TLC 90-series -- why so few posts?
 

Hi travellers

It seems like Toyota Land Cruiser 90 is not often taken to the desert, or even just plain overlanding. Why is that?

Is it the 3L diesel engine?
Is it because of less space than in the 80-series?

Why are everybody so hung on the 80-series?

Jakob
Iceland

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[This message has been edited by geokobbi (edited 28 October 2005).]

Jakob

Because it has more going for it than against - size, load capacity, comfort, price, engine power, reliability, modifiability, serviceability ... have I forgotten something?

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Hi Roman

I have few more questions for you guys.

90 is smaller than 80, but is it a problem in overlanding trips if you just pack sensible. Normaly, if you have more space you pack more useless stuff!

Can you explain why there is more comfort in 80 than 90?

Will the engine size in 90 be a problem in overlanding trip? I've heard some people talk about overheading problems in the 90 car.

Where I live you can buy '97 model of tlc 90 on 35" tires (odd. 125.000km) for the same price as a '93 model of tlc 80 (odd. 250-300.000km). Newer models must be in bette shape than older, or is this vice versa when it comes to tlc 80.

Why is the 80 more reliable than 90. Have you guys had problems with you tlc 90?

The arguments for buying tlc 90 on 35" tires rather than 80 on same tires, is the better performance of the 90 when driven in snow and difficult conditions, due to the overall weight of the car.

Can you guys tell me about web-shops selling travel accessories for the 90-series.

Jakob



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The problem is not the comfort (on the contrary) or the size, the problem is that the 90-series are designed as road cars with (good) offroad capabilites. While the 70, 80, 100 series are designed as offroad cars with road capabilites.

Way too much electronics on the 90. The suspension, drivetrain, ... is not to overlanding spec.

Good question. A friend of mine just bought a Prado (as they're called here) and I'm wondering what the exact difference is between the "Landcruiser Prado" and the "Landcruiser", beyond the obvious differences - body style, interior, engine choices, trim levels etc.

I know the Prado moved to the Hilux platform a couple years back, but up until that time I assumed it was 100% TLC under the body.

I based this mostly on the fact that like the TLC, the Prado too has an off-set driveline as opposed to the Hilux's centered-driveline.

My friend's Prado also has the 2.5 Turbo-diesel unit: is this engine decent and does it get good mileage, or underpowered/overtaxed?

Cheers,

DGH

Sorry, I mean the 2.4 litre Turbo-diesel engine...no such thing as a 2.5...

DGH

I'll try to post some links when I get to my bookmarks. This is a returning discussion on landcruiser forums.

The Prado (90series) is basicly the follow-up of the 4runner. One of the most important differences (downsides?) is that it is the first cruiser to have an independent front suspenion (IFS). A solid axle is preferred by most for heavy offroad and heavy loading, and generally for overlanding.

The 100series is the follow-up of the 80series. Toyota however supplies most 100 series with an IFS too. There are however still some version of the 100 which ship with a solid axle (sometimes referred to as 105, or 100GX)

The axle thingie, and the introduction of all the electronics makes the prado not a popular choice among overlanders. People who still want to buy a new(er) overlanding vehicle buy the 100GX.

Is it the indipendent front suspension that makes them not quite the overlanding type of car.

Would the 90-series be good for Europe, where roads are fairly good, but not for Africa, Asia and Middle-east.

2cvfred, what are the main overlanding specs. for cars.

Also, how do we define the term "overlanding".

Jakob

Hello Jakob,

Generally true, only that water, fuel, oils, spares, etc take quite a lot of space. In a small car there's little space left for any such stuff anyway, not to mention useless stuff.

Space, mate.

I suppose that answers your oryginal question. There must be a good reason why people are prepared to pay more for an older car.

The other guys have answered this already - axles, suspension, electronics...

Generally correct. Only that overlanding is not about off-roading prowess but survival.

Check Australian websites. They use 90'a for holiday trips in the sticks.


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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

That pretty much summerizes it :-)

That is a question impossible to answer. It really depends from person to person, some people do the overlanding stuff with basic old Citroen 2cv's and they are very happy with the specs of their car.

One general rule however is that a certain level of self-sufficiency is required on a trip. So your vehicle should allow you to achieve such self sufficiency.

Try to make a list of things you expect to do on your trip with you car, and see if the car of your choice will allow you to do so --> There, you've got the ideal overlanding specs!

The IFS for example, is not a bad thing... but it simply isn't the simple, reliable, tested system as a solid axle. Same with all the electronics, etc...
Maybe it isn't all as bad as we tend to believe. But do you want take the plunge and risk your precious time-off/life/money ?

If you want an idea of what would generally be expected, just compare the specs of a, 70, 80 or and 100gx with the specs of a 90.

We don't do it, you do it yourself. Travelling over land... how you do it doesn't really matter.

Don't forget to create your own opinion though, you don't have to do what every one else does (on the contrary!). Just take the vehicle you like and have a great trip!

It's getting clearer...

So, the 90 has IFS and came with a 2.4 or 3.0 turbo diesel engine and a few extra electronic gizmos, so it's less preferred for overlanding.

What about the driveline? Is the rear differential a TLC unit, and will TLC accessories - such as a diff lock - fit the Prado?

DGH