FJ80 or Lexus450?

[northfacetraveller]

Hey! I've been looking at some landcruisers lately for the platform of my expo rig and would like some input on them from anyone that has one or has had experience with them. Im looking for a 93-97 with the 4.5L inline 6. Id like to go with 37" tires but so far I can only find an old man emu 2" lift, Id like to keep it as low as possible with minor trimming. Im also going to be getting front and rear "ARB" bumpers and sliders, rooftop tent etc... Are the axles just 8" toyotas with dropout centers like in the old solid axle pickups? If you guys could give me any pros/cons maybe what kind of fuel mileage you get?

Id appreciate it...


Thanks!!

 

[KC Cruiser]

Check out IH8MUD for all the information you could ever want on these vehicles. SLEE Offroad has a 4" & 6" lift kit, 37" tires seem kind of big unless you are going rock crawling alot. I am running 35's and they have handled everything I have thrown at them!

Good luck with the search and the addiction!!

 

[rusty_tlc]

I think 35" is about where you reach the point of diminishing returns on tire size for a Land Cruiser, even for rock crawling. Larger than that and you start breaking parts unless you get into some very expensive upgrades. IMHO you really won't need to go larger than 35" except for looks.

 

[joel]

Second the IH8MUD recommendation. I was looking seriously at 80s before I ended up getting my 100 series. Learned more about both platforms that I probably ever needed.

 

[rusty_tlc]

...Are the axles just 8" toyotas with dropout centers like in the old solid axle pickups? ....!

The rear third member is very similar to the old Toy axles. I'm running the ring and pinion gears from an 80 in my FJ40. The front is a lot different, I'll leave it to one of the 80 guys to explain the details, but to me it looks almost as strong as an older axle with Longfield axles.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Rears are standard rotation 9.5" ring & pinions, same housing pattern as a 40/55/60/62. The front on the otherhand is a 8" reverse rotation (high pinion). It has the same mounting pattern as a low pinion 8" found in the range of minis. But yes they are all drop-out thirds (Banjo differentials) which makes axle work fairly simple as it can be removed and built on the bench or swapped with an assembled 3rd.

 

[MattScott]

You loose flex, power, and reliability once you go much past a 35 inch tire. If you can´t get a fully locked vehicle on 35´s through; I highly doubt a tire that is effectively only 1¨taller will get you through anyways.

IH8MUD - 37's w/ OME 2.5" lift

 

[lt1fire]

Hey! I've been looking at some landcruisers lately for the platform of my expo rig and would like some input on them from anyone that has one or has had experience with them. Im looking for a 93-97 with the 4.5L inline 6. Id like to go with 37" tires but so far I can only find an old man emu 2" lift, Id like to keep it as low as possible with minor trimming. Im also going to be getting front and rear "ARB" bumpers and sliders, rooftop tent etc... Are the axles just 8" toyotas with dropout centers like in the old solid axle pickups? If you guys could give me any pros/cons maybe what kind of fuel mileage you get?

Id appreciate it...


Thanks!!

What are your plans for the rig?
If just expo then don't go 37's. Mine serves as a dual purpose rig and is fine for my purposes. That being said I think it is perfect for US travel and I have driven it all over the deserts of Cali, NV and AR in current form as well as from Cali to NC as well as some hard core wheeling.



No Landcruisers are 9.5 in the rear and 8" HP in the front not compatible with mini stuff.


My perfect pure expo rig would read as this

3.5 FOR lift
315 Destination MT's
TUBE bumpers front and rear (keep the weight down)
Lockers (factory or ARB)
Bump it offroad skid plates
Dual battery system with dual sears diehard platinums
Inti roof rack with a camping lab RTT
Shower system
Fridge
Sleeping platform (build yourself)
On board air
Sliders
Warn Winch
Re-gear