I LOVE our 100. Seriously.
I have a 60 too that will not die.

Fj40
 

I always wanted a FJ40 even up to now

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386823537.jpg

Love these trucks too, good thread.

It's been mentioned but I'm curious, how close is a 4 runner to a 80? Sure, it's not the purpose build Africa ready truck, but are they almost as good and still really good? I really like the 80 but the mpg makes it tough to rationalize as anything but an occasional driver.

4Runners are great trucks, but they don't compare. Much like an older 911 or Mercedes Benz, the older Land Cruisers were built to a standard, not a price point. They were expensive when new and it shows. But yeah, the MPG sucks.

My latest gen 4 runner is a luxo boat but still capable of getting you there and back should the road turn rough. They are actually pretty good off road vehicles. I have not taken it to any real off road abuse yet, but a few steep dirt hills and small frame twisters. Its ok, but I have to say, it is great on the street. Plenty of electronic to aide of road, which I am not a big fan of. Comfy is all I can say, but the interior is bigger then the 4runners of all other generations. Mind is the Limited edition with all the bell and whistles full time 4wd and locker. Like others have said here, my days of getting in trouble out in the middle of nowhere is over, so a harder core 4WD vehicle is too uncomfortable for every use. For that reason, the 100 is real high on my list over the 80 but if an 80 presented itself, I would hesitate. Like Matt said, this is the one of the very few vehicles that really got away from me but I wanted back. it will be a classic one day, soon.

I've had three generations of 4Runner (an '87, an '01 and we now have an '08). The 08 is much nicer than the previous generations. Surprisingly it also has a similar amount of room as the 80. I actually lost that bet with the wife as I would have sworn the 80 was wider inside. The 80 has a much taller cabin and it feels much more open inside as a result, but a 4Runner is pretty roomy. One thing I do not like about the '08 4Runner is the throttle/transmission. The throttle pedal does not seem to be connected to the engine in anyway tangible way. You sort of just stab at it and hope the engine revs as a result. That - in combination with the fact that Toyota seems to think that the cruising rpm in a 4Runner should be less than about 1200 rpm - causes the transmission to hunt all the time. Especially here in East TN where there are no flat roads. I was complaining about this to a buddy with a Tacoma of the same vintage and he said that is a common complaint these days.

The 80 is really the last of the vehicles that Toyota built to basically go anywhere. They are hugely overbuilt, but they do have some issues. You get the feeling driving one that it is simply indestructible. Having said that, the 80 feels like an old vehicle by today's standards. While it was a huge upgrade from the 60, by the time the late 90s rolled around it was showing its age. The 100s are really nice and they feel like you've actually stepped into a modern vehicle.

Obligatory pic of the Lexus the evening I rolled it out of the garage after installing the lift a couple of weeks ago:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386851368.jpg

Great info, thanks.

I hate to get another single purpose vehicle but an 80 might be it. The older 4runner's I've been in were a little tight for this fat guy and I remember the lexus/80 being much roomier. I'm looking for something to haul the bikes, kayak, leave at a trailhead, maybe the occasional fire road, snow... type thing.

An 80 is anything but a single purpose vehicle as they can do anything you might ask. Haul lumber, kids, groceries, ford streams, haul boats, is a work truck with locking storage, deer blind, etc...

It's a great vehicle for the fat guy, my pop is 6'1 325+lbs, he hasn't driven anything but an 80 or 100 for the last 15 years.

I've had (still do have) 2 1991 80's, the latest a rare non sunroof optioned. Drive it nearly everyday.;)

Why not a 4WD ford or chevy extended cab pick up? It hauls Kayaks with a rack and take if off when its not needed or install a shell? They will be fine on fire roads and snow unless you want a bomb proof vehicle.

Yep. the ride is actually pretty good. Its not as bad as you think, not at all. Both my boys came back from the hospital in my 80 after they were born.

Do they still comment about it at family holiday get togethers?

We do in our family, actually we compare who accumulated more "character". Other activities included rolling the 40 out and taking it for a spin. It spends a lot of time "resting".

I recently bought a 1994 manual 4 Runner with a 3.0TD engine not the 3.slow US petrol engine which I am very impressed with so far.

Will use it for exactly the same stuff you want to do, so far I've only done the snow thing which it did with ease.

Was expecting tractor like handling and go, it is plenty refined enough for the tame family exploring we do. I'd go as far as saying its the best family wagon I've owned.

I'm sure the 80 is an all round better SUV for comfort, go, space, luxury and off roading. Don't think you will go wrong getting one.

I'm a bit biased but I love Land Cruisers and Toyota's. I've had 6 Toyota Trucks/4Runners and 2 Fj40s You just can't beat em.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386890934.jpg

Funny, have one and wont get rid of it. The pickup pulls the trailer, hauls firewood, mulch... To me the LC just looks cool, is way capable and is built like a tank. Yeah, doesnt make much sense. I've just always liked them.

Don't feel bad, its a sickness like 911s. If one is sold, there will always a Land Cruiser hole in my heart and needed to be filled ( A 4rummer is close, but doesn't really cut it). I have a Dodge diesel, and a Jeep wrangler (thank goodness, just sold it for nothing)and other people mover like a minivan but I really wanted a 4wd wagon.

That's why despite the fact that I don't need one, I want another.

I went Cruiser-less for about six years. Dark times indeed. I've recovered nicely, though.

show off:mad:

Matt,

I know exactly how you feel.