I was reading your thread on mud. Yes regearing would help, how much, hard to say. But you would still be with the less powerfull motor. If you plan on evolving on a good trail rig, i mean by that (not a road), i would probably get a FZJ80. I'm from Canada so i cannot get 80 here.
BUT i own a 2003 Gen III mitsubishi Montero Ltd. And love it, unfortunately i cannot compare to a 80. Even if the gen III is fully IFS. Have you ever look under? they are build very strong. And the down travel of the wheels are mind blowing. I don't have a locker on mine but i have the equivalent of the FJcruiser a-trac. It works really really good. Tip tronic Tranny, 2H-4H-4H with TC locked and 4 low TC locked (TC=transfer case). And the electronic traction system
My Mistu LTD being with all the trim, i couldn't get 1" bigger tires.
I love the 3rd row seat that hide under the floor, very small but perfect for the kids. Huge leg room for the 2 row.
Only problem i had was a faulty transfer case switch. And the cons is the shock, there seem to be stiff or there is something wrong if the valving. a OME eventually should fix that.
Oh, and gotta love that huge sun roof.
Cons, aftermarket add on part for it is nothing compared to the 80.
But when it is time for serious trail, i use my Landcruiser BJ42 ;-)
I bought a Montero because here in Canada the 80 wasn't available but i would have bought a 80 if i could have. But still i am very happy with the Montreo
BTW, my best buddy has a FJcruiser, my truck consummes less, hauls better, i think it is due to the wheelbase of the monty vs the fjcruiser. And more comfortable, no doubt the FJ has better feature for serious wheeling, but you feel the solid axle when you drive a FJ ( my dad own one) not in my monty.
The only thing that would make me trade my monty, is if toyota would start selling diesel FJcruiser.
Lots of plastic tho :-(