Desertdude
Expedition Leader
average so far is about 14 MPG -
FZJ80 and Tacoma. Evaluating the choice
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
average so far is about 14 MPG -
Jonathan Hanson
Supporting Sponsor
The sailboat designer Uffa Fox once said, "Weight, as such, is useful only to designers of steamrollers."
The Land Cruiser certainly still reigns in the area of ultimate strength and durability. For areas of the world where the vehicle is used more off-pavement than on, nothing can substitute for axle shafts over an inch in diameter, sheet metal measured in millimeters rather than gauge, and massive box-section frame rails.
But I have no hesitation subjecting our Tacoma to heavy duty, intermittent off road use. The comments about price versus equipment are well-said. For the same cost, I'd rather have a Tacoma with a Four-Wheel Popup camper and proper suspension than an 80-series Land Cruiser and a standard tent, at least for North American travels.
Also, technology has enabled significant increases in chassis strength with the same or reduced weight. A new Tacoma probably has a stiffer frame than my FJ40, despite the increased length.
The Land Cruiser certainly still reigns in the area of ultimate strength and durability. For areas of the world where the vehicle is used more off-pavement than on, nothing can substitute for axle shafts over an inch in diameter, sheet metal measured in millimeters rather than gauge, and massive box-section frame rails.
But I have no hesitation subjecting our Tacoma to heavy duty, intermittent off road use. The comments about price versus equipment are well-said. For the same cost, I'd rather have a Tacoma with a Four-Wheel Popup camper and proper suspension than an 80-series Land Cruiser and a standard tent, at least for North American travels.
Also, technology has enabled significant increases in chassis strength with the same or reduced weight. A new Tacoma probably has a stiffer frame than my FJ40, despite the increased length.
freightdog
Observer
Hmmm,
Have had both - still have a Cruiser -
I live on the Navajo Rez - everyday I am "offroad" - in 4wheel - subjecting my two Land Cruiser's to ******** you all do once a month.
I had a 2002 Taco TRD - nice ride - $25,000 - all the bells and whistles - I do not like all the electronics because I am not smart enough to fix is all. It came apart the second year we had it - 53,000 miles and oh did it take a beating - 27 miles of offroad to get to pavement to go to town! Great truck but way small for my likes -
The Cruiser I own gets almost the same mpg - 15 vs 19mpg. Chevy 350 in both - the 60 has a NV4500 - great tranny - it is locked ARB front and rear - it is heavy - knock on wood I have been able to repair the minor difficulties - slave cylinder/brakes/clutch/broke shock mounts...and build on where the PO left off...Leather Camry electric seats...400watt stereo...Boston Acoustics...MP3...Bearcat scanner...Galaxy cb/ssb...ARB fridge...with room to spare for tools and GPS and computer and still tow the Aliner in comfort.
The Taco died under the strain of the trailer - was small - was cool as hell - but I am big and long distance travel = my 60 / toy on switchbacks = my 40
I remember someplace Scott was evaluating the 60 and he said it was an expensive build - yep at $44,000 for the 60 and $8,400 for the 40 + $11,800 for the camper - yep! For what I do and where I live the Land Cruiser is all I would own...if I spent time in town or on the road - I would own a Taco in a heartbeat...or a Ford 350 with a diesel... :bowdown:
Have had both - still have a Cruiser -
I live on the Navajo Rez - everyday I am "offroad" - in 4wheel - subjecting my two Land Cruiser's to ******** you all do once a month.
I had a 2002 Taco TRD - nice ride - $25,000 - all the bells and whistles - I do not like all the electronics because I am not smart enough to fix is all. It came apart the second year we had it - 53,000 miles and oh did it take a beating - 27 miles of offroad to get to pavement to go to town! Great truck but way small for my likes -
The Cruiser I own gets almost the same mpg - 15 vs 19mpg. Chevy 350 in both - the 60 has a NV4500 - great tranny - it is locked ARB front and rear - it is heavy - knock on wood I have been able to repair the minor difficulties - slave cylinder/brakes/clutch/broke shock mounts...and build on where the PO left off...Leather Camry electric seats...400watt stereo...Boston Acoustics...MP3...Bearcat scanner...Galaxy cb/ssb...ARB fridge...with room to spare for tools and GPS and computer and still tow the Aliner in comfort.
The Taco died under the strain of the trailer - was small - was cool as hell - but I am big and long distance travel = my 60 / toy on switchbacks = my 40
I remember someplace Scott was evaluating the 60 and he said it was an expensive build - yep at $44,000 for the 60 and $8,400 for the 40 + $11,800 for the camper - yep! For what I do and where I live the Land Cruiser is all I would own...if I spent time in town or on the road - I would own a Taco in a heartbeat...or a Ford 350 with a diesel... :bowdown:
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
Jonathan Hanson said:
If the 80 does have a draw back it is its weight. I don't know what the GVW of a Taco extcab/double is, but the 80 is ~6000 IIRC. This summer I was in a FJ60 that got stuck in a mud pit, partly due to its weight. One of my coworkers didn't want to go with LC's because of this, until he had one of the Chinese Jeeps blow a motor, then getting unstuck didn't seem so bad.
Ross
MaddBaggins
Explorer
Scott Brady
Founder
GeoRoss said:
:arabia: You just made my day...
MaddBaggins
Explorer
GeoRoss said:
Yeah, you know my problem with the 80's section on mud is Lemmings. Anything new or different is taboo.
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Another note about the 80 I have observed is the nice tight turning radius over the longer wheel based Tacoma - a great benefit on and off-highway
Life_in_4Lo
Explorer
Aw, c'mon. It's not that bad is it?MaddBaggins said:
I think there are alot of opinions on there. Some intersting, some not. But there are alot of people on that board so there will be group-think going on.
I don't know if the vast lurker majority agrees with the vocal few or not so... don't be too hard on them.
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Before buying the 80 I searched and read, and re-read thousands of posts to get up to speed on the wonders of this vehicle - without the 80's tech on mud I would be lost in space. :bowdown:
riverguide
Adventurer
this is by far some of the best info i've read ever. Not that it pertains to me, but its still sweet to see ppl comparing issues and not argueing, all while giving valid points of each vehicle. I love dis place.
njtacoma
Explorer
I'm new but have been lurking for awhile. Thought I would chime in on this thread. I had an 85 FJ 60 (I know not an 80, but I think the concept is similar). I replaced it with the Tacoma, because among other things I like the additional seperation between gear and my family. I liked knowing if something came loose in the cargo area it wasn't going get into the passenger area.