SOS..4x4 newbie here and undecided between a LC100 or a 4th gen 4R..help!

[ratchet_pattt]

Hey everyone!

Currently in the market for my first 4x4 (have owned several 4x2 Jeep Grand/Cherokees...yeah I know don't judge). Will be a daily driver but plan to take it to all the nooks and crannies of the US so it will have to do good on long drives and back roads. So the question is:

2004 4Runner or a 2000 Land Cruiser. Similar mileage (approx. 100K) and similar price range. Both are pretty base so I plan on doing some minor mods. Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

 

[EVP]

First, if you haven't reviewed this article I highly recommend it.

Personally, I run a LC100. Love it, but its wide and has back (departure angle isn't so great). That being said, it crawls over just about everything when my buds 4runner is having issues. I have a family so the room is great/necessary. Pretty sure if you sit down and do the math the mods will be more expensive for an LC100. I'd like to keep my LC100 and get my lady a 4runner. Bottom line (personally), if your focus is overlanding I'd run a LC100, if your focus is more off-road/4x4 I'd look at a 4runner

I'd also check out the ExpeditionOverland episodes, they run a LC100 in earlier episodes and 4runners in later ones.

Hope this helps, cheers

 

[JLee]

I would consider the GX470 as well - check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LexusGXOR/

 

[Dalko43]

A little more background on your situation and travel goals might help with the feedback. Where do you plan to go? What kind of trails? How many passengers? RTT? Trailer? ect.

Either a 4th gen 4runner or the LC100 should work fine as travel vehicles and both have pretty good aftermarket support if you want to modify and build them up for a specific usage or type of travel. You'll probably have to start looking out for the normal wear items and problems that creep up on vehicles with 100k miles and beyond, but that's to be expected. The LC100, generally-speaking, will be a bit better in terms of interior quality (better seats, controls, ect.) relative to the 4runner, but the 4runner is still more than comfortable enough to handle long drives.

Honestly, the big deciding factor between the two will be space and power. The LC100 has more of both (though the 4runner did have the LC's v8 as an option). So if you think you'll be towing a lot and carrying a lot of gear, the LC100 may be the better route, though plenty of people have built the 4runner into very capable and practical overlanding rigs.

 

[Benc]

I went through the same decision several years ago. Both are great rigs but I would suggest you drive both, that's what made up my mind! The 100 is an amazing platform and I was sold on the first test drive. Really the only con I have found with the 100 is fuel mileage.
Also be carful of the pre 06 4.0 in the 4Runner, it was known to have head gasket issues, I believe the problem got resolved after 06.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Arktikos]

2004 4Runner or a 2000 Land Cruiser. Similar mileage (approx. 100K) and similar price range.

The Cruiser would be tempting, given those conditions. But they're terrible on gas, so the Runner would save you a lot on operating expenses, probably be more fun to drive, and go anywhere you want.

 

[rickashay]

Not a deal breaker for most, but when I was considering both, the front torsion bar suspension in the 100 turned me off. It won't cycle as much travel as a 4R and has more limited suspension options in the aftermarket for the front, as far as bolt on solutions. Size is a big differentiator between these rigs as well.

 

[JLee]

Not a deal breaker for most, but when I was considering both, the front torsion bar suspension in the 100 turned me off. It won't cycle as much travel as a 4R and has more limited suspension options in the aftermarket for the front, as far as bolt on solutions. Size is a big differentiator between these rigs as well.

On the other hand, a 100 can fit 33's stock.

You can't really compare a Cruiser to a 4Runner (even my GX felt worlds nicer than my buddy's much newer 4Runner Trail). They're in different leagues...gotta drive one to really tell, I think.

http://longtermqualityindex.com/vehicles/Toyota_4Runner.html
http://longtermqualityindex.com/vehicles/Toyota_Land_Cruiser.html

 

[Sergio828]

I've owned both an 06' 4runner V8 and an 02' LC100, both relatively stock. Mileage was slightly in favor of the 4runner due to 5sp vs. 4sp transmission, but not much. Space in favor of the LC, along with overall comfort for both driver and passengers. Loved the tailgate on the LC, dog loved the roll down rear window on the 4runner!

As far as on road driving and off road capability, I prefered the LC. The torsion front was never an issue for me, but would agree the coils on the 4runner provide slightly more flex. Look up RTI on a 100 series, however, and I think you'll be surprised. On road, the hundy felt more planted/solid, although the 4runner was a rocket ship comparatively being almost 1000 lbs lighter w/ a higher output version of the v8. Overall, the 100 just felt more solid and trucklike, but you need to drive both and compare for your needs. I will leave you with the fact the 100 was the one vehicle I truly regret selling! YMMV..

 

[tacollie]

Both are good vehicles. I personally think the LC is more stout. I actually prefer the 4runner because it lighter. I like how lighter vehicles handle in snow and on the trail. I say drive each and then decide. It has been a while but last time I checked 4runners are cheaper to work on.

 

[lathamb]

I looked at both, and the GX470 prior to my 07 4Runner Purchase. The negatives of the Cruiser for me were the price (comparable years), size, and (to a lesser extent) the fuel economy. I ended up with a 4x4 V8 Limited 4Runner, so the interior is more than nice enough for me. And with the same engine/trans as the LC100, it gets down the road really well. I was lucky enough to find one in the right color, low miles, with an OME lift already installed. Coming from an 80 series, the only negative for me is the lack of a locker, but that can be remedied.