I have been debating about selling my 4runner and getting a land cruiser/LX 450. Has anyone else done this? I want to build an overland rig and the land cruiser is a bigger vehicle. Factory dual lockers is a plus also.

Just looking for anyones input. If you own both let me know what you like or dislike about it.

There's definitely a lot of people who have made that transition. @A.Wilson013 is one of them. I think he's been pretty happy with it. Check out Expedition Portal.

It would be a great upgrade. As normal do your research on the year for any known issues and test drive to make sure its what you want. Can't go wrong with an fj.

I believe he has the GX470 which is essentially built on the same chassis as the 4th gen 4Runner, but has a taller roof height and better designed interior than the 4Runner.

3rdgenfan- I've always been impressed with the 80 series, even more so than the 100 for the fact that it has such an aggressive body and solid front axle. My only issue with them is they are now so expensive that you could find a 100 series for the same price, with lockers and with less mileage.

The 80 is now at the point where if you have a clean one with lockers, you can ask virtually anything. There are nutcases on IH8mud asking top dollar for them.

I would love a FJ but they are out of the price range.

Just a quick browse of craigslist the dual locker ones do pull a premium. I almost picked up a clean one for $1500 but I was about 30 mins short of someone in front of me. I will be on the hunt everyday.

Unless you absolutely need a solid front axle I'd go 100 series.

https://expeditionportal.com/top-10-...land-vehicles/

"I can hear the screaming and gnashing of teeth from the FZJ80 owners (I am one), but the reality is – the 100 series is just better for vehicle-based adventure travel. It has a much better motor with 100% better performance and can even manage 1-2 mpg better fuel economy. The 4.7L doesn’t eat head gaskets or PHHs and runs ice cold (no AC shutoff in the Mojave). Sure it doesn’t have a solid axle, which limits the most extreme terrain applications, but the 80 isn’t really that good at extreme terrain anyways. The 100 series also has excellent brakes that don’t fade after a few minutes on a twisty road. The interior is refined, comfortable and quiet. Overall fit and finish is class leading, as is interior materials and durability.



On the road, the 100 series will cruise comfortably at 85 mph all day long and then shift into low-range and tackle the most challenging terrain with just a few modifications. If you install an OME HD suspension, new shocks and 295/75 R16 BFG ATs, you will go just about anywhere you want to go in fantastic comfort. These trucks have also proven to be one of the most reliable vehicles ever imported to the US and it is not uncommon to find examples with 300,000 miles that are still rattle and leak free – impressive."

Another reason I looked at the 80 series was due to the front solid axle. There was many times I debated on putting one on my 4runner. Due to the cost and fabrication I thought it would be almost the same as just buying an 80 series. I will from time to time due some difficult trails. Here in colorado I am surrounded by awsome trails the IFS seems to hold me back.

If I was to go back. I’d be looking for a fzj80 with factory lockers.

You could get a 25 year old imported 70 series.

WTH, they didn't even mention the 70 series. All REAL world expeditions use 70 series as a base. It's a MAN's truck.

I didn't even know they made a 70 series.

Wasn't sold in the US but you can import ones older than 25, or buy them here from people who already imported them.

I'm gonna get one of these. But I'll keep my T4R

Boiiii you wild. I have a GX470.

@3rdgenfan My buddy Eric had a highly modified 80 series that he used for overland type travel (not weekend trips to forest service roads, but like driving to the end of the Dempster Highway in the Arctic Circle). It had all the lockers, gears, winch, storage built in, etc.

Back in September he rode (and ending up driving quite a bit) with me in my GX while I did the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route with another friend (who also had a GX). When we returned Eric listed his 80 for sale, sold it, and bought a GX.

His GX has nothing real special yet, but his only complaint is the storage in the GX. He said the 80 series had more "usable" storage.

That thing is bad azz. I would love to have one of those. Now I jut need to find a pile of money.