Many have discussed the idea of Toyota selling the LC200 variant as sold in other markets (Aussie, JPN, etc) with a more stripped down trim, less all of the luxury stuff, here in the US of A for a much lower price point...

I came across this today...an LC200 with the 4Runners 4.0 in it...would you buy...i think i'd be interested...

What say you?

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series GX - 4.0L V6 petrol - 8 seater - LHD - YouTube

Toyota Land Cruiser GRJ200 — STS Global

With a 6spd manual, it'd be pretty decent. I'd prefer a diesel, but the 4.0 is a good engine. I'd consider it if I were thinking about trading in my 4Runner.

F**k no. The engine is one of the worst parts of the 4Runner. I can't imagine adding an extra 1000 pounds to it. It would never make it up a Mtn pass.

Gearing. That's all you need.

Not everything needs 400+ horsepower to be "acceptable".

it needs more torque
the engine as it is, is tuned like shit imo. a 4.0 should get way better numbers.

I never had much trouble going offroad with a 140Hp (barely) V6/5spd in a 3400lb truck back in the early 90s. Towed trailers, got around offroad, plowed through water, did everything I wanted and some I didn't (but survived). A gear swap made a HUGE difference and made it a whole new truck... until someone plowed into me, making it a pile of junk.

The current 4.0L 4Runner would be a different animal entirely if Toyota offered 4.10-4.30:1 gears from the factory. Does the tune need refinement? Not really, but it would help and some would appreciate it...as would tuning of the shift programming. But then, Toyota plays the long game on durability with these, not the performance game.

I'm assuming you live at sea level.

It's a totally different vehicle at altitude.

Yeah … no. If i had the choice b/w 4runner TRD PRO vs. LC with 4runner engine, i rather get TRD PRO. I don’t consider my LC all that fast with the current curb weight (around 5800 lbs). I can’t imagine putting in the current 4runner engine. Forget that sh!t.

Currently? Yes. Always? No.

You seem to think my opinion isn't valid because I don't currently live where you live, however I've had vehicles from 60Hp to just under 1000Hp and lived all over the US, including Hawaii.


Again, gearing makes a huge difference.

I think the problem with a watered down 200 is NOT ANY ONE part. It is the WHOLE.

See, the V gen is very much a modern 80 series equivalent: it fulfils exactly the same purpose. I don't want to hear solid FA because the 80 had laughable front wheel travel anyway and IFS is way better outside very big rocks. I know some purists will be all in arms about this, but a V gen is the 80 series successor, functionally.

With a suspension upgrade, I already have a vehicle that I can use for everything I care: remote camping, moving faster in the desert than any daily driven vehicle but the rarely seen Raptor, and crawling up and down trails like Fins and Things or Elephant Hill with no drama at all. I don't need to drive Pritchett Canyon and deal with a dedicated rock crawler that happens to be kinda street legal. I don't have anything on the roof or aftermarket bumpers or a winch.

So what exactly would a stripped-down LC 200 accomplish that my 4R cannot? It may be built around a 25 year service life but there are plenty of 25 year old 4Runners around as well.

From all I know, the LC remains the KING in Australia. That's where you need diesel, enormous carrying capacity, and all the room you can possibly get. Here, people love to build expedition rigs because it is fun and they look great but the reality is that while you can use one, you don't need one to get anywhere in the lower 48. In OZ, you absolutely need one or a Patrol to go backcountry in many areas.

Really? A nearly indestructible engine is one of the worst parts of the 4Runner? I had a 1988 with a 22R-E that wouldn't break, either, and was waaaaayy slower. Also had a 2001 that was as durable and not fast, either. In each case, I would call the engine one of the BEST parts of each version. It doesn't need to be a Corvette going up mountain passes. It simply needs to get me there. If you need fast, buy fast. Toyota's forte in their trucks is durability.

Yes, this. Toyota engines are legend

The engine is my least favorite part of my 4runner.

The LC has a ton of little upgrades. Bigger axles, lots more suspension travel, better belly clearance. Much beefier steering. I like the tailgate.

But the engine isn't enough in the 4runner. It'd be even worse in the LC. I guess I could always supercharger it. But why not just go with the 5.7?

Now a stripped down model with a 4.6? I could get on board with that.

FWIW the LC 200 GX starts around $43k with the 4.0l. supposedly the lc300 will get a base option 4.0 too, so the 1gr will carry on for another generation in the poverty pack models. For places where top speed is 45mph, the 4.0 will do just fine. It's just not good for American highway speeds.

$43K and it doesn't even have to pseudo-transfer case shift lever that the O/R and Pro have?

...i like that idea also...the added torque would be nice...or up the compression in the 4.0 just a little to get it into the 300hp range...