3rd Gen 4Runner or Toyota Land Cruiser W/Lockers

[UncleBanjo]

Hey guys. I have recently sold my 1985 Toyota Pickup 4wd in search of a 5 seater wheeler/rock crawler. I have come down to a 3rd gen 4Runner or a Toyota Land Cruiser 90's model. My main activities will be moderate trails for exploration and camping with family, but then every now and then (1-2 times a month) hammer down on some hard stuff with my buddies. It will be my daily, but I am not picky on drivability or major comfort as I had 35's on my 22r with stock gearing and I survived that so anything will be waaayy better! lol What platform would be best for my needs?

Also, what are the differences between the 4wd systems between cruisers and 4runners. I have researched and it seems the 01-02 models had the Center Diff and then older 3rd gens had the traditional 4x4, kinda like my Toyota pickup. Do all the cruisers have the center diff and are they good for rock crawling?

Thanks a ton guys. Sorry for long post. Just trying to give all info I can so i can help you help me. lol

 

[Justin727]

Hey guys. I have recently sold my 1985 Toyota Pickup 4wd in search of a 5 seater wheeler/rock crawler. I have come down to a 3rd gen 4Runner or a Toyota Land Cruiser 90's model. My main activities will be moderate trails for exploration and camping with family, but then every now and then (1-2 times a month) hammer down on some hard stuff with my buddies. It will be my daily, but I am not picky on drivability or major comfort as I had 35's on my 22r with stock gearing and I survived that so anything will be waaayy better! lol What platform would be best for my needs?

Also, what are the differences between the 4wd systems between cruisers and 4runners. I have researched and it seems the 01-02 models had the Center Diff and then older 3rd gens had the traditional 4x4, kinda like my Toyota pickup. Do all the cruisers have the center diff and are they good for rock crawling?

Thanks a ton guys. Sorry for long post. Just trying to give all info I can so i can help you help me. lol

I personally would go cruiser. I love my 4R but I've been looking for a LC for some time now.

Good luck

 

[csp]

The FJ80s are all fulltime 4WD and will have the differential in the transfer case. There is a lock button that allows them to act like any part time transfer case. That by itself would have very little to do with their ability to rock crawl.

Either one is a good choice. The FJ80 has the advantage of a solid front axle and more room. The T4R will get better fuel economy.

 

[D Farms]

so my buddy used to have a 3rd gen and sold it to get an 80. even though the 80 has solid axles its not nessescarily the best choice for a rock crawler since its bigger and taller. it can fit 37s with a 4" lift but then the front axle has no flex because of the radius arms, basically the same problem as the 4runner with ifs. the gas mileage sucks and its slow compared to the third gen, but it has more room inside. the electric seats often are broken at this point. the 5vz-fe is a more reliable motor, although the straight six in the lc is still very good. All the people that have owned both a 4runner and a landcruiser have told me the same thing, the landcruiser will get over anything it can fit over and into, but because its so big it can be scary as hell, the 4runner is more fun to drive because its easier to maneuver and smaller.

 

[JBurt]

Too me the bug dresser of the 80 is more seating. I think the 3rd gen it's is pretty capable and I really like the 5vz.

Out of curiosity, does anyone make any forced induction options for the 80?

 

[MasonT4R]

As a fellow Oklahoman I would vote 4Runner simply because the trails around here are tight. If you plan on just crawling around Disney then you can go either way.

 

[white_n_slow]

This topic was recently covered by another member if you want to do a search for it.

I owned both. My vote goes to the FZJ80 (definitely get an FZJ '93+ not an FJ, the 3FE is just too underpowered ). Sole reason being that if you do serious wheeling in the 3rd gen, you will eventually find yourself longing for a SAS and other major upgrades. With the 80, all you have to do is slap a lift kit on it and go wheeling.

3rd gen make a better DD, IMO. But not hugely better and coming from that mini truck, either one will feel like a rocket-powered luxury SUV, lol. The Runner will get at least a few mpg better, if that matters. I'm lucky if I get 15 in the Lexus.

Shop the ih8mud.com classifieds... you may find one already built up for the cost of a stocker on craigslist.

:edit: as for 4wd systems, all 80 series come with full-time 4wd with an open center diff. The center diff automatically locks when you put the shifter in 4LO. Or you can spend $20 at radio shack to make a switch that manually locks/unlocks the center diff (some of them have a button from the factory). Front and rear lockers were an option on all years of the FZJ80 and Lexus LX450. They will crawl anywhere you can squeeze them between the trees

 

[white_n_slow]

Too me the bug dresser of the 80 is more seating. I think the 3rd gen it's is pretty capable and I really like the 5vz.

Out of curiosity, does anyone make any forced induction options for the 80?

TRD supercharger was produced for many years, but has been discontinued. May still be able to find used ones.

Lots of people have put together their own turbo system for the 1FZ-FE, and it LOOOVES boost. Most people report that if you keep boost below 8psi or so, no computer or fuel mods are necessary. There is also a CX racing kit on ebay, and there used to be a few good aftermarket kits available, but they have been discontinued for a while. You can buy a cast turbo manifold new, but the rest of the system you'll have to piece together.

 

[Link12]

Big factor here LC 7 to 10 mpg and the 4runner 17 to 20 mpg. I love both of them and was looking at both and went with a 4runner.

 

[white_n_slow]

Big factor here LC 7 to 10 mpg

More like 12-15 in my experience, but yes the Runner is good for at least 3mpg more. The 4runner is also a little peppier (at least with a 5-speed).

 

[Link12]

More like 12-15 in my experience, but yes the Runner is good for at least 3mpg more. The 4runner is also a little peppier (at least with a 5-speed).

My mom had a 97 LC and it never got over 10mpg and had a buddy with one that was the same also. Not disputing your experience with the LC its just what I have experienced with them. On a trip to Florida years ago for vacation we were checking it on every tank and it got 10mpg with 4 people and luggage in it.

 

[nevada]

:edit: as for 4wd systems, all 80 series come with full-time 4wd with an open center diff. The center diff automatically locks when you put the shifter in 4LO. Or you can spend $20 at radio shack to make a switch that manually locks/unlocks the center diff (some of them have a button from the factory). Front and rear lockers were an option on all years of the FZJ80 and Lexus LX450. They will crawl anywhere you can squeeze them between the trees

there is a kit you can install to convert it to part time. you also have to install locking hubs at the same time.

I don't remember the particulars for which year/model LC it was, NOR the brand of the kit. I just know that I installed one a few year ago.
but, that could help with the fuel mileage some.

 

[Dan.3]

An fzj80 will out wheel a 3rd gen hands down. I'd go for an fzj80 with front and rear lockers. 2 in lift and 37s and call it a day. If I remember correctly the 1fz is the longest production engine in the world. That should answer any doubts about reliability. With the 80 you can easily drop in a 2uz or a GM 5.3 if your on a budget if you wanted more power out of it.

 

[BrandonF]

IMO, the landcruiser is kind of big for hard wheeling or being a daily driver. However, depending on how big your family is, the 4runner may be too limited on space for camping trips.

The best of both worlds would be to get a 4runner and have a small, light trailer for extra space if need be. But at the end of the day, only you know your specific needs. That's my 2 cents.

 

[white_n_slow]

Also forgot to mention, one of the other pros of getting a 93+ LC as compared to a 90-92 aside from the better engine is bigger brakes (4 wheel disks).

 

[JoeBand]

T4R vs FJ80

along with my dad i've had three cruisers ('75 fj55, '85 fj60 and a '95 j80) and three 4runners ('93 gen 2, '00 SR5 and '02 limited).

i just sold the fj80 to buy my '00. there were several factors i figured when made my decision...

brakes: hard braking was always a scary proposition, the thing is just damn heavy and does not stop short.

MPG: most driving was DD short distances, and 10mpg was bad. i could get 14-15 on the highway, but generally i was happy to pull 12.

the electric seat gear was crap and kept stripping. my wife is a foot shorter than me so trying to keep it in one place didn't work.

the paint was shot and replacement tires were going to be over a grand....

bottom line i felt like it was more rig than i needed and i wasn't using it off road enough to warrant keeping it.

the '00 is a much better fit for me and our family. the guy that bought it is going to use it as a weekend crawler and he was stoked.

that said, if i had to say my favorites of all the rigs: the fj55 and the 5spd gen 2.

 

[JoeBand]

T4R vs FJ80

double post

 

[mrtucker80]

I have owned my LC for almost 5 years. It was purchased as a 3rd car and has become my wheeling rig. I have had my 3rd gen for 2 years and have clocked almost 60k miles on it.

If you want an all around rig I would suggest the 3rd Gen. It will carry 2 adults and 2 kids with ease and would carry 4 average adults with little inconvenience to the rear passengers. It gets better mileage and with a mild lift and tires can be outfitted fairly well. It is not a hard core wheeler, and in my opinion is not a great candidate for a SAS due to the height that has to be achieved in order to clear everything.

That said if your commute is short or if you can stand the mileage (I'd say 12-14 is about right), the 80 is about as close to perfection in an all around rig that I have seen. I mean everyone makes out like the Heep Rubi was such a big deal, but Toyota had a 4 door, factory locked rig almost 10 years before the heep designers "claimed" to have broken the mold.... The 80 will clear 35s and still wheel well on stock suspension.

Both drivetrains are similar, the 80 delivers some power to the front all the time, but the 4runners all do not ever truly go into 2wd since the front end is driven either by the engine or by friction all the time. Some of the later models were actually more of an AWD setup. Lockers should not be a deal breaker IMO as the folks who are selling locked rigs often overprice them. Additonally doing a part time swap on an 80 is pretty much pointless unless you have Longs or similar up front and are trying to save wear. The mpg gain is negligible. Only other cautionary point I would suggest you read up on is the "cost of ownership for an 80" great thread on IH8MUD, they are not for the faint and at their age will likely need some TLC. The aftermarket is small and nothing is cheap for them. Owning an 80 requires a certain level of commitment going in, otherwise the relationship will end in a great deal of frustration.

All in it depends on what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice for it. I love my 80 and if I didn't drive 30k per year I would DD it. And for the record if properly tuned and geared, the old 3FE is plenty of motor for one of these rigs, FZJ brakes and a FF can be swapped in, and I don't have to worry about that PHH or the HG. (If you look at a 93+ you should get familiar with those acronyms) The 80 was never designed to break any speed records, but it will get you there EVERYtime!

Based the limited information that the OP gave, I would say the 3rd Gen is going to check off the right boxes.

 

[hounddogman]

I was asking my self this question last year . I wanted a family camping/expedition vehicle and narrowed it down to a FJ 60 , FZJ 80 or 3rd gen. I had a 87 FJ60 that I had to sale for medical bills when our daughter was born with health issues and I still miss it . But I decided on something a little more modern. The 80 had every thing I wanted ( solid front axle, 4 wheel disk brakes , strait 6 engine and unbelievable aftermarket support ) but no manual transmission ! For me a manual is a must have . If your ok with a auto I would have to say FZJ 80. But regardless of which one you get , rest assured you will have one of the best 4x4s ever made.

 

[white_n_slow]

I have owned my LC for almost 5 years. It was purchased as a 3rd car and has become my wheeling rig. I have had my 3rd gen for 2 years and have clocked almost 60k miles on it.

If you want an all around rig I would suggest the 3rd Gen. It will carry 2 adults and 2 kids with ease and would carry 4 average adults with little inconvenience to the rear passengers. It gets better mileage and with a mild lift and tires can be outfitted fairly well. It is not a hard core wheeler, and in my opinion is not a great candidate for a SAS due to the height that has to be achieved in order to clear everything.

That said if your commute is short or if you can stand the mileage (I'd say 12-14 is about right), the 80 is about as close to perfection in an all around rig that I have seen. I mean everyone makes out like the Heep Rubi was such a big deal, but Toyota had a 4 door, factory locked rig almost 10 years before the heep designers "claimed" to have broken the mold.... The 80 will clear 35s and still wheel well on stock suspension.

Both drivetrains are similar, the 80 delivers some power to the front all the time, but the 4runners all do not ever truly go into 2wd since the front end is driven either by the engine or by friction all the time. Some of the later models were actually more of an AWD setup. Lockers should not be a deal breaker IMO as the folks who are selling locked rigs often overprice them. Additonally doing a part time swap on an 80 is pretty much pointless unless you have Longs or similar up front and are trying to save wear. The mpg gain is negligible. Only other cautionary point I would suggest you read up on is the "cost of ownership for an 80" great thread on IH8MUD, they are not for the faint and at their age will likely need some TLC. The aftermarket is small and nothing is cheap for them. Owning an 80 requires a certain level of commitment going in, otherwise the relationship will end in a great deal of frustration.

All in it depends on what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice for it. I love my 80 and if I didn't drive 30k per year I would DD it. And for the record if properly tuned and geared, the old 3FE is plenty of motor for one of these rigs, FZJ brakes and a FF can be swapped in, and I don't have to worry about that PHH or the HG. (If you look at a 93+ you should get familiar with those acronyms) The 80 was never designed to break any speed records, but it will get you there EVERYtime!

Based the limited information that the OP gave, I would say the 3rd Gen is going to check off the right boxes.

A lot of wisdom in this post. Being that the OP is from OK, the 3FE might be sufficient but up here in the rockies, you start to become a road hazard.