FJ80 vs Monetro?

[OneTime]

Am I crazy? Last year I bought a 92 80. I had alsways wanted a LC. I got is a second veh to use mainly on trips and to carry my dog and mt bikes. I didnt do my homework prior and ended up with a 3FE. I love the truck. And have learned all sort of PM on Ih8mud. But the truck kills me on the highway were i do most of my driving with it. It runs great and has a hi fow cat/exhaust which helps. The PO also added 33's and rear Kaymar carrier.

I have decided that I fall into the "Adventure Rig" catagory. Not a trure dedicated wheeler requiring lockers, which lifts etc. Nor a expedition sytle. To busy right now with school and kids for anything longer that a two day trip. Eventually I would like to buid a expedtion veh.

I had owned a 95 Montero before and loved it. I find myself although very happy to be part of the LC scene and family, missing some of the Montero traits.

The Montero was much nicer on road. It came, more HP stock with rear locker and the price is way low!!! I could almost get a 2000 for what I could sell me 92 for. I have been thinking of ditching my little 4 banger and making the Monero my DD. There is no way I can do that with the 3FE. Gas would kill me

Am I nuts? Does anyone know the cons of the Montero? Esp in PM and can the last as long as the LC?

 

[Hltoppr]

The Mitsus are great world platforms. Sounds like it will work for your needs very well. They get a bit harder to modify than a Cruiser, just because less of them were imported into the US, but if you're not going to mod it...no worries.

From a PM standpoint; IIRC when I was researching the early 2 door Raiders/Monteros, they occasionally had some head gasket issues, but were, for the most part, very reliable.

HTH

-H-

 

[mtnbike28]

funny I had two Raidesr die on me.

I bought a brand new 1989 Dodge Raider (2 door Montero) with the 4cyl and it's engine let go at 9k miles... 4 months in the shop, it was broken into, dented, etc, so I filed a lemon law complaint and they replaced it with a great 6 cyl 1989 Raider. I loved that truck, even if it had odd problems till 50k miles when on the way to the Outer Banks, it wouldn't start, just turned over and over... So I towed it to the Dodge dealer, they could not figure it out, except to throw $1500 in non-refundable parts at it - I said no and towed it to a Mitsu dealer... they said it's a Dodge and wouldn't work on it. Towed it to a small shop and they peeled apart the whole wiring harness and found several shorts in the harness... After they fixed them, they said, I should trade it in that day... they had no idea why it was so bad. I loved that truck, but drove it to a car lot, left it running for them to test drive, and drove away buried in debt. I took a bath on that deal, but needed reliable, daily transportion for work. Last time I will ever buy "a rebadged vehicle" No one wanted to own it.... Now happy with Toyota - Jay in NY

 

[Starscream]

Just my opinion.....I would never consider getting rid of an 80 for a Montero (especially one as nice as you described ). However, I can totally understand what you are saying about the gas consumption of your 80. I just love the quality, styling and durability of a Land Cruiser.

Did you ever consider picking up a cheap commuter car? That's what I did; nothing fancy but comfortable, reliable and good on gas. Then you can keep your 80 for the weekends, camping, or whatever.

Plus, in 5 years your 80 will be worth more than that Montero.

-Matt

 

[OneTime]

Star. Funny you should comment on picking a small comuter. I drive 02 Focus all week and use the 80 for weekends. But recently I have wanted to ditch the Focus and just have one vehicle. Not possible with the 80, I'm lucky to get 12 mpg on the highway. I maybe shallow but dang the 80 looks so much better than the Montero.

 

[Pokey]

Sounds like you should consider a 4runner or Tacoma- no headgasket issues of either the 80cruiser or the Montero. If the size is suitable-you will get better gas mileage and more reliable drivetrain than the 80 or the Montero

 

[Starscream]

Star. Funny you should comment on picking a small comuter. I drive 02 Focus all week and use the 80 for weekends. But recently I have wanted to ditch the Focus and just have one vehicle. Not possible with the 80, I'm lucky to get 12 mpg on the highway. I maybe shallow but dang the 80 looks so much better than the Montero.

I have often thought of consolidating my vehicles as well, I just can't part with my 60. I commute 60 miles a day and our winters aren't all that bad anymore, so having a 4x4 for a daily driver just doesn't make sense for me. I'm not crazy about my 98 Nissan Altima, but the mpg's are good, it has leather, and is super reliable (and it is paid off ).

By the way, you're not shallow...IMO, 80's are better looking than most vehicles on the road!

Have a great weekend!

-Matt

 

[Hltoppr]

I sold my 80 and bought an 1150 GS Adventure motorcycle....40+mpg and fast as I want to go....:costumed-smiley-007

Then, when winter hit...a $2000 dollar investment in an old Toyota 4x4 pickup....

-H-

 

[upcruiser]

Sounds like you should consider a 4runner or Tacoma- no headgasket issues of either the 80cruiser or the Montero. If the size is suitable-you will get better gas mileage and more reliable drivetrain than the 80 or the Montero

Head gasket issues are more common with the '93+ 80's, the 91-92 3FE powered rigs didn't have that issue.

As also mentioned, I keep my 80 just for dedicated fun trips and outings and it is much easier to justify then when I was using it as a daily driver. I can justify the mpg's that way more easily.

 

[OneTime]

Upcruiser What do you get in your rig? I'm lucky to get 12 mpg and thats on a good day.

 

[upcruiser]

With it set up the way it sits right now (roof basket, 33x12.50's, stock gears, ~5,500lbs) I get 10-12mpg on the highway driving between 55-60mph.Before the roof basket and running 33x9.50's I could get as good as 14mpg. If I'm trying to drive freeway speeds or stop and go traffic I'm down below 10.

 

[OneTime]

Yea I'm running 33x12.50 and I get about 10-13. 13 on a good day.

 

[canucksafari]

If you want to better your fuel economy then you will have to consider a few things, such as two sets of rubber (one for street and another for 4x4), taking off the basket/roof rack when not needed, removing the extra weight when not needed (winch, third row seats, etc). I always take off the roof rack and basket off my Nissan Safari. Not only does it give me better fuel economy it cuts down on the wind noise.

Like I said on MUD, a diesel swap will give you the economy you want/need but it will be pricey. There is a local shop here in BC which sells JDM diesels with full harnesses. If you are interested let me know and I will PM you the details.

 

[Starscream]

Well, it seems like all our cruisers get similar mpg's. With my 2f/3fe setup, like the rest of you, I get between 10-12 w/ 33's. That is a city/highway mix. Fortunately, I do not have to drive it everyday