Toyota Landcruiser LC200 Offroad Test & Explanation

[@allanhugh2044]

Finally, someone with an explanation of all the switches and what they do, followed up by practical demonstrations. Very interesting and well thought out.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks please share 👍

[@xuliang2121]

My wife is driving this car now, it is a 2019 land cruiser ZX costing us 55K usd here in Japan. We put a full WALD body kid on and put on 22 inch WALD wheels with very thin tires. Never take the car to any rough road, after 5 years of daily use, this car is perfect to drive in cities, very quiet and smooth.

[@terranowe]

Rob, you do a great job on all the videos of yours that I have seen explaining the finer details and showing visually the differences they make.. eg, turning circle with turn assist, different settings, comparing same bit of track with different vehicles etc .. Really appreciate that aspect of your no bullshit reviews. Its like youre way more scientific and objective.Thanks.

[@L2SFBC]

Thank you!

[@andreysto1202]

Very impressive. I have one just like yours. First time today tried the Low gear mode (in deep snow). Worked out perfectly. At the same time, your kind of test could prove very expensive..). I would not dare)

[@philg2468]

Great video - thanks. I owned a 2012 200 series for 6 years and thought it was an immensely capable vehicle with impressive articulation. The traction control off button and 5 speed crawl were the gadgets I used the most. Turn assist was just a party trick. I got tired of the vehicle and decided to go old school again so 2 years ago bought a new Troopy. Must say it's a delight to drive a manual again and select the gear I need; its nice to have all gears available in low range (instead of just the first 4 with the 200) and not have the low range whine or the noise of the crawl control. Factory twin lockers are a lot quieter! It put the fun back into our 4wding - so much so, my wife now pushes me aside when doing remote trips like the Canning because she also likes the manual. 300series looks impressive on paper but I doubt I'll enjoy it as a 4wd vehicle.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes a lot to be said for the challenge and therefore fun of older 4x4s!

[@Sam-LC300]

Do the sane thing next year with the new 300 when it arrives. Will be the best comparison around.

[@L2SFBC]

Stay tuned...will be something coming on that soon as I can drive the 300!

[@AD28197]

The new 300 will make this one obsolete

[@L2SFBC]

Yep!

[@mjwise]

Thanks Robert. I am surprised you made no introduction to the testing or more importantly no conclusions.

[@L2SFBC]

Really just a demo and explanation. When I do the 300 it will be a full review.

[@hbrannerudbrannerud6554]

Very informative! Cheers from Sweden

[@yaseenmohammed6894]

finally seeing a land cruiser being used as it should be.

[@peterj5751]

You want to turn off traction control and stability control in soft sand. If you don’t, the car wants to cut power and brake wheels as it encounters different sand which really messes up your progress.

[@L2SFBC]

No, you want engine traction control and stability control off, but brake traction control on. This video explains -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKKohomdnpdjaJI

[@peterj5751]

@@L2SFBC but I. Sand you don’t want brake traction control on either. Grabbing a brake in soft sand kills your momentum and it is always detecting traction and stability issues in soft sand because of the highly variable surface. So, unless you are on moguls where you need to transfer power between axles, you are much better with all traction aids off. At least, that is my experience in both a Prado and a Landcruiser 200 series.

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

Another great review and you set up some great demo's to show strengths and weaknesses. Too many modes and switches and options. A better set of tyres and at least rear locker but both would be better and you would have any trouble with these tracks. I think you nailed it with correct tyre pressures, correct gear & speed and looking out the windows.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks for watching!

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

@@L2SFBC Thanks for making the video's. Looking forward to your review of the Grenadier when they finally have press cars available

[@L2SFBC]

Hopefully I can get one on test 👍

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

@@L2SFBC If not you can borrow mine

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks!

[@seedias5961]

Good useful review - thanks.

[@L2SFBC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@georgeobed5813]

That's a diesel powered Land cruiser by the sound from the clip. I might be wrong. Thank you for sharing about this vehicle.. land cruiser

[@L2SFBC]

Yes diesel

[@Rob-ub4tl]

I’m intrigued it let you operate crawl control with a locked centre differential. The manual, and my own 2020 GX, both concur crawl control only works with the diff UNLOCKED because the system can potentially only drive one wheel.

[@L2SFBC]

Crawl control or Turn Assist?

[@Rob-ub4tl]

@@L2SFBC I stand corrected, Turn Assist only. I’ve been unlocking the centre diff pointlessly for 18 months 😳 It does still work effectively in that config though!

[@colwk]

Toyota really missed a trick with the 79's they should of brought out a sahara with 5 speed auto, leather seats, a good head unit and 2 cup holders. Would of made a killing

[@amitgurung163]

my dream car 😍

[@hesstwentyone]

Sir, if possible, it would be much appreciated if you could lend your professional insight in a comprehensive review of the first generation of the 200 series (‘08 to ‘11). There are quite a few on the road and the drivetrain input design is different than the last iteration of the series.

[@L2SFBC]

Sorry no plans other than this video.

[@overlandingand4WD]

Minor correction Robert - "S" is for Select mode, not Sport.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks I even knew that! Good pick-up 👍 Don't know why I said Sport.

[@holgermuller2987]

Hi Robert, very nice vid and super explanations as usual from you. Toyota system is one up of the rest for my understanding. Actually easy to understand after getting familiar with it, no reason for complain! Would love to have all those in my LC200. But my one is a last pre DPF and has only the HDC system. I don’t mind…. Got a fix for 1k ARB rear air locker installed. Will give it a shot and try it out. Should it turn out not sufficient have to add a front locker for another 1 k.. I assume we are all looking forward to the comp test 200vs300. But honestly I guess will stick to the 200 series for the next couple years to come. Cheers

[@L2SFBC]

Yes..stay tuned for 200 vs 300, I will do it! Thanks for the comment.

[@L2SFBC]

Glad to help 👍 Toyota systems are not the easiest to use!

[@erich964]

Thanks in advance for this follow-up question. To lock the center differential, do you have to put the car in neutral and put the brake on and then press the button? Or do you do it in park?. Any quick details on correct functionality would be appreciated and thank you again again.

[@L2SFBC]

No you can lock/unlock on the fly

[@Blkbttyify]

Thank you for this.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks please share!

[@superwag634]

My 80 series 1HZ manual has not one of these buttons, except arb front and rear air lockers. Has worked well for me for last 25 years. But it will leave this electronic abomination in the creek where it belongs when it steam flashes the electronics when the exhaust header splashes with some water. Pulled out a couple of these from cape York water crossings over the last decade 😅

[@GRcorolla-bt3mn]

In many videos I have seen the 200 series not being driven properly, i.e, the person behind the wheel doesn't know when to use and when not to use the TC,MTS, Crawl control, which leads to getting them stuck in sticky situations and then Land Rover fanboys get a reason to underestimate the LC200.

[@Agent.K.]

This tech is nice but takes some of the enjoyment in off-roading.

[@L2SFBC]

I agree entirely!!!

[@bvward]

Robert, were those "factory" tires? If so, it did OK. Toyota has pulled it from the US market (low sales), plus we never had the Diesel version...

[@Agent.K.]

I think It would have sold more if you got a base model with 4.0 1gr. That’s what governments and tourism companies mostly buy in the Arabian gulf. ~30k usd less than top trim.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes totally stock and it did great!

[@Malc664]

The US will burn less fuel if there's more diesel. More efficient mileage. It's a shame. DEF should just be for Prime Movers as most AU 4wd's don't use it and it's fine.

[@paulbarry1044]

Great Vid,we came from a Disco 4,even though i have read the LC handbook,this is very helpfull.One thing i have noticed,is with the D4,TC could never be turned off,and i had no trouble at all,even in very soft sand,although if stability control was not turned off,getting stuck,particularly in sand usually happened pretty quickly as all power was lost,no matter what position the loud pedal was in.But in the LC200,when stability control is off,TC is automatically disabled,in high range,so isnt the vehicle then much less capable than if TC could be left turned on,and stability control turned off?

[@L2SFBC]

Correct re D4, and even in its Sand Mode it is good to further disable ESC. In the 200 I don't recall BTC turning off when the centre diff was locked in high range.

[@kilkenny4]

Great video thank you. Not to be pedantic but that was a wild deer, not feral.

[@L2SFBC]

Hmm was it though as they were originally brought over as domesticated? Or maybe my recollection of history is wrong?

[@kilkenny4]

@@L2SFBC Sambar were brought over and released as game by the acclimatisation society, (Plaque at Tooradin marking one of the spots). Arguably some Fallow or Reds can be considered Feral as they were originally farm stock who have either escaped or most likely released once the farm has gone bust.

[@L2SFBC]

I don't actually know what species it was. Just guessed sambar. But either way wild or feral is a pest!

[@kilkenny4]

@@L2SFBC on private land they are classified as pest. For the most part the affect on the landscape they have is somewhat benign. They do make for great eating, just another excuse to spend more money on a 4wd and bring it to the bush. 😁

[@986C]

Good lord you must be a real pain in the ass.

[@joserasak]

nice review, i have one LC200 ( 2013 V8 D ) and and miss LSD or Diff Lock on many ocasions ( sand or mud ) however this is the best off roader and cruiser that you can get. i also have a G500 that on trial and sand is better due to 3 diff lockers, ut daily use LC all the way.

[@croaker4747]

So you should lock the center diff while using Crawl control? I thought you were supposed to use one or the other.

[@L2SFBC]

Definitely lock it. It's Turn Assist that the 200 needs it unlocked for.

[@croaker4747]

@@L2SFBC Copy that. Thanks for the clarification!

[@erich964]

Quick question, do you have to be in four low to activate the center locking differential? Thanks in advance.

[@L2SFBC]

No, can be done in 4H.

[@erich964]

@@L2SFBC thanks

[@geedubone]

It's funny to see all the tech on this that Landrover lead the way with years before. Being able to manually lock the center diff is a feature that the Landrovers need. The BTC and HDC are not as refined as the latest on Landrovers.

[@L2SFBC]

In my view EVERY offroad vehicle should have a lockable centre diff for safety. Agree with LR innovating.

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

Today they're simply Jaguar, aren't they? Do you wonder why Landrover isn't the popular choice in Africa and Australia for overlanding?

[@L2SFBC]

JLR is one group yes and they have moved away from the utility market to lifestyle.

[@billroach2393]

I think I might be too old to go to university to get the necessary degree in computer skills to operate all those god-damn buttons and switches and knobs!!! hahaha

[@Malc664]

Be gald it's got switches and knobs instead of touch screens for everything. 😖

[@neilkemp9118]

I own one of these, but seriously if you cannot drive in tough terrain with out these aids then seriously don’t bother going. Where is the challenge to just face the challenge. I alway go into the high country in my twin cab with no aids, that is real off road driving not sitting in the cab selecting modes.

[@L2SFBC]

fair enough

[@aussieoffroadnut1109]

I owned Landcruisers for years and purchased a new 200 series only to find it was the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned from easily breaking the passenger side inner and outer CV and constant electrical issues from abs sensors failing to the centre diff lock always having issues engaging and disengaging. With 33 inch tyres fitted and bull bar and rear bar with two spares etc. It averaged 18 ltrs/100 klms. I sold it after 4 years of constant issues including dust getting past the air filter and signs of issues with the injectors. In my opinion Toyota don't make a quality product anymore and I will be purchasing another Toyota.

[@shiveshp.3271]

Start messing with tyre sizes like that and yeah you probably will snap cv shafts. U modifying it = shit Toyota

[@cameronduveax282]

What’s mogul?

[@L2SFBC]

Small hill

[@cameronduveax282]

@@L2SFBC what a big bump or like a 300ft hill.?

[@L2SFBC]

Big bump

[@ronb7105]

So many settings, so little time…

[@L2SFBC]

True °

[@ronb7105]

@@L2SFBC They forgot to add the off-road “Tech support” button :)

[@L2SFBC]

That is my job 😁😁😁

[@einfelder8262]

Only about 10% of owners will ever drive off road and only 10% of them would have a clue how to work all that shit out :) Thank heavens for a simple GU Patrol that you can just point and shoot :)

[@patricksmith5640]

Bunch of electronic crap to not work after 1 year of ownership

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

Meh, it's electro-mechanical, and Japanese engineering is damned good. Time will tell.

[@986C]

Thrashing that new vehicle. I count numerous scrapes and scrubs on the paint. Yikes.

[@L2SFBC]

It's a test car..