Planning to purchase or build a family expedition SUV.

[Metrocruiser]

Hello all,

We drive an 05 Nissan Armada and love it. The only issues are.... Fuel mileage, not a lot of aftermarket mods available and lastly I have read that it would require some big mods in order to make it as off-road capable as the lc80 and lc/lx 470.

I am hoping that some Toyota people can chime in here because that is the brand I am planning to purchase for the build.

We are a family of 5 with 2 boys 5 & 8 + a 40 lb staffy. Planning to do 3-5 two week+ road trips a year with light off-roading and roof top camping. Weekend wilderness outings as well. When I can afford it, I would like to get a military style trailer with pullout cooking gear and take the rtt off the SUV and put it on the trailer.

My question is; should I stick with my mada or should I sell it and buy a Landcruiser/Lexus? I think I should get a LC/LX and it brings me to which one...
An older 80 series with lockers or a newer more spacious and comfy Lexus 470 with atrac. As well, I will want to use it as a kid transport/daily driver in a big city.

Thank you for any thoughts you can suggest.


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[Blind_Io]

The FJ-80 is a fantastic platform and my personal favorite series, but they are getting older and that means more parts will be wearing out. The 80s are also favored by overlanders and crawlers for their robust build quality, solid front and rear axles, and generous interior size without being so large they can't fit down most roads. This is why clean, low miles 80 series are becoming hard to find and still command big money on the used market.

The 80 is not without fault. We had one for years (wish we still did, but the needs of my family changed) the brakes are inadequate from the factory and wear very quickly, also the inline 6 is underpowered for the Cruiser's size. Don't get me wrong, it is a very solid motor but it lacks passing and climbing power so the transmission is always shifting around to try to find the right gear. That means higher RPMs sucking down more fuel.

However, the 80 is leaner than the Land Cruisers that followed it and was offered without many of the luxury tackles that we now consider to be standard. It is strongly build but not so heavy that it will sink in like later Cruisers. Basically, it is a solid vehicle but you should know that a vehicle of that age will have problems and there were some shortcomings out of the box.

If I was offered a factory-fresh 80 series (especially in a diesel) right now in trade for my modded XTerra I would have the title signed over before you could blink.

 

[justbecause]

If you are in Canada and say you are considering a LC because of fuel economy, should we assume you are looking at diesel cruisers? because a gas 80 will not do as well as an 05 Armada. You might get similar numbers out of a 100, depending on driving habits.

A trailer will be almost a necessity for 4 people + dog for anything over a weekend, unless you either A) pack like backpackers or B) overload the roof.

80s are getting old, there is no two ways about it, I really liked mine, but there were things about it that made me want something with less years under her belt.
100s arent far behind.

Have you ever looked at/considered a GX 470?

You get a lot more vehicle for your money buying Nissan over Toyota. Have you considered a Frontier or Titan?
the Pro-4x package has traction control and a locking rear diff. Install a camper shell and you have dry (relatively) secure storage for gear + the dog isnt in the cab smelling it up. I love my dog, we taker her everywhere, but I love not having that "the dog has been in the backseat for hours" smell in my truck.

 

[kojackJKU]

I would toss in a suburban into the mix. Ours is really good for hauling the family around. Its good on fuel as well.

 

[Aaron Ingram]

I traded off my 03 4dr Taco for an 03 Sequioa about a year ago and have been very happy with it. We used to travel and camp with the truck so that was a consideration as well but when the family got bigger, we just couldn't fit everything and take the dog with us any more. As far as fuel economy goes... The big tree (V8 w/ 4wd) is worse than the truck but not by much. I can usually get around 16mpg but it's worth the extra room and it's soooo comfortable. It rides big and we love it. I also put the biggest tires that would fit under it.

I was looking for the same thing you where and focused on finding a Sequioa when I saw the price comparison with a LC.

 

[AA1PR]

stick with what you have

I've seen too many LR's stuck on the trails here

 

[Mrknowitall]

If light off-roading is the expected activity, I would stick with the Armada- use this
http://performancelifts.com/Daystar-Nissan-Titan-Armada-2-Leveling-Kit-Urethane.html
Then add some 33-34" tires and you can handle most trails something that size will fit on. Throw in a winch on a multi-mount, and you can get just about anywhere. There's a lot of off-road snobbery out there. If you like it for everything else, run it.

 

[Blind_Io]

If you are going to do a spacer lift, at least get something better than urethane. http://www.prgproducts.com/shop/category/armada/armada_suspension/