80 or 100?

I'm going to ask this in both forums and see where it takes me

First of all, thank you in advance for your responses... I am searching and reading tons of good 411.

I am getting ready to sell my 2001 Tacoma xtra cab for a family friendly rig. I have told the wife that I will only settle for a 4runner, Landcruiser, or Quad cab Tacoma. Period.

She is seriously skeptical regarding the Landcruiser idea. I have been pushing a 96-97 model year LC or LX as a good idea. She hesitates to endorse the purchase of an older, higher mileage vehicle.

I am now also considering the 99-00 100 series as well. I hesitate because of the torsion bar front suspension. Don't know anything about the strengths and weakness of the suspension. For example: how big of tires can the front end components handle without serious problems. How often do people have CV and front R&P problems. How capable is the 100 and what options (other than rear locker) do I need to look for, etc. Any serious problems with these model years?

Anyone who can compare both vehicles and tell me which one wheels better? The last thing I worry about is wheeling such a wide vehicle (100). Lots of scratches on the narrow Tacoma from brush and such.

Thanks again!

I haven't had either, but take her with you to test drive what ever you look at or you could be looking again in a few months....

I personally would rule out the Quad Taco, the one I drove did not have enough space behind the seat for a rear-facing car seat....

And do some searching, there has been a lot of posts about this subject already, so unless everyone happens to be feeling particularly chatty you might not got a huge response...

All good choices, get what you can afford. Is this a family vehicle or a wheeler? If it's a wheeler why would your wife care about age since you will be beating it up anyway? I think your wife feels it will be a family vehicle and you think it will be a wheeler Resolve that issue first!!!

Well, the ifs on the 100 is going to be as good or better than the ifs on the 4Runner or Taco, so why should it be an issue. The 100 is a lot more truck than those two, but for the same money you will have to settle for an older truck, higher gas mileage and bigger to wheel. Just you cen decide if it is worth it.

Pitbull said:

All good choices, get what you can afford. Is this a family vehicle or a wheeler? If it's a wheeler why would your wife care about age since you will be beating it up anyway? I think your wife feels it will be a family vehicle and you think it will be a wheeler Resolve that issue first!!!

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Well, I wheel my daily driver... I need to keep it streetable but scratches are OK. The wife is fine with this as we wheeled the snot out of the brand new Taco the second week we owned it. So I guess it's a family wheeler

sleeoffroad said:

Well, the ifs on the 100 is going to be as good or better than the ifs on the 4Runner or Taco, so why should it be an issue. The 100 is a lot more truck than those two, but for the same money you will have to settle for an older truck, higher gas mileage and bigger to wheel. Just you cen decide if it is worth it.

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How strong are the front diff and CV's on the 100's? Have you seen alot of carnage with 35's? Thanks a ton.

The reason I ask is because the Taco/4runner set up is borderline for 35's...

Whichever vehicle I get, you'll be hearing from me Your bumper designs are exceptional.

Stronger than the Taco and 4Runner. The ring and pinion is the same as a 80 series in the front, but the housing and carrier is not. Axle shafts & cv joints are bigger than 80 series stuff, but that did not prevent me from breaking the ring and pinion and axle shaft. However it as driver error

From a rookies view:

We settled on the LC because it's larger. If your buying a family rig the 4runner is just too smal, IMHO. I have two kids and if we are going anywhere that requires bringing a lot of junk for the trip the 4runner felt too cramped. We test drove 4runners and landcruisers. I liked the drive and feel of the LC so much more and with the excellent reputation they have it just made more sense to buy an older, higher milage LC than a newer 4runner. We also needed an SUV that could tow our toy trailer (3 quads) out to the Oregon Dunes and Tilamook forrest. Both would have been fone for that, in that regard. It was mostly the size and performance of the LC that won us over... That said, I know almost nothing about wether an 80 or a 100 is better. Has someone owned both, an 80 with the front and rear lockers, and a 100 with only the rear?

2000+ got an upgraded front diff if I recall, its a 4 pinion vrs a 2 pinion?

Landpimp said:

2000+ got an upgraded front diff if I recall, its a 4 pinion vrs a 2 pinion?

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I believe you are correct sir...

Inside of an 80 is probably about the same size as the inside of the new 4runner. 100 will give you the space for family trips. The IFS is probably pretty strong, as many of the 100s used overseas are TD's, and they only come w/ the IFS.

Calamaridog: Let's take it down to the real basics. The real basics because things like lifts, lockers, large tires, customer bumpers, and on and on can be fitted to both Cruisers. Here's the pro's each vehicle has over the other. Forget the cons because with either vehicle there are VERY few. I own both and wheel both by the way.

Pros of the 80:

Cost less
Has a live front axle so it's a bit easier to modify (not much).
Is a bit smaller and that can help you off road, though in my experience very rearely.
Because of the last 2 pros (axle and size) it does have an edge off road though a very small edge.

Pro's of the 100:

Traction control models available and is very beneficial in the 100 because it's designed right. Adding a locker(s) allows for a locked/trac control combo (BEST).
Far more powerful (even when compared to a blown 80).
Same fuel economy.
Larger and more comfortable inside.
Far better handling on AND off road.
Much stronger vehicle body and frame.

With almost 90K on my 2001, the thing has been a brick armour truck. The IFS doesn't stop the beast whatsoever. In fact, I'd not trade for a live axle for anything. The CV joints are the original ones, have been put through hell (with 35-inch tires) off-road, and keep on rolling. Unless you plan on LIVING in Moab or mainly doing rock crawling, opt for the newer technology. The 100 will do anything an 80 can (short of the limitations mentioned) though in more comfort, with more power, and more reliably.

Shotts,

Thanks a million for the response. I'm leaning towards a low mileage 99 with a rear locker. It will fit my budget and I can add a front ARB later on.

This will be a trail rig, not a rock crawler, lol. I've got big plans for a future FJ40!

I've got the wife sold on the 100 for sure, hell, now she wants to drive it to work and we haven't even bought one yet.

The only variable at this time is that the guy who wants to buy my Taco is trying to trade me his nice Tundra 4x4 And the Taco is in the body shop for two weeks, so I'm stuck right now. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again. Maybe I'm be ready in time for Moab in March...