I'm leaning that way Ken. Even with a ton of miles on the odometer, I'm confident that the Land Cruiser will be a good choice. I have no worries about the engine and transmission and even stupid little things like the HVAC and power windows still work on these things year after year. Nothing more frustrating than fighting a brake/gearshift interlock failure out of warranty or heat shields rusting and rattling or even a part-throttle ping that no dealer can find. Yes, I'm talking about my 2011 Outback.
2000's-ish 4Runner for Expo Build?
- Thread starter lndhark
- Start date
paddlenbike
Adventurer
Or this....just from the past 48 hours on the 5th gen forums:
List of warranty issues so far, should I be concerned?
Last Chance Before My Wife Sells Our 4R (Multi-page thread 1 2)
Windshield ticks, creaks, noises (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 4)
Constant squeak from the front left
Transfer case leak
New rear end clunk/thump when going over bumps
New 2015 LE owner, why not these things!!! (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page)
Seriously, go LC.
List of warranty issues so far, should I be concerned?
Last Chance Before My Wife Sells Our 4R (Multi-page thread 1 2)
Windshield ticks, creaks, noises (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 4)
Constant squeak from the front left
Transfer case leak
New rear end clunk/thump when going over bumps
New 2015 LE owner, why not these things!!! (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page)
Seriously, go LC.
troyboy162
Adventurer
just reading the initial post I'd skip the bumpers unless you plan to ********** them on rocks often. The stock bumpers are available from junkyards or other wheelers for cheap if you have a oops moment and cant live with a dent. Radiator protection can be made for far less money and weight then the thin skinned ARB front bumpers. Recovery points are available on the frames front and rear. You can also upgrade these recovery points for cheap.
Use the money you save on bumpers and buy better skid plates for the stuff that actually hangs low. The stock skids are only good enough to make noise and let you know your dragging.
Stock they drive well on 32" tires. With 33" tires I found the need for gearing YMMV
They are pretty much expo ready right out of the box with a couple fuel cans and a small lift. You'll love it.
Use the money you save on bumpers and buy better skid plates for the stuff that actually hangs low. The stock skids are only good enough to make noise and let you know your dragging.
Stock they drive well on 32" tires. With 33" tires I found the need for gearing YMMV
They are pretty much expo ready right out of the box with a couple fuel cans and a small lift. You'll love it.
The bumpers are a requirement if I decide to add a winch later on. I also see the rear bumper as a means of protecting the body and carrying a full-size spare. I wouldn't exactly call the ARB bumpers "thin." I had one on my '86 pick-up and I found it very stout (not to be confused with the Stout bumper I had on my old truck):
(what a purdry little truck!)
Back yard wheelin':
Regardless of my decision, some decent skid plates are definitely in order. I do plan to wheel this truck but not in the same fashion as my '86.
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troyboy162
Adventurer
You're good up to a 33" in the stock spare location for expo, but certainly if you are gonna wheel then it will be hanging too low and tire carrier cant be beat. Especially when interior and roof space is at a premium after a good expo, crammed to the gills, pack job
They wheel really well too if you want to lean that way. We've had them on some of the smaller hammers trails without too much heart ache. All the glass and body kinda stink to be rock bashing, but its still fun in one to see where you can get 'em stuck.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/62528-285-spare.html#post1039721
They wheel really well too if you want to lean that way. We've had them on some of the smaller hammers trails without too much heart ache. All the glass and body kinda stink to be rock bashing, but its still fun in one to see where you can get 'em stuck.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/62528-285-spare.html#post1039721
I haven't heard it mentioned yet, or I missed it, but what about a 4th gen 4runner V8? Power is way up there and you get AWD. Gas mileage will still be in the toilet, I'm guessing 2-3 more mpg than a 100 series. I had a 4th gen before my 100, and it was pretty comfortable.... Not as good as the 100 on long trips though, even though it was 9 years newer.
