Montero Gen 3 vs. Landcruiser 100

[kins18q]

Sorry in advance if you saw this question I asked in another thread. Hoping I can get a few more points of view.

Looking to take a year long road trip from Baja to the Arctic ocean in Alaska. Need 4x4+high clearance to assure access to whatever trailheads along the way. Gen 3 and 100 series are the smallest vehicles that my girlfriend and I can comfortably sleep in after putting in a sleeping platform. Will also add roof top box, and rack.

Budget 10k for whole build including solar power system, refrigerator, tires, sleeping platform

100 Series Advantages over Gen 3
Reliability?- Any 100 series I buy will have many more miles than any Gen 3 I buy
Capability
Durability
Cool Factor

Gen 3 Advantages over 100 Series
Price- It seems like I can get a 5 year newer and 60k miles less for 1500 less than 100 series....
Reliability?- The car will be much newer with less miles
Gas Mileage- Minor improvement over 100
Rear floor compartment for flip down rear seats will hold a 12v fridge completely under the sleeping platform
Bigger Sunroof
More cash left over to build out- I can afford to throw in an OME 2" lift and sliders

So what do you guys think? Newer Monty with less miles so I have the cash to lift and sliders or older, higher mileage 100 series and leave it bone stock.

Example cars I'm looking at:
2004 Gen 3 Limited 138k 5500 Immaculate, good carfax, ok tires
2000 100 204k 6900 (no locking rear diff) Cosmetic problems, 1 Owner, always serviced at dealership, shot tires, great carfax
1999 100 170k 6500 locking rear diff cosmetic problems, shot tires, good carfax

Any help is much appreciated!!

 

[Gruni14]

I don't have a Gen III, but here are a few things I can toss out:

1) Gen 2-2.5 seats cleverly fold down into a full bed. Not 100% flat, but close and probably usable w/o needing to build a sleeping platform. That might save you a bunch of trouble and weight and increase your fuel economy. I can't say if Gen 3 seats fold down into a flat 'bed' type surface, but others here can chime in.
2) Wasn't there a chronic head gasket problem with the 100's? Personally, I think the 100's are not the most attractive vehicles, but that's me. I give the Mitsubishi the not on that.
3) Other vehicles you might consider: Chevrolet Tahoe 1500 (the 2-dr short wheelbase version that you don't see very often). Tahoes are comfortable, reliable and will get you where you want to go. Service and parts are very available if you run into a bind. 4Runner - smaller but should work??.
4) Parts and service for the Toyota should you need it would be very good. As much as I like Mitsubishi's, they don't have the dealer network Toyota has. As long as you don't have a problem, it's not an issue.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Sorry in advance if you saw this question I asked in another thread. Hoping I can get a few more points of view.

Looking to take a year long road trip from Baja to the Arctic ocean in Alaska. Need 4x4+high clearance to assure access to whatever trailheads along the way. Gen 3 and 100 series are the smallest vehicles that my girlfriend and I can comfortably sleep in after putting in a sleeping platform. Will also add roof top box, and rack.

Budget 10k for whole build including solar power system, refrigerator, tires, sleeping platform

100 Series Advantages over Gen 3
Reliability?- Any 100 series I buy will have many more miles than any Gen 3 I buy
Capability
Durability
Cool Factor

Gen 3 Advantages over 100 Series
Price- It seems like I can get a 5 year newer and 60k miles less for 1500 less than 100 series....
Reliability?- The car will be much newer with less miles
Gas Mileage- Minor improvement over 100
Rear floor compartment for flip down rear seats will hold a 12v fridge completely under the sleeping platform
Bigger Sunroof
More cash left over to build out- I can afford to throw in an OME 2" lift and sliders

So what do you guys think? Newer Monty with less miles so I have the cash to lift and sliders or older, higher mileage 100 series and leave it bone stock.

Example cars I'm looking at:
2004 Gen 3 Limited 138k 5500 Immaculate, good carfax, ok tires
2000 100 204k 6900 (no locking rear diff) Cosmetic problems, 1 Owner, always serviced at dealership, shot tires, great carfax
1999 100 170k 6500 locking rear diff cosmetic problems, shot tires, good carfax

Any help is much appreciated!!

That is a no-brainer, the Gen 3 of course, all the reasons have been covered in the other threads you referred to.

 

[montero98ls]

IIRC the 100 series weren't the ones with head gasket problems or the PHH, it was the 80. For the money the Monty can't be beat, but really depends on how bad of terrain you think you'll encounter. Never been off road in a gen 3 but have ridden in one and I think you would be less fatigued from the road miles (rides really nice) and does very well off road, check out the recent Sierra challenge, something to think about. if you could afford a good condition 100 and still mod it. I would say that would be the way to go. IMO the 4.7 is a better motor, solid rear axle, and way more off the shelf aftermarket stuff, not that you may need it but always nice to have options. Don't think parts availability should be too bad on either. Their are a lot of real good points for the gen3 but I don't own one so I'll let someone else chime in but I'll say that The 100 has a good rep for a reason...also not considering a gen2/2.5? I think it would be the best of both worlds cost/ruggedness.

 

[4D55 Performance]

I have owned several Cruisers and Monteros in my day and they are both great vehicles. Personally, the Cruiser is the better vehicle than the Gen 3 Montero but in you price range the Montero is the better choice hands down. You can get a really nice 2004-06 Montero for around 6K. You can not get a 100 series for that price that will suit your needs.

 

[PirateMcGee]

How about a long bed truck with a cap? Way cheaper.....

 

[earljuic3]

My concern would be parts availability on the other end if you were to have issues. If the Monty is solid it would definitely be my choice. Make sure you go through it and the service records so you know what to expect. It's not totally flat but I've slept in mine plenty with no real complaints.


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[Toasty]

I don't own a 100 or a Gen 3 but have driven and wheeled with both and i own a 120 series, The Gen 3 is far more capable stock than either 100 or 120 series and it can fit bigger tires stock. One thing we all learned about Gen 3's on the Sierra Challenge is that superior ground clearance and a completely flat underside is super capable in it's own way, harder to get stuck and easier to get unstuck. The Cruisers have a lot of undercarriage hanging down compared to Montero's, these parts are vulnerable and are good at snagging you, even the Gen 2 has a more "tucked" underside. For what you want to do and your budget the choice is easily the Gen 3, it will be the most capability for the least amount of money which you can use to make sure ever maintenance item is up to date (you would need to do this with the LC as well).

I'll go one more and say the thing all the Toyota guys have a hard time dealing with, The Montero is built better. Having driven Montero's my entire adult life and while shopping for 100 and 120 series Cruisers i couldn't help but feel like i was getting a knock off that for some reason was priced higher than the real deal. Like the interiors on the LC's were almost always more broken even under 100k miles and less than 10 years old than older higher milage Monty's, same thing on exterior body cladding. The other thing i noticed is that Montero doors are like bank vault doors compared to LC doors, that's why when you look at curb weights the Montero of any equal era LC weighs almost the same despite being smaller than the LC with a smaller motor.

I still say that the other trucks can be built way more hardcore and will ultimately be more capable in the end, Also i am still a firm believer in body on frame solid axle ruggedness. I love my Gen 2 Montero, It's the best vehicle i've ever owned AND my 120 is a really good, easy to like car. It definitely will hold me over until Mitsubishi makes a new Montero for me, If there is never a new Montero as of right now Toyota is still selling LC's to get me by. Given that i don't particularly like unibody or full independent suspension I still say that the Gen 3 is the best 4x4 you can buy for your application.

 

[kins18q]

Yea we have looked into it. the 6'4" bed in a Tundra is even too short for me. I can actually fit better in a Montero/land cruiser with the front seats tilted forward and flip out extension for the sleeping platform. Thought about a long bed truck, even looked at f-250 diesels but just not as comfortable/manageable on the trail or in parking lots. Plus gotta buy the camper shell. Seems like Montero is the smallest cheapest option that works for us. The Landcruiser is just a thought.

 

[kins18q]

Awesome. Thanks for the advice! I agree, tunnel clearance has always seemed undervalued...With the lower asking prices of the Montero, I think I will keep my search to one vehicle. Hoping to have a build thread soon! If I can get a vehicle for under 5k I should have 4k to throw at it.