rubicon to landcruiser

[Jim K in PA]

i'll most likely have 3 people with me on the trip(s). i've already decided to sell the tj, if i can hardly tolerate it as a dd around town i know i won't be able to across the country. when i bought it i said heck with creature comforts who needs those but after awhile it gets to you.

OK. Thought so based on the first post. Three people is also more than I would want to pack for in a TJ. If you wanted to keep the Jeep there are plenty of ways to correct what is wrong with it and make it ride like a 100 series LC. The most beneficial change would have been to install a long arm suspension with appropriate springs & shocks. But that would only address the ride, not the interior capacity.

Enjoy the TLC, but more importantly, enjoy the adenture. :elkgrin:

 

[redthies]

Slee will do a solid axle 100 for you!:sombrero: Take your time shopping. The right 80 or 100 is out there. If you look at Lexus LX450s you might find a cleaner lower mile unit, and they are a bit nicer inside and quieter too. When I was looking there were a ton of them in Florida that were clean low mile ones. Or maybe there were more people rolling back odos down there...:elkgrin:

 

[sleeoffroad]

You have to define your budget and your intent. 80's can be modified (ie lifted more) so larger tires are an option on 80's and not so much on 100's. Also don't be fooled by the price of the purchase. Most 80's now require extensive refurbishing to make them reliable. They do go forever but not on their own. The initial savings on a 80 will be chewed up in maintenance in a hurry. Ask me, we do this on a daily basis. They are an awesome platform, but they are not immune to breakage and wear.

If you do your own work, then that is not so bad. If you rely on a shop, you are going to spend some serious $'s.

I love both, but for most people, if they actually evaluate their realistic requirements, and not the dreams while reading Overland Journal, they need much less vehicle than what they think.

Case and point, you need a solid axle, why? I am not going to debate the merits, but as yourself if you really need it. In some cases people do.

I have had both 100 with SAS and now a 80 with a 4.7L v8 and every other combination in between.

I can not really choose, but if you are not needing a solid axle, then the 4.7L v8 is a really nice upgrade over the 1FZFE 4.5L. The IFS stuff is going to require more maintenance when being abused on a daily basis. That is just fact. Is it weak, no.

I put it like this. If you are going to drive through Africa I want a solid axle. Relatively small spare parts load to fix pretty much any situation. Hit a donkey sized pothole and things can normally be straightened and hammered and welded into place on a solid axle truck. Not so much with a IFS. Drive 500 miles and do a little weekend outing on some dirt roads in the US, I would take a 100 series.

 

[Cackalak Han]

....I imagine a LC drives like a Cadillac compared to it.

To me, this would be the biggest factor. I'd imagine your travels would be 90% paved roads? Never had a Wrangler, but even comparing my LC to a 3rd gen 4Runner and Tacoma, it is much much more comfortable on long road trips. For instance, after a 6 hour trip in the 4Runner, I was tired and sore. 9 hours in the LC, and I was still fine. I'd say that's enough to get a bigger/more comfortable vehicle right there.

Good luck on the expedition. Wish I could take 4 months off.

 

[Topgun514]

Hey I am a Jeep guy and would have loved to read this in the Jeep section too.


I love Jeeps but you're right- not to comfy in some forms. For a trip that long you should definetly look at a longer wheel base. The JK 4door is great and much improved ride quality even with 32 in. tires MT's. A grand cherokee would be nice but a smaller in the interior with less aftermarket support depending on the year you find.

But a land cruiser, particularly the older styles in the early 2000's would be AWESOME. All the size of a Land Rover without the attitude :victory: The support of aftermarket, durability of toyota, and way more cozy than a Jeep (I do love the 4 door wranglers and cherokees and feel like they can be made to work but a cruiser is awesome) You will have some weaker drivetrains than the Jeep some may argue as well but I still like the platforms a lot.

 

[Klierslc]

Weaker drivetrains?

Elaborate please. The Dana 44 in the JK "might" be stronger than the IFS in the 100 series, but it is apples and oranges really.

 

[worry_no_more]

i think a 100 series is going to be pushing my budget, so as of now unless i come across a clean one for the right price that's out of the question.

i'm more interested in a solid axel because i want to hit some of the harder trails as i'm heading west and then down into central america, and i know more about them than IFS. i'm worried if something in the IFS broke i wouldn't be able to fix it...especially in another country.

IFS isn't completely out of the question though i just need to do more research.

it's come down to a 4.7 v8 grand cherokee with selectrac/open diffs and i'd throw in an arb locker. a clean 80 series with factory lockers, as low mileage as i can find. and now i'm starting to look at 99-02 4runners...because it's easier to find a low mileage one than an 80 and it's still a toyota. i just like the proven reliability of toyota...when someone hears toyota the first thing they think is indestructible.

and @ sleeoffroad. i realize i will have to do some maintanence on a higher mileage 80, i'm no mechanic but i do most all of my work until it gets too technical and i'm not good with electronics. what type of refurbishing are you referring to? water pump, alt, belts etc i can all do that stuff...do you mean rebuilding axels and transmissions at 150k or over?

i'm looking at the 4runner forums trying to learn more about the best years, reliability, and which models have the strongest axels, engines, transmissions and such. if you know how a 4runner compares to a GC and LC 80 any input would be much appreciated.

 

[Cackalak Han]

I would avoid 01-02 4Runners at all cost. The VSC system is horrible and downright dangerous in some situations. None of those years came with a rear locker available. (I had an 02). I also had a 98 4Runner, supercharged. Rear locker was great. I'd go for 96-00 4Runners with a rear locker.

 

[Desert Dan]

Comparing a Jeep ( 2-door TJ) to a Land Crusier is like Comparing Apples to Oranges.

 

[worry_no_more]

Comparing a Jeep ( 2-door TJ) to a Land Crusier is like Comparing Apples to Oranges.

yeah thats why i wasn't comparing them.....

thanks for making that clear though.

 

[Sawyer]

i think a 100 series is going to be pushing my budget, so as of now unless i come across a clean one for the right price that's out of the question.

i'm more interested in a solid axel because i want to hit some of the harder trails as i'm heading west and then down into central america, and i know more about them than IFS. i'm worried if something in the IFS broke i wouldn't be able to fix it...especially in another country.

IFS isn't completely out of the question though i just need to do more research.

it's come down to a 4.7 v8 grand cherokee with selectrac/open diffs and i'd throw in an arb locker. a clean 80 series with factory lockers, as low mileage as i can find. and now i'm starting to look at 99-02 4runners...because it's easier to find a low mileage one than an 80 and it's still a toyota. i just like the proven reliability of toyota...when someone hears toyota the first thing they think is indestructible.

and @ sleeoffroad. i realize i will have to do some maintanence on a higher mileage 80, i'm no mechanic but i do most all of my work until it gets too technical and i'm not good with electronics. what type of refurbishing are you referring to? water pump, alt, belts etc i can all do that stuff...do you mean rebuilding axels and transmissions at 150k or over?

i'm looking at the 4runner forums trying to learn more about the best years, reliability, and which models have the strongest axels, engines, transmissions and such. if you know how a 4runner compares to a GC and LC 80 any input would be much appreciated.

Electronics are electronics.... I still think you are an 80's guy. I love the 100.... but if you want to run harder than 6/7 rated trails regularly.... then the 100 isnt the best choice.

The IFS on the 100 is easy to work on. Most people are saying the front diff on the 100 is the weak spot. Not the IFS. The CV's are pretty beefy and if you search Ih8mud you might find one or two that actually broke. The real problem with CV's is leaking/torn boots. Get a rebuild kit for $40 and carry some band clamps to get you home. Plenty of stories of people driving leaking CV axles or axles depleted of grease for thousands of miles with no failure. The OEM CV's are beefier than anything aftermarket right now. Stay away from Napa or the like.... they have shown not to last... But if a 100 isnt in the books... it is a moot point.

Personally I would stay away from the 4runner or GC..... you want more space. You are not going to get that with those options. and they arent built like LC's. Heck I am Toyota through and through. But LC's are the ultimate... any model period. I Love the way Jeeps look... but the overall reliability isnt on the same plane as LC's....

 

[sleeoffroad]

and @ sleeoffroad. i realize i will have to do some maintanence on a higher mileage 80, i'm no mechanic but i do most all of my work until it gets too technical and i'm not good with electronics. what type of refurbishing are you referring to? water pump, alt, belts etc i can all do that stuff...do you mean rebuilding axels and transmissions at 150k or over?

i'm looking at the 4runner forums trying to learn more about the best years, reliability, and which models have the strongest axels, engines, transmissions and such. if you know how a 4runner compares to a GC and LC 80 any input would be much appreciated.

A combination of thing. Axle teardown, inspect and rebuild / replace. Hosesl. Mostly typical things that wear with age. Electronics is not a problem in 80's. Sounds from your intended use the 80 is a better candidate. I would not go the 4unner route.

 

[poriggity]

I am a jeep guy, and have owned jeeps, but I would go 80 series and never look back for what you intend to do with the rig.
Scott

 

[Ducks]

It sounds like the 80 is your best bet, especially if you plan on traveling with people. You really need interior space on expedition travel, especially with multiple people on board. You can lift the 80 4", put on 35s, change to 4.88 gears and do the Rubicon if you want. I have a built 60 and love it but driving my dad's 80 on the highway is awesome. Good luck with your search.

:beer: Chad

 

[cnskate]

You have to define your budget and your intent. 80's can be modified (ie lifted more) so larger tires are an option on 80's and not so much on 100's. Also don't be fooled by the price of the purchase. Most 80's now require extensive refurbishing to make them reliable. They do go forever but not on their own. The initial savings on a 80 will be chewed up in maintenance in a hurry. Ask me, we do this on a daily basis. They are an awesome platform, but they are not immune to breakage and wear.
.

What is your take on a preventative HG replacement on a 150k or 200k 80 series?