Mods: I understand that there is a general discussion section, but I wanted to ask the 3rd Gen 4Runner owners in particular about this question. If this needs to be moved, so be it, but I'd rather have it stay here. Thanks.

First of all, I love my 4Runner. I have had 2, so far. First was a supercharged 98 that I daily drove. Did great. This 2002 I just aquired several months ago has been rock solid. I've done lots of road trips and had a great time just driving it around. I have not regretted my purchase one bit.

However, since this 4Runner is my second vehicle (I've got a commuter car), I am torn between modifying this 4Runner for more of an off-road vehicle or selling it for a Land Cruiser (94-97 double locked). Everytime I see an LC on the road, I LUST after it. They look awesome. In the past, I've rejected the thoughts of getting one due to its poor gas mileage and expensive maintenance. Now, it will not get driven daily, so gas mileage issue is not really there, and since I make more money now, maintenance can be kept up.

LC Pros:
- SFA
- Factory lockers
- Bigger (for more gear)
- Cheaper (as a whole package--vehicle and mods).

Cons:
- Older = less reliable than 4Runner
- Bigger = not good for narrow trails
- MPG

4Runner Pros:
- Rock solid reliable.
- Good MPG
- Smaller = better suited for narrower trails
- I'm the second owner. I know how it's been taken care of.
Cons:
- More expensive to mod (as a whole package--vehicle and mods).
- IFS
- Smaller = less room for gear

I know there might be other PRO/CONS, but those are the ones that matter to me.

My question is, any of you come from a FZJ80 or are thinking of the same switch? What's been your thoughts comparing these two vehicles? (only in the realm of off-road/road-trip/adventure vehicle. DD comments do not need to apply).

Thanks.

 

i too lust after 80s.My wife is sick to death hearing about 80s.Looking at 80s on line.The time i spend at ih8mud.com(thats where ya should look by the way)I have driven a couple here & there,they do not have the legroom of a 3rd gen 4runner by any means.seems strange to me they wouldnt.i have 2nd & 3rd gen 4runners both.mileage would be comparable to the 2nd gen which i drive more than the other but still less than 5000 miles/year.thing is when i do drive it its on Scout trips hallin kids & gear.if its gonna be a second car i say GO FOR IT!!!

 

If I could afford to maintain and drive an 80 I would.

 

Yeah, Id definetly love to get one if I had the money. I couldn't handle the gas mileage personally.

I'm not too stoked on the v6 in them. If they had a v8, I think it would have been better.

 

When I bought my 4runner i was going to get a 97 fzj80 but i borrowed a friends for a week. Things i found 1) they get 10mpg 2) they stop like a pig even w/uzj100 pads 3) they are big 4) yes the new 1Z motor makes more power then the 135F in my 69' fj40 it done not make enough. They are slow.5) SFA is great for the trail but rides like a truck on the road. For me I did not need a trail rig (i have a fj40 for that) I needed a DD with light wheeling ability (high speed desert/ expedition stuff) And truck like caring ability.

I dont think that building an 80 is cheaper than a 4runner the 80 dose not share a platform with any thing like the 4runner/ taco. Go to ih8mud.com or sleeoffroad.com to lean more about the 80. Also most 80 Guys will agree that factory lockers are cool, the ARB's are way stronger.

 

I had a '95 80 series LC. Double E-lockers, ARB 'Roo bar, OME front springs, Warn winch, 295/75R16 BFG AT's on the stock wheels. It was a good rig.

Compared to my '97 4Runner, the 4Runner is more comfortable, (much better driver legroom) gets much better gas mileage, feels sportier.

The 4.5 liter Inline 6 in the model I had, was very smooth and reliable. But it felt kind of weak, in comparison to the 4Runner. That was true even before it had the larger tires, 'Roo bar, winch, etc.

The LC was just so much heavier, and had full-time 4wd, that the motor felt a little sluggish trying to move all that mass.

I don't think you can go wrong with either, from a build quality and reliability standpoint.


Good luck with your decision.

 

i may not have the best answer, but having 3 4runners and a 2003 cruiser (100 series-sorry), i can say that i love the cruiser for long road trips, even in baja, but i love the 4runners for their agility and manuverability and much better gas mileage.
Although, you have to ask yourself what your goals are for a built up vehicle - is it for trails, desert runs, snow, family runs, solo trips? i know - too many questions and not one answer. If your worried about the space, you can always build a adventure trailer (i did, you can see my writeup at ih8mud.com) to tow your stuff to base camp, and wheel your rig from there. Just depends on where and who your realistic goals and trips are going to be with.
Sorry if thats made you more confused. But all said, i love the 80 series cruisers - definately a toyota benchmark. Go cruise over to ih8mud.com and do some searching/question posing over there - itll help you out.

 

80 series are not cheap to build at all.

They are rock solid reliable.

I can't speak to ride of newer 4runners. The 80s ride about 1million times better than a first gen, about 100,000 times better than a second gen, and about 100 times better than a 3rd gen.

Until you get to really big tires, strength on those lockers isn't a problem.

They are big, but that just means you need to drive it differently than you would a small rig.

The bad? They get like 10mpg, true to LandCruiser Tradition.

 

Thanks for all the inputs.

As I said previously, the MPG doesn't bother me that much. I know they get 10mpg in the city and maybe 16-17 on the highway? And probably 2-3mpg less with all the gear and even less towing. But it will be my second vehicle, so the MPG issue is almost non-existent, as I don't get to go on these expeditions as much as I'd like to...

Also, I've been looking, and I could pick a prestine one up for around $8-10k (a 96-97, maybe even a 40th AE). Around here, I wouldn't have a hard time selling my 4Runner for around $16k, especially now with the recent snow storm. That gives me $6-8k to immediately put into the LC, which means probably a couple grand in maintenance (HG, PHH, birks, etc.) and the rest on maybe a mild lift, sliders and tires. (just as a disclaimer, when I said cheaper to build, I meant with the vehicle included.)

Anyway, I think I will see if my 4Runner sells, and if so, I will most likely pick up an 80. If not, I will keep the 4Runner.

 

I don't think the 80s mpg fluxuates that much between road and highway to be honest with you. i'd see if you could locate some old dealer specs then subtract a few

 

i know they get 10 city and about 13-14 hwy (65mph max w/ light foot). i mean you are moving a 6000 lb brick with a motor based off a 1950 chevy 239

 

I'd like to see a 70% gas mileage increase in my truck too, but neither is going to happen...