Which year for a 100 series

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 at 21:52

ThreadID: 67843 Views:2498 Replies:4 FollowUps:2

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Yandi

G'day
Been visiting this site for a couple of years now and am ready to submit a question.
What year do you reckon was the best for the 100 series? The reason I ask is I'm in the market and almost got duped on the Easter long weekend into purchasing a Sept05 Sahara. I say duped as I told the sales rep that it is going to be my tow vehicle for a 2500kg caravan.
I then went home, checked out this site and found out about all the problems that the auto levelling suspension had with that model. So thanks Alan, JohnR,OT and the rest, you've saved me from laying out 60 grand for a car that would be totally impracticable.
BTW Toyota's response when questioned was "it will only go to low mode if you put more than 580kgs above tare weight", not quite enough to convince me to purchase.
So the question again - towing a 2.5 tonne caravan fully loaded, what do you reckon is the best year for a 100 series?
Thanks for your advice.

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Reply By: chisel - Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 at 22:37

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 at 22:37

Factory 4.2TD any year from 2003 onwards with the 5-speed auto. GXL/VX to avoid the sahara suspension.
Sept '05 was the last update. GXL got rear aircon and 17" alloys from then.

AnswerID: 359600

Reply By: SPRINT-GTO - Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 at 22:42

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 at 22:42

Ditto what chisel said!!!

AnswerID: 359602

Reply By: Member - Ken R (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 at 13:05

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 at 13:05

We have a 2001 Sahara turbo diesel and i am very interested in this topic for 2 reasons.
We have just ordered a new caravan and will weigh around 3.5 t.
Are you saying that with this "auto leveling suspension' we might be in danger?
The other reason for the interest is that we had a camper trailer that tipped over for no real apparent reason, and i want to know the liklehood that the suspension together with a treg hitch might of had something to do with the accident.
Anyinput would be appreciated

AnswerID: 359666

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 at 14:16

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 at 14:16

Even in a croozer if you tow a 3.5tonne van u will be pushing it for staying legal with weights in both vehicles.

Firstly is it 3.5t ATM or Tare cos if its TARE forget it.

Secondly it will have a ball weight of 350 kg at least which is maximum allowable.

Thirdly by the time you hook that on and fill the fuel tanks and hop in yourself you may have to leave wife at home to stay within allowable weights.
Remember the ball weight forms part of the load.
My boss tows a 18ft van with a 2003 Sahara no probs

See here for specs regarding weights etc.

Landcruiser 100 GXL Landcruiser 100 GXL Landcruiser 100V8
Diesel Turbo Diesel Petrol
6cyl 5 man 6cyl 5 man / 5 auto V8 5 man / 5 auto

Weights & Capacities

Kerb Weight (Kg)

2356kg 2618kg/2588kg 2406/ 2449kg

Tare Weight (Kg)

2241kg 2507kg / 2477kg 2304kg / 2347kg

Payload (Kg)

824kg 642kg / 672kg 854kg / 811kg

Gross Vehicle Mass (Kg)

3180kg 3260kg 3260kg

Gross Combined Mass (Kg)

6680kg 6680kg 6680kg

Maximum roof load (Kg) 200kg 200kg 200kg inc roofrack weight.
Note : Kerb, tare & payload weights are nominal and will vary depending on options & tray/body type.
Seating capacity 8 8 8

Towing capacity - with trailer brakes 3500kg 3500kg 3500kg
- Without trailer brakes 750kg 750kg 750kg
Note : Towing capacity - Subject to state regulations, towbar design and towing equipment.

So you see to tow 3.5T Van u have to reduce car weight to get it under the 6680kg GVM.
Dont know if Saharas weigh more They probably do with the extra gear in them but GVM remains the same I think.

Your problem with the camper was probably due to conditions, speed or driver error but the suspension shouldnt have done that.
Where and what were you doing when it happened.

Have fun

FollowupID: 627636

Reply By: Yandi - Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 at 21:57

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 at 21:57

G'day Ken
Agree with what Graham has to say, if you go for 3.5T then you are really pushing the boundaries.
After talking to toyota and getting them to fax through the relevant pages from the sahara owners manual p149 states that if you over load the vehicle {580kgs for the sahara due to the extra fruit on board as opposed to 710 for the gxl} then the auto leveling suspension goes to low mode until weight is reduced. My issue is where does this weight get calculated? probably oil pressure in the shockies - whatever I reckon it is a pretty dodgy system and will definately need a suspension upgrade.
After a heap of research I'm still looking at the 100 series low kms as the others don't seem to cut the mustard
Patrol 4.2 - tends to overheat when worked
Patrol 3.0 - too small an engine for heavy {2t+}
Jeep - enough said
L/rover - D3 seem great but I can't trust them over 100k kms
Good luck with yours, probably need to look at the F series for that sort of weight.

AnswerID: 359747