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Hello there,

I want expert comment on which car is better suited for desert, Toyota LC 5.7L model or LC 4.7L model? Please analyse, breaking, traction, engine power, torque everything technical you can think of! I request you to provide advise based only on facts w/o any personal preference

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Of course 5.7L is any day better than 4.7L based on engine power and torque figures, but it is less appealing in aesthetic department in having some worst approach and departure angles unlike 4.7L. If you can slightly modify the front and rear bumper in LC200 VXR having 5.7L then it will be great offroader for UAE backed with Toyota reliability.

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VXR is always better not only due to 5.7L engine delivery more horse power, but also because it comes with diff lock, which is very helpful in negotiating rough terrain. Secondly, VXR height adjustment option is actually a blessing in some sticky spot, but also sensitive to regular weekly abuse.

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I recently had a desert drive with both the 4.7L and 5.7L in a slightly challenging terrain.

Both performed well, although there are many options and buttons on the 5.7 L and I had to switch them off for the LC to keep moving with us at a pace. When you compare cars for the desert it is important to see the power to weight ratio, When you compare the 2 LCs you have mentioned they turn up pretty even as the 4.7 L LC is lower weight than the 5.7 L one. There is more drive comfort in the 5.7 as compared with the 4.7, but in the desert they are both equally capable. You just need to drive with experienced people and learn more about either car. Nowadays with all the computers on board the car learns as much about your driving style and habits as you learn how and where to push and get the best out of your machine.

Both LCs handled well, bith drivers were new so needed some guidance, but the cars as I demonstrated to them are both very capable in the desert.

As mentioned by Taqir, the 4.7 L engine comes only with the rear diff locks, however the 5.7 L comes with both rear and central diff-locks which are very useful in a bad stuck. I can recover most vehicles 90% of the time on their own power as long as they have some kind of diff-locks.

Hope this helps.

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  • 3 months later...

Apologies for digging a bit old topic, however I would like to know from experts if it Is OK to drive fairy new 4WD in desert?

I hv a 1 year old LC Prado VXR 4.0.. only 20k odd KMS,  should I take it to desert now with friday fun drives with you guys :)

 

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Hi @Digital, welcome to Carnity. This is your forum and feel free to dig any old post or post any queries you may have on a new thread. Having a new expensive car off-road can always be a point of concern and your question is a very good one. You can always join us a for a trip as long as it is a newbie drive if its your first time in the desert. the Prado VXR is one of the most comfortable and capable off-road vehicles around. Simply follow convoy disciplines which are explained before every drive and you should be fine. The next drive which is on Friday 10th Feb is anyways a relaxed family drive and ends with a BBQ. So you are most welcome to join. Looking forward to your company.

Hope this helps.

Edited by Rahimdad
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When we bought new Cars for our safari company we would just do the required 1000kms break in service as a precaution before putting it on 365 days a year safari duty. So having done 20k it should be fine, but be ready to have a big heart as nothing is for granted in the desert even on newbie drives. I remember doing a newboe drive with E4x4 and a first timer lost his entire rear bumper of his mitsu outlander, 300mtrs in. Never saw hin again! :D

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12 hours ago, desertdude said:

When we bought new Cars for our safari company we would just do the required 1000kms break in service as a precaution before putting it on 365 days a year safari duty. So having done 20k it should be fine, but be ready to have a big heart as nothing is for granted in the desert even on newbie drives. I remember doing a newboe drive with E4x4 and a first timer lost his entire rear bumper of his mitsu outlander, 300mtrs in. Never saw hin again! :D

Ohh..yup seen similar fate of an Pajero..few yrs bk in a clubs offroad drive...I am hesitant because most of the ppl keep two cars, 1 for tarmac & other (old one) for offroading..

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@desertdude Mitsubishi Outlander, hahahahaha, we are all aware that the Outlander is not even a proper off-road vehicle and this is what I have said, clubs accept all kind of AWD on their trips instead of making the owner aware that it is not meant for the desert.

@Digital the Pajero rear bumper is known to be a sand digger and every possibility of losing it during any type of drive due to the petrol tank being small compared to the Prado and the wheel being on the back of the vehicle. In case of Prado, either you have the spare wheel at the bottom just next to the bumper not allowing the Prado to carry sand, or in cases where the wheel is on the back of the Prado means that it has an extra petrol tank, in either case the bumper does not get affected by carrying sand.

However, there is no denying that off-roading is an extreme sport and you have to be very careful, if you follow the instructions handed out by the seniors you should be able to make it in and out of the desert without any incidents, but the desert is an unknown territory. I too use an older vehicle for off-roading because it hurts you less if you end up with any damages during the trip, they are cheaper to maintain, older technology is simpler to use and repair, if God forbid it goes for any repairs you still have your daily driver to take you to work and back, lastly because small dings ans scratches will not affect you as much as a newer more expensive car. But I believe this decision should be taken after you have done a couple of drives to see if you are really interested as buying a second hand car also costs you money, and better to be sure how much you want to do in off-roading to know which kind of older vehicle will suit you and your driving skills and requirements the best. If you have a Prado and it manages well at newbie level and you decide that you do not want to go out into terrain any tougher than this, than keeping the Prado and bringing it out occasionally for a newbie drive is the way to go. But on the other hand if the sand bug bites you and you want to improve your skills and venture out in to the unknown and do a little bit more every week, than its best to go for a suitable off-road vehicle which will not cost you an arm and a leg.

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