85 runner vs fj40 vs tj wrangler.

[steelynorm]

I have owned a 85 4runner, sold it much to my dismay and purchased a 97 tj wrangler. Not sure if i got a lemon or what, but what a pile of ....
yes it has great power, but that is it.

The reason i sold the runner was because my wife mentioned airbags and kids driving it and that was the end of the story.
But now my kids have become evil teenagers and a little head trauma might do them some good(j/k).

I have become very dissatisfied with jeep ownership. Landcruisers are over engineered, and chrysler took a totally different approach and underengineered them.

I have never owned a 40, and i wanted peoples opinions on driving a fj40 for long distances. I have to give a prop for the jeep, when there is no death wobble is surprisingly comfortable for a Short wheel base vehicle.(coil suspension).

So wanted your opinions on what i should do, keep jeep, get 4runner or get a fj40 or other options?

This is not a DD it will be used for camping fishing and 4 wheeling.

 

[2wheelbob]

I have had the pleasure of owning quite a few rigs. All are used in the back country, both in Wyoming and Utah. If you are looking for a great all arounder, the FJ60/62 series LandCruisers are great. We had a clapped out 60 series and I took it everywhere I used to take my old early Bronco. We sold it because it was slow. I had a bunch of early Broncos (pre-78). They were awesome off road and the '77 made a few trips to Colorado and Utah before I sold it in a fit of stupidity. I then bought a one owner 1978 FJ40 Land Cruiser and currently have it. While it is over built and fully capable off road, it is slow and is definitely not my first choice for highway driving. I recently picked up another Bronco (1974 Ranger with a 302v-8, auto tranny, power steering, carpet) and am reminded how perfect these old trucks are. Granted, packing any gear or more than a few people and they both are limited space wise. I think the choice really depends on your wheel base criteria. If you can, a 60/62 series Land Cruiser is every bit as capable and is comfortable for people, dogs, and gear.

 

[yohavos]

I'm 6'2" and paid a physical price by driving my 40 on the highway for any length of time, but I loved every trip I took with it. Granted there are measures that can be taken to extend the seat (custom stuff) but that was beyond my ability and my interior was nice enough that I really didn't want to change a thing. 40's are simple and tough.

All the cramped legs/shins/etc. aside, I miss it dearly. I don't think a realistic argument that involves any level of comfort can be made for a stockish FJ40, but they are a level of cool that transcends common sense

A 4Runner is a different animal, but has some very neat attributes with the removable top and live axle up front. The 40 is a tractor, the 4Runner is a tough little truck.

Both sound like wins over the Wrangler to me, but this is the Land Cruiser section and all...


==
Mike

 

[bigmack]

May you can see if you can find an FJ45(not the truck variant), as it would offer more space vs the FJ40, while giving you more space. Another option for you could be the FJ55(Iron Pig) to check out.

 

[zimm]

owned and traveled in..

fj40
fj55
fj60
lx470
defender
gwagon.

i regularly drive my 40 as a DD, no issues, and im 6'4, 36 inseam. the seat modification is a couple 1/4" steel bars, and tuffy console. it makes a great throne to cruise in and the shifting is fun. assuming you want a quality maintained rig, rust free and 3" lift or so to keep it drivable... 10-15g depending location.

...for that price....

you can get an LX470. IFF this truck is to be a DD, adventure, and your primary driver, i wouldnt consider a different truck. period. quality, modern safety, great solid ride, can take the honey out to dinner... 60's are cool but the nvh is the same as a well sorted 40, and youre looking at antiquated parts and poor power for the crappy mileage. unless you plan on spring over modifications, a 60 falls short significantly in every respect to a 100... that having been said, id own another if i had space. its a good truck, but its a good truck in the way that a 74 f250 with a 390 is a good truck.. its good but not up to par with the worst of the newer offerings. the only reason to own one is because you like it.

an fj55, unless its a ****ty beater, is like a chevelle SS... you ohhhh and ahhhh looking at it... but its a drop of water away from melting, and its like DDing a 55 pickup. c'mon. really?

a defender is in a "want" not "need" category. if youre above 6' the modifications you can make for comfort are slim due to steering wheel location and construction bracing. have money or be a mechanic.

gwagons are great too, i just havent found it to be any better than the lexus even in traditional solid axle situations, and youve gone from expensive parts to, "you want 700 bucks for an AC blower motor? its a bosch vw part!!!" basically, if tall boxy shapes put wood in your pants.. well.. sometimes you gotta pay for the excitement.

no opinion of heeps other than id like to own a new loaded rubicon. i just refuse to part with 40g for a jeep. if im gonna pay 40g for a box, id likely toss the cash at a later model G than the one i have. im not sure how smart that is, but its the likely outcome in that situation.

 

[redthies]

Zimm, I love your attitude! You call it like it is.

I owned an '05 TJ Rubicon, and it was the most under-engineered, over-priced lump I have ever owned. I traded it for a '05 Cummins 3500 after about a year. My wife now has an '11 Rubicon unlimited. It is a different story. It actually has some redeeming qualities.

I was going to suggest an FJ60 over a 40 for "long distances", but depending on your wallet, and what long distance means to you, you might want to consider an FZJ80 or UZJ100. Any Toyota will beat the hell out of its "equivalent" Jeep.

 

[1911]

I have (and have had) a number of Cruisers, and currently own and drive a 40. I'm 6'2" also. I love mine, and drive it everywhere including across the country for wheeling and expedition-type travel. Having said this, a 40 is not a long-distance road vehicle that many (most?) people would be happy with now a days. You have to appreciate it for what it is, and what it is not.

A 40 is at best a 30+ year-old vehicle, and for the most part 50+ year-old technology. Worm-gear steering with an overly-complicated linkage, no power steering or air conditioning (yes they were options the last few years but they are rare), no insulation, noisy transmission, drum brakes, and safe seating for only two. No cruise control, and as has been mentioned cramped seating for taller drivers. Cast iron, flat-tappet pushrod engine that weighs a ton, gets horrible gas mileage, and doesn't rev very high. Gearing that limits practical highway speed. Hot in the summer (even with the top off) and cold/drafty in the winter. They can be very reliable, but any truck that old is going to need more maintenance and TLC than a newer one. All the happy 40 owners I know (myself included) are decent mechanics who like working on their own stuff. Many of these things can remedied with enough money and time, but your average 40 is not anything like a modern truck for highway driving. Even if you love it, there is a good chance that your spouse may not.

I'm not trying to talk you out of it - like I said, I love mine and drive it everywhere. Nothing else I have with four wheels puts a smile on my face to drive like my 40 does, but you (and your family) need to go into this with your eyes wide open if you're going to pursue 40 ownership. I could go on and on about the reasons why they're fun to drive and a blast to own, but you need to at least consider the down-sides first and if you're willing to live with them.

 

[Sempertoy]

I have owned two jeeps, not wranglers but cherokees, and needless to say I will NEVER own another chrysler product. Those things are just endless money pits, and not for fun stuff like armor and lockers, just big ticket items that wear out quickly. My first choice for any land cruiser would be a 40, hands down. That being said after I went from my tacoma to my 80, I can not imagine ever going back to something that is so "primitive" i.e. leaf springs. Coils on 4 corners with a 6000 lb vehicle make for an amazing ride. I recently took several of my friends out to the rocky desert and we were driving all day and the most frequents comments were "this feels like a ride at disney land" and "this is the most comfortable off road vehicle I have ever been in"

If I had a larger budget I would have expanded my search for a nice 100 series, but I found my 80 for a steal, plus I was dead set on having a live front axle after researching SAS swaps on tacomas for about a year. Quality maintained 80's with lockers are selling over on mud for as little as 5k, a great bargain if you ask me. They are older vehicles and will need baselining but once that is out of the way you will have the best vehicle on the road today.

 

[2wheelbob]

Well said! I forgot about the 80 and 100 series...and that's bad cause we have a 100 series!

 

[phsycle]

Simple:

If your "4 wheeling" involves trails like Rubicon, get a FZJ80. If not, get a 100-series.

I can pretty much be comfortable in any vehicle. I've learned that my family is less tolerable. I have got zero complaints in the 100. I don't care what others say, but THAT is worth whatever premium I have an will continue to pay.

 

[deadbeat son]

This is not a DD it will be used for camping fishing and 4 wheeling.

I highlighted some info. The truck will NOT be a DD for the OP.

 

[cumminscruiser]

FJ40

Forget about reliabilty, road worthyness, technology or lack of, parts availibilty, bla bla bla........ Just think how cool you will look in a FJ40 there is no equal.:Wow1: