I need help in deciding which Cruiser to buy...another 80 or another 100:

[ShottsCruisers]

OK, I've been frantically shopping for a 3rd Cruiser for 2 months now...but can't find what I want...and that might be MY fault. Here's the scoop:

I have an extremely expensive 100 (that most of you know about). It's been buffed for the last time. I've been told I better keep it from brush or the clearcoat's gonna be gone. A few plastic parts have just started to show wear. I do not want to use this vehicle any longer on difficult trails. It's not going back to Moab and never to the Rubicon. I want to use this for trips and moderate 4-wheeling.

I have an extremely inexpensive 80. It's a '93 with 169K miles. I've never liked it because it's very basic (no leather, no nothing like the typical loaded 80 you see) and the seats don't raise and I'm very uncomfortable in it. While it's an amazing 4-wheeler I always want to leave it behind unless the trails close. I'm thinking of giving this to my kids to drive (16 and 17 yrs old).

I WANT A NEW CRUISER NOW...what should I do? Here's my 2 ideas:

1. Wait forever to find a low mile 1997 80-series. Outfit it with 4+ inches lift, 35-36" tires, regear, then make some custom bumpers. Useit as my extreme wheeler.
MY CONCERN: Despite it being a luxo-model 80....will I like driving it and will I take it onto trips....or, because I prefer the 100-series so much will I still take my expensive 100 out?

2. Easily find a lower mile 2001 or newer 100-series. ARB lock it, lift it, 35-it, then get aggressive, cut the front and rear frames and fab bumpers for wheeling. Cost will be much higher.
MY CONCERN: While I know I'll love driving it will it take the place of my or a newer 80-series on the extreme trails? This new 100 will be more capable than my existing because it will be lighter and have much improved app and dep angles due to the modification design. WILL THAT BE ENOUGH on the bad stuff or will I need an 80?

I keep going back and forth. Either way, I'll not worry about messing up/scratching this 3rd Cruiser...80 or 100.
Thoughts:
Gotta be an 80. No, another 100 will be better. Ya, the 80 is what I need though. No, a down-sized 100 will do the job. Well, we still have the '93 in the family if something insane comes up? Will I take a 1997 80 up on Pritchett Canyon in Moab or will I not want to drive it that far? Will I take my new 100 there and run something like Behind the Rocks? See....I'm stuck. ADVICE AMIGOS?

[BajaTaco]

John, besides the luxo interior, what is it that makes you like the 100 so much more for a road trip? Does it have anything to do with the IFS? Because I am thinking you could do the 80 and you can always get some hi-quality seats and dress up the interior more. You would have the solid front axle for the hard trails you like to do.

[ShottsCruisers]

John, besides the luxo interior, what is it that makes you like the 100 so much more for a road trip? Does it have anything to do with the IFS? Because I am thinking you could do the 80 and you can always get some hi-quality seats and dress up the interior more. You would have the solid front axle for the hard trails you like to do.

100 pluses:
Huge improvement in smoothness, quietness, and overall comfort.
(IFS, V8, stronger frame, sound insulation)
The difference is so big that when we return home from a wheeling trip in the 80, then get into the 100 to go to dinner, we immediately respond with ahhhh, thank god we're back in the 100. The 80's also a dog. Even a supercharged 80 gets hammered by a stock 100 and with bigger tires (mis-geared).

I've driven a late-model loaded 80 and it drives/rides much closer to the 100 than my '93. The question is "will it be good enough?" I'd think so though like my story explains I might be better off in another 100. ???

I wouldn't upgrade my '93 with seats and the like. It's too old and it'll make a great kid-mobile.

[pangaea]

Here's an idea... Why not find yourself a Lexus LX450... That may actually be the best of both worlds - all the capability of an 80 series, with a nicer, more comfortable interior...

Plus there's a really good chance that vehicle has never seen dirt before, so you don't have to worry about a truck that's been put through the wringer...

[dmc]

john,

i've seen your stuff all over mud for a long time so I would think you'd be better off answering the 80 vs 100 debate than most of us.

The prices of both have dropped considerably in recent months so you'll be better off than most of us with the initial buy in. I say it depends on how patient you are. A 100 series will be much easier to find than a low mile 1997 80. But I think if you want to do Pritchett and Rubicon you need the 80. Having spent some time in a 100 both on and off road I don't the ride in my 80 that different. yeah it's a little rougher but not enough to sacrifice the solid axle. if you want hardcore the 100 will always be lacking just a little. the cost to build a solid 80 is pretty insignifcant and it's amazing where they go.

something you don't mention is size. I'm only 5'7" so the 80 is fine for me. If I was taller and wider I'd say that an 80 could be very uncomfortable for extended periods.
dmc

[ShottsCruisers]

Here's an idea... Why not find yourself a Lexus LX450... That may actually be the best of both worlds - all the capability of an 80 series, with a nicer, more comfortable interior...

Plus there's a really good chance that vehicle has never seen dirt before, so you don't have to worry about a truck that's been put through the wringer...

Oh yes. I'm looking. I'd prefer the LX over the LC.

[ShottsCruisers]

But I think if you want to do Pritchett and Rubicon you need the 80. Having spent some time in a 100 both on and off road I don't the ride in my 80 that different. yeah it's a little rougher but not enough to sacrifice the solid axle. if you want hardcore the 100 will always be lacking just a little. the cost to build a solid 80 is pretty insignifcant and it's amazing where they go.

This is what I'm thinking too Darren. Since this 3rd Cruiser will be our extreme one, the 80 has the nod for sure. I'm just not sure about myself taking it because I'm spoiled by the 100.
I remember that ride in a loaded '96. Sure was nice. Blew away my '93.

I'm listening to all these comments very closely.

[BajaTaco]

Well John, I think you will have to make a sacrifice of some kind no matter what you end up with. (but the LX does sounds like maybe the best shot at the least sacrifice?)

1. You get the 100, you will sacrifice the hard-core capability of the 80 front axle.
2. You get the 80, you will sacrifice the comfort/power of the 100.
3. You get the Lexus, you will sacrifice the comfort of the IFS.
4. You get a 100 and put a solid axle on it, you will (likely) sacrifice the comfort of the IFS, plus have the contingencies that come with messing around with/highly modifying something.

If you have plenty of $$ and patience to sink into this, I think #4 sounds very intriguing.

[ShottsCruisers]

Well John, I think you will have to make a sacrifice of some kind no matter what you end up with. (but the LX does sounds like maybe the best shot at the least sacrifice?)

1. You get the 100, you will sacrifice the hard-core capability of the 80 front axle.
2. You get the 80, you will sacrifice the comfort/power of the 100.
3. You get the Lexus, you will sacrifice the comfort of the IFS.
4. You get a 100 and put a solid axle on it, you will (likely) sacrifice the comfort of the IFS, plus have the contingencies that come with messing around with/highly modifying something.

If you have plenty of $$ and patience to sink into this, I think #4 sounds very intriguing.

Ok, thinking now......
#4 is out. Solid axle a 100 still doesn't match solid axle 80...100's bigger and 80's still better.
#'s 1-3....that's the struggle

[BajaTaco]

Ok, thinking now......
#4 is out. Solid axle a 100 still doesn't match solid axle 80...100's bigger and 80's still better.

Are you sure? Yea, it's bigger, but you get the V8 you want.

Allrighty the, here you go. A '97 LX with 56K miles on it. You can drive it home from Texas and break out the sawzall. But you will need to verify if it has the lockers, and you will likely miss having the V8.