So I want to get a Land Cruiser...

[eurosonic]

Its been hovering around my head for a while - Im thinking about getting a Land Cruiser.
Interested mostly in the 80 series although the 100 looks attractive as well.

Currently I drive a 98 Montero, which is a great truck, gets me to where I want most of the time. But im looking for more power and (possibly more room??) Plus I like the fact that there is a nice variety of aftermarket support for the LCs.
I mostly do the typical and casual outback adventuring, but somehow end up pushing the rig to the limits so definitely planning on doing some crawling.

Hopefully the Toyota crowd can guide me in the right direction.

What year/packages should I look out for?

What kind of MPG are you guys getting with your rigs?

Most of the ones that im looking at are all over 150-200K, any maintenance concerns I should be aware of?

Do LC's come with front and rear lockers?

In general what are some of the weak-spots in a LC?


any input will be greatly appreciated.

[mtnbike28]

What year/packages should I look out for? '93+ have a bigger engine, some say better, but more power

What kind of MPG are you guys getting with your rigs? 12mpg seems to be avg with lift, etc and a light foot. Some people claim 16-18

Most of the ones that im looking at are all over 150-200K, any maintenance concerns I should be aware of? front axle rebuild and PHH and head gasket. It seems the 95 plus got a weaker AL radiator, so check overall cooling system

Do LC's come with front and rear lockers? some do, but only like 10% - look for the switch on the left side of the dash and the VIN, then test to be sure they work

In general what are some of the weak-spots in a LC? falling in love and dumping money..... really see above, but I would say the biggest weakness is so many and gas and go for so long, no PM is ever done, so sometimes it takes a lot suddenly for a new owner.

see:
http://sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm
http://www.expeditionportal.com/reso...-under-5k.html

fwiw

[brentbba]

Jay has hit the nail on the head pretty good. The Slee newbie guide is mandatory reading. I'm an original owner of a '94 and very active over on IH8MUD, the absolute source for anything Landcruiser. Great sections there on both the 80 series (thru '97) and the 100 series (thru '09 I think). New 200 series is way expensive!

100's with the V8 will have much more power than the 80. The 80 has a solid front axle which some will argue is better offroad. Any cruiser at 150K is just getting broken in mechanically. Routine maintenance will have these engines running twice that and beyond. '94's (like mine) have had issues with head gaskets around 200K. Later models don't see to be as stricken with the redesigned gasket.

Bottom line - you can't go wrong with Toyota quality...and yes, I am biased.

[LaOutbackTrail]

Haha... Euro, for the money you'll spend you'll be very disappointed. Going in the wrong direction, buddy.

If you're bored with the monty, just admit it. With all of your concerns and points that you listed, you will find that there numbers will point back to the Montero. And your concern about aftermarket parts availability is moot. You've already bought everything you could buy for the other rigs!! Why can't you take the montero crawling? Put a larger body lift, larger tires, and a front locker and go. That'll save you about 10 grand right there, and you've already got all the other accessories.

I'd call you a fool to sell the montero and buy a cruiser.


Not saying cruisers are bad, but the fact that you already have the monty you'd seriously be going in reverse, dude.

[LaOutbackTrail]

Its been hovering around my head for a while - Im thinking about getting a Land Cruiser.
Interested mostly in the 80 series although the 100 looks attractive as well.

Currently I drive a 98 Montero, which is a great truck, gets me to where I want most of the time. But im looking for more power Wont find that in an 80... and (possibly more room??) Plus I like the fact that there is a nice variety of aftermarket support for the LCs. You've already bolted everything to your Montero that you could buy for a cruiser!
I mostly do the typical and casual outback adventuring, but somehow end up pushing the rig to the limits so definitely planning on doing some crawling.
Whats wrong with the Montero's capabilities?

Hopefully the Toyota crowd can guide me in the right direction.

What year/packages should I look out for?

What kind of MPG are you guys getting with your rigs? Mr. Leary's FZJ80 produces 15hwy with 285 75 16 tires OME lift and no other mods. I believe DGurley2000's FZJ80 gets 13mpg with his list of mods. 6String's 100 with everything Slee could bolt on it and in it gets a good 10mpg.

Most of the ones that im looking at are all over 150-200K, any maintenance concerns I should be aware of? This may be the only area that wins Cruiser vs Montero. But then again, The Montero's motor is relatively simple to work on and quite honestly just as reliable... but requires more regular maintenance.

Do LC's come with front and rear lockers? Some 80s have front and rear. Not sure for the 100s

In general what are some of the weak-spots in a LC? You mentioned you wanted a bigger rig? That comes with a price. I've seen your pics and your Montero is a tight squeeze on some of your trails. The 80 series is 6 inches wider and 10 inches longer, but ironically its not that discernible on the interior (maybe 2" wider and 4" longer inside).


any input will be greatly appreciated.

I'm only biased because I researched the shnit out of this very thing. And as I noted above, have driven and ridden in a variety of cruisers in various states of repair and build-edness and by golly the Montero is a well rounded machine. Bigger than a 4 runner, smaller than a cruiser. Comes with a factory locker and gets good mileage.

[shmabs]

Euro,

You mention crawling ability in there, which immediately points to the 80 series, for the solid axle and three lockers. If you are pushing your rig to its limits i can very much understand why you might be a touch frustrated with the montero, the IFS in them, while durable and provides enough suspension for most uses, it simply won't perform like an 80 series solid axle does when it comes to crawling or harder wheeling. And the aftermarket support is amazing for cruisers, as you already know.

For power though, i suggest you go drive a 94 and up 80 series, and see if the power is adequate for you. As a former owner of a mitsu 3.5 i think they make great power and hp to boot, and feel that mitsu nailed the engine/trans combo (if only the t case was geared lower!)

I looked at and and drove a few 80 series in the past six months of so while vehicle hunting. A few quick tips
Maintenance records are key with a high mileage 80 series, things like Head Gasket/cooling system maintenance, front axle rebuilds/seals, make sure the lockers work. When shopping for them, i was fully prepared to spend more money on a 200k cruiser that had records vs a 150k cruiser that was cheaper but with little history. They are amazing well put together rigs that can last quite a long time. I drove a lot of different vehicles and loved the cruiser build quality.

The 100 series however, with the 4.7 makes awesome power. I have driven several vehicles with that motor and in short, i love it. But with a 100 series comes IFS, admittedly, i don't know much about that front end, so i wont offer my input.

As always, get out there and drive them! And don't let other people make the decision for you. I loved my montero sport, but its shortcomings got to me and i am now a toyota owner. Everything is a compromise

And i won't call you a fool if you buy an cruiser.

Mike

[eurosonic]

Haha... Euro, for the money you'll spend you'll be very disappointed. Going in the wrong direction, buddy.

If you're bored with the monty, just admit it. With all of your concerns and points that you listed, you will find that there numbers will point back to the Montero. And your concern about aftermarket parts availability is moot. You've already bought everything you could buy for the other rigs!! Why can't you take the montero crawling? Put a larger body lift, larger tires, and a front locker and go. That'll save you about 10 grand right there, and you've already got all the other accessories.

I'd call you a fool to sell the montero and buy a cruiser.


Not saying cruisers are bad, but the fact that you already have the monty you'd seriously be going in reverse, dude.

LaOutback,

I guess at the moment Im just trying to see what the LC80 hype is all about and exploring my future options. Almost everyone that has owned a LC has been saying that it has been the best vehicle they have ever owned. Trying to understand why so.

I like my montero but at the moment Im at a split road, continue building up the Monty or switch over to something else like a LC. As far as fuel economy goes, yes Monty out does the LC but then again I use my montero as a recreational vehicle 80 percent of the time, camping, wheeling, exploring. I dont drive it daily unless I have to pick up a something bulky from the store or whatever so most of the time, its parked in the back. So that is why lower fuel economy of a LC isn't that much of a concern to me.

I am getting a feeling from LC owners that they are much more expensive in maintenance b/c initially they were sold as high end luxury SUV. So even thought they are now cheaper, their maintenance remains at a premium. But then my 98 fully loaded Montero was once considered a high end Japanese Luxury SUV as well and the maintenance on it has not been all that bad.

[LaOutbackTrail]

And i won't call you a fool if you buy an cruiser.

Mike

Good point Mike. "Fool" might have been a bit harsh. At least he isn't looking at Land Rovers. That'd deserve a slap to the head.

[eurosonic]

Land Rovers, no way!

I used to work as a shuttle driver for a huge auto mall, where I would take people back to their home/work that had their car in service. Land Rover/ Jaguar owners were the unhappiest of them all and complained the most.

[hks3sgte]

Sounds like you need a 100. Skip the old 80 and go straight to the top.