80 or 100

[upcruiser]

FJ80's were built in "91 and '92, FZJ's from '93+. The FJ 80's did not have the full floating axle in the rear, lockers, and used the older 3fe (pushrod 4 liter inline 6 used in the FJ62).

FJ80's get all sorts of unwarranted disrepect because they lack power. Frankly though I think they are great trucks that in general are a more modern bodied, coil sprung FJ62 that was just prior to the Land Cruiser being morphed into the luxury segment. Plus, the cost of purchase of an FJ80 is much easier to swallow.

 

[ashooter]

FJ80's were built in "91 and '92, FZJ's from '93+. The FJ 80's did not have the full floating axle in the rear, lockers, and used the older 3fe (pushrod 4 liter inline 6 used in the FJ62).

FJ80's get all sorts of unwarranted disrepect because they lack power. Frankly though I think they are great trucks that in general are a more modern bodied, coil sprung FJ62 that was just prior to the Land Cruiser being morphed into the luxury segment. Plus, the cost of purchase of an FJ80 is much easier to swallow.

Exactly. I always have people ask why I bought a '92 instead of something newer. Because I WANTED a '92! It has most of the good points of the older Cruisers and most of the good points of the newer Cruisers all rolled into one.

The 3FE is not a hot-rod motor, but it's supposed to have a 300,000 mile lifespan if well cared for and this truck is a tank out in the boonies. Also, once I adjusted the transmission kickdown cable it's not nearly as anemic on pavement as my '89 4Runner with a 22RE was. I loved that little truck, but it was truly a slug on the highway!

 

[ChuckB]

I also like that fact that you can pretty easily convert the 91-92 FJ80s to the H55F 5-speed if you so desire.

 

[alvarorb]

I think that choosing the right truck has to do with what one wants to do with it.
The 100 has a more confortable ride, more power, heated seats, bigger interior, ETC.
The 80 on the other hand has a solid front axle, beefier steering components, better articulation when off-road.
If you want a expedition rig, go with the 100. If you want a expedition rig that's at home on the rocks as well as on dirt roads, get an 80.

Alvaro

 

[ShottsCruisers]

If you want a expedition rig, go with the 100. If you want a expedition rig that's at home on the rocks as well as on dirt roads, get an 80.

Alvaro

I think it's been shown that both the 80 and 100 make great expo rigs.

I think it's also been shown that the 80 and 100 are both suited for rocky and difficult trails.

I think what you are saying though (and I agree) is that the 80 has a small edge if your usage are on the nations toughest trails.

 

[ashooter]

I'm curious: How much does the solid front axle of the 80 help or hurt it compared to the 100? I always assumed that independent suspension made for a smoother ride on the road, but since I'm not a "rock crawler", I don't know how much that helps/hurts in the REALLY rough stuff.

Is one system more or less robust than the other, in terms of long term "expedition" type use?

 

[ShottsCruisers]

I'm curious: How much does the solid front axle of the 80 help or hurt it compared to the 100? I always assumed that independent suspension made for a smoother ride on the road, but since I'm not a "rock crawler", I don't know how much that helps/hurts in the REALLY rough stuff.

Is one system more or less robust than the other, in terms of long term "expedition" type use?

The SFA on my 80's provides another 3-inches of total articulation over the 100. So on very uneven surfaces or trails that climb tall ledges and or rocks, the 80 will feel a tad more "planted" or in some cases have both front wheels on the ground whereas the 100 might lift one. Of course, depending on the terrain the 80 will lift wheels as well. When does this matter? On difficult trails...not usually. On extreme trails...yes, it can make a difference as the added traction and stability of having the 4th wheel down will help.

For those non-extreme trails the SFA offers little (if anything). Proof...the non-SFA 100 can complete them and with the ease of an 80. So that "extra" that the SFA provides does not come into play in these cases. Calling the SFA superior for this use-type is mute.

As far as durability....in extreme cases the SFA can take more abuse compared to the IFS in the 100. There's less parts and most are "inside" the axle. The counter argument? IFS failures on the 100 are near zero and mostly unheard of.

I will say this......even on the most difficult obstacles, my 100 has always "felt" like it was an extension of myself. I think it and it does it. I've never "felt" as in-tune in my 80's. I think some of this is due to IFS and the fact the 100 crawls far better and with more power and 10x the brakes. It just goes by itself. Not the 80's...especially my current one due to the tall lift and stiff springs.

 

[Pskhaat]

...or with an FJ80 you have:

• 15" wheel option
• vented front brake backing plates
• underhood fan
• Oddities with lots of effort:
  • Use a 2F block (Up it 0.2 litres)
  • Use a 2F carb | dizzy for poor fuel areas
  • H41, H42, or H55f tranny options
• No airbag problems with front child seats
• Cloth seats
• Non-viscous center diff

I know I'm missing a few here?

 

[Pskhaat]

I'm curious: How much does the solid front axle of the 80 help or hurt it compared to the 100?

Personally, I fly a lot more front wheels on the Hundy than the 80; I don't do much extreme stuff.

The 80 also has rear-sliding windows so one can get the kiddos in and out of the 3rd row seats easier

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Personally, I fly a lot more front wheels on the Hundy than the 80; I don't do much extreme stuff.

The 80 also has rear-sliding windows so one can get the kiddos in and out of the 3rd row seats easier

KIDS OUT THE THIRD ROW? :jumping: WOW!

You will fly wheels more in the 100 vs the 80 depending on your suspension setup. If you run an 80 rear L-suspention on the 100 you'll have identical rear articulation. You'll see a BIG reduction in wheel lifts. Most folks don't know about the merits of the L-suspension on the 100 (so they don't have them). Some various forum-followers have added them due to knowing information. Some have not put on the L-setup because some forum usuers discount the benefits though the same people have never tried them. The merit's of the L-setup are notable and been proven in person on-trail and via poser pictures.

By the way....the same exact issue is also true on the 80-series. If folks run N-suspensions they have less articulation and lift wheels more compared to an 80 with L-suspensions. The "die hard forum 100-series L-discounters" rag on the the "100 with L" though they don't discount the "80 with L". Go figure! Sounds like a politician!

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Check out pics (they're videos) 8 and 9 on this site:

http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/gallery/4763013_mjtdL#282987277_S6VFd

Walt and I have identical rear shocks. He has a slight advantage of taller J-springs (some say). ??? This shows how an 80 and 100 compare in the flex arena.

Check out the other videos as well. We had a blast comparing the trucks.

 

[mike h]

once again schotts takes an hour out of my day... I mountain biked to Chiva Falls about 20 years ago when I lived in AZ and I love (vicariously) visiting in the roklimo. Your website is a blast!

The IFS debate is endless, but one aspect I don't hear about is what differences may exist in the 100 series design? The LC has never been under-engineered, and the size and scale of the 80 solid axle is considerably beefier than other manufacturers. The perceived weakness of IFS comes largely from "weaker' designs on much lighter trucks.

I assume when Mr T decided to put IFS on the 100 series they didn't essentially swap in a Tundra front end. Or did they?

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

it is inherently more fragile than the 80 setup. regularly used on trails, it will take a toll on the suspension and steering components far more than a 80 ever will.
The 100 is also saddled with torsion bar suspension, in stock form is ok for it's simplicity (for ifs) but sucks compared to coilover setups. It says something that TOyota never went on with t bars after the 100. ever.
the new generation suv's have, imo, far superior ifs setups.

this is not as harsh a dig as it seems. the 100 is still very tough and luxurious but i hate these comparsions because the 80 and 100 are fundamentally different.
toyota took cause to improve on-road ride with the 100 while sacrificing offroad.
this argument is endless but in the end, everyone always says it would be perfect if there was a 100 with the 80's coil front solid axle setup. I agree.

 

[alvarorb]

John,

Nice videos, but how what do they prove?
Traction Control is very nice, but it's function can be replicated with footwork on any 4x4 vehicle. And then what are lockers for?

Regards

Alvaro

Check out pics (they're videos) 8 and 9 on this site:

http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/gallery/4763013_mjtdL#282987277_S6VFd

Walt and I have identical rear shocks. He has a slight advantage of taller J-springs (some say). ??? This shows how an 80 and 100 compare in the flex arena.

Check out the other videos as well. We had a blast comparing the trucks.

 

[calamaridog]

I would have preferred the coil over set up on the 100 series over the torsion bar set up. It's what I'm used to and easier to upgrade with moderate quality suspension stuff.

With that being said, the torsion bar set up on the 100 series is the most robust on ANY torsion bar front end I've ever seen. The torsion bars are huge (largest in the industry) and the mounting points are robust.

While there are limits to the front end, I don't believe the torsion bar design is the fragile part.

Also, the steering rack IS larger than the 1st generation Tundra, for whatever that is worth. The 100 series is essentially running 3/4 ton running gear, not 1/2 ton running gear like the 1st generation Tundra.

So yeah, you should look at the totality of your needs and select the appropriate vehicle. In many cases, I think the 100 series will outshine the 80, but ultimately the end user needs to decide what they will prefer.

As far as the videos, they are certainly useful. They do not "prove" anything, per say, but they illustrate how capable the 100 series can be. Very useful to watch for someone who has never seen the 100 series in action and is considering a purchase. Let's face it, you are buying a mall crawler and they may not want to let you test drive it "off road".