Fj80 vs 4runner

[Eizenjin91]

Currently have an FZJ80 done up nicely on 35's with OME suspension, LRA main replacement and aux tank, kaymar rear bar etc etc. I love my cruiser and its taken me on adventures in many countries but it's getting a bit tired and I want something a bit newer. I've been looking at newer vehicles (2008-up) and man is it hard to find a newer vehicle I like in the US. I want a 79 series first choice (I'd give my firstborn for one) and ill take a D110 second choice...but I can't get them because of some mindless US law. So therefore my favorite options are gone. The 100 series I find are more trashed and beat and higher mileage than my 80. The Toyota Tacoma, while impressive both stock and fixed up, makes me feel like im sitting with my head touching the roof and on my passengers lap its just too small for me after my 80. So the main vehicle I keep coming back to is a 5th gen 4runner.

To you 5th gen 4runner owners how do you feel it does compared (if you have experience) to something like an 80? What are yalls thoughts on it overall?
My biggest worries are ride height and that you can only realistically shove 33's under it. I've been in some situation where I ********** the bottom of my 80 with 3" lift and 35's.

I also have noticed there doesn't seem to be any aux or replacement fuel tank options for the 5th gen 4runner how far are most of you guys getting on a tank with a full trip loadout? Are there options for bigger/aux fuel tanks I'm missing?

How does it feel power wise with 33's and a rtt with a drawer system and front/rear bumpers? Are most of yall running 4.88's?

Have you guys had any problems with your IFS and it being severely weak? I'll probably run an ICON front kit.

I'll be about 80% dirt and 20% street. Lots of time in Baja and South America.

Attached are pics of the way my 80 sits today. Any thoughts on basically copying everything over to a new 4runner (except the 35's).

Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[p nut]

Ok, so you're dragging bottom with a 3" lift and 35's. A 5th gen isn't going to solve your problems. Out of all vehicles mentioned, your 80 is the most capable. Stick with it. Maybe swap in a diesel if you're bored with it.

 

[Eizenjin91]

That's my main conundrum is most capable in extreme offroad situations (That's why I have a JKU on ford 1 tons, coilovers, and 40's for those situations lol) and comfort/nicety of a newer vehicle. I'm not trying to gain capability offroad I'm gaining comfort and a newer vehicle that has low mileage. I'm trying to ask if most of you guys would consider the 4runner pretty close in ability to an 80 if set up identically. I have the habit of going where I really shouldn't bring an expedition rig (dragging on 35's) and I would attempt more to avoid those places with a 4runner. (I've looked at swapping in a diesel or doing the 100 series V8 swap that Slee Offroad does) but then I still have a 20 year old vehicle with a tired interior.

 

[p nut]

Well, that's a hard question to answer. Be honest with yourself and think about if you'll really be happy with being limited in your travel destinations due to your vehicle. For 95% of the crowd here, I'm sure the 5th gen will be plenty capable. For you, it sounds like you head to places that test the limits of your cruiser. If you can do without heading to those places, then go for it.

 

[Clutch]

As much as I like 4Runners...I would tell you to pass, you'll be disappointed coming off an 80.

Do the up the 100 like you said...or go look at JKU's...or a Ford Excursion.

I see clean 100's here in AZ.

 

[Eizenjin91]

What is the advantage of a 100 series over a 5th gen 4runner? They're both IFS and pretty damn close to the same size. Is the V8 in the 100 significantly more powerful?

 

[Clutch]

What is the advantage of a 100 series over a 5th gen 4runner? They're both IFS and pretty damn close to the same size. Is the V8 in the 100 significantly more powerful?

Some will say they are built better. The 100 has torsion bars (I feel the 4Runner's IFS is better with coil overs)

Power wise..."roughly" the same, 4Runner will get better fuel economy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UZ_engine#2UZ

If I had to choose between the 100 and the 5th gen 4Runner...the 4R would win.

Since the Tacomas are too small for you, have you looked at Tundras?

 

[tchlong03]

We have a 2010, and we love it. It has no sunroof but the room is a huge upgrade. the Ifs is way stronger than what it seems.

 

[Arktikos]

I believe the 5th gen comes with 32", so lifting should easily allow a 33" tire.

 

[deadbeat son]

What is the advantage of a 100 series over a 5th gen 4runner? They're both IFS and pretty damn close to the same size. Is the V8 in the 100 significantly more powerful?

Lots of folks can sit around and armchair quarterback this question, but Paul from Equipt has quite a bit of experience in both platforms. Check his detailed feedback in this post in his 2013 4 Runner build thread. He discusses this question in detail.

 

[mike2100]

Just curious, what is it about the interior of your 80 that seems tired? Is it the aging design or is it physically getting worn out? If the latter, you could freshen it up a bit. Jump on ebay and try to find some good condition replacements. Perhaps some seat covers?

Also curious how tall you are (wondering what's too tall for the Tacoma)

 

[Eizenjin91]

One question about the KDSS. It sounds like many people haven't had problems with it. But has anyone seen what happens If you DO break the KDSS? I can see it going very badly and getting stuck in some screwed up position. Also 4runners are generally north American spec. I spend a fair amount of time and no 4runners are in Africa or the Mid East. So even looking at simple parts availability what happens if the KDSS breaks? If its something like it just starts acting like a normal car then perfect. But if it acts up and locks in some funky location then that can be a major issue?

 

[Eizenjin91]

I'm 6'0. I honestly don't know what it was about the Tacoma but my head felt like it was brushing the roof and I felt like I was sitting in my passengers lap. Looking online the specs are almost identical and bigger than the 4runner. So I don't know what caused the feeling but I slept on it overnight and went again and felt the exact same way I just felt cramped.

As far as my 80 yeah its physically tired. I could do a bit of refurb like recover sets, shifter, etc. But its also a bit louder and older by nature.

 

[chmura]

One question about the KDSS. It sounds like many people haven't had problems with it. But has anyone seen what happens If you DO break the KDSS? I can see it going very badly and getting stuck in some screwed up position. Also 4runners are generally north American spec. I spend a fair amount of time and no 4runners are in Africa or the Mid East. So even looking at simple parts availability what happens if the KDSS breaks? If its something like it just starts acting like a normal car then perfect. But if it acts up and locks in some funky location then that can be a major issue?

If kdss breaks you just trek along. After all it's just sway bar with 4 pistons. Few people even removed their kdss because they went for a long trail rear suspension.

Kdss won't leave you stranged in the middle of no where if it breaks.

 

[High_Country]

Definitely check out some of the other 5th gen 4R build threads on here. Paul May's as already mentioned has a great analysis of why he went with the 4R.
As others have said, only you can really answer the question for you. Go drive one like you did the Tacoma. Decide if you really are after a rock hopper or if you can 'live with' something more tame. I'd think a mildly lifted new 4R with 33's or so would be pretty darn capable. But, if you need more capability, articulation, strength, etc perhaps you should look at a 4 door jeep wrangler rubicon.