80 vs 100 Series

[arndog123]

I’ve driven a 100 and the extra power is nice but I still prefer my slow 80’s. Just don’t like the looks of the 100 and the 200 looks even worse to me. Prefer the 80 and older Cruiser’s.

 

[MPS]

I am not all that great with a wrench like others here, but I do love these cars. I bought a 2005 TLC about six years ago and was so impressed I bought an 1996 LX 450 a year ago. Both are great cars but I use them for different things. The 100 is a fantastic DD I also use for road trips with a bit of camping. Much more comfortable, better acceleration, could easily handle a boat or trailer, and quieter. But if I am going off road camping on BLM land and want something bullet proof that will get me out and back, I use the LX 450. It is like digital and analog. In the end, it really depends on how you want to use it. While I love the 80 series (nicknamed The Beast), if I were driving my family around with a bit of camping then would buy the 100 series. That said, If you do get the 100 series, make sure you don't get one with the really lame video screen in the middle of the back seat. My grown kids hit their heads on it and there are better video options these days. Good luck.

 

[AleonD]

They are both LC's built to the same standard, in essence, more similar than different. Buy the newest cleanest rig that is in your budget.

 

[ZIFFFZJ80]

I have an 80 and my dad has a 100. The 80 has more old school Toyota presence. The 100 is more comfortable and powerful, but is more bland inside and out. If I was constantly driving across country, I’d take the 100. Driving the 80 is more rewarding and exciting. I’ll never sell my 80, but I may pick up a 200 in addition to it. If I had a 100 I’d just trade it for a 200. Finally, the 80 just feels like the perfect mix of old and new to me.

 

[OffRoadRN]

How is the forecast for parts availability for the 1FZE? Is there any concern of not being able to find parts in 10 years? It kind of seems like that's already becoming the case for the 3FE unless I am mistaken?

 

[leonard_nemoy]

I have an 80 and my dad has a 100. The 80 has more old school Toyota presence. The 100 is more comfortable and powerful, but is more bland inside and out. If I was constantly driving across country, I’d take the 100. Driving the 80 is more rewarding and exciting. I’ll never sell my 80, but I may pick up a 200 in addition to it. If I had a 100 I’d just trade it for a 200. Finally, the 80 just feels like the perfect mix of old and new to me.

The 80 series is the perfect mix of old and new.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

How is the forecast for parts availability for the 1FZE? Is there any concern of not being able to find parts in 10 years? It kind of seems like that's already becoming the case for the 3FE unless I am mistaken?

That is already the case for the later model 80 series. Definitely a whole list of items already NLA for our rigs.

 

[OffRoadRN]

That is already the case for the later model 80 series. Definitely a whole list of items already NLA for our rigs.

So is it even realistic to expect to be able to fix and maintain an 80 series over the next 10 plus years?

 

[ZIFFFZJ80]

I assume there is enough of a following that other companies will start producing needed parts.

 

[clx16]

probably the majority of us on the forum expect to keep them longer than that, there are a plenty of people on here that are leveraging parts from newer vehicles and posting about it. several vendors that provide a fair amount of time doing R&D to help us keep them on the road. I am not worried.

here is a perspective. mine is a 96. was not kept up on maintenance when i got it in 2017. If i did a complete baseline I should expect it to last 21 years before another full baseline is needed. I won't let mine go like it was before so I will just keep it up over the years and wait for something important to fail. by then people will have retrofitted newer stuff on there etc. go read the not to old posts where mud members are installing brake components from much newer toyotas on their 80s etc. thats just an example.... my 80 has heated seats... wasn't an option when it was new... these things are a good enough platform to adjust IMHO

 

[AussieHJCruza]

I believe that the 100 series is the only LC with a timing belt instead of a timing chain, that alone is a deal breaker for me, someone correct me if i'm wrong. Solid Axles are a +++++ for over-landing / off-roading. Oh and one more small thing, the 100 series is the ugliest LC ever made, it may be just my opinion but it's true!

Timing belt isn't a big deal. Every diesel land cruiser of from 1990 to 2006 has a timing belt too. Its not hard to change and not prone to failure

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Have you driven them both ? Is an 80 calling your name ? What I realized after going down the same path is that the 100 is superior in almost every way... Except it's not an 80.

Can't really go too wrong either way. I'll also agree that there are some other Toyota vehicles that will check your boxes too that only suffer from the Toyota tax, and not the LC tax too. The wife drives a 5th gen 4Runner, and it's essentially a modern 80 series.

Good luck !

Jason

 

[80sand100s]

80 owner here. As the username implies I hope to pick up a 100 down the road. These are my two favorite generations hands down unless you want to include the stuff we never got in the states like the troopy and "trucks" like the 45 and 79. I was between the two and ended up going 80. I DD'd a 3rd gen 4runner for a while and the 80 reminds me of it, just slightly bigger. It's very cozy (not cramped) in the cockpit. The 100 is more like a 1st gen Sequoia in size. Much roomier.

While the 100 is no doubt a phenomenal platform (and the 2UZ motor is bulletproof), have you seen the 80??? IMO it's the most beautiful of all of them. Much like a Porsche 911, it's a timeless design. I really enjoy the simplicity of the interior too. Like Leonard said, it's the perfect mix of old and new. MY 95 - 97 will have additional safety features like airbags and ABS. I can't comment on the 3FE, but the 1FZ is reliable as well. From what I understand, Toyota designed it to last for 1 million kilometers (~620,000 miles). Just change the oil routinely, keep the cooling system up to snuff, and don't let the block overheat and warp!

Best of luck, you can't go wrong with either.

 

[OffRoadRN]

Have you driven them both ? Is an 80 calling your name ? What I realized after going down the same path is that the 100 is superior in almost every way... Except it's not an 80.

Can't really go too wrong either way. I'll also agree that there are some other Toyota vehicles that will check your boxes too that only suffer from the Toyota tax, and not the LC tax too. The wife drives a 5th gen 4Runner, and it's essentially a modern 80 series.

Good luck !

Jason

I have driven an 80, test drove one and have driven my brothers a little bit. I haven't driven a 100, they just look good on paper aside from the front suspension. I admit I am an ignorant noob, but how is a 5th gen a modern 80 series if it doesn't have a solid front axle. Isn't that one of the main reason the 100's are shunned?

 

[Spdstr280Z]

I have driven an 80, test drove one and have driven my brothers a little bit. I haven't driven a 100, they just look good on paper aside from the front suspension. I admit I am an ignorant noob, but how is a 5th gen a modern 80 series if it doesn't have a solid front axle. Isn't that one of the main reason the 100's are shunned?

Since there are no solid axle options in the Toyota lineup I give it a pass on the IFS., but you are right about that. Both 4WD (well, if you get a 4WD 4Runner) body on frame Toyota SUV's and they are nearly the same size. Both will run forever based on the evidence so far. The 4Runner maintenance schedule is almost funny.... Change oil, lube driveshaft... Enough of an aftermarket to make the 80 / 100 aftermarket look weak. While one of the 80's draws or me is indeed the front axle, you are also right in your objective view that an IFS LC (or T4R) will go far beyond what you are going to ask of it. Down side of a 4Runner, they are every-freaking-where.

Jason

 

[LINUS]

Open question -

-Is the 100 transmission sealed / no dipstick? ——— (200’s / Tundras / G2 Seq‘s are that way)






If so, that’s a lame system & even my ~72K trans fluid was already turning color - crap is supposed to be lifetime fluid.

If the 100’s are sealed, keep in mind the miles on the powertrain - that trans fluid is there from the Japan assembly line.

 

[97 AZ LC]

I believe that the 100 series is the only LC with a timing belt instead of a timing chain, that alone is a deal breaker for me, someone correct me if i'm wrong.

You're not really wrong but there's certainly room for personal opinion on the subject. I much prefer timing belts. They are quiet, cheap, easy to replace, and they don't "stretch" like a chain messing up your timing. Timing chains are a real pain when they develop age related stretch. Watch some videos on replacing a timing chain on Toyota's 4.0 V6. It's traumatic. Most people who replace their timing belt wouldn't go near a timing chain replacement. In my book it doesn't get any better than a cheap long lasting timing belt in a non-interference motor like the non-VVT 4.7L.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

So is it even realistic to expect to be able to fix and maintain an 80 series over the next 10 plus years?

I guess it depends on your level of ingenuity, determination, and all around badassery.

It will certainly become more of a challenge to keep these rigs going as time goes on, but where there is a will there is a way.

I mean, there are people out there driving vehicles from the 40's and beyond.....

 

[Lumpskie]

So is it even realistic to expect to be able to fix and maintain an 80 series over the next 10 plus years?

Dunno. But I can say that my diesel 80 is my daily driver. I've put about 75000 miles on it over the last few years. I haven't had any issues with maintenance or parts for it. (thanks Cruiser outfitters) The parts that I've had an issue with are really the non Toyota parts. (airdog lift pump) I intend to keep spending money on it... err... daily driving it for the foreseeable future.

 

[haulin auss]

As the proud owner of a 60, 80, and 100, I have often said that the 60 is the best looking, the 80 is the most capable, and the 100 is the most practical.

Each has their pros/cons depending on the task at hand. I'd love to add a 200 to the stable but for me it overlaps too much functionality of the 100.