POWER MOVE!
very nice truck - pls post some more photos, or a link to your build thread
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
POWER MOVE!
very nice truck - pls post some more photos, or a link to your build thread
Haven't cobbled together a build thread - sorry. I'll keep the photos on the 200 forum as to not disturb.
I've learned a lot from this one and now I want to get some mechanic knowledge and learn on an 80 and from yall.
Thank you
I've learned a lot from this one and now I want to get some mechanic knowledge and learn on an 80 and from yall.
Thank you
200 has a forum?
I guess sarcasm does not come out through your screen.
When I first bought my 100 I was disappointed with it as I had a really well built locked 80 series. However, as I drove it more and more and more 120k miles later I really started enjoying it. And mechanically it is much easier to maintain than an 80. Timing belts are cake compared to a timing belt, and if you don't want to do that buy an 06/07. And those starter contacts are tough to get to but you never have to stretch your neck or have dirt drop in your eye to do it. Really that was pretty easy. When the 200s came out I drove one and I was impressed but I realized I could never work on it at home and by the time it would be in my price range it would be needing a lot of repairs. Now I'm not so sure about that and I might even consider buying one someday. I'm driving an 80 series a lot the last year or so since I sold the 100. And it makes miss the 100 more and more. When I read some of the stuff people write about who should own a 100 I realize those people don't have a freaking clue. They obviously have never owned one or spent a significant amount of time in one. They are quite capable off road. I did all of Hell's Revenge including the Gate in mine a couple of times. And on unmaintained roads the 80 is no match for a 100. Rubicon Trail, Pritchett Canyon, Holy Cross, take an 80 or maybe even a 40. Looking at the current market prices those mid year 100s are a bargain compared to what you can get for an 80 series these days. Here is something people don't often talk about. The 80 series will be the first series of Land Cruiser that wears out. They are so easy to drive that people will wear the hinges off the doors, window regulators, power seat motors, etc... I know I sell these parts all the time. Eventually there will be no parts. Before the 80 series, Cruisers were not comfortable enough to put so many miles on and they stayed preserved. The 80 will not be preserved. The 100 I think has a little more longevity to it. I think the 2UZ is just a little better engine. I think the interior is just a little more robust. And the leather is not perfect but it is at least 50% better than stock 80 leather. But when those trucks hit 3-500k miles they too will wear out. While we are talking about technology and what is better. I had a 99 100 with an ARB air locker up front and it is embarassing to say I was schooled on more than one occasion by later 100s with ATRAC. It is technology that those that don't have love to hate. If I were in the market right now I would buy the best condition Cruiser I could find in my budget. It isn't like you are buying a total loser by getting either an 80 or an 100.
Allah hu Akbar!
This is a gem right here. So true and right in front of my face for the 22 years I've had mine and it never occurred to me.
This will be even more evident in the 100 as that model ages since it is even more comfortable than the 80.
This will be even more evident in the 100 as that model ages since it is even more comfortable than the 80.
ATRAC or no trac, it was a sight to behold on the network news when they showed a 100 series stuck (buried) in the mud.
The legendary 80 series will outlive us all - you don't need any more preservation than that.
The legendary 80 series will outlive us all - you don't need any more preservation than that.
Last edited:
Excellent post. You are in a small minority in that you have done the below on each platform
- driven at least 100K
- wheeled them extensively, so you know the strengths/weaknesses of each truck
- wrenched on them extensively
How are the 2006 and 2007 different then the rest?
They aren't 100% different but that is when they went to variable valve intake. Bumps the HP to 265/275.
And I was thinking faster than my brain was typing. Timing belts on a 2UZ are cake compared to a head gasket on a 1FZE. I've done two belts and a half dozen head gaskets. The belt is much easier.
If you want my idea of the perfect Cruiser it would be a FJ55 on an 80 chassis with a 2UZ and enough sound proofing and luxury interior to make it feel like a 100 series inside. Not necessarily leather but ice cold AC and a nice stereo and power door locks. I don't mind rolling the windows up and down by hand.
And I was thinking faster than my brain was typing. Timing belts on a 2UZ are cake compared to a head gasket on a 1FZE. I've done two belts and a half dozen head gaskets. The belt is much easier.
If you want my idea of the perfect Cruiser it would be a FJ55 on an 80 chassis with a 2UZ and enough sound proofing and luxury interior to make it feel like a 100 series inside. Not necessarily leather but ice cold AC and a nice stereo and power door locks. I don't mind rolling the windows up and down by hand.
i love my 80. i mean really love the thing. it is just comfy enough with a good auto trans, A/C, power windows ans power steering. When you look at a 62 the 80 adds some really good stuff, e lockers, coil springs modern auto trany and modern AC. Things that they had in the 1980s but just didnt work as well. the 80 came along with all of that stuff working right. But it is still a nice simple truck. That being said the 100s are really growing on me and i feel i will own one someday. The motors are amazing and with a few inch lift and 3s they do everything i need. But right now the 80 is MUCH cheaper in my mind. A nice 100 is not a a cheap truck. Also i really like the simplicity of my OBDI 94. I like a simple ignition and EFI system. I like no airbags and simple suspension with E lockers. I think the 100 starts to get more complicated and complex. T me that is one thing i personally dont like. But all that said i admit the 100 is pretty awesome when set up right. For now i feel like the 80 is the sweet spot between old and new.
RC51kid. I think if you worked on a 100 you would find them to be more simple than the 1FZE. Early 100s might actually be a little more simple to work on than FZJ80s. You get into the later models with NAV and then I'd agree with you things start to get a little more complex.
Not sure why people keep on saying the 100 is a lot more comfortable than the 80. Here are some of the reason I think you guys say that:
1. On average the 80 is 10 years older with just as old springs
2. 80 is so easy to change suspension and so many options people might not have the weight, spring and shock combo dialed in.
3. 80 is so easy to work on and lift people have MUCH larger off road tires which isn't good for road comfort. 37s are the new 35s which replaced the 33s.......
4. 100 is so expensive to change suspension most people just left a good thing alone. Maybe a torsion bar lift.
5. I rarely see 100 with bigger/aggressive tires and even if it does it's rarely over 32 inch. With a mount of work and money required it is not wonder I never seen a 100s with 35s in person, that's even rare on the forums. 100s with 32s are basically same as 80s with 35.
I've been in 80, 100 and 200, my DD is a LS430 which is one of the bench mark for comfortable ride. Only thing that's really close to the LS is a 200 with air ride(stock tires) and I really don't think my 80 is uncomfortable at all even compared to the LS. On really choppy roads yes the difference is quite big but I attribute that to big heavy AT tires!
As in my signature my 80 has TJM 50mm progressive springs, fox ifp shocks, sliders and winch front bumper(nothing too fancy or crazy). Then I have the super heavy 35 inch falken AT tires at 77lbs each. With all that I still think it's definitely on par with a 100 series on comfort with smaller tires. And if I go for the same small street tires most 100 LCs are running I would venture to say it ride every bit as nice if not nicer than a stocker 100. Hell its not even all that much slower.
Some people make the 80 sound uncomfortable but it really isn't! If you really want the 80 to be comfortable then put brand new OEM tires, springs and shocks in with new bushings, you might be shocked on how good it really is and can be!
1. On average the 80 is 10 years older with just as old springs
2. 80 is so easy to change suspension and so many options people might not have the weight, spring and shock combo dialed in.
3. 80 is so easy to work on and lift people have MUCH larger off road tires which isn't good for road comfort. 37s are the new 35s which replaced the 33s.......
4. 100 is so expensive to change suspension most people just left a good thing alone. Maybe a torsion bar lift.
5. I rarely see 100 with bigger/aggressive tires and even if it does it's rarely over 32 inch. With a mount of work and money required it is not wonder I never seen a 100s with 35s in person, that's even rare on the forums. 100s with 32s are basically same as 80s with 35.
I've been in 80, 100 and 200, my DD is a LS430 which is one of the bench mark for comfortable ride. Only thing that's really close to the LS is a 200 with air ride(stock tires) and I really don't think my 80 is uncomfortable at all even compared to the LS. On really choppy roads yes the difference is quite big but I attribute that to big heavy AT tires!
As in my signature my 80 has TJM 50mm progressive springs, fox ifp shocks, sliders and winch front bumper(nothing too fancy or crazy). Then I have the super heavy 35 inch falken AT tires at 77lbs each. With all that I still think it's definitely on par with a 100 series on comfort with smaller tires. And if I go for the same small street tires most 100 LCs are running I would venture to say it ride every bit as nice if not nicer than a stocker 100. Hell its not even all that much slower.
Some people make the 80 sound uncomfortable but it really isn't! If you really want the 80 to be comfortable then put brand new OEM tires, springs and shocks in with new bushings, you might be shocked on how good it really is and can be!
Last edited:
As others have said, it will depend on what you want it for. Personally I don't think you can go wrong with either. I want both!
At one time I had a built up 02 Taco, loved that truck, went wheeling one winter day and meet a guy with a 97 80. That day I started my search and a year later I picked my 95 up and sold my Taco.
The only regret I have is having to sell the Taco. I love my 80 WAY more than any person should love a mechanical object.
Yes they require maintenance, they are old, but I believe that if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Wrench on it, you will then learn to love and respect it more. They can be a bit quirky at times but that's part of what makes them special.
Now back to trying to convince my wife she doesn't like her Highlander and wants a 470
At one time I had a built up 02 Taco, loved that truck, went wheeling one winter day and meet a guy with a 97 80. That day I started my search and a year later I picked my 95 up and sold my Taco.
The only regret I have is having to sell the Taco. I love my 80 WAY more than any person should love a mechanical object.
Yes they require maintenance, they are old, but I believe that if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Wrench on it, you will then learn to love and respect it more. They can be a bit quirky at times but that's part of what makes them special.
Now back to trying to convince my wife she doesn't like her Highlander and wants a 470
Qball
I think people generally talk about the interior comfort when they mention 100>80, not necessarily ride characteristics.
Although IFS is way more comfy than the 80's solid axle. V8 power is way more comfy (noise level and acceleration). Built in navigation and CUP HOLDERS are a plus too.
I think people generally talk about the interior comfort when they mention 100>80, not necessarily ride characteristics.
Although IFS is way more comfy than the 80's solid axle. V8 power is way more comfy (noise level and acceleration). Built in navigation and CUP HOLDERS are a plus too.
You have some good points. I love my 80 and would like to keep it forever. But it is my DD and do drive the hell out of it. But that is what i bought it for. I am putting about 20,000 miles a year. I am out in Yellowstone NP WY/MT 6 month out of the year exploring dirt roades, trails and camping out of the truck. I will do my best to maintain it but at this rate i will wear it out at some point. At that point i will probably be looking for a 100. It is sad realization but that is what i bought her for and i love every minute of it, tromping around the Montana forestry roads in the Beartooths and sleeping out of truck every chance i get. I try to focus on enjoying my truck and making good memories with it rather than preserving a museum piece. Because my truck sure as hell is not a museum piece, i have enjoyed every pinstripe and scrape that she has.
PS the i still like old school lockers, but the newer traction controls are getting really good.
Because we all like pictures, here are a few from Goose lake MT and near the Tetons in WY. Out exploring solo and camping out of the truck is what i use her for. A well built 100 would probably have covered these trips just fine.
