Back in a Land Cruiser

[rfj62]

I miss my Land Cruiser also. Getting the itch to get back in one.

I've owned several Land Cruisers in my life but never had a 100 series. I've been looking for one for a couple years but never got in a hurry so wasn't like I was real serious. I spotted one on the IH8MUD forum Saturday so I drove a couple hundred miles and picked it up. 2000 model, one owner, 200,000 miles, timing belt, water pump, shocks, brakes, and a tune up in the last 20,000 miles so should be ready to go for a while. I'm going to put some 285/75R/16's on it and some Weather Tech floor mats but that will probably be it since it's my DD. Now I have a 2003 4Runner to sale, it's on the classifieds if anyone is looking. I'm glad gas is cheaper so it won't be as painful to drive. I averaged 16.7 MPG coming back from South Carolina so not bad but going to be a lot less than my V-6 4Runner.

 

[10ga]

Found a killer deal on another 100 series so started a new build.

The day I bought it



After adding a OME 2.5" lift and 295/75R16 Nitto TG


Now working on bumpers, sliders, and roof rack.
Mocked up bumpers


New Smittybilt X20 12k winch


Rear bumper will have dual swingouts, one with ladder and jerry can holder and other with spare tire mount.

 

[10ga]

Rear bumper will look a lot like the one I had on my 80

 

[10ga]

Got the 100 series back this week from the fabricator, really happy with the results. Now I have to hook up the winch, CB, and lights. Headed out for a long trail ride this coming week in western North Carolina.

 

[Taco04]

That front bumper Looks great love how it ties into the slider like the ARB only yours looks a lot better!!!

 

[10ga]

That front bumper Looks great love how it ties into the slider like the ARB only yours looks a lot better!!!

Thanks! I have a local guy that does fab work in the evenings and weekends and he does a great job. He did everything for what I would have to pay Slee for the rear bumper alone.

 

[Javelin]

Back in the hundy club!! Your 80 was awesome but I think the 100 is overall a better truck. If the 80 had the 4.7 v8 or a turbo diesel it would be a diff story. That 4.5 just doesn't have enough guts. Anyways sweet 100! Do you have the white one still or just the red? Here's mine

 

[10ga]

I took the new to me 100 out on it's first trail ride this past weekend. She performed like a champ

 

[10ga]

I deleted the muffler on my 100, sounds pretty good but I'm going to put it back on this week. Seems I've lost some power and I think because of the lack of back pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7za-e1iD-Y

Took a ride last weekend over to Hurricane Creek in NC and came back through the Gulf Rd in east Tennessee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DQ_1Gddgqc

 

[pacolo90]

Overall conclusions

I have read this thread completely and have thoroughly enjoyed it! So what are your guys' overall assessment/opinions of 80 and 100 series Land Cruisers in terms of comparison? Which is better for what? likes, dislikes?

 

[10ga]

I have read this thread completely and have thoroughly enjoyed it! So what are your guys' overall assessment/opinions of 80 and 100 series Land Cruisers in terms of comparison? Which is better for what? likes, dislikes?

I've owned a bunch of 80's, one FJ60, and three 100 series and honestly they're all different with pros and cons. For a true off road machine, you can't beat a FZJ80 with lockers and a few mods like lift and tires. The ride is rougher, power is terrible, and MPG is terrible. I really wouldn't want to drive an 80 every day but if it's your trail rig, you won't find a better one. If you have to DD your rig, 100 all day. The ride is great, even with a lift. The 4.7 gives you plenty of power and you can actually tow boats and campers with it. Also no need to re-gear the 100 unless you go to 315 tires but still will have decent power with factory gears. The 315 tires and 4.88 gears in the 100 and 80 is great. I didn't really notice any loss of power or gas mileage when I went to 295 tires and lots of armor in my 100. With the 80, I noticed a lot of lost power and MPG went to 9 at best. I bought a 2006 DC Tacoma TRD Off Road edition a few months ago so I don't have to worry about feeding the beast every week. Since I got the Taco, I really would like to have another 80 but I know I would miss the 100. Normally I have to drive an hour or 2 to get to my riding areas and it really is a pleasure to ride on the interstate in my 100. What I miss about the 80 is the solid front axle and front and rear lockers but I don't need them that much. I won't take my 100 on trails that I wouldn't think twice about in my 80. I've been looking for another locked 80 that's already built or one I can build but I'm going to keep the 100 for a while if I do. If I find myself not using the 100 after that, then I'll put it up for sale but I would rather have both. When I get the last kid out of college in a couple years, I'm going to try my best to get a 40, 60, 80, and I really want to build a 200 series after the price comes down a little more. I figure in a couple years I can buy a 150,000 mile 2008 200 series in the $18,000 - $20,000 range, for that price I can justify a mild build. I told my wife I like the idea of several Cruisers in the garage instead of a 401K, much safer investment.............LOL

 

[pacolo90]

I think for now im just going to stick to my 4runner (my daily) and do mild offroading with it since its still new and i dont want to beat it up. But i really did want an 80 for a trail vehicle, even went out and looked at some. Im going to keep my eyes open tho lol. I agree, Land Cruisers are becoming collectible and going up in value if they kept in good shape. Just look at the 40s

 

[10ga]

It's been a while since I posted but I ran across this thread this evening and thought I'd update it. I've had the same trucks for a little while but I did pick up a 2015 TRD Pro 4Runner this year and I've been driving a Tundra for a while now. I bought the 4Runner to use as a DD but the miles are so low I hate to run them up. When I bought it, it had a little over 60,000 miles on it and now I'm up to 72,000. With gas prices I've been driving it a little more lately. I bought a crew max Tundra a few years ago and I've held on to it. I was trail riding a lot when I had the Cruisers but started fishing again so I picked up a 21' bass boat about 3 years ago and the Tundra is perfect for pulling it. I drove it stock for a while but a few months ago I added a Westcott Designs collar lift and some 295s to the stock rims. I've been really happy with it but 13.2 MPGs at $4 a gallon isn't fun so the miles will probably keep going up on the 4Runner. I miss having a Land Cruiser but the prices have gone crazy, kind of wished I had held on to at least the FZJ80. I can't even imagine what that one would bring on BAT right now.

The new 4Runner

The Tundra

 

[FrancisK]

My first car was a 97 LX450, bought it off the auction floor coming off a lease my cousin was a car dealer and spent every penny I had down and he financed the rest for me, I worked my tail off the pay it off every month.

Had plenty of cars in there but kept her for 18 years as whatever else I picked up wasn't better, only sold her becausr I had leased a new GX and didn't need two trucks. Regretted it the day I sold her and still talk to the guy waiting for him to sell her back to me. In the middle of Covid I said screw it and picked up another 80, mechanical she was great just needed everything else which I thought would be no big deal....yea death by a million cuts. Now life changes made me buy another GX and I'm selling the LC again which im sure I'll regret.

There is just something special about a Land Cruiser...