferable thanks to Spanish gears and low range that can be engaged without also locking the diff, ideal for slow speed manoeuvring of a fully loaded trailer without cooking the clutch or winding up the diffs. Averaged 20MPG on the trip, mostly winding A road, some big climbs and descents.
For trailer pervs, I've just refurbed my 16'0 Ifor Williams with new Knott brake shoes, cables, tyres, and new Buffalo board base. Even the wheels were treated to a paint. Now tows better than ever and the Toyota's brakes were barely tested downhill, the trailer taking all of the weight and more.
And I had to drive to collect something for work, close to one of the landmarks that Fred used to run up and down using ladders, lumps of nailed together 3x2 and bits of string.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg
The “new” part of the thread title is now a misnomer: I’ve had the Land Cruiser for a year. Time flies.
5343 miles have been travelled, 10% of which were done in one day recently. One of my collection (don’t ask) of squishy Lexuses would have been the more obvious choice for a long day at the wheel, but the Land Cruiser needed a run, I had some podcasts to catch up on, and the weather was foul. The perceived ruggedness and high seating position (it’s taller than a new FFRR) gives a certain feeling of invincibility on a soaking motorway, and the LC is a surprisingly comfortable companion, happy to sit quietly at 80 on cruise control, tall tyres soaking up the cracks and ridges, excellent and slightly firm seats providing support. It performed this task equally as well as towing a laden trailer down a country lane.
This won’t be the most exciting RR threads. Unsurprisingly, it’s needed nothing, and nothing has gone wrong. A 30cm bit of glazing tape to stop the armrest rattling doesn’t constitute a multi post repair journey. I’ve topped up the air in the tyres once: they had all dropped a bar over the course of the year. It needed a can of AdBlue at around 4500 miles. It’s booked in for its first visit to the garage: annual servicing sits well with me. It’ll cost £295, and is the same no matter which dealer I choose. It’s very nice to own a car that does not provide a regular bout of anxiety as the next rattle or leak arises or MOT looms. I embarrassingly reduced an IKEA table to matchwood after accidentally driving into it on a customer’s driveway (the LC was unmarked). And I’ve added a period 70’s Smurf sticker to the back window, because I’m still the excitable child I always was.
I still love it’s simplicity and ease of operation. It has everything a car should have and nothing more. And it’s rarity: I’m still yet to see another SWB Commercial on the road. The new Defender is already positively ubiquitous in our manor.
Any dislikes? You have to ram the clutch hard down to start the engine, which is tiresome. The locking system baffles me most of the time: why can’t all doors just unlock with one press of the key fob, and remain unlocked with the engine running?
And thats it. I can’t see much point of carrying on the thread unless something happens or breaks. Which (hopefully) may be a long time off.
5343 miles have been travelled, 10% of which were done in one day recently. One of my collection (don’t ask) of squishy Lexuses would have been the more obvious choice for a long day at the wheel, but the Land Cruiser needed a run, I had some podcasts to catch up on, and the weather was foul. The perceived ruggedness and high seating position (it’s taller than a new FFRR) gives a certain feeling of invincibility on a soaking motorway, and the LC is a surprisingly comfortable companion, happy to sit quietly at 80 on cruise control, tall tyres soaking up the cracks and ridges, excellent and slightly firm seats providing support. It performed this task equally as well as towing a laden trailer down a country lane.
This won’t be the most exciting RR threads. Unsurprisingly, it’s needed nothing, and nothing has gone wrong. A 30cm bit of glazing tape to stop the armrest rattling doesn’t constitute a multi post repair journey. I’ve topped up the air in the tyres once: they had all dropped a bar over the course of the year. It needed a can of AdBlue at around 4500 miles. It’s booked in for its first visit to the garage: annual servicing sits well with me. It’ll cost £295, and is the same no matter which dealer I choose. It’s very nice to own a car that does not provide a regular bout of anxiety as the next rattle or leak arises or MOT looms. I embarrassingly reduced an IKEA table to matchwood after accidentally driving into it on a customer’s driveway (the LC was unmarked). And I’ve added a period 70’s Smurf sticker to the back window, because I’m still the excitable child I always was.
I still love it’s simplicity and ease of operation. It has everything a car should have and nothing more. And it’s rarity: I’m still yet to see another SWB Commercial on the road. The new Defender is already positively ubiquitous in our manor.
Any dislikes? You have to ram the clutch hard down to start the engine, which is tiresome. The locking system baffles me most of the time: why can’t all doors just unlock with one press of the key fob, and remain unlocked with the engine running?
And thats it. I can’t see much point of carrying on the thread unless something happens or breaks. Which (hopefully) may be a long time off.
seiben said:
Thanks for the update - I've enjoyed this thread a lot. I'm soon to be on the look-out for a 150-series Land Cruiser myself, although impending family necessitates a LWB and budget necessitates a second-hand purchase. Your positive comments about towing are particularly pleasing - it's surprisingly difficult to find any details online of how they perform in this arena, so I'm glad to hear you're happy!
Please keep this up to date as and when - if nothing else because it's a really cool looking thing
Good luck with the search. They do tow extremely well, miles better than a Hilux I had previously, although some would bemoan the 3 ton limit.Please keep this up to date as and when - if nothing else because it's a really cool looking thing
Towing purists would agree a LWB is the better bet. I’d certainly agree if I was up and down the motorway, but for me nimbleness is more important than high speed stability: with a cracking turning circle and SWB I can back the trailers into the very tightest driveways and gate holes with ease.
I haven’t been checking this thread so I missed the above purchases, well done chaps.
This chap appeared to be using one as intended, and has fitted some Escape Gear covers (which look hard wearing but expensive and hardly pretty) and some handy looking Weather Tech floor mats, which I quite fancy and will keep the hairy carpets a bit cleaner.
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/to...
The undersealing was pretty easy thanks to the lofty body, a decent compressor/gun and plenty of Bilt Hamber. Decent ramps help, and doing it to a shiny new undercarriage is a joy with no rusty crap dropping on you. I’ll probably give it another coat in summer.
Nothing to report on mine. Just clicked on 7k miles. I can’t even blame lockdown for the low mileage, we’ve never been busier. Too busy in fact to finish lining it out properly. I’ve considered chopping it for a regular Utility (so the family can come too) but like the tax benefits too much. Or maybe a new Active commercial with the new 200bhp donkey, although another 8 or 9 grand to change seems daft. Are we ever happy?
altonaids said:
Hi Olly , took delivery of mine 14 weeks ago and agree with all your helpful posts , I too am struggling with the seats, do you still recommend the Fixcape covers , also thinking of wax rust/proofing , any other advice
What did you go for, three or five door? Colour? Any pics? I’ve alternated between the Fixcape (comfy, warm, but attracts crud) and a Town and Country (waterproof, wipe clean but can sweat up). Both are good. This chap appeared to be using one as intended, and has fitted some Escape Gear covers (which look hard wearing but expensive and hardly pretty) and some handy looking Weather Tech floor mats, which I quite fancy and will keep the hairy carpets a bit cleaner.
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/to...
The undersealing was pretty easy thanks to the lofty body, a decent compressor/gun and plenty of Bilt Hamber. Decent ramps help, and doing it to a shiny new undercarriage is a joy with no rusty crap dropping on you. I’ll probably give it another coat in summer.
seiben said:
Thanks again for the advice. I did a buy!
It's ace
Looks just great. They tow really well. And oddly, an RX8 was my last brand new car purchase prior to this one back in 2004. Great cars.It's ace
Nothing to report on mine. Just clicked on 7k miles. I can’t even blame lockdown for the low mileage, we’ve never been busier. Too busy in fact to finish lining it out properly. I’ve considered chopping it for a regular Utility (so the family can come too) but like the tax benefits too much. Or maybe a new Active commercial with the new 200bhp donkey, although another 8 or 9 grand to change seems daft. Are we ever happy?
Two years old, 10878 miles.
It's birthday was celebrated by a visit to the dealer for it's second service. Toyota has a very simple service schedule: annually or 10k miles, whichever comes sooner, minor (£250) and major (£395) services, and prices are fixed so no faffing around calling different dealers.
A major plus point is that Toyota have extended the warranty to 10 years so long as the car is serviced with them and within schedule. Pre-inflation, this gives a total spend of £3225 for a full manufacturer backed service and warranty package for ten years. A very reasonable deal, and proof if it were needed that Toyota are willing to stand over their products with confidence. If a similarly priced package for a new 90 Hard Top existed then I fear I would be knocking on the door of my local Land Rover dealer, although no doubt it would bankrupt the company before I'd have the chance to try it out.
I'm envisaging the LC will be an incredibly cheap vehicle to own: I have plans to keep it long term, and given the fact the mileage will be around 50k miles and hopefully still spotless, it will still be worth strong money at ten years old, as is the way with used LC's. We all know Covid pricing is a bit crazy at the moment, but I'm confident it would sell tomorrow for around the same price I paid given new ones now are around £30k plus VAT.
It returned from it's service feeling a bit stiff (recommended tyre pressures are wide ranging and they were pumped up harder than they needed to be) and with a damaged rear number plate surround caused by some form of acid cleaner sprayed over the car during the "valet" (it came home dirtier than it went, agency valeters were blamed.). So much for deciding not to be so precious. The dealer has apologised and is replacing the surround FOC and without quibble, so all is well and I'm happy. As ever, it's not so much about the problems, more how they are dealt with. Volkswagen take note.
I've carried out two modifications, one a bit of glazing tape to cure a rattly glovebox, and the other a zip tie to permanently press a little button under the clutch pedal to allow the thing to be started without ramming the clutch into the carpet.
I may modify it further: I still love the steel wheel utilitarian look, but my head has been turned by some new wheels by fifteen 52. They are alloys, but look like steelies as fitted to old school UN spec LC's usually seen in Africa or with a group of Taliban fighters hanging out of the back. I'll keep you posted.
It's birthday was celebrated by a visit to the dealer for it's second service. Toyota has a very simple service schedule: annually or 10k miles, whichever comes sooner, minor (£250) and major (£395) services, and prices are fixed so no faffing around calling different dealers.
A major plus point is that Toyota have extended the warranty to 10 years so long as the car is serviced with them and within schedule. Pre-inflation, this gives a total spend of £3225 for a full manufacturer backed service and warranty package for ten years. A very reasonable deal, and proof if it were needed that Toyota are willing to stand over their products with confidence. If a similarly priced package for a new 90 Hard Top existed then I fear I would be knocking on the door of my local Land Rover dealer, although no doubt it would bankrupt the company before I'd have the chance to try it out.
I'm envisaging the LC will be an incredibly cheap vehicle to own: I have plans to keep it long term, and given the fact the mileage will be around 50k miles and hopefully still spotless, it will still be worth strong money at ten years old, as is the way with used LC's. We all know Covid pricing is a bit crazy at the moment, but I'm confident it would sell tomorrow for around the same price I paid given new ones now are around £30k plus VAT.
It returned from it's service feeling a bit stiff (recommended tyre pressures are wide ranging and they were pumped up harder than they needed to be) and with a damaged rear number plate surround caused by some form of acid cleaner sprayed over the car during the "valet" (it came home dirtier than it went, agency valeters were blamed.). So much for deciding not to be so precious. The dealer has apologised and is replacing the surround FOC and without quibble, so all is well and I'm happy. As ever, it's not so much about the problems, more how they are dealt with. Volkswagen take note.
I've carried out two modifications, one a bit of glazing tape to cure a rattly glovebox, and the other a zip tie to permanently press a little button under the clutch pedal to allow the thing to be started without ramming the clutch into the carpet.
I may modify it further: I still love the steel wheel utilitarian look, but my head has been turned by some new wheels by fifteen 52. They are alloys, but look like steelies as fitted to old school UN spec LC's usually seen in Africa or with a group of Taliban fighters hanging out of the back. I'll keep you posted.
V8mate said:
RicksAlfas said:
Krikkit said:
Good idea with the clutch pedal switch, one of my pet hates with modern cars.
I've always pressed the clutch pedal in for starting. Makes it a bit easier on the battery/starter if they are getting on a bit!
karsery. Don't even get me going on full closure locking once the motor is running so you can't open the tailgate or passenger door.W00DY said:
Does the clutch switch being depressed not disengage cruise control? Does this even have cruise?
That's a very good point Woody, one I can't answer, and shows just how much I use the cruise control!This is the damaged panel. Lots of water spots, probably caused by some type of acid cleaner. Their valeter had a go at removing them but polished through the paint. It's back to Toyota tomorrow to be replaced and I will have a loaner to drive home in. My request for a GR Yaris, maybe a Supra, fell on deaf ears.
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