80 Series vs. 4th Gen 4Runner. Thoughts?

[Mr. Leary]

I'll raise another issue. Journey or destination. You already have a built rig. Are you willing to start all over? Are you willing to put the time into the build instead of doing other things?

If you like tinkering, then building another rig can be like embarking on a new adventure. If what you really want is to get away to remote destinations in a reliable, safe vehicle, then its tough to beat a built, shaken down rig (an 80 series at that). It may not be worth the hassle, in that case.

Good luck with your decision. I have had similar thoughts about an 80 series with my current 4Runner (3rd gen).

 

[Willman]

Moody Moody Moody......

This is a hard one.......your 80 is sweet.....

Before i put my .02 on this.......


Are you still thinking of building a trailer? or picking up an AT?

The 4runner is going to pull that new trailer up US-6 pass much easier than the 80 would.



Still waiting on a phone call back by the way

 

[java]

im very happy wiht my 4th gen. i have a v6 also and like the selectable 4wd with the v6. i do miss my 85 pu's solid axle at times.

 

[Hedge]

...
My -only- complaint about the 80 is lack of power.
...

Blower?

I *thought* CDan still had a few in stock not too long ago.

 

[FireGuy]

I'm the exact opposite. I have a well built 4th Gen 4Runner with the V8 and I am thinking about a 80. I find with 4 adults, 2 dogs and gear just for a day trip, I'm maxed out on space. Also, being 6'-3" I find the 80 more comfortable. There is no question when it comes to power and gas usage, the 4Runner wins hands down. Higher speed wheeling the 4Runner also wins due to the IFS. I can cruise in comfort at higher speeds with my ICON suspension.

That being said, I'm not real thrilled when doing any kind of rockcrawling with the 4Runner. I recently took the front swaybar off, which really helps, but it is going back on as I am not comfortable with it off when doing 80. Long term durability also worries me, especially the front end.

Too bad you aren't in Vegas I'd swap you for week.

 

[durango_60]

Use me as an example of what not to do, I've never enjoyed a vehicle more than the 60 I sold three rigs ago.

The only advantage I see you gaining is more highway power, but are you really ever in a hurry on your adventures? Have you regeared the 80 yet?

 

[Brian894x4]

We rented a 4th generation 4runner with the V-6 to play around in a few years ago for a few days.

Even with the V-6, it had gobs of power. Drove pretty nicely. Took on some fire roads and it became real apparent how little ground clearance it had, even going over very minor twigs in the middle of the road.

I think they are nice rigs and would make a great daily driver, weekend highway cruiser. I'd rather be a 4runner than just about anything else made in recent years, but it still not inspire any confidence to me off road. Maybe with a little lift, bigger tires and about 1000lbs in skid plates added.

But 80 is far beefier to me and gives many times more confidence off road or even just on dirt roads. I'm just not worried about braking things like a plastic gas tank.

The only advantage I can see with the 4Runner is gas mileage. But if you go out and spend $10s of thousands of dollars to buy a used 4Runner and then sell your 80 for something substantially less, how many gallons of gas do you have to go through, before the purchase makes sense?

If you need more power, supercharge it.

If you're still dying for a 4Runner, consider a 100 series instead.

 

[Moody]

I don't use my 80 as a daily driver I have a Celica that I run around in. Not that a celica is going to blow you away with the feeling of massive power, but somehow when I drive the 80 I just have a different mind set that its not supposed to be fast so I really don't feel a lack of power. I think it might be different if I was driving it everyday.

100 series might be an in between compromise as well

Ross

I have thought about that route as well...buying a 3rd vehicle. I just can't seem to make the numbers work for me as far as cost vs. benefit.
It makes more sense for us to just have 2 vehicles.

Still haven't totally ruled out the 100 series.

I'll raise another issue. Journey or destination. You already have a built rig. Are you willing to start all over? Are you willing to put the time into the build instead of doing other things?

If you like tinkering, then building another rig can be like embarking on a new adventure. If what you really want is to get away to remote destinations in a reliable, safe vehicle, then its tough to beat a built, shaken down rig (an 80 series at that). It may not be worth the hassle, in that case.

Good luck with your decision. I have had similar thoughts about an 80 series with my current 4Runner (3rd gen).

Great points. I wouldn't call myself a tinkerer, and i'm all about getting out there. If I go the 4runner route, I will just build it quick in ~3 weeks and be done with it. (Lift, sliders, bumper, skid, CB, Dual batts.)

Are you still thinking of building a trailer? or picking up an AT?

The 4runner is going to pull that new trailer up US-6 pass much easier than the 80 would.

Haven't ruled out the trailer idea. Chatting with you tonight has gotten us thinking again...

Blower?

I *thought* CDan still had a few in stock not too long ago.

If it had 100k less miles, for sure. At 176k I think it could compromise reliability.

I'm the exact opposite. I have a well built 4th Gen 4Runner with the V8 and I am thinking about a 80. I find with 4 adults, 2 dogs and gear just for a day trip, I'm maxed out on space. Also, being 6'-3" I find the 80 more comfortable. There is no question when it comes to power and gas usage, the 4Runner wins hands down. Higher speed wheeling the 4Runner also wins due to the IFS. I can cruise in comfort at higher speeds with my ICON suspension.

That being said, I'm not real thrilled when doing any kind of rockcrawling with the 4Runner. I recently took the front swaybar off, which really helps, but it is going back on as I am not comfortable with it off when doing 80. Long term durability also worries me, especially the front end.

Too bad you aren't in Vegas I'd swap you for week.

I have a family of 4 (both of my kids are young 5 and 2) and we easily fill up the 80 along with the 3/4 length roof rack. I rarely bring my dogs along, they mostly do day trips on foot.

Not interested in doing 'crawling' so to speak, but I would like some sort of 'toybox' to help in the low range area...but that could come later-much later.

Use me as an example of what not to do, I've never enjoyed a vehicle more than the 60 I sold three rigs ago.

The only advantage I see you gaining is more highway power, but are you really ever in a hurry on your adventures? Have you regeared the 80 yet?

I'm not in a hurry...rarely at least. Haven't re-geared. I am only running 285/75/16's (never felt like I needed more tire) so I figured the cost and benefit wasn't really there.

Once again, great stuff guys...I appreciate the input. All are valid points worth considering.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

We rented a 4th generation 4runner with the V-6 to play around in a few years ago for a few days.

Even with the V-6, it had gobs of power. Drove pretty nicely. Took on some fire roads and it became real apparent how little ground clearance it had, even going over very minor twigs in the middle of the road.

I think they are nice rigs and would make a great daily driver, weekend highway cruiser. I'd rather be a 4runner than just about anything else made in recent years, but it still not inspire any confidence to me off road. Maybe with a little lift, bigger tires and about 1000lbs in skid plates added.

But 80 is far beefier to me and gives many times more confidence off road or even just on dirt roads. I'm just not worried about braking things like a plastic gas tank.

The only advantage I can see with the 4Runner is gas mileage. But if you go out and spend $10s of thousands of dollars to buy a used 4Runner and then sell your 80 for something substantially less, how many gallons of gas do you have to go through, before the purchase makes sense?

If you need more power, supercharge it.

If you're still dying for a 4Runner, consider a 100 series instead.

I felt the same w/ a stock 4Runner but with some simple mods, it's quite capable.
btw, the plastic tank is less likely to crack than a steel tank. It will smash up to the frame rails, no problem- all the while being lighter than a steel tank w/ no corrosion issues.

 

[Schattenjager]

The 4.0 V6 is a wonderful engine. You should buy the one out of my '05 Tacoma and put it in your 80!!! $1k and it's all yours!!!



Was that a shameless plug?
:elkgrin:

 

[Klierslc]

Why isn't the 100 in serious consideration? It has the extra power, better mileage, updated safety features, more room than an 80 or a 4runner, good aftermarket support for the kind of build you would do, and it is better on the freeway.

 

[AlexJet]

We rented a 4th generation 4runner with the V-6 to play around in a few years ago for a few days.

Even with the V-6, it had gobs of power. Drove pretty nicely. Took on some fire roads and it became real apparent how little ground clearance it had, even going over very minor twigs in the middle of the road.

I think they are nice rigs and would make a great daily driver, weekend highway cruiser. I'd rather be a 4runner than just about anything else made in recent years, but it still not inspire any confidence to me off road. Maybe with a little lift, bigger tires and about 1000lbs in skid plates added.

But 80 is far beefier to me and gives many times more confidence off road or even just on dirt roads. I'm just not worried about braking things like a plastic gas tank.

The only advantage I can see with the 4Runner is gas mileage. But if you go out and spend $10s of thousands of dollars to buy a used 4Runner and then sell your 80 for something substantially less, how many gallons of gas do you have to go through, before the purchase makes sense?

If you need more power, supercharge it.

If you're still dying for a 4Runner, consider a 100 series instead.

5" lift, 35" tires, front and rear bumpers, fulll skids and 4Runner is go-anywhere vehicle.

 

[freshspecbluegt]

The 4.0 V6 is a wonderful engine. You should buy the one out of my '05 Tacoma and put it in your 80!!! $1k and it's all yours!!!



Was that a shameless plug?
:elkgrin:

//off topic//
Hey according to wikipedia the 4.0 V6 is offered somewhere in the world in the 200 series. The output numbers are not too far off the 1fz and if the 5 speed tranny could be incorporated it might make a good candidate for a swap, gobs of room in the engine bay if you put that v6 in there. I haven't seen it done though. Would make a fantastic but probably challenging swap for a 40 or 60 series. //off topic//

Moody, I still grapple with the numbers around running two cars. When cars/truck are part of a hobby/your leisure pursuits, the numbers will always be a mental battle for most people :smiley_drive:.


Its still easier to justify parts for the LC compared to parts for the Celica when I used to Autocross it and an $800 set of tires would be killed in <100 miles.

 

[Willman]

A little off the path here....

What about a 05' newer 4 door tacoma.....

More room same power....

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

willman, that's a good suggestion too.
It might be too long and some prefer a wagon but good suggestion if it fits.