Paul
Well-Known Member
Well, as some know i am out here in sunny Sudan and have a bit of a play ground with Land Cruisers.
The one we use for important trips is the 105 and is kept very up together as i like to know there is a truck in very good condition should an emergency happen and i need to get somewhere.
It has sparked my interest in whether it is worth changing my 100 for a 105 in the UK. They are available and importing one is not an issue for me, but now i have driven one for some time and in some tough conditions it has raised soome issues.
It is generally considered that the 105 has less electrics than the 100. Dont know about very early ones, but the ones i am looking at are exactly the same as my 100, with imobilisers, electric windows etc. Yes the aircon is a simpler control (similar to my 100) and no leather, but i think this is just down to the fact that the 105 top spec here is a GX-R and not a VX. Also all manual but that is another discussion.
Then the big one.......... SFA over IFS. In the sand here, no difference, on the high way, SFA is still quite good but this leads to another point. The 105 is VERY slow being non turbo. I have looked for the kits to upgrade to turbo and intercooler and these are megabucks! And using a reputable company is coming in on the £5000 mark (yes i know this could probably be done cheaper by hunting individual parts but i dont have the time or facilites) and its something i would have to do as after having an 80, it would just not keep up with the traffic in this day and age when in places like Europe in my opinion and needs. Would the SFA still be as comfortable and capable after fitting a turbo and doing much higher consistant speeds? I dont think so. The 105 also has the older engine.
The 105 also has twin fuel tanks as standard, a nice extra, but not enough to offset the costs of other improvements to a 100.
So in conclusion, and weighing things up carefully, i think the 100 will stay but will be heavily modded with things like tanks and a full upgrade to the front suspension, bumpers etc as i think it will end up as a more capable modern all rounder than the 105 which is maybe mirroring Toyotas decision about where they offered it for sale originally and the changes they made to them.
The one we use for important trips is the 105 and is kept very up together as i like to know there is a truck in very good condition should an emergency happen and i need to get somewhere.
It has sparked my interest in whether it is worth changing my 100 for a 105 in the UK. They are available and importing one is not an issue for me, but now i have driven one for some time and in some tough conditions it has raised soome issues.
It is generally considered that the 105 has less electrics than the 100. Dont know about very early ones, but the ones i am looking at are exactly the same as my 100, with imobilisers, electric windows etc. Yes the aircon is a simpler control (similar to my 100) and no leather, but i think this is just down to the fact that the 105 top spec here is a GX-R and not a VX. Also all manual but that is another discussion.
Then the big one.......... SFA over IFS. In the sand here, no difference, on the high way, SFA is still quite good but this leads to another point. The 105 is VERY slow being non turbo. I have looked for the kits to upgrade to turbo and intercooler and these are megabucks! And using a reputable company is coming in on the £5000 mark (yes i know this could probably be done cheaper by hunting individual parts but i dont have the time or facilites) and its something i would have to do as after having an 80, it would just not keep up with the traffic in this day and age when in places like Europe in my opinion and needs. Would the SFA still be as comfortable and capable after fitting a turbo and doing much higher consistant speeds? I dont think so. The 105 also has the older engine.
The 105 also has twin fuel tanks as standard, a nice extra, but not enough to offset the costs of other improvements to a 100.
So in conclusion, and weighing things up carefully, i think the 100 will stay but will be heavily modded with things like tanks and a full upgrade to the front suspension, bumpers etc as i think it will end up as a more capable modern all rounder than the 105 which is maybe mirroring Toyotas decision about where they offered it for sale originally and the changes they made to them.
