First Purchase?

[turnerc7]

Hey Land Cruiser Community,

I have recently realized that I need a larger vehicle for my day to day work and occasional adventuring. I have looked around at the various brands and what they offer and Im pretty sure that I have settled upon a Land Cruiser. Furthermore I have focused my efforts on 80s and 100s. As I have no experience with Land Cruisers Im turning to you to see what to look for.

a few questions I have:
80 vs 100, which is "better" in your opinion?
What to look out for, maintenance, rust, repairs, etc.
mileage, how high is too high and how far will they go?
Reliability, I read that they are the best overlanding vehicle available in the states, true?
anything else you deem useful or important about these rigs.

thanks in advance!

cheers,
Craig

[p nut]

For what you're doing, the 100, no question. More power, more comfortable, better riding, same or better MPG, and just as reliable (if not more, due to age).

[86tuning]

You'd only want an 80 if you MUST have a solid front axle (for rock crawling or other heavy duty usage offroad). The 100 is much better on the road, for towing, power, fuel economy, everything else. Except perhaps initial purchase price.

That said, I drive a 97 LX450 because I like it. But I did indeed get it for a really good price.

[Chuy]

80 series is the last SFA Land Cruiser before IFS. If you are going to get IFS then many vehicles will fit your needs Montero, Trooper, 4 Runner, Pathfinder, Armada, FJ Cruiser etc. Land Cruisers are beasts of a vehicle but comparing a 80 to 100 is like comparing apples to vegetables. They are just totally different vehicles. Might as well get a Sequoia or FJ Cruiser if you are settling for IFS. Lots of other IFS vehicles out there that have more power same reliability cheaper and more or equal cargo space compared to the 100 series. Best advice is drive the two of them and see way you like best. To me the 100 series feels like a mini-van. The thick wide doors and interior design give it that fat bloated feel. The 80 series is a unique last SFA full size SUV that has a legendary reputation around the world. Extremely reliable, tons of aftermarket support, and very little issues that are all well documented. The 80 series is easier to lift/mod and has an awesome commanding drivers view. I think they are both great vehicles but for me I would take a more robust SFA vehicle over IFS any day. You buy a Toyota for reliability and durability if you want comfort and looks you get a Land Rover.

[RobRed]

80 series is the last SFA Land Cruiser before IFS. If you are going to get IFS then many vehicles will fit your needs Montero, Trooper, 4 Runner, Pathfinder, Armada, FJ Cruiser etc. Land Cruisers are beasts of a vehicle but comparing a 80 to 100 is like comparing apples to vegetables. They are just totally different vehicles. Might as well get a Sequoia or FJ Cruiser if you are settling for IFS. Lots of other IFS vehicles out there that have more power same reliability cheaper and more or equal cargo space compared to the 100 series. Best advice is drive the two of them and see way you like best. To me the 100 series feels like a mini-van. The thick wide doors and interior design give it that fat bloated feel. The 80 series is a unique last SFA full size SUV that has a legendary reputation around the world. Extremely reliable, tons of aftermarket support, and very little issues that are all well documented. The 80 series is easier to lift/mod and has an awesome commanding drivers view. I think they are both great vehicles but for me I would take a more robust SFA vehicle over IFS any day. You buy a Toyota for reliability and durability if you want comfort and looks you get a Land Rover.

The OP asked about "day to day work and occasional adventuring"

As someone who has owned both - The 100 crushes the 80 in every way except pure offroad prowess... and that's a 7% advantage. A 100 will go 93% of the same places an 80 can. Dont forget 78% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

The 100 is actually easier to lift (torsion bar crank and rear springs - 45 minutes) than an 80 but you can only get 3" out of it... so if you want more you would have to go 80.

Settling for IFS? Hahaha You mean settling for superior ride quality and on road handling? Sure, if that's settling.

Suggesting that lots of other vehicles out there have the "same reliability" of a Land Cruiser??? Wow I don't even know how to address that.

I do love your enthusiasm for the 80 but you're not really telling like it is... you did give some good advice: "Best advice is drive the two of them and see way you like best. "

To the OP: Test the air conditioning in both on 80 degree day. You will find out quick which one makes sense for LA.

[p nut]

Chuy, the anti-Shotts.

[Chuy]

The OP asked about "day to day work and occasional adventuring"

As someone who has owned both - The 100 crushes the 80 in every way except pure offroad prowess... and that's a 7% advantage. A 100 will go 93% of the same places an 80 can. Dont forget 78% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

The 100 is actually easier to lift (torsion bar crank and rear springs - 45 minutes) than an 80 but you can only get 3" out of it... so if you want more you would have to go 80.

Settling for IFS? Hahaha You mean settling for superior ride quality and on road handling? Sure, if that's settling.

Suggesting that lots of other vehicles out there have the "same reliability" of a Land Cruiser??? Wow I don't even know how to address that.

I do love your enthusiasm for the 80 but you're not really telling like it is... you did give some good advice: "Best advice is drive the two of them and see way you like best. "

To the OP: Test the air conditioning in both on 80 degree day. You will find out quick which one makes sense for LA.

RobRed I respect your opinion and the love you have for you 100, I think they are great vehicles. I live in AZ it was 101F today and my AC works great and cools me down just fine. I prefer the feel of the 80 vs 100 on road and off road, I also DD mine.

Craig, I would head over to IH8MUD if you want more details on the 80 vs 100. You can research all of the different mods and problems each one has. They are both unique vehicles with their own set of Pros and Cons. I was in a very similar situation when I was deciding on which one to buy. I read hundreds of threads and blogs, watched lots of youtube videos, test drove about 20 different 100's and 80's, researched what the local cruiser clubs were mostly using before I made my decision. I went back and forth several times on my decision. You really have to look at your intended needs and use of the vehicle. I will also add that it was very very hard to find a clean 80 when I was searching. Almost all of the 100 series I looked at were still in excellent shape. I would go with what you can find. The price of a clean 80 with lockers has gone up like crazy it seems. Either way I don't think you can go wrong with any Land Cruiser.

[Kermit]

There are plenty of suspension shops in SoCal that can always do
a coil over swap, if the torsions aren't up to par.

The bonus of a 100 over a 80 is that most 100's were owned by old farts, that never took them in the dirt.

Made the top ten used vehicles for overlanding...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/reso...-vehicles.html

These guys seem to do ok with a 100. Only if we could get a diesel...well Proffitt's could always do a swap.

http://www.ronaldbrunner.ch/projekte/hdj100.htm

[RobRed]

RobRed I respect your opinion and the love you have for you 100, I think they are great vehicles. I live in AZ it was 101F today and my AC works great and cools me down just fine. I prefer the feel of the 80 vs 100 on road and off road, I also DD mine.

Don't misunderstand - I have a love for both 80's and 100's, having had both. But I'm enough of a realist to understand the pro's and cons of both to advise a new shopper what's better for "day to day work and occasional adventuring". There is no question the 80 is superior in extreme off-road conditions if set up for it... it's not 100% better it's incrementally better.

I'm glad your AC is working well but the combination of my 100's better front A/C with rear A/C cools it from an ambient 99 to a comfortable 75 in half the time.

Then there is the motor... way more torque than my 80.

We could battle it out all day on point for point - the 80 was great in it's day and remains a standard bearer but for most practical applications the 100 is a better choice.

[Kermit]

You can have the best of both world's...

People really only want the 80 for the SFA, and the rest of the vehicle is
kinda lack luster...so take the best part off the 80, sling it under the 100...

...presto-changeo, winner-winner chicken dinner...I think so.

Basically making a 105...a model the States never saw.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/project_v...00sas_main.htm

SAS100_125.jpg

uzj100.jpg