100,000 km of pure pleasure! - Toyota Land Cruiser, 4.2L, 2006

100,000 km of pure pleasure!

We continue to acquaint readers with the improvements that we periodically subject to our editorial 105, this truly land cruiser - Toyota Land Cruiser 100GX. It is also important how the operation of the car affects its condition, what loads this car can withstand before it loses its shape and ceases to be a comfortable and luxurious home on wheels. The answer to these questions is the goal of a long-term test and a detailed description of the so-called improvements.

We finished the last story about the life of this well-worn car, which became the symbol of the "Freedom Virus", at a mileage of 70,000 km. Today the mileage is 100,000 km. For three incomplete years of operation, we were convinced by our own experience of the legendary reliability and fabulous passability of the Land Cruiser. Hundreds of thousands of kilometers of travel, two expeditions to the Arctic, participation in such a competition as the Veps Forest (No. 7, 2008) and a host of national 4x4 events make up the track record, after which many cars simply die. Add to this the peaceful mode of the city car, which this cruiser serves in everyday life, and you will understand why the safety margin of a masterpiece of the global automotive industry thrills all competitors without exception.

One of the health-improving procedures for any off-road vehicle is the complete replacement of all rubber parts, bushings and silent blocks with polyurethane ones. The Novosibirsk plant "Polyurethane" offers a complete set for various cars, including 105. In light of the upcoming expedition to the Arctic Circle, this was timely and very appropriate. Many rubber bands have to be changed even on the road, and polyurethane allows you to forget about the existence of these troubles. The cost of a complete set of polyurethane parts for Toyota Land Cruiser 100GX is 590 USD. Here's what it includes:
Stabilizer struts bushings - 4 pcs.
Shock absorber pillows - 12 pcs.
Rear stabilizer bushings - 4 pcs.
Front stabilizer bushings - 4 pcs.
Panhard front traction silent blocks - 2 pcs.
Lower rear axle thrust bushings - 4 pcs.
Front axle thrust bushing - 4 pcs.
Shock absorber cone bushings - 4 pcs.
Rear traction silent blocks of the front axle - 2 pcs.
Upper front axle thrust bushings, upper - 4 pcs.
Rear traction silent blocks Panhard - 2 pieces
The car was equipped with a full set of classic suspension of the Australian company Old Man Emu (OME), which proved itself well over 60 thousand kilometers on different roads and in different modes. But the shock absorbers of the leading shock absorber business - the Dutch company KONI, which offers not only shock absorbers for an SUV with adjustable stiffness, but also a reinforced version of the Heavy Track series - HT RAID, did not give rest. Unable to resist the temptation to test these miraculous shock absorbers, it was decided to replace the OME shock absorbers with KONI HT RAID. According to the specification, these shock absorbers can be fitted to vehicles with a suspension lift up to 50mm and a standard mount without any additional modifications. The only "minus" of KONI is the initial price, which is 1400 USD. The cost of the OME set is 480 USD.
The difference in the feeling of the car is worth the money invested: the "roll" has completely disappeared, and it became possible to enter the corners at a much higher speed. If you have purchased the KONI HT RAID Kit, we strongly recommend that you start experimenting with the hardness adjustment from the softest position. The suspension is still stiffer than with the original or with OME shock absorbers.
What is the difference between KONI HT RAID and traditional shock absorbers?
Here are some key features:
• Bilateral action: working in compression and expansion
• Stem diameter 19 mm, OME - 18 mm.
• Body thickness is 30% more
• Increased wall thickness
• Double oil volume
• Boiling point of oil - 240 degrees
• Reinforced fasteners
• Stiffness adjustment
• Polyurethane bushings included
Upon returning from the Arctic expedition, the car underwent a thorough inspection and, as a result, minor repairs. On the way to the Kola Peninsula, we noticed a leak under the front bridge. The leak was insignificant as it did not even require the addition of oil. Diagnostics showed that the gear cover gasket was worn out. And since it was necessary to disassemble the gearbox, it was decided to sort out the entire front axle.
On the way to Kerch, where the stage of the Cup of Ukraine in rally-raids took place, the fifth gear of the checkpoint jammed under the weight of a towed trailer with a "combat" Mitsubishi Pajero III. To everyone's surprise, the autopsy revealed a factory defect. The persistent sleeve of the intermediate shaft of the gearbox burst, because of which the transmission jammed. A complete disassembly of the gearbox and a complete audit of all gears and shafts showed that only the ill-fated bushing and, since they were dismantled, oil seals require replacement. The rest of the box parts, including the gears, do not show the slightest sign of wear.
As for polyurethane parts, after 15 thousand kilometers, of which 8 thousand were on the expedition, none of them has even the slightest signs of heavy use.
The car did not give us more surprises.

Read in the next issue:
Expeditionary's luggage compartment. How to turn the luggage compartment into a camping "canteen-office".