Dilemma - Keep 2000 4runner or get 1999 LC

[4runnergeek]

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice here. I just purchased a 2000 limited 4runner with 247K miles a few months ago, which I love, but I have an opportunity to get a one owner 1999 Land Cruiser. Its owned by a close family member of mine that has kept up with the maintenance. It has 191000 miles and the exterior I'd rate as a 9/10 and interior an 8.5/10. No tears in the leather but it does have some slight cracking in a few places, nothing too bad. I purchased my 4runner for $5K and if I were to sell it, I'm sure I'd get at least $5k. My 4runner condition is 9.5/10 exterior and 9.5/10 exterior. The family member is selling the LC for $6k but I'm sure I can get it down to at least $5k. Would you guys sell the 4runner? I don't do much off-roading at all. The 4runner is basically my daily driver which I drive to work and back home (avg. 30 miles total per day). I know the gas mileage on the LC sucks but its definitely capable off-roading. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**update! Put the down payment on the LC!

 

[nissanh]

I have both 97 runner and 2000 (toyota Landcruiser) TLC. Check out forum.ih8mud.com and go to 100 series.

Gas mileage in TLC is 10 in the city and 13 max on highway. Drives like a tank and very comfortable. If you can afford $$$ for gas, then TLC is good.

Parts on a TLC is made for 25 years life span. Mine been 2000 and 225K miles, the rear axle seals are still original. on the other hand, 4runner had 2 sets of rear axle oil seals for this miles. Same goes for the rear bearings for TLC, still original.

You can decide about the quality of a TLC vs 4runner.

98-99 TLC's have an issue with the front diff. It is 2-pinion so with off roading, it breaks. Toyota fixed it for 2000+ models. so in your case if it breaks get an air locker, that's what others do for those models.

Price wise, you are getting an awesome deal for the 99 TLC with 191K miles. I've seen 1 owner well maintained (documented) cruisers are going for 9000+.

Try out the mud.com.
FAQ's for 100 series
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-faq.30754/

 

[4runnergeek]

I have both 97 runner and 2000 (toyota Landcruiser) TLC. Check out forum.ih8mud.com and go to 100 series.

Gas mileage in TLC is 10 in the city and 13 max on highway. Drives like a tank and very comfortable. If you can afford $$$ for gas, then TLC is good.

Parts on a TLC is made for 25 years life span. Mine been 2000 and 225K miles, the rear axle seals are still original. on the other hand, 4runner had 2 sets of rear axle oil seals for this miles. Same goes for the rear bearings for TLC, still original.

You can decide about the quality of a TLC vs 4runner.

98-99 TLC's have an issue with the front diff. It is 2-pinion so with off roading, it breaks. Toyota fixed it for 2000+ models. so in your case if it breaks get an air locker, that's what others do for those models.

Price wise, you are getting an awesome deal for the 99 TLC with 191K miles. I've seen 1 owner well maintained (documented) cruisers are going for 9000+.

Try out the mud.com.
FAQ's for 100 series
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-faq.30754/

Nissan, thanks for the advice! I talked to my cousin about his LC and he DOES NOT have any maintenance records. He said he did get the oil changed regularly but that's it. He said he hasn't done the timing belt which means he's running the original timing belt. So I figure at least $1500 - $2000 for timing belt, new radiator, all fluids changed, spark plugs, etc.

I'm definitely intrigued about your 25 year lifespan on parts comment.... . I'll go test drive it sometime this weekend and see.

I can afford the gas, the question is, do I want to lol. Thanks again!

 

[Bumbo]

For those prices... I would just own both for a little while and figure out what I wanted to do later.

I wouldn't go out of my way to sell the 3th Gen before getting the LC if you still like it.

If you only commute 15 miles each way then it doesn't seem like gas is really THAT big of a deal either, but I know it adds up.

Worse case scenario you find a reason to love and keep both... Best case you get an upgrade or perhaps make a few bucks and get to experience something new.

 

[4runnergeek]

For those prices... I would just own both for a little while and figure out what I wanted to do later.

I wouldn't go out of my way to sell the 3th Gen before getting the LC if you still like it.

If you only commute 15 miles each way then it doesn't seem like gas is really THAT big of a deal either, but I know it adds up.

Worse case scenario you find a reason to love and keep both... Best case you get an upgrade or perhaps make a few bucks and get to experience something new.

Thanks for a different perspective Bumbo. I thought of purchasing the LC and keeping the 4runner as well.

 

[nissanh]

Like Bumbo mentioned, if you can keep both, do it. I really enjoy driving 3 different vehicles. If you really want to get rid of one, decide what suits you most and sell the other.

When I bought the cruiser, the owner had no records of maintenance even though it is a 1 owner truck, and I have no clue what I am buying. Just because I wanted another toy 4x4 to wrench, I bought it.

I did the timing belt job by myself with an AISIN timing belt kit (about $240). Denso radiator $120ish, All 4 shock absorbers OEM $140 at Camelback, OEM brake pads all around. Parts cost almost same as the 4runner. I think 99 came with ATRAC and the Master pump is the most expensive ($2200 at the dealer).

One thing that fails in this cruiser are the coolant T-joints running for the heater core near the driver side firewall. The T-joints are made out of plastic and they snap due to age leading to HG failure. These two are very easy to replace and both T-joints (OEM) runs about $22.

You'll definitely love the TLC ride on any surface.

Just saw you plan to keep both... Yey!!!

 

[4runnergeek]

Like Bumbo mentioned, if you can keep both, do it. I really enjoy driving 3 different vehicles. If you really want to get rid of one, decide what suits you most and sell the other.

When I bought the cruiser, the owner had no records of maintenance even though it is a 1 owner truck, and I have no clue what I am buying. Just because I wanted another toy 4x4 to wrench, I bought it.

I did the timing belt job by myself with an AISIN timing belt kit (about $240). Denso radiator $120ish, All 4 shock absorbers OEM $140 at Camelback, OEM brake pads all around. Parts cost almost same as the 4runner. I think 99 came with ATRAC and the Master pump is the most expensive ($2200 at the dealer).

One thing that fails in this cruiser are the coolant T-joints running for the heater core near the driver side firewall. The T-joints are made out of plastic and they snap due to age leading to HG failure. These two are very easy to replace and both T-joints (OEM) runs about $22.

You'll definitely love the TLC ride on any surface.

Just saw you plan to keep both... Yey!!!

Nissan, curious about the ATRAC. How do I know if it's on it's way out? Anything else I should look for when test driving it? Thanks again!

 

[Roamed YT]

We were never so fortunate to get 100-series Cruisers here in Canada. That said, some make their way north once in a while and come up. I also live somewhere where my commute to work is about 2 miles so the fuel concerns are non-existant for me.

Personally, I do find that my 3rd gen is a bit on the small size (our other vehicle is a crewcab F-150) and for a family of 4 plus the dog the Runner lacks the space that I want. If offered the opportunity I would take a shot at the LC. Keeping both would be ideal though!

 

[amalik]

Might be worth it. Consider that at approaching 250k miles... you are probably due for a boatload of T4R maintenance.

 

[SCHUNTER1969]

Sounds to me like either way you have a lot of maintenance coming up. I do not care how clean your 4runner looks. At the end of the day you are going to have to do the same maintenance as the guy driving a busted 4runner with 250k+ miles.

And if you are comparing the cost of maintenance that depends if you are turning the wrench yourself.

Something else to think about, when I go to my local pull a part I have an average of 2-3 3rd gens to choose from per trip. I have NEVER seen a Landcruiser at a pull a part. If I did, I'd buy it if it had a straight frame.

BUT the Landcruiser has many documented motor swaps where people upgraded the motor to a V8 or even a diesel instead of rebuilding. A V8 or diesel 3rd gen is a rare beauty.

 

[4runnergeek]

Thanks for the feedback guys. As for the maintenance on the LC, if I decide to buy it, I'll most likely have my mechanic do all the work, so I'd have to budget for it accordingly. The maintenance on the 4runner is all up to date. Runs great and I have 90% of all the service records so I know the history of it. Anyhow, I hope to check it out in a few days. Thanks again.

 

[Sean K.]

Thanks for the feedback guys. As for the maintenance on the LC, if I decide to buy it, I'll most likely have my mechanic do all the work, so I'd have to budget for it accordingly. The maintenance on the 4runner is all up to date. Runs great and I have 90% of all the service records so I know the history of it. Anyhow, I hope to check it out in a few days. Thanks again.

The LC's parts will be a lot more expensive, I'd wager....and harder to come by. Not saying don't get it....though I'd get a 91-97 80 series well before considering a 100 series, but to each their own.

 

[4runnergeek]

Got the LC!

Just put the down payment on the LC! 190k miles, one owner, clean title, $3800! It's a bit dirty but runs great and no oil leaks. Never off-road, California car its entire life, and NO RUST at all. Paint is still in great shape and once I get my Flex dual action polished and menzerna polishes on this paint, I'll get it shining new again. It has a few dings here and there but nothing serious and I bet a paintless dent removal guy can get these dings out easily.

I pick it up from my cousin on Friday. She's using the money I'm giving her to put a down payment on her daughter's new Honda Civic. Can't wait to pick up the LC. Been eyeing this car from my cousin for 2 years.

The only maintenance they've done is oil changes lol. These LC's are definitely built to last! First order of business is to bring it to my mechanic to do a timing belt, water pump, maybe new radiator, tune up, new OEM shocks, and replace all the fluids. Since this will be my wife's new daily driver, I want this car to be solid and reliable.

 

[nissanh]

Nice! I got the same exact thing but a 2000. I gave the 4runner to my wife and enjoy the TLC.

Things to do in the priority list:
1) Timing belt kit: I used Aisin TKT021 $ 161.76 (see: More Information for AISIN TKT021)

AISIN kit includes the following components:
AISIN Water Pump
Hydraulic Tensioner
Koyo Idler Bearing
Koyo Tensioner Bearing
Mitsuboshi Timing Belt
Water Pump Gaskets & O-Rings

If you plan to install O-rings, make sure those are OEM: Mine is at 227K miles and there are no any oil leaks so I didn't change the seals

2) Heater T-s located near the driver side firewall. These T's are plastic and with age, they snap leading to a coolant loss! Each T-joint is $12 at Cameblabcktoyotaparts.com.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/diy-replacing-heater-hose-pipe-ts-important.610334/

3) Use DENSO radiator with OEM hoses.

4) OEM shocks. Each is about $35ish at Camelback

5) Never use non-OEM ignition coils. There are 8 total. A brand new OEM coil on ebay is about $30. Replace only non-oem coils. I replaced 4 in my truck. If you can find these from a 4.7 engine even from tundra, it will work.

6) Before you loose the factory black key make another copy: You can buy a programmable key on ebay for about $30 and you can program it if you have the black colored key.

7) Fuel filter (OEM at Camelback is about $35): One connector end is a quick-connector type so it is an easy removal.

8) OEM air filter

9) Clean the MAF sensor

10) Clean/replace the HVAC filter located behind the glove box. Some models came with out the filter so you cannot install a filter. Luckily, mine had the door to install the filter!


Did you keep the runner?
Also consider joining the ih8mud.com (100 series)

 

[4runnergeek]

Nice! I got the same exact thing but a 2000. I gave the 4runner to my wife and enjoy the TLC.

Things to do in the priority list:
1) Timing belt kit: I used Aisin TKT021 $ 161.76 (see: More Information for AISIN TKT021)

AISIN kit includes the following components:
AISIN Water Pump
Hydraulic Tensioner
Koyo Idler Bearing
Koyo Tensioner Bearing
Mitsuboshi Timing Belt
Water Pump Gaskets & O-Rings

If you plan to install O-rings, make sure those are OEM: Mine is at 227K miles and there are no any oil leaks so I didn't change the seals

2) Heater T-s located near the driver side firewall. These T's are plastic and with age, they snap leading to a coolant loss! Each T-joint is $12 at Cameblabcktoyotaparts.com.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/diy-replacing-heater-hose-pipe-ts-important.610334/

3) Use DENSO radiator with OEM hoses.

4) OEM shocks. Each is about $35ish at Camelback

5) Never use non-OEM ignition coils. There are 8 total. A brand new OEM coil on ebay is about $30. Replace only non-oem coils. I replaced 4 in my truck. If you can find these from a 4.7 engine even from tundra, it will work.

6) Before you loose the factory black key make another copy: You can buy a programmable key on ebay for about $30 and you can program it if you have the black colored key.

7) Fuel filter (OEM at Camelback is about $35): One connector end is a quick-connector type so it is an easy removal.

8) OEM air filter

9) Clean the MAF sensor

10) Clean/replace the HVAC filter located behind the glove box. Some models came with out the filter so you cannot install a filter. Luckily, mine had the door to install the filter!


Did you keep the runner?
Also consider joining the ih8mud.com (100 series)

Thanks for the advice! Yup I still have the 4runner (even made a new build thread) and just joined 'mud.

 

[Roamed YT]

Dude! That's a fantastic score. I'm sure that with some catch-up on deferred maintenance things will be great!

 

[4runnergeek]

Dude! That's a fantastic score. I'm sure that with some catch-up on deferred maintenance things will be great!

Thanks. Cant wait to get it on Friday. Gonna clean her up good