'91 - '96 Land Cruiser v. 2001 3rd Gen

[Pekoe1111]

Coming off the ski mountain last night to the parking lot in the dark and my wife says "You really backed into a space?" I said I did because that was just the easiest way to get into it. For some reason my remote didn't work as we got closer until I realized a 1992 Land Cruiser owner backed into a space a few away from my 3rd Gen.! It looked that similar - slightly lifted but a much more square snout.

I was looking at Cruisers when I was shopping but the right one didn't come up before I found my super clean '01 - now with a 2" lift, 265 Duratracs, KC Hi-Lites and a Rola basket.

In the end I wonder what the benefits would have been to get a Cruiser. I know it has a different engine, 4WD setup, but the interiors and the basics for around town and snow driving seem almost identical.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,

BB

 

[s20004runner]

Coming off the ski mountain last night to the parking lot in the dark and my wife says "You really backed into a space?" I said I did because that was just the easiest way to get into it. For some reason my remote didn't work as we got closer until I realized a 1992 Land Cruiser owner backed into a space a few away from my 3rd Gen.! It looked that similar - slightly lifted but a much more square snout.

I was looking at Cruisers when I was shopping but the right one didn't come up before I found my super clean '01 - now with a 2" lift, 265 Duratracs, KC Hi-Lites and a Rola basket.

In the end I wonder what the benefits would have been to get a Cruiser. I know it has a different engine, 4WD setup, but the interiors and the basics for around town and snow driving seem almost identical.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,

BB

the 80 series. i don't know much, but it's a larger vehicle. sold front axle.

the 100 series > 3rd gen 4runner any day.

 

[TXLX1]

I think it depends on what you are wanting to do with the vehicle. Cruisers (80, 100) are solidly built vehicles, much more so than 4runners. I have a 100 series. 91-92 cruiser has the old chained engine and I wouldn't consider it due to power difference to 93+. Daily driving and light offroad duty I don't think there is much different as far as performance. For heavier offroad and rock crawling I'd want a locked 80 over the 100 series. 100 series are nice riding and pretty capable vehicles depending on lockers ATRAC available.

 

[absalom]

Having had both, the 80 will feel very refined, smooth, almost luxurious. The 4Runner will feel slightly "thin", light, and responsive. My 80 was diesel, so I can't speak to the power differences.

You're not incorrect tho, they are very similar.

 

[9linerock]

My best friend has an 80 series with solid axles and front and rear e-lockers, its a monster! With the V8, it is definitely more capable than my 3.7L 3rd gen. It will ride anything you can throw at it. Much bigger, beefier, and rugged vehicle for sure.

 

[IBallEngineer]

My best friend has an 80 series with solid axles and front and rear e-lockers, its a monster! With the V8, it is definitely more capable than my 3.7L 3rd gen. It will ride anything you can throw at it. Much bigger, beefier, and rugged vehicle for sure.

80 Series never came with a V8 and 3rd gens don't have 3.7L. But the point here is they may look similar, but they are very different vehicles. Despite already having a solid front axle, you STILL need a lot of mods to be a capable rock crawler. So does the the 3rd gen. But in the end the 80 is big, and heavy, and big, did I mention heavy? My 62 is not an 80, although it too is big, and heavy, did I mention heavy? 12-13 MPG is normal in an 80(my62 gets 11). I get 16 in my 3.4 powered 285K mile 3rd gen, and 18-20 in my wife's 3RZ with 208K.

You really can't say the 80 is anymore rugged than a 3rd gen, of course we'd have to define rugged as it pertains here. I've been around a LOT of 80 series, they are all older than 3rd gens for the most part, and they are just as worn if not more so.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 80 series. But straight across for the way I use mine, I'd keep the 3rd gen.

:lookout:

 

[9linerock]

80 Series never came with a V8 and 3rd gens don't have 3.7L. But the point here is they may look similar, but they are very different vehicles. Despite already having a solid front axle, you STILL need a lot of mods to be a capable rock crawler. So does the the 3rd gen. But in the end the 80 is big, and heavy, and big, did I mention heavy? My 62 is not an 80, although it too is big, and heavy, did I mention heavy? 12-13 MPG is normal in an 80(my62 gets 11). I get 16 in my 3.4 powered 285K mile 3rd gen, and 18-20 in my wife's 3RZ with 208K.

You really can't say the 80 is anymore rugged than a 3rd gen, of course we'd have to define rugged as it pertains here. I've been around a LOT of 80 series, they are all older than 3rd gens for the most part, and they are just as worn if not more so.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 80 series. But straight across for the way I use mine, I'd keep the 3rd gen.

:lookout:

You right! I've been looking at Dodge 3.7L and didn't reread my post!

And stock there's no V8, but who likes stock? :eyebrows:

 

[T4R2014]

The 80 offers better front end strength. It's a much better option as an expedition platform. No cv joint or LBJ concerns. With that said I just want a bone stock one sitting on some Michelins. These things in 1996 were equivalent to what an Escalade or possibly a Bentayga(maybe a stretch �&#56834is today, a premium and upmarket SUV. Essentially a status symbol, which it was and is, considering that it's a world class vehicle aimed at traversing the worst of the third world while providing the best creature comforts of its era for the NA market.

 

[nissanh]

I recently did a 3000 mile round trip in a TLC 100 series. This truck is recently acquired so I took it leaving my runner at home.
The difference compared to 3rd gen 4runner is amazing. The truck is silent as night, even at 80 MPH, throttle response is amazing, cornering is easy, ride quality is beyond the best. I am truly happy to have the cruiser for my long trips. Keep in mind it is 13 MPG +/- 0.5 miles on highway.

 

[shadow247]

the 80 series. i don't know much, but it's a larger vehicle. sold front axle.

the 100 series > 3rd gen 4runner any day.

I have a 99 Land Cruiser and 99 4Runner.

Long Distance comfort and highway cruising the Land Cruiser is king.

Off-road the 4 Runner is lighter, more nimble, and goes farther on a tank of gas. I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable taking my Land Cruiser on some of the trails I wouldn't hesitate to run on my 4Runner.

 

[TXLX1]

^ Local guys with 3rd gens and 100s! Agree with these remarks. I feel like an 80 would be a good mix between off-road capability, durability, and comfort when comparing to a 100 series and 3rd gen. Never owned an 80 but have friends with them and I'd say it's a capable vehicle, esp with some mods. I'd like to have one next.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I've recently REALLY been wanting a double e-locked LC. I don't know much about them- or what the differences are between the 80/100- but I love them. There is a guy on IG with a LC low on 40's, and it just gets me.
It definitely couldn't replace my 3rd gen- especially since it's currently my daily- but it would be nice to have the extra room for trips with the puppers.