Help a newbie - 4Runner v. Cruiser

[TangoBlue]

I'm almost certain the OP replied:

That seems like about it for this thread.
Thanks again to everyone for all the great help.
I contacted Rod about the truck. It's difficult for me to get together with him.
I'm not sure how it will go but I greatly appreciate everybody's help.

Yup, the quote proves it! He's working his decision with all our input; let's not beat this dead horse to ALPO... besides you all know the Tacoma is a far superior platform anyway.

 

[greg mgm]

... besides you all know the Tacoma is a far superior platform anyway.

:sombrero::sombrero::sombrero:

 

[a.mus.ed]

Here's Shotts in his wheezy, overheating 80. From a run about 18 months ago. I guess when it comes down to the wire, he makes the right choice. :victory:

And NO, Shotts, we don't want to hear your rebuttal. The 100 is an awesome truck - maybe I'll own one someday. The 80 is also an awesome truck. You don't need to put it down to make the 100 look better. That's what ************** do. I've met you, you're not an ************. Just tone it down a little. Then we might start listening to you.


XOXO
-cayce

 

[Pokey]

Three completely different vehicles and all can probably fit the bill given the original posters requirements.

Towing a trailer- all 3 will do fine.

"overheating" issue on 1fz is more poor operator maintenance of fan clutch and cooling system. 1fz is the longest produced toyota engine to date.....longer than 2f even. And theres a reason- I-6 is inherently more balanced than a v-8. Of course-toyota can produce a highly balanced v-8s but the pricetag went up $20k on the showroom floor.

IMHO- both 80 and 100 series Landcruisers are in a different league durability wise. Especially when you start to push it beyond the streets and into territory where the more solidly built vehicles will start to show their prowess.

I think Shottz probably has $60-80k:Wow1: into his 100series.....so take his viewpoints with that in mind.

The 100 and 4 runner will need- Lift/lockers/tires and some armor.
The 80 can squeek by with lift/tires and armor as some come triple locked.

The newest vehicle with the least miles will always win in terms of longevity and reliability for "mild offroad".....and its certainly going to be alot easier to find low mile versions of the newer ones.

100 series- heavyweight of the bunch size wise and will cost the most to modify as well as improve to "mild offroad" capable.

4runner- svelte and a bit smaller/lighter of the group. Mild offroad is achieved with fairly plug n play capability and low mileage versions will be equally reliable as higher mile 80 and 100 series.

80 series- rough around the edges-but with a platform that can launch well beyond the capabilities of both 100 and 4runner at a fraction of the cost. plug n play-37s-lift-triple locked-solid axle bruiser of the bunch. Older vehicle with more upkeep needed to keep this old guy purring.

 

[jim65wagon]

My thoughts because I luv makin ALPO from dead horses.....

I have owned neither a Land Cruiser or a 4Runner. I would keep the 4Runner in this scenario, because
1) I already own the darned thing
2 It's got way less miles
3) A little investment of a small lift, skidplates, sliders and good tires and it'll go almost anywhere I'd be brave enough to drive it.
4) Did I mention I already owned the darned thing....


Oh yeah the Tacoma may be the greatest platform, but a Tundra hauls more kit....

 

[Borrego60]

Been driving my 03 tundra offroad for a while and I pull a trailer from AT. Never has let me down,plenty of power I-Force v-8 and in low range the thing climbs like a goat.No problems to date and I am very happy with the truck.

 

[TangoBlue]

My thoughts because I luv makin ALPO from dead horses.....

I have owned neither a Land Cruiser or a 4Runner. I would keep the 4Runner in this scenario, because
1) I already own the darned thing
2 It's got way less miles
3) A little investment of a small lift, skidplates, sliders and good tires and it'll go almost anywhere I'd be brave enough to drive it.
4) Did I mention I already owned the darned thing....


Oh yeah the Tacoma may be the greatest platform, but a Tundra hauls more kit....

I see the ALPO has progressed well into the alimentary canal and is progressing to it's inevitable conclusion... :eatchicke where's a mod when you need them?

However, Jim, I have to agree with your conclusions but common sense is not necessarily a commonly held virtue.

Well now, that's just crazy-talk; I've seen your Tundra. :bowdown:

Meh - you get used to that stink-bug look when you have the bed loaded for an extended trip.

 

[Pskhaat]

...you get used to that stink-bug look when you have the bed loaded for an extended trip.

Hear, hear.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Here's Shotts in his wheezy, overheating 80. From a run about 18 months ago. I guess when it comes down to the wire, he makes the right choice. :victory:

And NO, Shotts, we don't want to hear your rebuttal. The 100 is an awesome truck - maybe I'll own one someday. The 80 is also an awesome truck. You don't need to put it down to make the 100 look better. That's what ************** do. I've met you, you're not an ************. Just tone it down a little. Then we might start listening to you.


XOXO
-cayce

XOXO
-John

Others on this thread mirrored my same comments. Wheezy motor, overheats, etc. I am not alone. Nor is the 80-series on the Step. A 100 does it on the first try AND his A/C did (does) not cut out like mine does when it's hot out. My '93 never did it. The LX450 sucks...it's heading to the AC shop again this week. The 155K 2001 100 has never had AC work done yet.

 

[FireGuy]

XOXO
-John

Others on this thread mirrored my same comments. Wheezy motor, overheats, etc. I am not alone. Nor is the 80-series on the Step. A 100 does it on the first try AND his A/C did (does) not cut out like mine does when it's hot out. My '93 never did it. The LX450 sucks...it's heading to the AC shop again this week. The 155K 2001 100 has never had AC work done yet.

Oh Lord, here we go again with the same three pics of 100's on a step, or waterfall or whatever trail in AZ that you run over and over that proves 100s are the best rockcrawler ever. Obviously a 100 with IFS and ATRAC is far more capable in the rocks than a 80 with solid axles and lockers front and rear. How can any of us even dare to argue against these pics? Show us new pics, maybe of you finally taking it on the Rubicon.

Someone nailed it when they said you have $80,000 into your 100. You bought it brand new, dumped a ton of cash into modifying it and you are rightly proud of it. You do wheel it fairly hard, I'll give you credit. For $80,000 invested, I'd think it was the best thing ever too. You have to, to justify the expense.

 

[mountainsoul]

:lurk:

 

[Pskhaat]

Keep it cool guys. It is (amazingly) still OK to just simply disagree without emotional arguments.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Never said some of that. The 80's the better rock crawler by the way. You need it's advantages on 5% of the trails. The JK UNL Rubi is a better rock crawler than an 80. You need it's advantages on 3% of the trails.

Back to the topic of THIS THREAD...for this postee...he knows an 80 is not for him. I stated some reasons why it'd be better for HIM to keep his Runner or get a 100. For HIM they are the better choices...and he knows it.

 

[TangoBlue]

I bet the OP is thinking we're a little too passionate and is looking to trade his 4Runner in for a Ford Taurus... NTTAWWT.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Just to add my 2 cents--I haven't owned a 4th gen 4Runner, but spent plenty of time in one. They're very nice and capable. I don't think you'll gain much by going to an LC100. I did note that the seats are much more comfortable in the LC. Did a 6 hour drive in the 4Runner years ago and had some sore spots/aches. Did a 9 hour trip earlier this year in the LC and felt surprisingly good afterwards.

That LC looks like a killer deal. I don't you can go wrong with you mr decision either way.