Land Cruiser VS 4Runner

[theizzardking]

There are 2 reason I can think of :

1- Big different in price between the Two.

2- If you buy a Landcruiser it come loaded with stuff and that is it, you don't have much to play with it, it is boooooring, bit if you buy a T4R, there are a lot of stuff you can add on and play with.

I think number one is dead on but the aftermarket of each is about the same if not a little better for the lc and as they say you can turn anything into whatever you want with the cash , but when I was looking at lc they were like 4-5k more then a 4runner in similar condition...

If I remember correctly the lc was the first auto to cross the south pole and pretty much murder the.4runner in terms of off road out of the box , yep no doubt about it back when toyota was more off road orientated as were other manufactures of the time , the lc was def. A step up from the runner

 

[jlmilligan]

There are 2 reason I can think of :

1- Big different in price between the Two.

2- If you buy a Landcruiser it come loaded with stuff and that is it, you don't have much to play with it, it is boooooring, bit if you buy a T4R, there are a lot of stuff you can add on and play with.

That there is funny stuff. And it also proves the point I made in my previous post.

I would think it is because most people know NOTHING about Landcruisers. When I first bought mine, a fully locked 97 LX450, no one had a clue about its capabilities. They kept saying "if you want to go offroad, you should have bought a GMC or Ford". They other part to that equation is that there are so few LC's compared to 4Runners. Unless you are an offroader, or a 4x4 enthusiast, then you probably have no idea what "3x Locked LC80" means.

So, not to start a major discussion, but how does a solid front axle with front AND rear locking differentials from the factory equal "2- If you buy a Landcruiser it come loaded with stuff and that is it, you don't have much to play with it, it is boooooring, bit if you buy a T4R, there are a lot of stuff you can add on and play with."

Yes there is a lot that you can add to a 4Runner. But that is because you HAVE to. :flamethrwoer2: Bring on the flames boys. My 80 and I are well prepared.

But seriously, the 4Runner is a great rig. They are just different. It all depends on what you want in the end.

 

[Thai]

So, not to start a major discussion, but how does a solid front axle with front AND rear locking differentials from the factory equal "2- If you buy a Landcruiser it come loaded with stuff and that is it, you don't have much to play with it, it is boooooring, bit if you buy a T4R, there are a lot of stuff you can add on and play with."

Yes there is a lot that you can add to a 4Runner. But that is because you HAVE to. :flamethrwoer2: Bring on the flames boys. My 80 and I are well prepared.

But seriously, the 4Runner is a great rig. They are just different. It all depends on what you want in the end.

Not to speak for him, but i think that he agrees with you. Land Cruisers come with great stuff already...nothing much else to add. With 4runners, there is stuff to be improved upon...thus, more options out there to "customize" one.

(Now, we're only talking about Land Cruiser 80. The later years Land Cruiser may not be as off-road capable as the TLC80, but are much better on-road and has more safety features, including a much stronger frame. The 4runners of the later years seemingly have caught up with the later years Land Cruiser in off-road capability...and approaches, but not at the level, of the TLC80.)

 

[brian2sun]

So, not to start a major discussion, but how does a solid front axle with front AND rear locking differentials from the factory equal "2- If you buy a Landcruiser it come loaded with stuff and that is it, you don't have much to play with it, it is boooooring, bit if you buy a T4R, there are a lot of stuff you can add on and play with."

Yes there is a lot that you can add to a 4Runner. But that is because you HAVE to. :flamethrwoer2: Bring on the flames boys. My 80 and I are well prepared.

No flaming here, I totally agree. You woudn't see me complaining that I didn't have enough to do if mine came with a SFA and dual lockers! I can always find more stuff to do! I think Snowfox's comment was tongue-in-cheek though.

 

[Thai]

No flaming here, I totally agree. You woudn't see me complaining that I didn't have enough to do if mine came with a SFA and dual lockers! I can always find more stuff to do! I think Snowfox's comment was tongue-in-cheek though.

Now, as i get older (pushing past 36) with two kids, my days of heavy off-roading is long gone. Not sure if i need SFA...and its resulting compromise in on-road travel comfort (and heaviness and thus mpgs). My G-wagen was amazing off-road; my brother's Wrangler Rubicon (2003) is also amazing. But, i think that i would be more than happy with IFS/rear axle combo along with A-TRAC/rear locker combo...should make for an excellent expedition vehicle.

 

[jlmilligan]

Now, as i get older (pushing past 36) with two kids, my days of heavy off-roading is long gone. Not sure if i need SFA...and its resulting compromise in on-road travel comfort (and heaviness and thus mpgs). My G-wagen was amazing off-road; my brother's Wrangler Rubicon (2003) is also amazing. But, i think that i would be more than happy with IFS/rear axle combo along with A-TRAC/rear locker combo...should make for an excellent expedition vehicle.

I am in the same boat. And I agree. I bought my LX because I have always wanted one, it was a price I was happy to pay, and I don't mind doing my own maintenance. Once I financially recover from my divorce, a LC100 or any Toyo on the 120 platform will probably be parked next to my 80 which will then be a weekend warrior. They are all great rigs in my book. It really depends on what you want to do and how much coin you are willing to part with.

 

[jlmilligan]

I understand land cruisers are a step up from 4runners in terms of off road capabilities. some good points in this thread in terms of the off road capabilities:
4Runner vs. Land Cruiser?

A question came up on another forum and ppl dont seem to understand the joy you get out of these machines...(4runners)

So I ask: why do ppl still get 4runners and mod them when they could get a cruiser and make it way more capable?

I still stand by my original comment though. To most people, the Landcruiser is a "sleeper". Most people have no idea what they can do. Possibly because most people that spend $60k on a SUV don't intend on thrashing it on the trails.

 

[boondoggle]

So for those that have access to a LC100 and a 4th Gen 4Runner, here's a question:

Do you think it's possible to swap the LC seats into a T4R? I'd love to have some proper arm rests for long drives.

If no one replies, I threaten to start a new thread for this.

 

[Thai]

So for those that have access to a LC100 and a 4th Gen 4Runner, here's a question:

Do you think it's possible to swap the LC seats into a T4R? I'd love to have some proper arm rests for long drives.

If no one replies, I threaten to start a new thread for this.

Buy Lexus GX??

 

[boondoggle]

Without buying a new car.

Or are you suggesting the front seats from an LX/GX470 will fit?

Google shows both 470s have arm rests built in. For me that would be a great upgrade. No even concerned if the heated seats etc. work (though it would be nice I suppose). Wonder if they use the same wiring as the LTD 4runners and if that wiring is pre-existing in a Sport T4R.

I've been thinking about the direction I want to take my 4Runner and everything I find to be important is for reliability, comfort and long distance traveling. More of a National Park discovery machine. If I want to go climb rocks I'll get a cheap Jeep and break it.

Proper 'captain's chairs' would be great!

What do you know about this Thai?

 

[Thai]

Just a guess...but i would buy seat(s) that come from similarly sized vehicle. The GX470 (not sure about the current GX460) is based on your 4th gen 4runner. The seat has individual armrest.

The TLC and LX are considerably bigger SUVs, wider & taller too.

 

[Thai]

Is this what you're looking for? (from GX470)

My only concern is that the center console on your 4runner won't allow you to fit those armrest.

 

[KCcarguy]

My only concern is that the center console on your 4runner won't allow you to fit those armrest.

Yep. I'd bet you'd have to mod the center console as well.

 

[boondoggle]

Yep. That's the idea.

I've noticed on longer driver there really isn't anyplace to rest your elbows in the T4R. Other than the top of the door panel on the left side.

I wonder what it would take.

A lady I work with has a GX470. Doubtful she'd let me tear it apart to see how fitment is. Maybe I'll ask her if I can just peek under her seat real quick.

 

[boondoggle]

I've wondered if the All auto down window switches from a Land Cruiser (or a GX470?) would give full auto down operation to all 4 windows as well. Someone told me they didn't think so. Feels like the function is in the switch to me - like a double click - not the motors.

What do you guys think?

 

[hjalti_gto]

For my experience
4Runner > Toyota Pickup > LandCruiser !!

LC are heavy and big , with weak front axles.

What kills it for me also is the full time awd and the fact it is just damn ugly

 

[Frisco]

I still stand by my original comment though. To most people, the Landcruiser is a "sleeper". Most people have no idea what they can do. Possibly because most people that spend $60k on a SUV don't intend on thrashing it on the trails.

For the same money would you prefer a used Land Cruiser or a new 4Runner Trail Edition?

 

[jwkilgore]

For the same money would you prefer a used Land Cruiser or a new 4Runner Trail Edition?

1) You are resurrecting a 4-yr-old-thread. I see you have 15 posts now, so you can start a new one. :baby:
2) You need to provide more info on the "used Land Cruiser". A rusted out '70's FJ40? A mint FJ40 with removable hard top? A '90s 80-Series with 400,000 miles? A salvage-title 200-series with 200,000 miles?

 

[Frisco]

1) You are resurrecting a 4-yr-old-thread. I see you have 15 posts now, so you can start a new one. :baby:
2) You need to provide more info on the "used Land Cruiser". A rusted out '70's FJ40? A mint FJ40 with removable hard top? A '90s 80-Series with 400,000 miles? A salvage-title 200-series with 200,000 miles?

It seems to take an hour or so to be unlocked after the 15 posts. I was talking about a Land Cruiser versus a 4Runner with comparable Kelly Blue Book values. Let's figure a 21st Century Land Cruiser.

 

[jwkilgore]

Are you asking a rhetorical/debate question or asking for a specific situation?

Assuming debate, again, depends on which Land Cruiser and the buyer's needs. A 21st Century US model will be one of the luxury off-road/mall crawl versions. New they are roughly twice the cost of a 4Runner Trail, and they hold value well. So equal value means the LC has gobs of miles or some damage.

A Land Cruiser will be bigger with more interior room, a more robust drive train and suspension (bigger differential, etc.), a bigger engine, and better pulling power. It won't have the latest safety features and electronics because you'll be looking at one 10-15 years old.

A new 5th Gen Trail will be smaller, more nimble, better gas mileage, and have a warranty.

Personally, with my needs, I'd get the 5th Gen Trail. My usage is 95% city driving with 5% gnarly off-roading. I park in a fairly tight parking garage at work. I can easily get low 20's MPG in my 5th Gen SR5. I rarely pull a trailer. If I were to make the choice again today there's no question: of the two a 4Runner provides the most value for the money.

That said, I'd love an old FJ40 to mess around in, and if I were rich I'd love a new $80,000 LC with another $20,000 in expedition mods.