80 Series Questions

[musicmaan]

Well... maybe a Sequoia... little bigger, not as hard on gas from what I understand, about 20mpg, which isn't all that good, but not all that bad either. It won't be as good of a trail rig I know, but would be a good platform for am expo/camping rig for the family... I think. Anyone seen a Sequoia expediting anywhere?

MM

 

[AndrewP]

Well... maybe a Sequoia... little bigger, not as hard on gas from what I understand, about 20mpg, which isn't all that good, but not all that bad either. It won't be as good of a trail rig I know, but would be a good platform for am expo/camping rig for the family... I think. Anyone seen a Sequoia expediting anywhere?

MM

The Sequoia is a really nice SUV. It isn't an offroader. It won't get close to 20mpg. It's probably the perfect thing in which to take the family skiing.

I don't really know what an "expo" rig is, but it isn't a Sequoia. It has all the disadvantages of a big tuck (like weight, size, poor economy) and the running gear of a small truck. I would think a Taco would make a great "expo" truck. I just don't think the Seq is built heavily enough for it's size and weight. If you want "heavy duty", you're looking at a Land Cruiser. Probably the same amount of money for used.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Well... maybe a Sequoia... little bigger, not as hard on gas from what I understand, about 20mpg, which isn't all that good, but not all that bad either. It won't be as good of a trail rig I know, but would be a good platform for am expo/camping rig for the family... I think. Anyone seen a Sequoia expediting anywhere?

MM

Get a 100 if you need more room. Not the rock crawler that a 80 is , but a lot better than a Sequoia.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

My ex g/f had a Sequoia. We put alot of miles on it. We never got close to 20 mpg. We even thought we would take it to Pismo one year for the surf and turf Landcruiser event. It didn't do all that well in the sand, even with the a/t's aired down. Get a 100 series.

 

[greenhorn]

My wife had a Sequoia, she got 13/16 mpg. It was a decent truck, but she doesn't miss it.

 

[Pskhaat]

I'd recommend one with my eyes closed.

Alvaro, havn't seen you around this board much, how are things?

FWIW, I can actually get 17-18mpg out of mine without a roof rack and driving 55mph, though I can be at 10mpg without too much trying.

I agree however that out of every vehicle I've ever owned, the 80 series is still my favorite.

 

[mike h]

almost every truck/SUV I've owned gets 13-17 mpg, maybe closer to 16-19 if empty, running at 60mph.... but on an actual roadtrip, with gear, my 1987 22R 4runner and 1997 V6 Pathfinder both got about 15 mpg because they were really working hard loaded up. Even with suspension mods and such they were simply overtaxed for expedition duty. My friends with Tundra's and Taco's don't get see much better gas mileage than 15-17 either.

Most 80s gets 12-14, assuming you keep the build on the mild side. Yet a 'mild' 80 is incredibly capable. So it gets back to deciding if you *need* the platform options an 80/100 offers, and if so, the approx. 3 mpg difference may be acceptable.

 

[upcruiser]

If the 80 that you are considering is dedicated for recreation and not your daily driver I'd think that the savings you'd have on extensively modifying another rig to be as capable or reliable off pavement on an 80 would wash out alot of the savings due to fuel economy. An 80 with roughly $850 worth of OME kit and a good set of 33's is pretty darn capable, especially for overland type of travel. That's how I rationalize it. The FJ80's like mentioned earlier are likely the best deals in this regard as they make a great expedition style platform and are very cost effective. People bash the 3FE alot, but being someone who's had one for a long time and driven most of the country with it, I stand firmly in my belief that it is a great engine in the 80. This would be different if it was my daily driver and I commuted at altitude but I don't, and if I did need a commuter, I wouldn't pick an 80 series anyway. That's my 2 cents .

 

[musicmaan]

Aaaaaaaaaaahahahaah..... you guys are making this damn hard for me!! I've wanted an 80 series since '94, and I allways will want one, hell, maybe I should just get one and worry about it later.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

Except for the fuel, this may be the cheapest car to own I've ever had. It is a prodigious gas hog though, so be prepared for that.

Yes, the 80 has been trouble-free for me as well. It is easy to work on and understand.
The expense has come from offroad mods & PM that may (or may not) be needed but did it b/c when you read the forums too much, you MUST do it! haha

if I had left it stock, I basically would have spent maybe $100 in 2 years including oil changes. which is a pretty depressing thought, considering how much I've spent on it! haha

Gas is a non-issue since it is not my dd. When I'm on trips, I don't care as it's just factored into the price of adventure.