2004 Tacoma vs. 1997 Land Cruiser: Long Term Ownership

[Ozark_Prowler]

Still working on selling the LC but I can't seem to give it away. Buying this thing might be the most catastrophically stupid decision I've ever made.

I really do not get the excitement over the 80 series at this point. I can't wait to get back into a Tacoma or similar. After all, nobody replaces head-gaskets as PM, does an 18 hour axle service, or replaces the whole trashed interior on those, and they can actually be used as DDs to boot..

The FZJ80 has to be one of the most overrated 4x4 platforms. I'll get a diesel 70 series if I ever want a real Cruiser, but this will almost certainly be my first and last foray into LC ownership.

 

[bkg]

Still working on selling the LC but I can't seem to give it away. Buying this thing might be the most catastrophically stupid decision I've ever made.

I really do not get the excitement over the 80 series at this point. I can't wait to get back into a Tacoma or similar. After all, nobody replaces head-gaskets as PM, does an 18 hour axle service, or replaces the whole trashed interior on those, and they can actually be used as DDs to boot..

The FZJ80 has to be one of the most overrated 4x4 platforms. I'll get a diesel 70 series if I ever want a real Cruiser, but this will almost certainly be my first and last foray into LC ownership.

cant give it away? I call BS. You have not sent me a PM.

I suspect you’re asking a small fortune for a vehicle you don’t personally like or trust… which doesn’t help to build trust in a potential buyer.

 

[Ozark_Prowler]

cant give it away? I call BS. You have not sent me a PM.

I suspect you’re asking a small fortune for a vehicle you don’t personally like or trust… which doesn’t help to build trust in a potential buyer.

I've been asking 9500 which is less than what I have in it. I guess I just overpayed over the summer and I'm totally underwater on it now.

I think it's moreso the aesthetic flaws than are turning buyers off.

 

[T-Willy]

Did someone say underwater with an 80 series?

 

[phsycle]

The FZJ80 has to be one of the most overrated 4x4 platforms. I'll get a diesel 70 series if I ever want a real Cruiser, but this will almost certainly be my first and last foray into LC ownership.

I don’t agree with it being overrated, as it’s a pretty solid and robust platform. Watching the Aussie guys bash through some ridiculously tough terrain in 80’s is testament enough.

However, it just doesn’t fit your needs. Time to move it along.

 

[Ozark_Prowler]

I don’t agree with it being overrated, as it’s a pretty solid and robust platform. Watching the Aussie guys bash through some ridiculously tough terrain in 80’s is testament enough.

However, it just doesn’t fit your needs. Time to move it along.

I’m mainly referring to the American version.

 

[phsycle]

I’m mainly referring to the American version.

There’s no difference aside from the power train. The 1FZ engine definitely leaves something to be desired. I much prefer the 2UZ in the 100-series.

As I said few days ago, LC’s take much more $$ and labor than other models. That should be expected going into ownership.

But don’t worry. You will sell it. There are too many cruiserheads looking for projects.

 

[Ozark_Prowler]

There’s no difference aside from the power train. The 1FZ engine definitely leaves something to be desired. I much prefer the 2UZ in the 100-series.

As I said few days ago, LC’s take much more $$ and labor than other models. That should be expected going into ownership.

But don’t worry. You will sell it. There are too many cruiserheads looking for projects.

Yea but we only had the petrol auto versions with the faux-luxury trappings.

 

[bkg]

I've been asking 9500 which is less than what I have in it. I guess I just overpayed over the summer and I'm totally underwater on it now.

I think it's moreso the aesthetic flaws than are turning buyers off.

aesthetic flaws foreshadow mechanical flaws.

I've looked at the Ad... You're way over priced for what the pictures show. You'd be much better off spending a weekend working on the aesthetics, detailing and cleaning and then trying to sell.

But beware, people who may have read your opinions online will take that into account in what they are willing to pay.

 

[Ozark_Prowler]

aesthetic flaws foreshadow mechanical flaws.

I've looked at the Ad... You're way over priced for what the pictures show. You'd be much better off spending a weekend working on the aesthetics, detailing and cleaning and then trying to sell.

But beware, people who may have read your opinions online will take that into account in what they are willing to pay.

The thing is I don't have a dolly or body hammer to deal with the dent and the rust on the rear tailgate is the kind of thing I'll never get around to. Maybe I could do a deep clean and wax?

I disagree that 9500 is asking way too much though: it's still significantly less than what I have in it, and in today's inflationary economy, that's hardly a small fortune either.

My opinion is just my opinion, everyone has one. Someone else may see the J80 as the holy grail; I've just lost all my enthusiasm for the platform in general.

 

[busmup808]

Honestly sounds like your leaning towards the Taco. I know the Taco is lighter and gets way better gas mileage than the FZJ80. I come from a Toyota family and I’ve driven and owned Toyota’s from 84-2007. I did own a FJ80 that I had owned in stock form and put a 4” OME lift on with other goodies like ARB BULLBUMPER, WARN8274 winch, sliders, skids, roof rack, etc, etc. I had the tractor motor 3FE and it was a hog. Was running 35” MTRs on stock 410 gears. Let me tell you that for a big and solid truck it performed. I also was open front and back, but I did swap my rear axle for the 93-97 full floating axle. I had a 95 HDJ80 6cylinder turbo/diesel that I acquired from Canada threw a half cut I was going to swap in before selling the truck. The new owner didn’t want to pay for the diesel motor and only wanted the truck. I regret it to this day for selling it.

I sold that truck because at the time my son was in select soccer and we were traveling all over WA state and outer state for tournaments. So instead of paying for hotels and seating out,why not get a TOYOTA RV. My littlest son called it the house truck. The RV had a 3.0 originally, but someone swapped it out for a 3.4 mated to a automatic trans. I had plans to converting it to an 4wd solid axle, but the association gave me a ticket because it was parked in my driveway. I needed to park it on the side of my house, but then I would have to make a driveway, cut the fence, etc,etc. Ended up selling that.

I currently drive a 98 3rd gen 4runner that I owned since 2014. Ive kept this truck IFS from 2014-2021. I recently put a solid axle and I will never get rid of this truck. Not that I have owned it for so long, but because I dumped a lot of time and money in it

Bottom line the choice is yours.
Landcruiser: capable rig, bad gas mileage, heavy
Tacoma: IFS intermediate while wheeling(depending what level you want to take the suspension), good on gas, light



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[redthies]

Still working on selling the LC but I can't seem to give it away.

The FZJ80 has to be one of the most overrated 4x4 platforms. I'll get a diesel 70 series if I ever want a real Cruiser, but this will almost certainly be my first and last foray into LC ownership.

To your first statement, send me your address. I’ll be there tonight to pick it up. To your second statement, possibly the dumbest thing ever said on the internet.

Landcruisers may not be right for YOU, and I get that, but they are definitely NOT overrated. They are meant to be used and abused in the harshest conditions on the planet. They are not intended to be used as daily drivers in the mall crawling world of the USA. Toyota offered them here up until the FJ80 arrived as a utility vehicle, which is what they are. Only with the 80 and subsequent series did the changes appear to up the appeal to the well heeled. Everywhere else in the world, all models are available as originally intended in a utility trim.

 

[bkg]

The thing is I don't have a dolly or body hammer to deal with the dent and the rust on the rear tailgate is the kind of thing I'll never get around to. Maybe I could do a deep clean and wax?

I disagree that 9500 is asking way too much though: it's still significantly less than what I have in it, and in today's inflationary economy, that's hardly a small fortune either.

My opinion is just my opinion, everyone has one. Someone else may see the J80 as the holy grail; I've just lost all my enthusiasm for the platform in general.

Here's the problem.... Your ad says southern truck with minimal (under carriage rust)... but you now state the tailgate is rusty.

The interior pictures show missing panels and "garbage". That implies a lack of care.


I get that everyone wants to take advantage of the monetary devaluation, and of course, you don't get what you don't ask for... but that doesn't jive with your "can't give this away" statements. And, unfortunately, it doesn't matter what you have invested in the truck. That's completely irrelevant number.

BTW - calling it a "hand made" truck is a heckuva stretch. People in the cruiser community will see right through that misleading statement... and they will have further questions about the quality of the vehicle.

Not trying to be a jerk... but anyone who has read your comments will know you a) hate the truck b) say you don't trust it c) know that you have identified areas of maintenance that are needed. You have to take all of that into consideration.

 

[Ozark_Prowler]

Here's the problem.... Your ad says southern truck with minimal (under carriage rust)... but you now state the tailgate is rusty.

The interior pictures show missing panels and "garbage". That implies a lack of care.


I get that everyone wants to take advantage of the monetary devaluation, and of course, you don't get what you don't ask for... but that doesn't jive with your "can't give this away" statements. And, unfortunately, it doesn't matter what you have invested in the truck. That's completely irrelevant number.

BTW - calling it a "hand made" truck is a heckuva stretch. People in the cruiser community will see right through that misleading statement... and they will have further questions about the quality of the vehicle.

Not trying to be a jerk... but anyone who has read your comments will know you a) hate the truck b) say you don't trust it c) know that you have identified areas of maintenance that are needed. You have to take all of that into consideration.

Ok, so I've been kinda exaggerating with my negative comments lately, but this is largely due to my own frustration on getting over my head with it. I wouldn't say I hate it at all: I still appreciate the overbuilt feel of it and the 90s cool-factor. And I trust it enough to drive it 40 miles almost everyday.

Basically the J80 platform just isn't suited to my uses/tastes. But just because I'm not in love with it, doesn't men someone else won't be, especially with a little TLC, which just about any of these things will need in 2022, even that 1k mile example that sold for 100k last year.

The tailgate thing is a common issue with these; but other than that rust is minimal. Wouldn't be hard to fix; like I said, I just never got around to it. New seat covers are $300. That dent is nothing really. Any decent body guy could get it looking 8/10 aesthetically for not much investment, and any DIY mechanic worth a darn could get it in really good shape without much effort either. I'm just not that person right now.

 

[Ozark_Prowler]

Honestly sounds like your leaning towards the Taco. I know the Taco is lighter and gets way better gas mileage than the FZJ80. I come from a Toyota family and I’ve driven and owned Toyota’s from 84-2007. I did own a FJ80 that I had owned in stock form and put a 4” OME lift on with other goodies like ARB BULLBUMPER, WARN8274 winch, sliders, skids, roof rack, etc, etc. I had the tractor motor 3FE and it was a hog. Was running 35” MTRs on stock 410 gears. Let me tell you that for a big and solid truck it performed. I also was open front and back, but I did swap my rear axle for the 93-97 full floating axle. I had a 95 HDJ80 6cylinder turbo/diesel that I acquired from Canada threw a half cut I was going to swap in before selling the truck. The new owner didn’t want to pay for the diesel motor and only wanted the truck. I regret it to this day for selling it.

I sold that truck because at the time my son was in select soccer and we were traveling all over WA state and outer state for tournaments. So instead of paying for hotels and seating out,why not get a TOYOTA RV. My littlest son called it the house truck. The RV had a 3.0 originally, but someone swapped it out for a 3.4 mated to a automatic trans. I had plans to converting it to an 4wd solid axle, but the association gave me a ticket because it was parked in my driveway. I needed to park it on the side of my house, but then I would have to make a driveway, cut the fence, etc,etc. Ended up selling that.

I currently drive a 98 3rd gen 4runner that I owned since 2014. Ive kept this truck IFS from 2014-2021. I recently put a solid axle and I will never get rid of this truck. Not that I have owned it for so long, but because I dumped a lot of time and money in it

Bottom line the choice is yours.
Landcruiser: capable rig, bad gas mileage, heavy
Tacoma: IFS intermediate while wheeling(depending what level you want to take the suspension), good on gas, light



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Yes, the J80 was designed for people in remote parts of the world who actually need all that durability and off-road ruggedness.

The Tacoma was designed as a fun DD/weekend warrior-type vehicle for North Americans, and it shows in the driving experience and overall livability of the two vehicles.