How would you spend 30k?

[Ryanmb21]

My vote would be for a 4th gen 4runner or double cab taco. Both can easily be had for <$30K. In March '06 I got a 4x4 sport with every option besides leather and Nav for $29,500, now the deals are better. I put 32's on and last weekend I got 19MPG on a 500 mile road trip up the coast with 4 people.

The Land cruisers are SO nice but MPG would be the deal breaker for me. (If you are interested in the 4runners, I'd check toyota120.com for lots of specific info before purchase)

Good luck!

 

[neliconcept]

uzj100 for this very truck on slees site

 

[Pskhaat]

The LC will be a better 'wheeler, but will kill you on MPG. You can pull 20mpg from a Taco if you lay off the gas

You can actually pull 20mpg from the 100 too:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7228&highlight=worst+mileage

The 100 is IMO a lot bigger than any gen Taco/4Skinner which may be a sales point considering a fondness to the 'Burb.

 

[Bella PSD]

For 30K, a F 250-350 Superduty with a slide in camper is the way I would go too. I bet you could do it for way less than 30K including the camper AND a ton of mods!!

Louie

Yep that would be about what I would be doing with 30K or a set up like that with a work shell and a trailer.

 

[calamaridog]

I'm looking at the Toyota 4-Runner and the Land Cruisers. So back to the question, is my money better spent on a new 4-Runner or a 3-4 year old Land Cruiser? I think both would serve us well but would like input from the experts regarding both these models. Thanks in advance for your help.

Nate

I thought we would get back on the topic of 4runners and Land Cruisers:shakin:

First of all, no way a 100 series gets 20mpg. MAYBE downhill with a tail-wind.

Second of all, it's not that much bigger than the current generation 4runner.

 

[slooowr6]

4th gen 4.0 V6 4 runner have timing chain, 4.7 V8 has timing belt. So I would assume the LC has timing belt, right?

 

[calamaridog]

4th gen 4.0 V6 4 runner have timing chain, 4.7 V8 has timing belt. So I would assume the LC has timing belt, right?

Correct. Same basic engine as the Tundra and Sequoia. What's your point

 

[slooowr6]

Correct. Same basic engine as the Tundra and Sequoia. What's your point

Chain last longer. Not a lot of $ but belt needs to be change at certain mileage 60k~90k miles.
I replace my Audi A4's timing belt at 90k. It took me 1.5 day in my garage, shop quoted me $1500 for it. Not looking forward to do that again.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Chain last longer. Not a lot of $ but belt needs to be change at certain mileage 60k~90k miles.
I replace my Audi A4's timing belt at 90k. It took me 1.5 day in my garage, shop quoted me $1500 for it. Not looking forward to do that again.

The chain in my 22R-E lasted 45,000. Defective chain guides, it was definitely an anomaly. The repair for that was about $2500 and took me all of last winter, as in building a new 22R-E.

https://expeditionportal.com/xenforo_live/index.php?threads/4582/

Chains are fine, belts are fine. The upside to a belt is somewhat easier to do the periodic replacement, even though the period is shorter than a chain. Personally whether the engine in the truck has one or the other isn't really much of a decision for me personally.

 

[ckkone]

For a family of 4, get the 100 series TLC. No question...

Very comfortable on the highway and enough room to save a few family squabbles too. With minor modifications, the trail capability is quite good too.

30K will probably get you an 03 or 04 with low mileage.

Good point about the family squabbles, you can always leave one the rear seats in and make it a time out place...

 

[4Rescue]

Think the Nissan will last 200k?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..... Nope...

For 30K, a F 250-350 Superduty with a slide in camper is the way I would go too. I bet you could do it for way less than 30K including the camper AND a ton of mods!!

Louie

Why not just buy a motor home, they're just as capable off-road. With Fords, you eithrer buy an old 7.3 TD or spend the rest of your life worrying that your 6.0 will pop a head or your tranny will go out on you. And if you go with a 7.3 you're just buying an older truck so you're kinda back in the same boat with a truck that will not last anywhere near as long as a Toyota. A toy with 200k would be less of a reliability concern than a Ford/Shivy with 50k... And no I'm not joking.

Seriously, depending on your load size, I'd go UZJ100 for a larger load, and a 3rd gen Runner with the 3.4 if you don't have to haul the whole house.

 

[Brian894x4]

One more vote for the 100.

My time behind the wheel of a 100 is limited, as I've only driven a friend's ride. But I do have my 80 series.

As a pointed out to me a while back when I was looking for one, Land Cruisers are in a class all by themselves on a number of levels. And its so true.

No matter what year you get, over the last 15 years, these rigs cost between $40,000 and $65,000 when new, so you're getting one heck of a bargin when you find a used, low miles, good shape and cheap. Because there's a reason Toyota charged that much money for them. It wasn't all profit. They really put the time and effort into the design.

However prices are falling like a rock, because the SUV era is now over and these rigs don't get very good gas mileage. So, for anyone looking for an awesome, reliable, dependable, rock solid SUV, there are lots of bargins out there.

At least go test drive one. If you really care about gas mileage, then don't test drive one, because you'll want to buy it anyway afterwards.

 

[Redline]

I really like my 4Runner but it is only me, wife, and a few dogs most of the time. I think the Sequoia is a good size and believe it is taller in stock condition than the low-rider Mall Crawler 4th Gen 4Runners.

Thanks guys for all the great input. Regarding the Burb, it really has served us well and we will miss all the room for the family. It is however a 1/2 ton, 2 WD model and I really can't see using it for much offroad duty with out some serious modification (that I'm not capable of....there, I said it!!).
I will continue to research the 4runner vs LC dilemma. My buddy has a Sequoia and really speaks well of it. My thought was that of the 3 SUVs offered by Toyota, the Sequoia was the least off road ready but would fit our needs as a family the best. I guess everything is about tradeoffs....regardless, I don't think we would be unhappy in any of the above choices.
Again, thanks for the feedback and keep those ideas coming.

Nate

 

[DaveInDenver]

I think the Sequoia is a good size and believe it is taller in stock condition than the low-rider Mall Crawler 4th Gen 4Runners.

Came across once and knew it would come in handy.

Manf. Rated Ground Clearances (I believe it was for 2007):
Chevy Trailblazer = 7.8"
Chevy Tahoe = 9.1"
GMC Yukon XL = 9.1"
Ford Explorer =8.2"
Ford Expedition = 8.7"
Jeep Grand Cherokee = 8"
Nissan Pathfinder SE = 8.8"
Nissan Pathfinder Offroad = 9.2"
Nissan Armada = 10.7"
Toyota 4-Runner = 9.1"
Toyota Sequoia = 10.6"
Toyota Tundra = 12.3"

 

[calamaridog]

Chain last longer. Not a lot of $ but belt needs to be change at certain mileage 60k~90k miles.
I replace my Audi A4's timing belt at 90k. It took me 1.5 day in my garage, shop quoted me $1500 for it. Not looking forward to do that again.

My belt has 120k on it. I'll let you know when it goes

The recommended replacement interval is 90k and not even a Lexus dealer will charge over $900.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. The UZJ100 is an awesome used value. You really get a great vehicle for the money.