FJ/FZJ80 vs. Taco Double Cab

[cruiseroutfit]

How would a Taco be better on washboards than the 80? I feel like the 80 would excel in the snow and washboards because its got a bit more balenced weight and coils. No sliding truckbed out back? Could someone help me out with this?

Its my opinion and experience that all things equal the Tacoma handles better at speed on washboard roads versus the 80. This of course is assuming a properly tuned suspension on both platforms. I've had my Tacoma at 80-100+ mph for long distances on dirt roads, something I just don't see happening comfortably with the 80 platform. Now, get in the rocks and the 80 is leaps and bounds ahead. The 80 is a heavy duty chassis, crawl around the two and you'll quickly see how much beefier the 80 is compared to that of the Taco/4Runner, for more than the proportional difference in gross weight.

I really don't feel like there is much to compare between the Tacoma and the LC, too different. 80 and a 4Runner or an 80 and an FJC I can see but either you need the truck bed or you don't... If you need the truck bed there hasn't been a product in the US for over 40 years that would suit your needs

 

[RMP&O]

I will add my 2 cents...

While I have not owned an FJ80 I do own an FJ60. Plus I was seriously considering an FJ80 when I got my 60 and I also had a friend with one. So I have been around them. I also have had a 1st gen Taco that was fairly built up.

For what it is the Taco is a great truck. However in my opinion it has a few downfalls. These are small light duty trucks and as such you can find yourself limited with space, load capacity and so forth. If set up for overlanding I think it is best to try and keep the truck as light as possible which can be very hard to do. As far as being reliable, they are pretty solid. The weak points are IFS (of course) and the rear of the frame. Both can be dealt with however I don't think many people will consider a SFA conversion for an overland truck. So as mentioned already with the IFS you will be limited to a 33" tire. Another downfall in my opinion is the seats and seating position. It is rather low and the seats are not all that great to begin with. This makes for an uncomfortable truck after 4-6hrs of driving and I am not even 6ft tall! As far as road handeling, the Taco does well. I had to do work to the suspension to get it handeling well though as I hated the stock suspension. It does great though once dialed in on wash board, snow and dirt/gravel roads.

Stock to stock comparing the two trucks I think they are close to equal off road with the Cruiser being slightly better (with lockers of course). A lot of Tacos are TRDs with the rear e-lockers so I am just assuming most have that. A stock Cruiser will not flex all that great. As soon as you start modifying the trucks though the Cruiser is going to be far better in the dirt. On road I think it can handle just as good as a Taco even with 37s, assuming you have your suspension set up for both on and off road.

For a DD the Taco is better and you have the plus of a bed to haul with. The Taco will get better mileage too and is easier to park, ect. On long trips the Cruiser is just going to be more comfortable. As far as overlanding, I think unless you require a bed for some reason the Cruiser is going to be better.

The only low points about the Cruiser are IMO the engine and I can't think of much else! However many of these trucks are still on the road with no problems so it isn't like the engine is a time bomb. It is just a gas guzzler, lacks power and has an issue with the head gasket (from what I have read).

I think they are apples to oranges. One is a big heavy SUV and the other is a small light duty truck. There is just a lot of factors about them that are so different. I have had the Taco and while a great truck I will not own one again. Right now I am happy with my FJ60 but if I was to go to a different truck, there is a 95% chance it would eb an FJ80. And if I ended up with an FJ80 I would do a motor swap to a v8 or diesel.

cheers

 

[Scott Brady]

They are two significantly different vehicles (I have owned both, a 2004 Tacoma and now a 1997 FZJ80). The only common attribute is reliability.

So my suggestion would be to buy the one you like best or fits your core requirements better.

 

[ScottyDog]

They are two significantly different vehicles (I have owned both, a 2004 Tacoma and now a 1997 FZJ80). The only common attribute is reliability.

So my suggestion would be to buy the one you like best or fits your core requirements better.

That's right! And I think you'll be happy either way!

 

[phsycle]

I've owned a DC Taco (1st Gen) and a Land Cruiser (100)--current. Both vehicles have their pros and cons. For family trips, LC gets the nod, as it's more comfortable and spacious inside. I could drive for hours and not feel beat up or tired. The Tacoma rode rougher and was more cramped. For everything else, though, I liked the Tacoma way better. It was just more useful. Everything from hauling nasty crap to daily drive duties. It felt more nimble and was definitely easier on the gas. Stuff was cheaper, too (maintenance wise). I wish I could have kept the thing, but was forced to sell. Now I'm looking for another. The 100 will be the wife's and I will drive the Taco. Win win.

EDIT: Let me just clarify that I love the 100 and do not ever want to sell it. It's a very comfy, capable vehicle and I love driving it. Having both the LC and Taco in the garage will be awesome, as they compliment each other very nicely.

 

[Rattler]

I own a '04 Doublecab and here is my .04. My wife and I ended up adopting a boy (1.5 yo) and it made the Taco a lot less roomy inside for camping stuff. My mom's neighbor had an ultra-clean '97 FZJ80 with 51k on it for a good price but I missed it by half a day. I have always loved the looks of the FJ80. I started looking at accessories and maintenance for the 80s and it is not cheap by any means. I think the Taco has the advantage there. I think I may end up one of 2 possibilities; a Flip-Pac or a commercial-type pickup cap and mount the RTT on top of that.

I have considered a 4Runner also and have not ruled it out if the right one came along (like that beautiful '03 that was for sale here) but I would like to keep the "no payment" thing going. It would take me forever to find a 4Runner with the miles I would like (<70k) also. Then add to that having to start over with a build. My Taco doesn't have far to go at this point and I know what I got.

I would give the mileage advantage to the Taco too.

I am not that familiar with the '05-up. I am really not the biggest fan of them to be honest. Yes, it has a better motor but I am happy with the 3.4 too. If I wanted to go fast, I would have kept the WRX. The new ones just seem to have more electronics and size and I don't care for either.

I do love the looks of sooo many of the 80s on ExPo though!

 

[AZchris]

I have an FJ80, but if I could redo it I would lean more towards a Tacoma 4 door. I work at a youth camp and could really use that truck bed, but thats very specific to my situation.

 

[phsycle]

I own a '04 Doublecab and here is my .04. My wife and I ended up adopting a boy (1.5 yo) and it made the Taco a lot less roomy inside for camping stuff. My mom's neighbor had an ultra-clean '97 FZJ80 with 51k on it for a good price but I missed it by half a day. I have always loved the looks of the FJ80. I started looking at accessories and maintenance for the 80s and it is not cheap by any means. I think the Taco has the advantage there. I think I may end up one of 2 possibilities; a Flip-Pac or a commercial-type pickup cap and mount the RTT on top of that.

I have considered a 4Runner also and have not ruled it out if the right one came along (like that beautiful '03 that was for sale here) but I would like to keep the "no payment" thing going. It would take me forever to find a 4Runner with the miles I would like (<70k) also. Then add to that having to start over with a build. My Taco doesn't have far to go at this point and I know what I got.

I would give the mileage advantage to the Taco too.

I am not that familiar with the '05-up. I am really not the biggest fan of them to be honest. Yes, it has a better motor but I am happy with the 3.4 too. If I wanted to go fast, I would have kept the WRX. The new ones just seem to have more electronics and size and I don't care for either.

I do love the looks of sooo many of the 80s on ExPo though!

For your situation, I'd go with the Land Cruiser. I also have a 2 year old, and I gotta say the LC is much better suited for daily duties and long trips. The interior cabin is very spacious and with the gigantic car seat we got for our daughter, my wife can still sit comfortably to either side of the seat and tend to her while I'm driving. My wife also loved the the plushness of the Cruiser vs the Taco. When we have more kids, the extra width will come in handy as well as the 3rd row seats. The LC is truly a great family camping rig.

The Tacoma I'm looking for will serve as a solo, or +1 camping trips with a buddy. Along with house work duties.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I used to own a pretty dialed 80 series and used it extensively. It was easily one of the nicest riding rigs (Off road, wash boards, gravel etc.) that I have ever been in. The solid axle and coils were awesome. It was also one of the most fun builds, I've done (Engine rebuild not included in that statement). Chasing down the cool JDM/Oz parts was a blast.

Every once in a while, I miss the 80.

The 80 is a rest of the world rig and built like it. It's pure LandCruiser beef. Even the window switches are heavy and rebuild able. They are very over built while still being easy to work on, even in the field.

I'd say the more appropriate title would be "Help me choose.". I agree with others, you can't compare them. Way too different.

After all that, I'd shoot for the double cab taco... Why, you ask? Because, I haven't owned one yet.

I'd model it after Scott's, Kurt's, Wil's, Adam's etc. and if it's a newer vintage you like, go read Doc's build.

 

[Rattler]

I will say, Doc's and Cris Cornette's newer build Tacos are nice!

 

[alia176]

For a family of four and two large dogs, the 80 may be too small for camping/wheeling trips. When we had two dogs and one of them was a large Rotty, the cargo space got small quickly. Add to that the usual camping gear and you are out of room. The Engel MUST have a place in the vehicle and it takes up a huge amount of room. So many times I wish I had a larger vehicle just for more space but at the same time, I wouldn't have enjoyed wheeling a full size rig where we normally go. It's a conundrum!

Just my .02 cents - I'd consider a 100 series just for S&G. They have more room in the second row, optional rear locker, rear A/C and the usual amenities. A friend of mine has a Sequoia and every time our two families go camping together, I simply drool at the space they have. They too have a family of four but no dogs. Anyway, just throwing some ideas out there.

I wouldn't give up either of our 80s for anything and we have a family of three with one medium size dog now. Life is good.

Good luck.

 

[Pskhaat]

FWIW, we note no appreciable difference in cargo space between the 80 and our 100. Family of 5, with dog, large cooler and provisions for a 2-5 weeks. They're both honestly too small for our trips but I can't find any better vehicle. 100 is surely much nicer highway-mobile.

 

[phsycle]

For a family of four and two large dogs, the 80 will be too small for going on camping/wheeling trips. When we had two dogs and one of them was a Rotty, the cargo space got small quickly. Add to that the usual camping crap and you are out of room. The Engel MUST have a place in the vehicle and it takes up a huge amount of room. So many times I wish I had a larger vehicle just for more space but at the same time, I wouldn't have enjoyed wheeling a full size rig where we normally go. It's a conundrum!

Just my .02 cents - I'd consider a 100 series just for S&G. They have more room, rear locker and the usual amenities. Anyway, like I said, might be worth looking into.

I wouldn't give up either of our 80s for anything and we have a family of three with one medium size dog now. Life is good.

Good luck.

We're a 3-member family and the 100's got plenty of room for us. More than enough. I'm surprised that you're out of room, especially with a trailer. Maybe a time for a roof rack? (Front Runner, Gamiviti, etc).

 

[Elroy]

Fzj80 ******!!!! Although I do really like dbl cab tacos!!!

 

[alia176]

We're a 3-member family and the 100's got plenty of room for us. More than enough. I'm surprised that you're out of room, especially with a trailer. Maybe a time for a roof rack? (Front Runner, Gamiviti, etc).

Having the Kamparoo made all the difference in the world for us and we now have our space back. However, the OP asked opinions on the 80 and I think his family will be too tight inside it. He'll need to pack everything strategically around the dogs and the kids for those out of town trips. A roof rack will be mandatory! Pretty soon, he will look like what we used to look like going down the road - the Beverly hilbillies