80 or 100

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have been going back and forth on the 80/100 thing here again. I recently put my 100 up for sale or trade for an 80. I received some very nice offers but one drive makes me wonder is it worth giving up the power ( And Im coming from a SC 80) excellent ride, and quiet for a vehicle with only 15-20% more capable. As for the capability of the 100 I have run almost every pass in Ouray, Colorado area in a stock 100 on Michelin.

 

[calamaridog]

I am finding it difficult to purchase anything under 2000 through the bank, so I am beginning to lean towards the UZJ100. Plus the wife likes the comfort and you know that is a plus for me.
Thanks Jesse

Well I keep going back to the information that Jesse provided. And based on that information, he is going to be shoping for a 100 series. Unless something changes, I would not suggest an 80 for his situation.

Price? There is a clean 2000 with only 90k and only $18,500 up in Irvine right now.

Jesse, look in CA, AZ, and TX vehicles for really nice used 100 series.

 

[Brian894x4]

I have the solution.

combine the two.

Buy an 80 frame and suspension, put a 100 body on it, put the 100 V-8 in it, use the 100 diff, but the 80 axle housing with full floater and the 80 front axle.

There....all done.

In other words...import a 105.

If only we could. :drool:

 

[calamaridog]

I have the solution.

combine the two.

Slee is swapping the 2UZFE into an 80. Perfect LC

 

[spressomon]

Slee is swapping the 2UZFE into an 80. Perfect LC

For my application/uses it was the V8 that tipped the scales to the 100. It would have been an easier decision had the '97 80 had the 2UZFE.

 

[ginericLC]

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11615&page=5

Look at the differences in the trails between my 80s and 100 photo. Sure some folks have taken a 100 through the Rubicon and up Hell's Gate. But I can guarantee it would not be easy and the truck definitely would not be as pretty afterwards. Size matters! Where do you want to go? Decide then buy!

As far as building a hybrid, I think Christo's Blueberry is almost at the mark. The front Diamond Axle housing is the way to to go. The one spot where I think his rig misses the mark is it is still huge. A 2UZ in an 80 would be a sweet combination. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the 80 series high pinion ring gear isn't up to the task for the long haul. For harder trails I would think a SA conversion on a V8 4Runner would be a hot ticket as they are smaller body wise.

 

[spressomon]

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11615&page=5

Look at the differences in the trails between my 80s and 100 photo. Sure some folks have taken a 100 through the Rubicon and up Hell's Gate. But I can guarantee it would not be easy and the truck definitely would not be as pretty afterwards. Size matters! Where do you want to go? Decide then buy!

As far as building a hybrid, I think Christo's Blueberry is almost at the mark. The front Diamond Axle housing is the way to to go. The one spot where I think his rig misses the mark is it is still huge. A 2UZ in an 80 would be a sweet combination. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the 80 series high pinion ring gear isn't up to the task for the long haul. For harder trails I would think a SA conversion on a V8 4Runner would be a hot ticket as they are smaller body wise.

The front R&P is the same in the 100 and 80. It performs reliably in the 100 once the ARB locker is installed. So this should not be an issue in the 80...

 

[hks3sgte]

...the 80...doesn't burn premium gas...

2003+ Land Cruisers don't either... fwiw

 

[shahram]

I like the 80 because it was cheap, reliable, had good road characteristics for daily driving and was a solid off-roader right out of the box. Since I'm on a bit of a budget (I spend about $1k or less per year on toys), I wanted a truck I didn't need to build, but could build slowly. After 3 years, I've been very, very pleased.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I too posted this question a few months ago. I bought an 80 drove it on it's first trip (Which happened to be the 2007 Expo Trophy) and I blew the headgasket. It's still in the shop and I'm driving my old 45 series as my daily driver.

Do yourself a favor and rid yourself of the worry some headgasket issue and get a 100. That being said, I really enjoyed my 80 for the time I was driving it and look forward to getting it back.

p.s. I'm starting to look at 100's again.

 

[spressomon]

The other issue that is compounded with each passing year is the ability to find a clean relatively low mileage 80 (I went through this 3+ years ago when I was looking at 80's & 100's...and it has only gotten worse with time). There just weren't that many sold to begin with in the US...and although someone will score a good one once in a while it takes gobs of search time and the ability to fly to where-ever to inspect, buy and get it back home.

A real solution for those wanting to own/drive Toyota wagons for trail/off-road exped capability is becoming a REAL big issue. SAS on the 100 is an expensive mod that right now only a couple shops in the US are even capable of pulling off (assuming you have the $$$). It sucks to live in a day and age with such vast selection amongst most consumer goods...but not if you want a new or like new SAS Toyota wagon.

FWIW: I use 87 octane regular gas and it runs just fine. in my '99 100. I experimented at length with premium and originally I thought I could feel the difference. But in the end I came to the conclusion there just isn't a performance difference.

 

[calamaridog]

FWIW: I use 87 octane regular gas and it runs just fine. in my '99 100. I experimented at length with premium and originally I thought I could feel the difference. But in the end I came to the conclusion there just isn't a performance difference.

I have come to the same conclusion. I originally thought the premium got better mileage too, but I think it was a summer/winter blend issue instead.

 

[Redline]

There you go J, a 100 for YOU

I put regular unleaded in my little 4.7L also, no problems.

I too posted this question a few months ago. I bought an 80 drove it on it's first trip (Which happened to be the 2007 Expo Trophy) and I blew the headgasket. It's still in the shop and I'm driving my old 45 series as my daily driver.

Do yourself a favor and rid yourself of the worry some headgasket issue and get a 100. That being said, I really enjoyed my 80 for the time I was driving it and look forward to getting it back.

p.s. I'm starting to look at 100's again.

 

[ckkone]

I put regular unleaded in my little 4.7L also, no problems.

x2

 

[alvarorb]

I concur with Spressomon and AndrewP. I'm an 80 series owner and I think the 80 is a better choice (capabilities, size, price & available mods) for the harder trails.
If you're doing expedition only trails, then the 100 is very appealing. But I would only take it out on the trail after putting ARB lockers on it. The front is a must. Specially on the early model years.

The 80 is an old fashioned vehicle. Besides all it's creature conforts, it's still pretty crude. The 100 is a whole different level of refinement. Civilized if you may.

Having said all that, there seems to be a price difference of about $8K between these vehicles. If you buy an 80 and drop $8K on it. You'll have a wonderful rig that can go anywhere.

Regards

Alvaro