Depends how much you value the level of comfort in your 4x4. I had a 4Runner and sold it to build my dream 80. Loved the 80 but sold it cause it was old, gutless, required constant babysitting, and was downright uncomfortable on longer trips. Now I'm in a 4th Gen v8 and think I have the "perfect combo". The 80 was great offroad, and I did love its personality in a nostalgic sorta way. They are easy to work on in the field but they are not cheap to maintain and as they get older more and more smaller parts will need replacing due to age alone - can be a costly project.
Nice V70R! I'd love to get into a new Polestar for my DD.
Yeah I hear you,, that's why I'm at such a crossroads with this because I do love the 4Runner and the way I've built it and it's performed. On the other hand I think as I've done that my wheeling has evolved and more and more I find myself on trails that I have no business being on in a ifs,,,no that's bs I've wheeling thru them all occasionally having to winch here and there and the 4Runner has never let me down but I do find myself sometimes wishing a had more.
When you say gutless you mean lack of power? What year 80 did you have? Thats my only worry when you say it's uncomfortable,, I still want to be able to go on long expo/wheeling trips with it if need be. That's the thing I need to go drive my buddies cause he has a sick 80 completely built and the thing is ridiculous. At least that way I get a feel for it. But I know it's not the 4Runner. At the same time the way I wheel my truck Im always having to replace this or fix that, that comes with the cost of wheeling your rig. I go thru a set of LC's once a year. I thought about getting some dirt kings lowers and uppers but I'm sure I'll still be doing the uni balls every couple years but the LCA's are $1500! Crazy. I don't mind doing the upkeep that kind of comes with the territory of the hobby we do and more or less depending on the level we do it. It's also partly because now I have a DD when before I used to DD and Wheel the 4Runner. So now since I can have a designated trail/wheeling/expo rig I feel like I can have or do more,whereas before I had to keep it more DD friendly.
Thank you,I love this car it's the most comfortable car I've ever had! Not to mention a real sleeper,,, it's fast. I'm about to do a DP,exhaust and stage 2 tune on it come spring but that's it because it's my new DD
Oh man the new polestars are ridiculous,, all the new Volvos are really nice!
Well sas is going to cost a lot but also think of how much building a 80 is going to cost you in the long run. Sure they have a solid axle and are super roomy and comfy. It's the 4Runners big brother. If I was going to do it. I would sas the Runner for sure. It's lighter, narrower, better gas mileage, and you have already got it built the way you want it.
What about going LT up front?
Sounds like a fun trip. Can't remember the last time I got to go snowboarding was?
So that's the thing I've been looking around just for fun and well because I like to drive myself madd. For instance I could get a nice fully built 80 right now armored, lifted,lockers 5.29s etc for $10k - $15k and I mean properly built no bs. I know how much and how quick money could add up building a 80 or anything for that matter after building the 4Runner. That's why I would buy something already built or pretty close to what I want and then if I wanted to change a couple things here and there it's not a big deal. Let's face it we never get back what we put into our builds unfortunately ( usually) unless you find the right buyer etc but at the same time you can find really good deals on well built up rigs that people have already dumped tons of money into building.
I have to be honest, not saying that I don't love the LT but I've wheeled with a couple people that have 2" LT including one of my good buddies that I wheel with all the time and it's not enough for me to justify the money for LT. don't get me wrong it's sexy as hell and you get more travel but there's never been a scenario where they could wheel something I couldn't or get thru certain things easier or better because of the LT. So for me for the money it costs to go LT doesn't out way the benefits at least from my experience. Especially now after looking at SAS costs, the money you spend on LT your more that half way there. Granted they're different things and have different purposes. Idk that's just my OP I'm sure the 3.5" is a different sorry also.
Anyways,, yeah man it was a awesome trip we had a ton of fun! I definitely need to get out and ride more. These kart couple years I didn't ride much at all.
An 80 would be nice, but I wouldn't want the extra size. SAS the 4Runner, or just keep wheeling the IFS. Honestly, I'd keep the IFS and lock it.
Sent from the Far Side
I actually the big body style of the 80 especially when their built up their like tanks! But yes I could see some tight trail situation wheeling here in the northeast.
Thinking about the SAS thing but the more I think a lot of time and even more$$$$
Well the rears already locked, doing the front could definitely help but only in specific situations as i would be cautious with the front axles locked up,, basically only straight when locked.
Just sas the 4runner and be done with it. Allpro even makes a kit. [emoji6]
Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.
You have me thinking about it now and I've thought about it in the past. The problem is to do it the way I want to and of course budgeting as much as possible ( which is hard to do on such a big project) I'm still looking at $10k and that's including doing all of the work, which I'll definitely need help from some people much more knowledgeable in this area than myself. So idk not to mention the time.
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