FJZ80 to LR3, am I asking for trouble?

[kbahus]

I have a built 96 80 series with lockers that has served me very well for many years. Watching the classifieds and what these trucks are selling for has got me thinking about cashing in and getting something newer. My family has been evolving and we don't wheel like we used to. These days it's pretty hard to get out as it is and our future plans are going to be more along the lines of family expo type trips. I now have a 40 series that I can build to be more of the wheeling vehicle when I can get out and play on my own as well.

LR3 prices in my area show 2005-06 models for $10k with 100k on the clock. I would do the typical upgrades and would like to run 33's as that tire size works well for my area. I have a few concerns that I can't find straight answers to and it is regarding reliability. My 80 rarely gives me problems, and when it does I can still drive the truck home, parts are easy to source, and it's simple to work on. I never have to worry about it on the trail or on the street failing leaving my family stranded. Will the LR3 deliver this kind of confidence or is it going to be broken more than not? Is 200k in the LR3's capability or will it be destined for the crusher by then? I probably should stay away because it does seem to have a myriad of electrically controlled components and air suspension, not unlike the Audi Allroad which I am intimately familiar and in my opinion is a nightmare of constant problems. Before I make any firm judgements I thought I would ask the masses here in the LR section what you guys think?

Oh yeah, is there software available similar to Vag-Com for Audi's where I can do my own repairs and diagnostics on it?

:beer:

 

[I Leak Oil]

You're asking a target group of people who tend to tolerate the characteristics you want to avoid if you'll be OK with it? If you're happy with the cruiser, stick with it.

 

[LR Max]

Get a lexus gx470. It will do what you want.

 

[kbahus]

That bad huh? All of the GX470's on the market with 100k are 5-10k more in price which is not really in the budget and one the reasons the LR's looked good.

 

[86tuning]

But that $5-10k will be well spent in repairs avoidance...

120-series are good trucks. 4.7L v8 is a good engine.

If you're happy with your Toyota product, there's a good reason to stick with that brand.

 

[454]

If money is more than a mild concern, stay away.

 

[mpinco]

LOL. 80's series is getting boring. Got it. Want to move on to something not as boring as a Toyota. New challenge, move on to Rovers. Works for me.

Went from Scouts to Disco I's to RRC's to LR4. Each vehicle requires good maintenance, including the Yota's. Drove all across the midwest plains from summar to blizzards. No issues.

LR3's will go 300K + if maintained. Same as 80's.

 

[Eniam17]

You can put 200k miles on most vehicles that are maintained well, just a matter of how much you want to spend to get there. I absolutely love my lr3 and have never had an issue with it but personally I wouldn't switch from the cruiser to a 9 yr old anything with 100k on it and expect excellent reliability.

 

[4D55 Performance]

That bad huh? All of the GX470's on the market with 100k are 5-10k more in price which is not really in the budget and one the reasons the LR's looked good.

I would say the LR3 are cheaper for a reason but that is not always true. Sometimes the market is soft on a specific model because of a perception. In the LR3's case the reliability of the Disco I and II has influenced it's resale value. Personally if I were in the market for a vehicle like the LR3 I would look at an 2004-2006 Montero. Just yesterday I was speaking with a member on the forum who was looking to dump his locked LX450 and Locked FZJ80, because he likes the Montero much better. He was just concerned about aftermarket support for his Montero. After providing him with some links to the aftermarket he now feels more comfortable letting go of his Cruisers and keeping the Montero as his only offroad rig.

The Montero is in your budget, it is very reliable and it is offroad capable but best of all it can go so fast on the washboard and dirt roads because of its design.

 

[DougG]

Oh yeah, is there software available similar to Vag-Com for Audi's where I can do my own repairs and diagnostics on it?

:beer:

My Vag-Com has paid for itself probably 10 times over on my Audi, but the equivelant Land Rover unit is well into the $1,000's of dollars, maybe even close to $5-6,000. Not worth it in my opinion.

 

[jhawk]

My brother in law replaced his FJZ80 with an LR3 after he saw what mine could do. We wheeled for years his Cruiser on 35's with the normal mods, my Disco 1 running 235/85's normal mods. My LR3 on 33's is better in every way than both trucks. It'll do 80 on the freeway and tackle 95% of the situations you'll run into off road.

My truck is a bit past 100,000. I've had it for roughly 15,000 miles and two years. I've replaced one air strut, upper control arm bushings, and coolant level sensor.

Jim

 

[DVD]

I would say the LR3 are cheaper for a reason but that is not always true. Sometimes the market is soft on a specific model because of a perception. In the LR3's case the reliability of the Disco I and II has influenced it's resale value.

When it comes down to it, this is why I bought an LR3 a couple years ago. 96k miles at the time and 115k now. As a cheapskate (or value seeker) I took a risk that the market value is skewed. Time will tell, but so far, so good (knock on wood).

Similar to jhawk (hi fellow azlro!) I've done some preventative and expected maintenance, but nothing terrible. I've spent way more in outfitting the vehicle :safari-rig:

That said, I'm sure the maintenance-to-accouterments ratio would be reversed if I hadn't done a lot of the work myself.

 

[axels]

Oh yeah, is there software available similar to Vag-Com for Audi's where I can do my own repairs and diagnostics on it?

I've been using the Gap Diagnostic IIDTool which can read and clear fault as well as make changes to the CCF and EAS... Love it. It should do all of what you need.

 

[roverandom]

The LR engineers have finally got a handle on keeping oil and coolant inside the engine. The power train usually gives very little trouble in the LR3. Probably because they used other people's engines. lol.

So to keep us enthusiasts entertained they have packed it full of gizmos to go wrong and ensured maximum frustration by interconnecting them all. This also makes anything more than minor modifications difficult.

Toyota will have all this stuff on their new trucks in another five years as they follow their corporate mantra of "the second mouse always gets the cheese".

No modern vehicle is "simple" to work on. They all have computers up the wazoo.

LR3 is a great unit and very versatile. The best thing about any LR is the support and collective knowledge of loads of enthusiasts worldwide

My 2c.

 

[fishEH]

No modern vehicle is "simple" to work on. They all have computers up the wazoo.

My 2c.

This.