I am sure opinions will be all over the place. But tell me what you think. I want to build a DD (short 7 mile commutes) that will also be used for road trips, back country exploring, camping hiking biking and exploring. Maybe i could do something like the Transamerican or a other long distance off road route. I really love the BJ74 and other similar 70 series trucks. I love the boxy style, serious capability and the diesel engine that gets real MPG. But most of them are a little out of my price range. The 4th gen 4Runners are great but a little pricy right now and not my favorite style. But they are great trucks. I have been cruising the adds and keep coming back to the 3rd gen 4Runners and 80 series LCs. I would like something with under 150,000 miles but mostly i find around 175,000. Both are about the same price give or take. The 4Runner is smaller and more nimble in tight trails, better MPG and maybe a little cheaper if i find a well used one. The 80 is bigger with a ton of room inside. Has the option of factory lockers but gets terrible MPG. What would you rather use for a DD and expo type truck?
FJ80 or 3rd gen 4Runner. What would be a better expo truck?
- Thread starter rc51kid
- Start date
98OzarksRunner
Adventurer
It really depends on how much space you need and where you go. 3rd gen is plenty capable and reliable, and it's smaller size makes it more nimble, but it's a little small inside. Solid axle 80 might be stronger, but unless you are rock crawling the IFS in the 3rd gen is fine. It might also be easier to get parts/service in some countries for the LC. I have a 2002 3rd gen for a DD and love it. It easily goes anywhere I take it, but I would probably get an 80 if it weren't for the gas mileage.
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98roamer
Explorer
100% agree with 98Ozarks:
I love my 98 Limited with E-locker and it will take me farther than I will ever need to take it. I've lusted after a 100 LC for years but the MPG has kept me in the 4runner. I adjusted the kind of equipment I bring camping and now I don't even need to put anything on top. The 3gen is almost a perfect size. just be aware of the pink milkshake, not a deal killer just be aware.
bkg
Explorer
Tend to agree. Having owned a number of 3rd gens, they are very nice, nimble, arguably affordable.
Having said that... if I were starting over, I'd start with an FZJ-80. No question.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
While I love seeing the 80s around, I wouldn't want to own one. The thirst for fuel and full-time 4wd would keep me away. When you're exploring, how long you can stay out and where you can go depends mostly on gallons of fuel and dollars of capital. When you reduce your resource consumption, you increase your opportunities. Also, with the full-time 4wd on the 80s, those front Birfield joints and front drive shaft, etc, have spun every mile on the odometer, and continue to spin, increasing the drive train resistance wherever you go. I much prefer to free up that front end (at least most of it) when 4wd isn't needed for better rolling and less wear.
Westy
Adventurer
I've had a lot of experience with both vehicles. You cannot go wrong with either vehicle, it will boil down to what your needs are. The 80 will provide more space and comfort for those longer journeys but at a higher fuel, maintenance and service cost. Modifications tend to be more expensive for the Land Cruiser as well.
The 3rd Gen 4runner is a great vehicle and has the legendary Toyota reliability plus it works very well in the dirt. It is a more practical vehicle for daily use I feel due to lower costs to maintain/use. I'd chose the 4runner for its drivability around town over the 80.
A clean, lower mile 3rd gen 4runner will in most cases be far easier to find than an 80. For the value, its hard to beat a 3rd gen 4runner and I see them fairly often for sale at more than reasonable costs.
The 3rd Gen 4runner is a great vehicle and has the legendary Toyota reliability plus it works very well in the dirt. It is a more practical vehicle for daily use I feel due to lower costs to maintain/use. I'd chose the 4runner for its drivability around town over the 80.
A clean, lower mile 3rd gen 4runner will in most cases be far easier to find than an 80. For the value, its hard to beat a 3rd gen 4runner and I see them fairly often for sale at more than reasonable costs.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Consider the GVW of each vehicle.
Are you going to be loading the truck down with lot's of bolt ons and then filling it up with lots of camping/adventure gear?
Seems to me 90+% of people forget about this very important and number one fact when considering or asking about "what truck?". A truck that has a 750lbs payload compared to one that has a 1500lbs payload are going to be built very different and for good reason.
And to say you only need a front locker for rock crawling is ridiculous.
Cheers
Are you going to be loading the truck down with lot's of bolt ons and then filling it up with lots of camping/adventure gear?
Seems to me 90+% of people forget about this very important and number one fact when considering or asking about "what truck?". A truck that has a 750lbs payload compared to one that has a 1500lbs payload are going to be built very different and for good reason.
And to say you only need a front locker for rock crawling is ridiculous.
Cheers
paddlenbike
Adventurer
I use a 3rd gen 4Runner for everything you mentioned above and can't say enough good things about it. They're very durable, dependable, affordable, easy to maintain and decent fuel economy for what it is. In California, it seems like over half of them have the rear locking differential. The stock suspension is a little soft out of the box, but easily remedied. After nine years of ownership the only parts I have replaced are a rear transfer case output seal and a starter.
The 80-series are really nice too, have more room and 4 wheel disc brakes, but aside from that, they are thirsty and I prefer the IFS of the 4Runner over the solid axle for the type of terrain where mine is used.
You can't go wrong with either, really.
Wrek
I’m lost
I daily drive my 2001 4runner on 33's around 35 miles round trip Monday - Friday. The mileage isn't as good as a car, but for an SUV on larger tires it really isn't that bad. It currently has around 180,000 miles on the odometer and it doesn't feel like it.
I comfortably take my wife, 2 kids, and dog on plenty of long trips up into the mountains or across the state to visit different places.
If I could build a dedicated wheeling/camping rig I would probably build an FJ80 so that we have more interior room and add a larger fuel tank. Since I can't afford to do that and need decent fuel economy I drive a 4runner.
I comfortably take my wife, 2 kids, and dog on plenty of long trips up into the mountains or across the state to visit different places.
If I could build a dedicated wheeling/camping rig I would probably build an FJ80 so that we have more interior room and add a larger fuel tank. Since I can't afford to do that and need decent fuel economy I drive a 4runner.
SIZZLE
Pro-party
Check out prices for aftermarket items. It seems like anything you want to do on an 80 starts at $1000. And they are old enough that parts are starting to be discontinued. They are one of the coolest, beefiest, most capable rigs ever built. But the aren't very cheap to operate and upgrade. If you don't need the extra space and dual lockers, the 4runner is the more practical choice. Just my $0.02. Both trucks are pretty freakin' awesome.
Clutch
<---Pass
Oh, you don't even need a locker in the rear...you can see most of the stuff out there in a Honda Civic.
90%+/- of the people don't even need a 4WD SUV, Truck, or what have you.
I see more Subaru Foresters on dirt than I see built up 80's...the LC's get more time at the mall than anywhere else. Honestly I can't
remember the last time I saw an 80 on dirt...and I am on the dirt often. Plenty of Subies though...
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
This is a common misconception imo, and we sell a fair amount of parts for both platforms. What is discontinued for the 80 Series? When thinking 'big picture' i.e. around the globe i.e 'expedition' (ExPo is a place not a thing or a build style after all)... the 80 Series has far more parts support and offerings than the 4Runner. I'm thinking things like roof racks, long range ranks, drivetrain options, etc... the 80 has far more past, current and future support there globally. That said, they are both fantastic platforms and folks can and have shown they can drive them around the world. As for which is best for ones personal wants/needs? I think Ian (RMP&O) brings up a fundamental difference between the two and this should be heavily considered for an 'expedition' build more so than fuel economy. How will it be built? How will it be used? 4Runners with high miles and lifts/load will need much of the same type of work as the 80, birfs/CV's, steering racks on the 4R and TRE's on the 80. The 80 is more field serviceable imo (this comes from owning the 4Runner drive train twin i.e. Tacoma for 10+ years) both domestically and internationally. While the 1FZ gets a bit of a bad rap as a fuel hungry motor there in the US, it is a popular and even desirable power plant in some locals, albeit almost exclusively when paired to the manual trans rather than the hungry auto. My 2 cents
