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

[Moody]

AlexJet,

You have a Very Nice 4th Gen. Though I think Moody would be looking to do a much milder build than either of our 4Runners.

Yes, you have really nice trucks there.

I would build one less extreme, but certainly gives me some ideas.

I had a SC on my 80 and it was a beast!! A beast that I never truly trusted but a beast none the less. If I had installed it as opposed to the previous owner I'm sure I would have been more comfortable. In retrospect I should have gotten comfortable with it as I saw it driving around town yesterday and it looked great 3 years after I sold it with 230k on the clock...

The SC certainly wakes up the motor. I fear putting one on a truck with nearly 180k on the clock. What mileage was yours installed?

So I guess I am saying KEEP the 80 and don't shy away from having 2 SUV's, you can have your cake and eat it too!

Cheers

I think if we can get a decent price out of the IS, we may go that route.

2 SUVs ☺

If the 4Runner remains stock and is driven very carefully, it does have good fuel economy potential with the 3.73 gears. You just need to be careful with the throttle.

Even modified I could obtain some very good freeway MPG with the stock 3.73 gears. Adding 4.88s reduced my MPG but the performance was worth if for me (though maybe not you?).

We are only getting ~20 around town and 24 on the highway with the IS, so we aren't too far off from a 4runner's mileage.

When I went with my friend to Santa Fe to pick up his runner, he was pulling 23.1 on the hwy between there and SLC.

 

[Klierslc]

I dont mean to be argumentative, but the AWDF system on the 80 and the 100 is less complicated than any selectable system since the T100.

If you don't do a lot of commuting, Dual SUVs(or SUV and Truck) is a very good spot to be. I only have my camry because of my 36 mile one way commute. When I was stationed in Idaho, we had my T100, an 80 and a 55--Work was 3 miles away.

 

[Moody]

I dont mean to be argumentative, but the AWDF system on the 80 and the 100 is less complicated than any selectable system since the T100.

If you don't do a lot of commuting, Dual SUVs(or SUV and Truck) is a very good spot to be. I only have my camry because of my 36 mile one way commute. When I was stationed in Idaho, we had my T100, an 80 and a 55--Work was 3 miles away.

True-I suppose my mindset on part time systems is stuck in 1988 with my FJ62.

We both have about a 10 mile one-way commute. Nothing horrible.

 

[AlexJet]

2 SUVs ☺

If the 4Runner remains stock and is driven very carefully, it does have good fuel economy potential with the 3.73 gears. You just need to be careful with the throttle.

Even modified I could obtain some very good freeway MPG with the stock 3.73 gears. Adding 4.88s reduced my MPG but the performance was worth if for me (though maybe not you?).

I really like the safety/traction features on a stock condition the 4th Gen, should be great fro your family. Now is likely a great time to be buying one with the current Toyota-scare.

My stock 2005 4Runner V6 was 8 L/100km highway and 12.5 L/100km city (30 and 19 MPG)

 

[Redline]

Nice.

My stock 2005 4Runner V6 was 8 L/100km highway and 12.5 L/100km city (30 and 19 MPG)

 

[Schattenjager]

I am a huge fan of Toyota, converting four years ago from Land Rovers. I had a 60 for a year, getting caught up in the cool of it, but it proved too rough around the edges, so I got a new Tacoma.

I'm not sure how much the 4Runner shares with the Tacoma, but I would look closely if I were you. As many here know my 05 Tacoma was totalled a couple months ago. What surprised me was how easily it was totalled. I know that this will get a rise out of some and I was certainly disapointed, but the frames are quit fragile. The adjuster told me they too were astonished at how easily these are bent and how expensive they are to fix. Insurance rates for these trucks are bound to stay high even as they age for this reason.

I really enjoyed the Tacoma and the drivetrain is bullet proof. Witness that I can't sell a motor, tranny and transfercase for $1k. They just don't break. But, the way the poor thing folded up in a realitively minor crash made me very thankful nobody was hurt. The tree came out ok, which is good.

 

[expo80]

one of the main reasons why i love the 80's are the frames there huge, fully boxed and made in japan, unlike the American built Toyota's were the frames are sourced from DANA corp.

In my honest opinion there junk frames and Toyota should drop DANA corp. Its sad to see all the tundras and Tacomas that have had to be scraped or have a new frame installed

if your going to by a new 4runner you have better make sure that VIN # begins with a J

 

[Ryanmb21]

one of the main reasons why i love the 80's are the frames there huge, fully boxed and made in japan, unlike the American built Toyota's were the frames are sourced from DANA corp.

In my honest opinion there junk frames and Toyota should drop DANA corp. Its sad to see all the tundras and Tacomas that have had to be scraped or have a new frame installed

if your going to by a new 4runner you have better make sure that VIN # begins with a J

4runner frames are fully boxed and made in japan. Tacomas and 4runners are both the 120 platform but they have different frames. (not sure what "platform" even means)

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

platform is the foundation on which the variatous models are made.

The 120 platform, for example, is the foundation of the Prado, GX470, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner and to a slightly lesser extent, Tacoma.

 

[expo80]

4runner frames are fully boxed and made in japan. Tacomas and 4runners are both the 120 platform but they have different frames. (not sure what "platform" even means)

im aware of that it was more of a rant on the tacoma and tundra:coffeedrink:

 

[Ryanmb21]

More discussion about frames on another board:
http://yotatech.com/f123/fully-boxed-frame-122717/

 

[Skim]

80 Series if you need the room. If you don't save the weight and get a truck.

 

[FireGuy]

I'd keep the 80 for now. You've had it for a while and you are comfortable with it. There is a good chance you will regret selling it later.

 

[Moody]

I'd keep the 80 for now. You've had it for a while and you are comfortable with it. There is a good chance you will regret selling it later.

As it currently stands, I have two trips planned (March and April) which I will want to have the built truck for. So no changes until then. I am trying to make the best decision and truly weighing my options before making the choice.

 

[sleeoffroad]

But, the way the poor thing folded up in a realitively minor crash made me very thankful nobody was hurt.

That is exactly the reason no-one got hurt. They are made to collapse to absorb the energy. You can not have it both ways. That is just the nature of new vehicles.