Vehicle Longevity Chat

So I've been hearing a lot lately about Land cruisers (LC) and how great they are and how long they last forever, 25 year service life, world renowned, expensive as f++k, blah blah...

What does this mean? Are our trucks just temporary reliable trucks? One problem is LC dont come as a pickup here in the US. I guess you cant buy Tacoma parts all around the world, but that doesnt effect 99% of US truck owners. So, what is the real benefit to a LC other than flaunting your deep wallet? Yes the new ones look nice, but not for the cost.

The 1gr-re is a great little engine, why not a 25 year service life? I dont believe it and think all these car review guys on youtube never owned or used a truck. At least not like most truck guys have. Mere brochure regurgitation.

What about that guy who drove his tundra to 1mil miles? Have there been any Tacoma 1mils yet? I dont see why not...

 

Personally I think that too many people put way too much thought in this. Remember that longevity is a statistic, not a direct measurement. It has a bell curve with a high, low, median, and outliers. Some curves are better than others, but almost all modern vehicles are so overlapped that in the end I don't think it matters. I don't know where my truck will wind up on that bell curve, I hope its on the high side, but won't waste the stress and worry on the "what if it falls short" question. I will just drive and enjoy until I can't anymore.

 

https://www.torquenews.com/6626/man-behind-one-million-mile-tacoma

 

I had my hand partially in my pants while I was reading your post. Then I saw your pic and nearly lost it lol

 

my 2006 is already the longest running vehicle i've owned. it just turned 180,000 miles on the ticker. i have always gotten a new rig at around the 10 year mark..but now? going on 15 years..(well, i have owned it for 13 years)

 

They are all temporary.
I don’t worry about it much.
I bought a Tacoma based on the fact they “usually” last longer than other trucks.
Which gives me more time to save for a new(er) truck, when that time comes.

 

I’ve asked on the LC forums (IH8Mud) what makes the LC different that gives a 25 year life? Same engine as the Tundra. Lots of parts bin window switches, etc. what is different.

they just accused me of being a troll.

 

i was told the LC is so robust because it is essentially "gutless" the motor is overdesigned and understressed. not like a modern motor that they are trying to eek out all the power from a tiny package.

could be wrong tho..this was a chat with a friend that is a Toyota Engineer tho.

 

hahhaa...

 

A vehicle is a collection of parts. If you do the PM as required, and replace parts as they fail you can keep one going forever. Obviously they can be destroyed beyond reasonable repair by an accident. Until I bought the 2020, my new vehicle was a '82 CJ-8. I still use it both on and off road. This is my old car.


The one problem I'm seeing with newer vehicles is that it becomes harder and harder to find parts. Things like the Jeep are a breeze, you can build one from the frame up with on-line parts. The '78 Ford is a challenge. Interior parts (some plastic) are very difficult to find.

 

What a great show that was!

 

I’m at 102k. Hoping to take this truck to 3-500k before I consider something else.

Kinda off topic, but does Toyota still do the million mile buy-back? I’ve read about it a time or two, but never heard from an official source. I’ve always thought it’s a cool thing if it’s actually true.

 

Interesting talks! I had a feeling this thread would kill itself since worrying about such a thing is pointless. Just thought it was funny when someone recently in conversation told me he had a LC and immediately bragged about its 25 year service life like its some piece of military hardware. I chuckled and said "thats it?"