Mr. Leary
Glamping Excursionaire
In most cases, yes. The one in question has all the hallmarks of a build done right...
Modifying a truck is a drawn out, expensive, and complicated process, but worth it for those who like to work on their vehicles.
Help a newbie - 4Runner v. Cruiser
- Thread starter Henry
- Start date
In most cases, yes. The one in question has all the hallmarks of a build done right...
Modifying a truck is a drawn out, expensive, and complicated process, but worth it for those who like to work on their vehicles.
Life_in_4Lo
Explorer
4Runner- it is noticeably deficient in stock form. With a lift kit, it makes a very big difference.
The best, cheapest option is to keep the 4Runner and add some smart modifications.
It has the best power/weight ratio. It is the most economical and you know its history.
Check out toyota120.com for 4Runner info
2003 Land Cruiser-
superior durability and comfort. This will give you much more usable space and comfort. The rear seats are very comfy as well as the fronts.
The 4Runner has a superior IFS design but otherwise, the tank-like Land Cruiser quality is a step up if you want to keep it forever.
I would also specifically look for 5speed Land Cruisers to make the most of the power and I have always felt the 03 and newer dash is very attractive.
check out ih8mud.com for more info
If you like wrenching and are experienced, buying an already built truck is ok.
But be aware you are inheriting someone else's alterations. A "nothing" fix to the original owner can be a nightmare for the 2nd owner if they don't know what the issue is and can't track it down because it's altered from stock.
If you are not mechanically inclined, this would not be a good path, imo.
The best, cheapest option is to keep the 4Runner and add some smart modifications.
It has the best power/weight ratio. It is the most economical and you know its history.
Check out toyota120.com for 4Runner info
2003 Land Cruiser-
superior durability and comfort. This will give you much more usable space and comfort. The rear seats are very comfy as well as the fronts.
The 4Runner has a superior IFS design but otherwise, the tank-like Land Cruiser quality is a step up if you want to keep it forever.
I would also specifically look for 5speed Land Cruisers to make the most of the power and I have always felt the 03 and newer dash is very attractive.
check out ih8mud.com for more info
If you like wrenching and are experienced, buying an already built truck is ok.
But be aware you are inheriting someone else's alterations. A "nothing" fix to the original owner can be a nightmare for the 2nd owner if they don't know what the issue is and can't track it down because it's altered from stock.
If you are not mechanically inclined, this would not be a good path, imo.
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
It's a small world!
FireGuy
Adventurer
Wheezy engine? Loves to overheat? B^%$s$%^ on both counts. I live in Vegas which is FAR hotter than Tuscon, yet our 80 has never once overheated. In fact, my wife prefers the 80 over our 2003 V8 4Runner hands down. According to her, it drives better, the engine is smoother, and the AC blows colder. In fact, everyone who rides in the cruiser mentions how cold the AC is.
Enough already with your personal crusade to prove that the 100 is the best 4x4 ever in the history of man. It is a joke. Period. My 4Runner will go far more places than your 100 ever will for several reason - I'm not afraid of pinstripes, smaller width and length, better IFS, more nimble, etc. And you know what, our stock 80 has already made it through two different rock gardens that the 4Runner couldn't due to the articulation and lockers. Just save it, everyone on the internet is tired of hearing the 100 slob fest.
To the original poster, best bet is to go drive a 100. It has the same engine as the v8 runner, only it is far heavier so MPG will suffer. Do you need more interior room? If so, get the 100. If not, stick with the 4Runner. We thought about selling the 4Runner for the 100, just to get a little more room. But we finally realized that we were gaining little and giving up a lot.
Thanks to everyone for their input.
I am sorry I sparked so much emotion.
I originally considered a switch to the LC was because I personally love the truck. I was probably hoping secretly there would be overwhelming consensus to switch. More rationally, the LC has a host of better features which individually seem to be minor but I was concerned that in aggregate (or by some factor unknown to me) there would be a critically important difference. I have heard many issues brought up - including the importance of driver skill. So far it seems these are both great vehicles that can be built to perform better than I can drive. The 80 series has seems to have countless fans and no one who feel it less than stellar off road. For me the big drawback to the 80 is that I tow at 10,000 feet.
The "best" comment so far was the Old Spice commercial. Funny. Perfectly playing my emotion to go for LC.
Anybody else know Rod and his LC for sale?
I am sorry I sparked so much emotion.
I originally considered a switch to the LC was because I personally love the truck. I was probably hoping secretly there would be overwhelming consensus to switch. More rationally, the LC has a host of better features which individually seem to be minor but I was concerned that in aggregate (or by some factor unknown to me) there would be a critically important difference. I have heard many issues brought up - including the importance of driver skill. So far it seems these are both great vehicles that can be built to perform better than I can drive. The 80 series has seems to have countless fans and no one who feel it less than stellar off road. For me the big drawback to the 80 is that I tow at 10,000 feet.
The "best" comment so far was the Old Spice commercial. Funny. Perfectly playing my emotion to go for LC.
Anybody else know Rod and his LC for sale?
Two important points:
1) You drive a newish Toyota
2) You have expressed no desire to go serious rock crawling
Therefore, it would have to be a 'step down' to an 80 series and you don't need it anyway! A locked 80 will out perform the 100 and the 4runner, but only on very very difficult trails.
Personally, I have a locked 80 series and there is no way in the world I am going to max it out - it needs a driver mod...
In your situation, I would consider two options:
A) Keep the 4runner and spend 2k on a small lift and excellent tires. This will get you through 90% of the trails (add a rear locker and you're at 99%)
B) Buy an already modified 100. The one linked above sounds great. Lockers front and rear and all the armour. That stuff doesn't come cheap. Now you probably aren't going to get close to using the trucks full capability (you'd need to be a damn good driver first) but you have the comfort factor knowing that if any vehicle can get you out of trouble, it's the one you are in.
Food for thought.
Ash
1) You drive a newish Toyota
2) You have expressed no desire to go serious rock crawling
Therefore, it would have to be a 'step down' to an 80 series and you don't need it anyway! A locked 80 will out perform the 100 and the 4runner, but only on very very difficult trails.
Personally, I have a locked 80 series and there is no way in the world I am going to max it out - it needs a driver mod...
In your situation, I would consider two options:
A) Keep the 4runner and spend 2k on a small lift and excellent tires. This will get you through 90% of the trails (add a rear locker and you're at 99%)
B) Buy an already modified 100. The one linked above sounds great. Lockers front and rear and all the armour. That stuff doesn't come cheap. Now you probably aren't going to get close to using the trucks full capability (you'd need to be a damn good driver first) but you have the comfort factor knowing that if any vehicle can get you out of trouble, it's the one you are in.
Food for thought.
Ash
This is all I'm reading since it seems the 4Runner meets all your other needs. A few modifications will go a long way. Armor, tires, lift and lockers. A stock 100 (or 80) will have clearance issues as well.
Henry,
You didn't spark any of this, SHotts has a long reputation of camping out on his soapbox and saying that every vehicle that is not a 100 series LC is a POS.
Anyhow, based on what you have posted, you really can't go wrong either way.
How big is the trailer that you are towing? The LC will tow nicer due to a longer wheelbase, but if you have the VVTi engine in your 4runner, the 03 LC will have a lot less power.
Personally, I would spend a few bucks on tires and a small lift for your 4runner. In your situation, the ONLY reason that I would jump to the LC would be if I was planning on 3 or more kids.
You didn't spark any of this, SHotts has a long reputation of camping out on his soapbox and saying that every vehicle that is not a 100 series LC is a POS.
Anyhow, based on what you have posted, you really can't go wrong either way.
How big is the trailer that you are towing? The LC will tow nicer due to a longer wheelbase, but if you have the VVTi engine in your 4runner, the 03 LC will have a lot less power.
Personally, I would spend a few bucks on tires and a small lift for your 4runner. In your situation, the ONLY reason that I would jump to the LC would be if I was planning on 3 or more kids.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Henry: What do you mean by "clearance issues?" What trails are you trying to run that you can't?
You can improve clearance for $0 by pulling the running boards off. That was the first (and so far, only) mod I ever made to my 4runner. True, mine's a 3rd gen and it's a 99 which sits higher than most other 3rd gens from the factory but if you pull off the running boards and put a decent set of tires on there, the 4runner should get you anywhere you need to go.
MPG is a concern with LCs. Even though your 4runner is a V8 and has full time 4wd it still likely gets better MPG than most 100's out there. That may not matter to you now but when gas hits $4/gallon again (and it will), that could matter a lot (BTW, back in 2008 when gas prices were spiking I saw a lot of LCs advertised on CL dirt cheap.)
I don't know what a basic ~2"-3" OME lift would cost on a 4th gen 4runner but I'm sure $1000 would cover it. Add another $600 or so for decent tires (which you need anyway) and you can conquer almost any scenic trail in CO.
Remember that the 4th gen 4runner is already a "Baby Land Cruiser" that sits on the 120 platform (same as the Lexus GX470 a/k/a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.) IMO you'd be giving up a lot going from a 40k 4runner to a 150k 100 and not gaining a lot that is usable.
You can improve clearance for $0 by pulling the running boards off. That was the first (and so far, only) mod I ever made to my 4runner. True, mine's a 3rd gen and it's a 99 which sits higher than most other 3rd gens from the factory but if you pull off the running boards and put a decent set of tires on there, the 4runner should get you anywhere you need to go.
MPG is a concern with LCs. Even though your 4runner is a V8 and has full time 4wd it still likely gets better MPG than most 100's out there. That may not matter to you now but when gas hits $4/gallon again (and it will), that could matter a lot (BTW, back in 2008 when gas prices were spiking I saw a lot of LCs advertised on CL dirt cheap.)
I don't know what a basic ~2"-3" OME lift would cost on a 4th gen 4runner but I'm sure $1000 would cover it. Add another $600 or so for decent tires (which you need anyway) and you can conquer almost any scenic trail in CO.
Remember that the 4th gen 4runner is already a "Baby Land Cruiser" that sits on the 120 platform (same as the Lexus GX470 a/k/a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.) IMO you'd be giving up a lot going from a 40k 4runner to a 150k 100 and not gaining a lot that is usable.
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
I see that we have some "selective readers" in this thread. That's OK though it can be confusing to Henry or any other person looking for sound advice.
My words about the 80 are spot on. They echo what Henry (who this thread is all about...not the others who think the 80 is the end-all Cruiser) has said. The 80 is not the best choice for Henry towing a trailer at 10,000 feet. Henry knows this already and I stated it's not the best choice "for him" IMO either. His Runner or the 100 will blow the 80 away in this category. For another appilcation...maybe not. For Henry's? The 80 is out. It also doesn't sound like Henry plans on doing crazy stuff on insane trails. Well in the end if he does he can do quite a bit in ether a built 4R or 100. If he doesn't run the Rubi and he tows at 10K feet, like I said, he'll hate an 80 and regret ever letting the 4R go.
My words about the 80 are spot on. They echo what Henry (who this thread is all about...not the others who think the 80 is the end-all Cruiser) has said. The 80 is not the best choice for Henry towing a trailer at 10,000 feet. Henry knows this already and I stated it's not the best choice "for him" IMO either. His Runner or the 100 will blow the 80 away in this category. For another appilcation...maybe not. For Henry's? The 80 is out. It also doesn't sound like Henry plans on doing crazy stuff on insane trails. Well in the end if he does he can do quite a bit in ether a built 4R or 100. If he doesn't run the Rubi and he tows at 10K feet, like I said, he'll hate an 80 and regret ever letting the 4R go.