200 Series - again!

Talking to our local Yota dealer (big in country SE Qld) on Thursday and he said 200 series were available pretty well immediately! Didn't ask about the utes and troopies. He said sales to public and primary producers had hit a wall, with mining the only bright spot. Can't get my head around the drastic mods to new vehicles mentioned above! I think Toyota would be of the opinion that "you take it or leave it, mate!

Cheers Rod.

G'day all,

I cancelled my order for a 200 series for the following reasons:-

1. 17" rims...in April, I asked about 17" tyres at Tom Price and was told they could be ordered in...would take a week! (This will probably improve over time providing Toyota sell enough 200's for tyre dealers to have stock on hand.

2. Front Seats....our backs suffer with the Toyota Seats, and we have found the answer in the fitting of Recaro's. Because of the air bags in the 200 series front seats, replacing them with our Recaro's would mean non-compliance with ADR's. (This too will probably be overcome, Recaro are producing a seat with airbags to comply.).

3. The width between the wheel arches is such that my home made drawer unit will have to be modified to fit in.

4. The fuel tank only holds 90 litres. (This has now been overcome by aftermarket companies who have developed a 70 litre tank which fits between the floor and the spare tyre...neat!!

5. I met several 200 owners on our recent Pilbara - Kimberley trip who were having problems with dust intrusion through the rear door seals.

6. I met several 200 owners who reported a transmission "clunk", and high usage of engine oil.

7. I do not like the integral plastic "Bumpers" ... This can now be overcome by installing a really spoofy aftermarket bull bar, and a rear spare wheel carrier bumper bar.

8. I do not like the protruding headlights and tail lights, however the fitting of the abovementioned bull bar and tyre bar offers protection and reduces the visual impact.

9. The luxury car tax adds thousands to an already over expensive vehicle.

10. The second row of seats cannot be removed, and it is a bit of a task to remove the third row. We have found that the best location for our 40l fridge is where the 1/3 seat is, beside the left passenger door.

I suppose that Toyota and aftermarket companies will eventually overcome these teething issues, but I don't think Mr Rudd will eliminate the luxury car tax.

In the meantime, I have picked up a 2004 Diesel 100 series, manual (58,000km), with solid front axle and wheels the same as our BT . To this I am adding a Garrett Turbo and Diesel/Gas conversion. The Recaros are going in today along with a few other accessories I had on the V8 petrol guzzler. With 8 ply Bridgestone Dueller AT's this vehicle will take us everywhere we will want to venture over the next 7 to 10 years. (By the way, Bridgestone are now making a 10ply Dueller AT, but only in 265/70R16, which is the size we have on our BT.

Happy travels..............Rob

Some of you will know that I have an 80 series LC with 454,000kms on the clock, a HOG generator, extractors, a K & N high flow oil bath air filter and never lust after the Effies and the Silverados. I tow an 18ft BT at 3 tonne and about 31/2 tonne all up in the LC. I can understand the mines wanting to go back to the 1HZ motor because anyone without black box technology can fix it!!!
Len