Land Cruiser Virgin Here - Which 100 Series is "best"

[LandCruiserPhil]

Tip - For non NAV 100 series look to Hawaii

[p nut]

ok, so...
98-99 have lockers
2000-2002 does not, more prevelant w/o NAV, 4speed auto.
2003-2005 gets the 5 speed auto, but keeps the non-VVT motor.
2006 has the 5 speed and VVT, but is the most complicated. IMHO, even the non VVT 4speeds have plenty of snort.
....

Another note, from 2000, ATRAC and VSC added. For my ventures, ATRAC was more valuable than a rear locker. I can add an ARB down the road, if needed.

[cruiser guy]

This is all based on US model vehicles.

If one could look to overseas I'd put a vote in for any non-molested '105 for an expedition vehicle. It's simple, manual tranny, solid axles front and back, diesel for economy, few bells and whistles to cause problems down the road. These are what the NGO's and the UN uses overseas so they can take the beating and keep on going.
Chances of finding an unmolested one...

Remote!!

Our neighbors in Sierra Leone have a '105 but it's been hacked electrically in a bad way. One would need the whole wiring harness to fix it electrically and it's been hit in the back and put back together poorly. That's a $20,000 plus truck in Africa!! Non-molested would be significantly more in my opinion if you could find one.

[RobRed]

I've put together a small grid outlining the differences in model years for USA 100 series

you need a login (takes 30 secs)

http://forum.tlcfaq.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=162