Potentially my first Yota

[Burningtree]

You will be WAY happier in the long run with the Toyota.

Wow surprised to hear you didn't care for the '05 Rubi. Do you have an 80, or a newer Landcruiser? While I've always liked the 80s, I must admit that I am a little concerned about purchasing a 12 year old vehicle.

If you decide to purchase an 80, it may pay to peruse the classified advertisements on Ih8mud for already-modified rigs; the whole is frequently far less than the sum of the parts.

I hear ya Hedge...however most I've looked at that are built have been abused. It'd be great to find one factory locked with an ARB bullbar for "looks" in my neck of the woods...wishful thinking. Anyways, I will continue my search and in the meantime, welcome anyone else to share his/her opinion.

 

[a.mus.ed]

You know, if you want to spend that kinda money, check out Peepers' rig. He's been trying to sell it for quite a while, and he might part with it for the same $17k you'd spend on that Rubi. It's a very nicely built 80, as far as I can tell.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17443

 

[redthies]

Wow surprised to hear you didn't care for the '05 Rubi. Do you have an 80, or a newer Landcruiser? While I've always liked the 80s, I must admit that I am a little concerned about purchasing a 12 year old vehicle.

I found that you don't get a lot for the money. Sure the dana 44s and 4to1 tcase is nice, but when they put the fuse that runs the lockers together with the one for the interior lights you gotta wonder what they were thinking?? Ok, seems like no big deal, right? Go for a summer trip with top and doors off and your int lights are on 24/7 or you have no lockers, or you take apart the overhead console to take out bulbs every time you want the top/doors off! I thought that maybe the designers would figure out that one. Get the tailgate across the back of the knee-caps a couple of dozen times when trying to load stuff in/out. I could go on and on. All small stuff, but pita in the life of a vehicle.
Get the capabilities and the comfort in one package with the Toy! And yeah, Peepers 80 looks pretty sweet. There is also a black 91 on LA craigslist with an 02 chev V8, lift tires etc all done for $6500. ARB lockers, a winch, and you are loving it!!!

 

[Burningtree]

You know, if you want to spend that kinda money, check out Peepers' rig. He's been trying to sell it for quite a while, and he might part with it for the same $17k you'd spend on that Rubi.

Agreed, nice truck and well maintained. There is a reason he hasn't sold it though, the price is too high for a 13yr old vehicle. It seems he wants to recoup every dime he put into it(including labor, maintenance). You always lose big when trying to sell a modded vehicle, unless you find that one guy that wants everything "exactly" the way you have it. He'd be better off parting it out or trading for another vehicle which seems to be what he is doing. I can set one up nice for $12-13k. Trucks and mods depreciate a lot with time, but I feel he'd be insulted if I offered him that amount for it.

 

[cruiser guy]

I need to backtrack just a little...

I just found exactly what I was looking for...an '05 36k mile Jeep Unlimited Rubicon for $17k.

If it's what you really want, go for it but don't say we didn't warn you!

The good...

10 years newer(that is a big deal)

So! A Toyota is just getting broken in at that point!! I drive my '82 from Guatemala to Canada. I doubt I'd have the confidence in a Jeep product to do that!

100-150k less miles on the clock.

I have a "mere" 560,000 kms on the clock of my '82 BJ60 LandCruiser.

It has a 6spd...I LOVE shifting thru gears. Have a feeling it'll be much more fun to drive.

I got to agree with you there, a manual is more fun.

Gas mileage also goes to the Rubicon(they get btwn 15-20 pending tire size, lift, gearing, and weight).

Is that EPA or actual?

Each one has lockers...no searching.

Refer to other posters regarding fuses. Lockers can be added.

They are MUCH quieter than what I have been accustomed to in the past even when equipped w/ the soft top.

Not as quiet as an enclosed vehicle I'm sure.

Top DOWN!!!

and I know the Jeeps I-6 very well.)

You'll need to be intimate with the engine if Jeep reliability is anything!

The bad...
$17k. I can buy an 80 w/ 130k miles for $7-10k. I can mod the 80 much more to my liking, given the same budget(actually will probably spend much less...initially).

Jeeps are subject to the elements and theft, esp w/ the soft top(mine have been broken into 3 times). The 80 wins here. 'Course glass windows only keep an honest man honest.

They are primitive tractors when it comes down to it.

Help me out guys, I am really torn btwn these two...

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Chrysler product again. I had a Dodge Cummins diesel pickup once. I bought it for the engine and sold it because of the truck (the engine was great).

 

[BlueBomber]

hows the search coming?

 

[roscoFJ73]

While I've always liked the 80s, I must admit that I am a little concerned about purchasing a 12 year old vehicle.

Cruiser years are different to Jeep years,12 years is nothing for a well maintained Landcruiser.

Did you ever see anyone in a Jeep handing out aid in some North Arfrican hell hole or transporting patients out of a war zone?

Jeeps are a fashion accessory ,Landcruisers are for folk who are serious about going offroad

 

[redthies]

"Jeeps are a fashion accessory ,Landcruisers are for folk who are serious about going offroad"

People who like to drive home from offroading also prefer toyotas!!! And have you ever noticed what the unfriendly folks who spend their time running away from the mightiest armed forces in the world drive??? I mostly see them in toyotas! At least the living ones...

 

[Burningtree]

The search continues BB...

One thing...You guys seem awfully harsh towards Jeep. Having been a Jeep owner for 20yrs I can say that they(mine) are as reliable as a vehicle can be with regular maintenance(oil, filters, lube, common sense, etc...) and I push 'em. The one exception being when I decided to turn one into a submersible...20miles from the nearest thoroughfare at 11PM in the pre-cellphone days(i'll save the story for another day, gives new meaning to freezing your nuts off).

I have a feeling I'm gonna get flamed for this next comment...most will never take advantage of the perceived benefit that the LC offers. Similar to those Glock sand torture tests. The average Joe would never intentionally pour sand in the barrel. Likewise most LC owners will never experience conditions underdeveloped nations around the world have to offer.

There is no best between Jeep, Landcruiser, and Land Rover. Each has evolved over the years from primitive to civilized. Having said all of this, I will concede that Toyotas are known to last forever.

I'm still looking for an 80. I want to see what they're all about. I'm a picky SOB so it'll take either some time or a fairly lengthy drive before I find the one for me.

 

[roscoFJ73]

"Jeeps are a fashion accessory ,Landcruisers are for folk who are serious about going offroad"

People who like to drive home from offroading also prefer toyotas!!! And have you ever noticed what the unfriendly folks who spend their time running away from the mightiest armed forces in the world drive??? I mostly see them in toyotas! At least the living ones...

I have noticed they drive Landcruiser 7* series but I havent noticed them running away.