Landcruiser 200 Series
Hi, I currently have a 3L diesel Prado and find it struggles to tow my 6m fibreglass Seafarer when we head North fully loaded on holidays. It's now time for an upgrade and I'm thinking the 4.7L V8 Petrol Landcruiser 200 Series and are interested in any experience people may have had (good or bad) towing a similar size boat with one of these vehicles. I know the diesel 200 Series get a good wrap as a tow vehicle, however from Monday to Friday the car will only travel 4km each day (round trip) to the local train station. Weekends it will get a lot of use towing the camper trailer or boat. I'm no expert, but imagine a short distance like that is not great for any car but probably worse for a diesel. Any advice/comments would be appreciated.
Cheers, Jase
Live to fish
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Hey Jase,There is a long
Hey Jase,
There is a long thread on the 200 series. There is also an awesome forum called LCOOL.
I have the diesel version with about 60000K on it. I love it even though it is a big vehicle and as such it's quite thirstly. They get even more thirsty when you alter them like lift kits, bigger tyres, front rear bars and roof racks. Mine has all the above and get's about 18/100 around town and 15ish on the highway. It's out to about 20-22/100 towing my 6m glass boat on tandem trailer.
I've heard the pertol ones are really thirsty but I have no experience.
My biggest and only real gripe is the transmission. They are quite crap! You need to purchase aftermarket gear to make it work economically when towing and to have control of what gear it's in and what the torque converter is doing. I think this is crap for a vehicle that costs so much but that's just my opinion on that. There is loads of info on LCOOL about this.
All in all, it's the best all round car I've ever had and it's a joy to travel in with the family. It's very capable off road too once lifted and with decent tyres.
Cheers
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Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Geez that towing consumption
Geez that towing consumption is up there. I have a ARB steel bar, roof rack, off road tyres and i average 16-18L/100ks towing my 8m glass boat up north. I always tow in 4th. Revs a little higher but torque converter stays locked and fuel consumption is much better. More importantly your trans fluid temp temp stays much lower as well. Do you have a scangauge to monitor your TFT? My Exhaust and Steinbauer chip help too IMO. Even when not towing but highway driving I use 4th and get down to 10-11L/100ks on say a trip up to wedge from Joondalup area.
OP, get a diesel if you can afford the extra money. As above plenty of good info on LCOOL.
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JW77
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 16/06/15
Thanks gruntre, sounds like
Thanks gruntre, sounds like a similar problem I had with the Prado. Engine was strong but the gearbox would hunt for gears. Any hill or wind and we would go from 100kh to 70kh befor you knew it. I will check out LCOOL.
Jase
Live to fish
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Yes read up on the stockwell
Yes read up on the stockwell kit callede stock lock. I don't have it. I looked into it a couple of years ago before these came out and they were a little more expensive. They are around $500 now so I'm considering adding it.
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daze out
Posts: 75
Date Joined: 07/09/11
Thirsty!!
Hi mate,
I have the petrol 200 series and it is THIRSTY when towing!!!
I towed my 6.5m ali boat 3,500km last year so have a bit of experience here :)
Beautiful vehicle to tow and plenty of power when needed but I was only getting 450km for a 138L tank. Makes it hard in the North West when towns are further apart and you need to fuel up at the expensive service stations. It is a family car during the week and is comfortable enough for the missus and kids but like gruntre said, it is a big car so chews a bit around town as well.
depending on how far away the boat ramp is for your weekly boating it would be a good buy, you can shell out a bit for a yearly trip.
scano
Posts: 1246
Date Joined: 31/05/07
Hey stevo81
I would have thought leaving the cruiser in 4th, would have the torque converter unlocked? And you are experiencing better fuel consumption due to torque multiplication from the torque converter? If my apprentice days serve me correct, top gear is when the torque converter is locked up, and therefore it is a direct drive through to the gearbox, with an overdrive gear set?
I could be wrong on the newer 5 and 6 speed autos though, my apprenticeship was almost 30 years ago now. Understood that nowadays it's all electronic solenoids and servo's within the box anyway. They probably run variable vane torque converters nowadays also?
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Electronically controlled
These days the transmissions are all electronically controlled, in fact the 200's have their own transmission ECU.
You can watch the torque converter lock up at various load and speed conditions.
It's well known now with the 200 series that 4th is the best gear for heavy towing. 6th and often 5th are too tall and overloads the engine, so the ECU is dumping more fuel in but to no avail. Better to run a lower gear like 4th, albeit higher revs, as the engine isn't labouring and you use less fuel.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Yep thats my experience as
Yep thats my experience as well.
Even without the Scangauge you can drop it back to 4th at 100kmh and feel your foot lift on the throttle.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
hey Rob just wondering what
hey Rob just wondering what revs you have in 4th at 100kmph?
standard tyres?
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
from memory its around 2000
from memory its around 2000 but I havent towed on the highway since xmas.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
Cheers Rob (6th must be Tall
Cheers Rob (6th must be Tall !!!) but makes sense. for best economy usually have to look at a torque curve for your vehicle. peak torque usually equals peak economy.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
very tall, about 1600 at 110
very tall, about 1600 at 110 in 6th and they can struggle to lock the TC in 6th under 110 even without towing.
Hence Toyota provided a software update for pre 2012? models
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Peko
Posts: 185
Date Joined: 01/10/14
Totally agree on the 4th gear
Totally agree on the 4th gear selection. On the open road I would pop it into 5th on occassion but 4th is the go. Fuel consumption on a LC200 Petrol with the long range tank and duel spares (all the fruit)18L-100Km local and towing the boat around town 22L-100Km. Long haul open road 22L-25L dependent on wind etc. Boat 7.8 Barchrusher hard top.
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Towing with Prado
Jase
I used to tow my 6.5m Haines Hunter, about 2.25t all up, with my auto 3L Prado (2013 model). I also had a Steinbauer chip fitted to give it a bit more low to mid range torque. While you could certainly tell there was a heavy trailer on, I never encountered any real issues. Towing up to Jurien or Geraldton and back I'd get about 16l/100km. That was sitting on about 95 and driving conservatively.
If you are upgrading for other reasons then fair enough but if you are upgrading just because of the towing then I think there's things you can do like chips that will make your car a much better tow vehicle.
JW77
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 16/06/15
Thanks everyone for your
Thanks everyone for your comments/advice. To be honest my last trip back from Shark Bay I didn't select sports mode which locks out 5th gear and that would have been half my problem. The Prado is a 2010 so something newer, bigger and more power would be good. Jase
Live to fish
Mulie
Posts: 546
Date Joined: 20/02/11
ECU remap, exhaust and
ECU remap, exhaust and intercooler upgrade will see you get a heap more torque out of that motor safely. Murphy's Mechanical in Midland will be able to sort it. But if you want to get a 200 series, I imagine that would do the job nicely.
Mulie
Doooma
Posts: 791
Date Joined: 05/12/09
Can vouch for this
Can vouch for this solution!!
did all of the above to my mitsushiti challenger and she pulled harder than a 14 yr old boy that's found his first penthouse!
especially the reflashing made the auto trans shift a lot smoother and at better revs!
the additional drone from the exhaust was the only downfall but the performance boost was worth it!!
still ended up selling her for a V8 petrol 100 series Sahara just for the additional towing capacity.
Costs twice as much to run though haha.
The challenger after the mods improved fuel economy also by around 2L per 100 kms
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Me and Bodie both towed up
Me and Bodie both towed up to Exxy wit 200's, both boats about 3.5 t (24 ft glass). We both got exactly the same, avberage 22.5 L/100 km over 2000 km trip, both towing in 5th as 6th is crappola and TC slips like a biatch. Will try 4th next time!
Scanno, you are wrong.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
17L/100km
I towed my 6m Stessl (1600kg) behind my modified 200 (lifted, tyres, roof rack) to Exy in Jan and averaged 17.7 for the whole trip from the Scangauge. Best we got on any one leg section was 16.1L/100KM sitting at about 97km/hr in 5th using cruise. I get about 13.3L/100km on my normal 25min daily commute from Palmyra to Canning Vale.
In 2015 I also did 18,000km towing a 2000kg camper/hybrid with a 3.7m tinny on the 200 roof. Best we really got was 18.5l/100km but coming across the nullabor with a headwind we hit 25l/100km even down to 85km/hr. We only ended up doing 150km's before I called it a day and decided to wait for better weather.
I'm towing the Reefie (2200kg) with the new LC200 up to shark bay next week so will report back. Supposed to be 10% more fuel efficient that my 2013.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
4th smokes 5th for fuel
4th smokes 5th for fuel consumption and keeping TFT down whilst heavy towing
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
I'm not doubting the scan
I'm not doubting the scan gauge but it would be interesting to calculate the exact fuel used for distance travelled between fills. I don't have a scan gauge yet so I always calculate from the actual fuel used. It would be interesting to see if there is any difference from the scan gauge average (reset) between fills and the actual usage between fills.
Has anybody done this?
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resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Calibration
I just fitted an Ultragauge to my 200 cruiser (similar to a Scangauge). It requires 3-4 calibration cycles of both distance travelled and fuel used. After that it's pretty accurate.
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
I'm going to buy one of
I'm going to buy one of these, where have you installed it? Did you buy the extra bracket?
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Mounting
At the moment it's sitting on top of my steering column. I bought the stick on mount but should have bought the windscreen suction mount.
Not sure where I'll put it permanently.
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
I just ordered one, decided
I just ordered one, decided to go for no mount and I'll customize something with the bracket provided. Looks like the steering column is the go at the expense of the odo. I figure with the trip displays available the odo will not be needed once it is all calibrated. Looking forward to being able to see exactly what my transmission is doing.
Will probably order a Stocklock before the next long trip. Might be a while though with a 5 month old boy in the mix....
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Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
Same as above, the scangauge
Same as above, the scangauge calibrates from the fill up. You input the fuel volume you filled up with. Within 2 tanks of fuel mine is accurate to within 0.5ltrs used from a 138ltr tank.
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I get around 18-19 per 100
I get around 18-19 per 100 when towing 3t. In 4th. Mine is nearly dead stock. Remap and exhaust coming soon.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Billcollector
Posts: 2006
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Who is doing the remap for
Who is doing the remap for you dodgy?
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Toyotune in maddington I'm
Toyotune in maddington I'm going to go with.
Lots to choose from but Alan there pretty much only does 200's and understands them well.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Billcollector
Posts: 2006
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Cheers dodgy lots doing
Cheers dodgy lots doing tunes now but word of mouth is good. Lockedin garage is one I have been looking at just got to get my shit together and bring the car down to Perth. When it warms up down there
eziliving
Posts: 865
Date Joined: 30/12/09
I get anywhere between 24 to
I get anywhere between 24 to 30 ltr per a 100kays towing a trailer and around 16-17 not towing. I drive it pretty hard and it loves it. I've done 180,000 in mine an no issues yet (fingers crossed).
Get busy living, or get busy dying!
froos
Posts: 19
Date Joined: 21/11/15
2007 uzi 200
On a recent trip to Derby, towing a 25' 3.2 tonne boat, we averaged 24 lt/100k's.
speed varied from 80 to 100 depending on wind.
It's done 320,000, still as strong as the first day and no issues, does not use any oil.
Around town I get 14/16 l's /100.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1301
Date Joined: 23/02/11
impressive numbers if correct
impressive numbers if correct - thats about what my diesel 200 gets towing same size boat and unloaded get about the same round town - and unleaded is usually 20% cheaper.......
Sam57
Posts: 104
Date Joined: 17/08/14
Hi towing capacity for Prado
Hi towing capacity for Prado is either 2.5 or 3 depending on model L/Cruiser 200series 3.5. Depending on Ks. traveled on your prado have you had manifold cleaned out, as all common rail diesels suffer from clagging up due tp pcv oil mist mixing with exhaust from egr. I had my hilux (same engine) as prado cleaned out & have 3" exhaust & chip fitted & will probably fit catch can to stop same happening.
Paj man
Posts: 359
Date Joined: 16/09/12
Y62
Hey mate if you're looking at a petrol then consider the y62 patrol. They're ugly as sin but the motor's in them are pretty supreme compared to the 200's petty.
aka Nick
Sam57
Posts: 104
Date Joined: 17/08/14
Hi towing capacity for Prado
Hi towing capacity for Prado is either 2.5 or 3 depending on model L/Cruiser 200series 3.5. Depending on Ks. traveled on your prado have you had manifold cleaned out, as all common rail diesels suffer from clagging up due tp pcv oil mist mixing with exhaust from egr. I had my hilux (same engine) as prado cleaned out & have 3" exhaust & chip fitted & will probably fit catch can to stop same happening.
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
I got the ultru-gauge. What
I got the ultru-gauge. What a great little piece of kit!
Seems to have a vastly incorrect consumption report but this is normal until the usage is calibrated so just have to wait for a full tank to burn...
Here is a thread on Lcool with the latest 200 specific gauges in one place if anybody wants them.
www.lcool.org/forum/viewtopic.php
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resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Doesn't require full tank
You can enter progressive fuel consumption and distance numbers to calibrate it, you don't have to burn a whole tank of fuel.
Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
Agreed
Agreed, just go and fill it up now and enter in the actual usage to calibrate.
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Yes I've done it roughly
Yes I've done it roughly just using a calibration figure 0.48 I got off Lcool. I'll do the acurate figure once the tank is refilled.
It seems much better now...
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)