The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

uk_vette · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 18:27 Post subject: How tough are the 120's really ?

I know the 120's were primarily designed for the SUV crowd, and that 99% of the 120's would hardly ever venture off - road.
more of an urban bruiser.

Perhaps to the camping field when caravaning would be some peoples idea of "off - road"

I plan to drive to Cape Town next year, with my LC 120, and another Toyota.

Using tarmac sealed roads, and gravel track, with the minimum of "off - road" where do the forum members suggest what should I do to prepare my 120.
G.

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Grimbo · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 19:36 Post subject:

120s are ok, was in Kenya recently and saw quite a few around and about, try checking Aussie web sites or even south African sites to see what mods they carry out. I would suggest changing tyres for a good 50/50 tyre, BFG allterains are good, perhaps a snorkel to raise the air intake away from the dust, beyond that its down to carrying spare air/fuel filters, alt and AC belts and sensible tools and kit. You will be surprised by the amount of "normal" cars and vans using the same route , 20+ year old Mercs, Nissans , and Toyota hiace's and Peuogets are common throughout Africa, none of which would pass an MOT here Laughing

. Enjoy your trip, the 120 may not be in the same class as an 70 or 80 series but its at the top of its own class, and probably more comfortable than either for the trip you plan to do. Mr Toyota still makes very good off road cars, better than the rest of the SUV crowd by miles . Very Happy

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boonie · ** Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 80 Location: MIDDLESEX

i remember reading somewhere that the 120 was designed with a more rigid body than the colorado makeing it better off road.also before buying my lc5 i read some independant write ups and they all claimed the 120 had lost none of its legendery off road ability but gained more style and more gadgets.as the other member said i would check out some of the aussie sites.

Phoenix · *** Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 228

Nice one uk_vette Smile

I reckon the 120 to be just as capable as any of its predecessors. Yes it looks a softer 4x4 but does anyone really think that Toyota would allow the reputation of the Land Cruiser to slip…. I don’t think so! Toyota have spent a lot of time and money down the years making the LC into what it is and that is a most capable off-road vehicle which is comfortable and extremely reliable. As has been alluded to earlier, the Australians and South Africans know their off-road cars and all anyone has to do is take a look at the websites to see that the LC is a prized vehicle when choosing a machine of this type. I work with people from both nations and they just cannot speak too highly of the LC Very Happy

Get out into the wide open countryside and enjoy what the LC120 can do
Very Happy

As for spares.... I would consider shock absorbers and brake pads. Maybe a change of oil would not go amiss Confused

Oh and maybe a 'plug in' compressor.... not necessarily just to inflate tyres but maybe to be used to clear dust as well from those hard to reach places Confused

uk_vette · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 23:19 Post subject:

I would suggest changing tyres for a good 50/50 tyre, BFG allterains are good, perhaps a snorkel to raise the air intake away from the dust,
,
,
I have original fitment Dunlop AT20 Grandtrek's on at the moment.
They are excellent on the road, however the tread lookss like it would soon get stuffed up when driving through the sloppy stuff.
Would I lose much of the refinement by fitting BFG A/T ?

If I decided I wanted to fit a snorkel, not for wading, but simply to breathe the cleaner air, how would I fit one without cutting the bodywork for fitment?.

Grimbo · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 0:21 Post subject:

No option that I'm aware of but to cut the wing when fitting a snorkel, most are fitted just to get cleaner air, K&N do replacement filters that are cleanable so you could just fit one of them and clean it when conditions demand.
Tyre's are always a compromise, you will loose a little refinement, you will gain stronger sidewalls, a more agresive tread , and a more puncture resistant tyre.
I have no doubt that your vehicle could make your trip as it is now, it may just be that a few tweaks now will pay you back many times in the wilds of Africa.
What about a cheap set of wheels of e bay and fit your tyres to them, that way when you return you can put the OE wheels and tyres on again. Steel wheels are good as you can bend them straight again if damaged.

Landcrusher · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:38 Post subject: 120 versus previous

I have had Colorados and a 120 and have taken both well into the realms of off road. I would agree that a set of BFG AT is essential. Several reasons:
Good off road, triguard walls which actually help to stiffen up the cornering a little, plenty tread so you won't have to worry about mileage (I know someone with a Disco that got 107k miles out of a set) and, there are pretty puncture proof. I would add a half liter of the puncture goo (antifreeze and chopped fibres) you really do not want punctures in the wrong environment or at the wrong time.

Off road, they certainly are NOT compromised. They are every bit as good as they should be - but, one weakness in my view over older LCs is the underbody protection. The belly plates are no more than stoneguards really. If you can beef up the sump guard, I would say 'do it'. They're really just tin and I bent mine to hell just reversing out of mud etc. This then caught on the tyre on full lock

Agree with rest of posts. I used to have an airlift bag for jacking mine up - ran off the exhaust. Very quick and handy 'cos the LC doesn't really lend itself to the std hilift jacks like Landies do.

Oh and a towbar is a good idea too. But snorkel? Not really sure. Take a spare element and use the compressor to blow it out regularly perhaps.

LC

uk_vette · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 16:28 Post subject:

uk_vette · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 16:40 Post subject: Re: 120 versus previous

Graham Smith · *** Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Poole, UK

Just done 34 000km across Africa (Eastern Route) on a brand new set of BFG 285/75 R16's - 1 puncture, and that was caused by driver error.

Graham

uk_vette · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 19:44 Post subject:

Landcrusher · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 19:58 Post subject: Bash plate

Actually Graham, I did neither. It was a Co car and they wanted it back after 2 years so I bought a quad - Yamaha Kodiak 450 and fitted off road armor to it etc and bought a 90 (see 90 section) instead. I now have an Avensis which would be utterly useless on anything but tarmac.
Do want bigger bash plate for my for 90 though.

Have fun!

LC

Graham Smith · *** Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Poole, UK

120man · *** Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 171

To answer your question, stick bonce underneath your vehicle. The chassis you see is very substantial, stiffer than the older versions.

The underbody protection is nominal though. may want to wobble off to TBR and take a look at their 6mm alloy skid plates for the LC 120.

http://4x4shop247.co.uk/www.tbruk.com.html?lang=en-uk&target=d882.html

Roy03 · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 21:33 Post subject: Underbody protection

I had TBR fit my 120 with the full underbody kit-3 pieces and they really are well made. another plus point is they do not have to be removed for routine servicing. I have just had my 50,000ml service done at a main dealer and they never mentioned the plates being a problem.
Roy