3rd gen 4runner vs FZJ80

[slus]

I've had 4 3rd gens and 0 80 series LCs so I am most definitely biased. I drove a few LCs, I wasn't impressed by the power at all for something that gets 10-14 mpg everywhere. You're in 3/4 to 1 ton gasser territory there. Handled like a big heavy pig, and the size would be prohibitive some of the trails I do.

Of the 4 3rd gens, the most expensive thing I can remember replacing was two leaking CVs on my 96 at 140k, followed closely by an alternator on the same one. I've had a 96 limited, 97 limited, 02 SR5 and my current 99 SR5 5 speed, well over 200k miles covered combined, nothing to really complain about. I added a factory locker to the 96, the 97 came with one stock. It's a day project to swap the whole axle and wire it up with your own switch. My 99 looks like it is wired for a locker already, so I will probably be going the same route on that one or just modify the housing for a TRD third. All were good, 02 was my least favorite due to the absolutely retarded traction nanny they added and woeful stock suspension. The 99-00 models are worth looking for IMO, 96-98 as a runner up, 01+ if it's a good deal. 5 speeds pack more of a punch for sure, but I can't complain about the auto, I literally beat the crap out of my 96, yanked around 5500lb boats, loaded it till I was resting on the bumpstops with firewood and gear running through the mountains, and the tranny never once balked.

 

[tacollie]

You posted this in the 4runner/truck area so people are gonna push you that way and so will I. But do a search in the Land Cruiser section because this thread has been done there a couple times with good info. I don't like full size vehicles so I am bias. My buddy has a 94 fzj80 with a similar build to my 4runner and I am always waiting for him at the top of passes. Off road my 4runner does better because he has open diffs and I have the rear e-locker.

I think the one thing you should consider is how big you want to build the truck. Anything bigger than 33s and a 3" lift I would go with the 80. IF you don't think you will go any bigger than 33's and 3" I would go with the 4runner. Besides that they are both great vehicles as long as they were well maintained even at higher miles.

 

[purdueXJ]

I figured there would be bias in either section. I like the idea of the 80, but in the end the practicaity of the 4runner will probably win since I will have to dd this for a while.

 

[Redline]

snip...

I note that the 4th gen 4runners have a 24 gallon tank. IMO 20+ is the minimum size for a vehicle of this type.

Actually the 4th Gen 4Runners have a 23 gallon tank, but I agree with your point about fuel capacity and range. My ‘06 4th Gen 4Runner and '05 Jeep Rubicon were built similarly, but the 4Runner gets better MPG (stock & built) and has much more range & power. The difference between the 19 gallon Jeep tank and the 23 gallon 4Runner tank is huge. Of course I wish the Toyota tank was much larger.

80s

I have respect and admiration for the 80-Series Land Cruisers, particularly their live front axles. Though the short test drive I had in a friend's a couple years ago indicated that the driving position is not ideal for this tall man (knee resting on the gear shifter). Still, I can't stop from occasionally dreaming of owning a "Land Cruiser", usually an 80-series. Though I know these rigs can be very reliable and capable even with high miles, I usually prefer to buy trucks with lower miles (or new) and give them TLC from day one to insure a long, reliable life.

3rd Gen Love

Though I'm very happy with my 4th Gen, the 3rd Gen 4Runners are interesting to me. Their slimmer bodies are attractive and I think they are (much) more capable than a 4th Gen when bone-stock because they have a more reasonable ride height. Built, they look terrific, a little more old school than the 4th Gen, and there are many parts available for customization.

I need a another vehicle like I need more debt...

but I know a Grandma with a clean, stock 2000 SR5, A/T (I would prefer a 5-sp.), white w/grey lower body paint, that has something like 80k on it. She has it maintained at our local Toyota dealer, religiously. If she drives less than 3,000-miles in 3 month she has the oil changed- even when the service adviser tells her she could probably go a couple more months (I agree), she says Change It. I've told her a few times, if she wants to sell her 4Runner please offer it to me first. I can see this utility wagon as a great stock winter/dog/all-rounder, OR a blank canvas that I could build to suit my needs if I wanted it to be something my 4th Gen isn't [like maybe adding a straight axle to the front ]

 

[mattafact]

I have both a 3rd gen 4runner and my current 93 LC. They're 2 different beasts and I love them both.

You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Applejack]

I have a '99 4runner Limited and it's a great vehicle, my only complaint is that it's probably better suited for someone of smaller stature than myself and I'm not that big (6'1" 190) On long trips of 4 plus hours that seat gets really uncomfortable, which may be my next mod.
Other than that I have no complaints. To have a very capable off road adventure vehicle that averages 19mpg, is rare outside of a diesel.

 

[slus]

I have a '99 4runner Limited and it's a great vehicle, my only complaint is that it's probably better suited for someone of smaller stature than myself and I'm not that big (6'1" 190) On long trips of 4 plus hours that seat gets really uncomfortable, which may be my next mod.
Other than that I have no complaints. To have a very capable off road adventure vehicle that averages 19mpg, is rare outside of a diesel.

Interesting, I'm 6'4" and find it very comfy, probably the second most comfortable vehicle I have road tripped in, the first being a 2500HD LT package with leather and butt warmers...but we averaged 11.3 MPG on that trip, so we take the 4runner now. Most cars suck for me to drive long distances, my knee is usually jammed into the center console.

Another nit I have to pick with the 01+ 4runners is the seats sit a little higher. I knew it was time to cut my hair when it started brushing the sunroof frame.

 

[98roamer]

Interesting, I'm 6'4" and find it very comfy, probably the second most comfortable vehicle I have road tripped in, the first being a 2500HD LT package with leather and butt warmers...but we averaged 11.3 MPG on that trip, so we take the 4runner now. Most cars suck for me to drive long distances, my knee is usually jammed into the center console.

Another nit I have to pick with the 01+ 4runners is the seats sit a little higher. I knew it was time to cut my hair when it started brushing the sunroof frame.

Due to a neck injury I keep my back seat pretty vertical, so my head rubs the sunroof frame and I'm only 6'1". But I love my 98 Limited and we take this truck even though it's gets the lowest mileage of all our cars.

 

[Box Rocket]

I second everything Tim said. A LC is more expensive to maintain, fuel, modify versus a 4Runner. Check out how much it will cost you to lift and armour a LC. It will make you think twice.

Untrue! (at least about the lift and armor). The Land Cruiser can be very inexpensive to lift and armor when compared to other vehicles. There are LOTS of 80 series owners building bigger and bigger trucks and ditching shorter suspensions in excellent condition. If you are truly looking at an 80 series as a mild/moderate overland type vehicle there's no reason to lift it more than 2-3". Those 2-3" lifts i.e. Old Man Emu can be found very cheap especially if you bought used coils. I bought my used OME J coils for my truck for $100. The J's are slightly taller but the more "standard" OME coils dont require other mods like adjustable panhards, some type of caster correction, etc. An 80 series could easily be lifted for less than the price of a pair of leaf springs for the rear of a 4Runner/Tacoma without even considering the cost of front suspension on a 4Runner.

As for armor.....well there are TONS of high-dollar options out there and it can definitely get expensive if you let it, but truthfully, the cost of an ARB front bumper for a Cruiser vs a 4Runner is not that different, and a custom rear bumper with swing-out is gonna run you about the same too. The only real sizeable cost difference for armor is sliders. Many of the slider options for 80 series cruisers are VERY expensive. Metal Tech makes what I think are the best slider option for a cruiser if cost isn't a concern. They are very strong and very expensive.
But if you can weld or know someone who can do a little welding there are cheap options out there that will be more than acceptable. I am using Trail-Gear 67" sliders on my 80 series that cost less than $200. I had to weld the legs on and mount them, but they have been heavily abused. I also built my own rear bumper. There are lots of homemade rear bumpers out there for reference if you need ideas. The 80 is not a hard truck to build a rear bumper for. I spent ~$400 in materials to build my bumper. So for roughly $700-800 you can have a lifted and armored 80 series (with the exception of a front bumper). That's almost half the cost of an Icon suspension setup and you haven't even thought about armor yet.

Lastly, I don't have numbers to back this up but from my own experience with my 80 series, other than fuel cost, maintenance cost has been very minimal considering the 10 years I've owned it over 100K miles since I bought it and many hard wheeling miles. I highly doubt than the maintenance is going to be that different for a Cruiser or 4Runner of similar vintage, miles and level of use. You should be learning to do as much of the maintenance on your own as you can regardless of the truck you own and that will not only keep cost down but allow you to fix things in the field when necessary.

Feel free to look at the link to my 80 Series in my sig to see my sliders, bumper etc. I'm not trying to discount the 4Runner as a good option. I think they are great trucks (I love my Tacoma that's a similar platform) and personally I actually prefer the smaller size of the 4Runner over the Cruiser, but I have 4 kids and wife that like to go with me and the 80 is MUCH more comfortable with all of them.

 

[Redline]

I would have thought that the straight axle 80-Series Land Cruiser would be less expensive to lift because of the live front axle. While an OME lift kit may be similarly priced (don't know) my experience has been that keeping my 4Runner front-end aligned and set-up properly has been expensive and sometimes frustrating (on a 4th Gen.)

My IFS front end has experienced rapid wear (A-arms & inner tie rod ends) compared to my previous live-axle trucks, possibly because of my higher than normal percentage of off-highway use. It would seem that a similar 3-inch lift on an 80-series would create fewer ‘issues'?

Untrue! (at least about the lift and armor). The Land Cruiser can be very inexpensive to lift and armor when compared to other vehicles. There are LOTS of 80 series owners building bigger and bigger trucks and ditching shorter suspensions in excellent condition. If you are truly looking at an 80 series as a mild/moderate overland type vehicle there's no reason to lift it more than 2-3". Those 2-3" lifts i.e. Old Man Emu can be found very cheap especially if you bought used coils. snip...

 

[Applejack]

Interesting, I'm 6'4" and find it very comfy, probably the second most comfortable vehicle I have road tripped in,

I don't know maybe I'm strange (yes I am) but my hips and back get really tired, but at least with adjustable lumbar support it gives my back a break for about 10 minutes at a time.
But I will say this, this is my second 3rd gen, the previous was an SR5 and I don't remember it being quite as uncomfortable.

 

[tacollie]

OME lift is slightly cheaper for a 4runner. Not enough to be a deal breaker. I say drive each and get the one you like. The are both good vehicles.

 

[Vermejo]

For a budget that only allows you to get a high mileage 3rd gen 4Runner, you may be disappointed with a like priced 80-Series. Overall, I’m very pleased with my 3rd gen. Pros: Excellent off-road capability, reliability and it’s easy to work on. Cons: Weak IFS and lack of space. As mentioned by others, the IFS stuff is prone to accelerated wear with frequent off-road use. Mine is a bit more pone as it’s on 35’s and spends a lot of time on the rocks. For overlanding purposes I’d pick the 80. For technical trails I’d pick the 3rd gen.

 

[slus]

I don't know maybe I'm strange (yes I am) but my hips and back get really tired, but at least with adjustable lumbar support it gives my back a break for about 10 minutes at a time.
But I will say this, this is my second 3rd gen, the previous was an SR5 and I don't remember it being quite as uncomfortable.

I noticed SR5 seats were a little softer too actually. I think the factory leather is stiff as a board. I did like the inflatable lumbar supports on the Limited better than the manual SR5 ones though.

Interestingly, my Tacomas had the worst seats I have ever sat in, and I felt the same way as you do in those. I had to replace the stockers with Corbeau seats on my 97 LX...the stockers were like sitting in a hammock, and a bad hammock at that.


Note to future buyers: I'm just picking nits here. Not one thing I have mentioned is a deal breaker between SR5, Limited, Base, Manual or Auto. They are all good enough:sombrero:

 

[Mr. Leary]

One thing to consider as well is the size of the rig as it relates to where you wheel. There are certain trails that my 80 series will never see simply becuase it is so honkin' huge. The 4Runner is still a mini truck and handles like it on the trails. Very nimble and easy to maneuver. I also believe it is just about the magic number for wheelbase length. It can corner and tackle boulders, but is long enough to still climb well.

If you are wheeling in the woods near the creeks and rivers of Indiana, you will want to take the width of the rig into account. I have been down several tight trails in Upper Michigan in the summertime and had trouble fitting my old Tahoe down some of them. Much easier with this truck to get back to some of those berry patches.

Now if you are going to travel out west alot... Cruiser all the way. More comfy for long trips (but you will pay for it at the pump), and you are much less restricted by trail size.