80 VS 1st gen 4Runner

[Tachycardic]

I don't know what kind of wheeling you do, but my initial thought is to buy a used and cheap Miata if you want to work on your tan. I had considered a 3rd gen 4Runner (dad had one and it was great for our needs 20 years ago), but I need more space and the third row seating option. Personally, I'd stick with the 80.

 

[Lpmk6]

CYKBC. Heritage, good point. I restored the 4Runner out of pop-culture, nostalgia, not heritage. Only speaking from personal experience: as a kid/teen coming of age in the '80s, 4Runners were some of the coolest cars to us, they were everywhere, commercials, print ads and dealer show rooms. One of the most popular movies of our time, Back to The Future, featured a Toyota Pickup. To us, the 60 series was boring, it looked like something mom or dad drove.

My Dad, who retired from Toyota Motors USA in 1997, chose a Supra and 4Runner as his employee lease option in the 80s and 90s. I remember asking him about a "big car" (it was a Landcruiser) displayed in front of his office building in Torrance, CA and he said "my cars are cooler".

As far as the 40 series goes, I don't really remember seeing too many of them as a kid. As a teenager, 1960-70s Broncos and 40s could be had for $1200 bucks and those Broncos got all of the attention because swaps to 351s for more power, the Ford 9 inch and every other part was compatible with Ford trucks. Now that I'm on my way to 50 years old, I appreciate the heritage aspect and more importantly (to me) the capability of the Landcruiser line. If I could afford to source and restore a 40, 55, 60 or 80, I totally would however, till then, the 80 is my steed and the 4R stays the garage.

 

[DSRTRDR]

Not 80's tech but I wanted to hear from the 80's guys. Would I be dumb to trade my clean SC'd , ARB locked 1993 Cruiser for a 150K all original very clean 4runner. My Cruiser for 4Runner + cash.. Would I miss the 80 too much. It is my car but not our families 1st car......I would like something with a removable top.
Thanks for any input.

it's good that the original poster sold his 80 back then, because 2 years later we got it from his buyer and have had it ever since

 

[tacocat]

@DSRTRDR, that's awesome. Interesting to see how the viewpoints have slowly evolved. I dig both vehicles, as they are two different approaches to adventure vehicles. I test drove a pretty rough 1985 4Runner after posting. I did enjoy the simplicity of the vehicle, and the fact that I could almost dead lift the engine block.

I have never owned one long term, and was wondering if a vehicle that was more Spartan than King Leonidas be too much for long trips on to fly fishing and wheeling destinations. I did drive a 2.5 YJ on 33's, so I know all about gutless and leaf spring bounce.

 

[COYS]

CYKBC. Heritage, good point. I restored the 4Runner out of pop-culture, nostalgia, not heritage. Only speaking from personal experience: as a kid/teen coming of age in the '80s, 4Runners were some of the coolest cars to us, they were everywhere, commercials, print ads and dealer show rooms. One of the most popular movies of our time, Back to The Future, featured a Toyota Pickup. To us, the 60 series was boring, it looked like something mom or dad drove.

My Dad, who retired from Toyota Motors USA in 1997, chose a Supra and 4Runner as his employee lease option in the 80s and 90s. I remember asking him about a "big car" (it was a Landcruiser) displayed in front of his office building in Torrance, CA and he said "my cars are cooler".

As far as the 40 series goes, I don't really remember seeing too many of them as a kid. As a teenager, 1960-70s Broncos and 40s could be had for $1200 bucks and those Broncos got all of the attention because swaps to 351s for more power, the Ford 9 inch and every other part was compatible with Ford trucks. Now that I'm on my way to 50 years old, I appreciate the heritage aspect and more importantly (to me) the capability of the Landcruiser line. If I could afford to source and restore a 40, 55, 60 or 80, I totally would however, till then, the 80 is my steed and the 4R stays the garage.

SoCal kid from a Toyota family. Good share, brotha.

Doesn’t it always seem to come down to nostalgia?

Humble brag for my parents I guess, but they sent my siblings and I to one of the most expensive private high schools in the PNW so I grew up with classmates who rolled in new vehicles.

In my tiny class of 45 students, I definitely remember a chick driving a blue 60, a couple with new 4Rs and my best friend with a new 80. I remember listening to gangsta rap music in it during breaks, and though my love for cars would blossom much later in life, I always remember how much of a beast of a vehicle it felt like when we’d roll out.

He still misses it and has 1st dibs should I ever sell mine.

P.S. He drove his 80 into a ditch with just 10k miles on it.

 

[spyduh]

I've had 2 1st gen 4Rs in the past. I now have 2 80s. I have a soft spot for 1st G 4Rs. If my wife would allow it, I would buy another one again for #3. And hell no I'm not selling either of the 80s or my Toyota P/U 3rd G (rock crawler). I would however probably be dead and then someone would get to get all 4 vehicles. lol. I think i'll stay alive and not have more than 3 rigs at this point.

 

[Lpmk6]

SoCal kid from a Toyota family. Good share, brotha.

Doesn’t it always seem to come down to nostalgia?

Humble brag for my parents I guess, but they sent my siblings and I to one of the most expensive private high schools in the PNW so I grew up with classmates who rolled in new vehicles.

In my tiny class of 45 students, I definitely remember a chick driving a blue 60, a couple with new 4Rs and my best friend with a new 80. I remember listening to gangsta rap music in it during breaks, and though my love for cars would blossom much later in life, I always remember how much of a beast of a vehicle it felt like when we’d roll out.

He still misses it and has 1st dibs should I ever sell mine.

P.S. He drove his 80 into a ditch with just 10k miles on it.

in a ditch only 10k miles? if I was his father!!! damn. back then the 80 was like $51K?!. In the end, always keep the Landcruiser! haha

 

[smritte]

I've owned an 85 4r, 86 turbo pu, 89 pu, 91 4r, 04 pu (tacoma). My son owns a 2018 4r and I own a 2019 tacoma. I still love driving my cruiser over all of them. My new Tacoma is a close second and my son's new 4r seems crowded. I ride around in my friends 85 4r every now and then. Not sure if I would own one again.

 

[Lpmk6]

I've had 2 1st gen 4Rs in the past. I now have 2 80s. I have a soft spot for 1st G 4Rs. If my wife would allow it, I would buy another one again for #3. And hell no I'm not selling either of the 80s or my Toyota P/U 3rd G (rock crawler). I would however probably be dead and then someone would get to get all 4 vehicles. lol. I think i'll stay alive and not have more than 3 rigs at this point.

I think 1st gens are great. my experience owning them:
my 1985 (sold): sucked ba77s on the freeway, steering was adventurous. Super reliable and got me in and out of trouble.

1988 (currently own): i could drive it everyday because it is IFS and drives pretty much like a car. its fun to drive. compared to the 80, its nimbler, doesn't roll as much and a little sportier driving.

Only complaints are: a) I keep the original radio in for restoration's sake so that sucks, i have to use portable bluetooth speakers for tunes.

b) no power to door locks and windows. Nostalgia might dictates that is acceptable but driving daily? no power sucks!

The 80 is modern enough for me!

 

[tacocat]

Cool to hear the real world inputs of classic Toyota drivers. I cut mt teeth on YJs,. My buddy Russ Sanoian first exposed me to the Toyota 4x4s. I remember when he made the jump to 35's in 1996, and everyone thought that was nuts. That 4Runner was his daily driver, unfortunately, I never bothered to ride it in. Wish I had. I've always had a soft spot for those rigs.

I DDed a 2003 4Runner my parents were going to junk. After a few repairs, that thing was unstoppable as DD, but oh soooo uninspiring. I feel that way about the 2nd and 3rd gen 4Runners and the 100+ Land Cruisers.

My FJ Cruiser had panache, but I will forever hate clamshell doors and barn door rears. It gave me a decade of reliable service. I think the current 4Runners are superior to the FJC, but I'd have to say my LX450 drives much nicer. I wonder if the 80 sometimes has too much "easy button"

 

[gnob]

First gen with motor swap will give the 80 a run for its money.
80 is nice but too big and slow IMO, and horrendous mpg.

 

[Railwelder93]

Big difference between ifs “first” gen and the real deal solid axle first gen.

 

[Cruzerman]

Apples and oranges. And it also depends on the intended use. If it was primarily trails, I'd take the lighter, smaller 4runner. So easy and cheap to mod. I sure wish things like dual cases was that easy and cheap on the cruiser. Plus I'm old, I actually like a manual tranny.

However, for general purpose needs, the 80 is way better.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr]

I have both. The 80 is a whale of a vehicle while the 4runner is nimble, quick, and sporty (I have a 3FE 80 so of course a 22re with 5 speed feels wicked fast). I shift into 5th gear at 70 on my 4runner, and I can squeak out 20 mpg if I am being very careful. My 80 is lucky to average 10.

Capability: 80 wins hands down.

Parking in narrow parking spots: the first gen wins every time

 

[Lpmk6]

I have both. The 80 is a whale of a vehicle while the 4runner is nimble, quick, and sporty (I have a 3FE 80 so of course a 22re with 5 speed feels wicked fast). I shift into 5th gear at 70 on my 4runner, and I can squeak out 20 mpg if I am being very careful. My 80 is lucky to average 10.

Capability: 80 wins hands down.

Parking in narrow parking spots: the first gen wins every time

View attachment 2190170
View attachment 2190173

Second on the parking spaces. The 80 kind of lumbers along. It’s like steering a destroyer vs a small boat. My 88 is all stock so I like using it in the city when there is a chance I will have to park in a garage. One thing I have noticed however is while the first gen is narrow, by today’s truck and suv standards, the 80 is relatively narrow. Parked next to a current gen 4R, It looks like the 80 is narrower. I think of it as efficiently sized. Perhaps it’s one of the reasons we love the 80 so much. It’s the pinnacle of engineering a vehicle to sit 7 people and take them anywhere in a traditional seating posture. No space wasted, nothing unnecessary. 70 series troopy doesn’t count.

 

[tacocat]

Second on the parking spaces. The 80 kind of lumbers along. It’s like steering a destroyer vs a small boat. My 88 is all stock so I like using it in the city when there is a chance I will have to park in a garage. One thing I have noticed however is while the first gen is narrow, by today’s truck and suv standards, the 80 is relatively narrow. Parked next to a current gen 4R, It looks like the 80 is narrower. I think of it as efficiently sized. Perhaps it’s one of the reasons we love the 80 so much. It’s the pinnacle of engineering a vehicle to sit 7 people and take them anywhere in a traditional seating posture. No space wasted, nothing unnecessary. 70 series troopy doesn’t count.

By the numbers it’s almost identical in size to a current 4Runner. The 1st gen 4Runner is like flying coach with an armrest.

 

[John Young]

Drive the 4runner for a couple of hours..... The decision will be clear as day.

Otherwise, yes it would be a dumb trade. If you are stuck on a removable top, buy a 40.

Or get out the sawsall.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

I just recently bought my first 4Runner -89 22RE - and it’s great. I’ve had lots of cruisers, but the 4Runner, to me, is WAY more fun to drive. I can break the back end free (on gravel)!! The comparison of Destroyer/barge vs. one of those inflatable zodiac skiff things is spot on. I don’t care about power this or air conditioning or radios or cool features or even comfort - both vehicles are not great for family road trips by today’s (and my wifes) standards. If I have to drive further than 4 hours I rent a car from Avis to thrash and if we take a long trip as a family we drive my wife’s highlander.

I DD both and will run them both into the ground with ridiculous mods and body damage and dirty jobs because in 10 years I’m not going to be allowed to drive a vehicle that only gets 13 mpg/20 mpg and spews clouds of poison into the air. I’m living it up while I still can!

 

[Lpmk6]

I just recently bought my first 4Runner -89 22RE - and it’s great. I’ve had lots of cruisers, but the 4Runner, to me, is WAY more fun to drive. I can break the back end free (on gravel)!! The comparison of Destroyer/barge vs. one of those inflatable zodiac skiff things is spot on. I don’t care about power this or air conditioning or radios or cool features or even comfort - both vehicles are not great for family road trips by today’s (and my wifes) standards. If I have to drive further than 4 hours I rent a car from Avis to thrash and if we take a long trip as a family we drive my wife’s highlander.

I DD both and will run them both into the ground with ridiculous mods and body damage and dirty jobs because in 10 years I’m not going to be allowed to drive a vehicle that only gets 13 mpg/20 mpg and spews clouds of poison into the air. I’m living it up while I still can!


View attachment 2190326View attachment 2190328

Second on the fun to drive part. I have the 3.slow in my 88 but it might as well be a Honda S2000 compared to my 80.

The only non factory item on my 4R is the upgraded valve body, without that, the auto trans is a total slush box.

Using the 4R Is a good way to get my “fun drive” itch out without getting a ticket.

Officer: “do you know why I pulled you over?”

Me: “no sir”.

Officer: “you were going faster than the posted speed limit”.

Me: “no sh!t?” “You do realize this is a 3VZE in front of an A340h right?”

Officer: “oh, I better recalibrate my laser, have a nice day sir”.

 

[Tachycardic]

I have both. The 80 is a whale of a vehicle while the 4runner is nimble, quick, and sporty (I have a 3FE 80 so of course a 22re with 5 speed feels wicked fast). I shift into 5th gear at 70 on my 4runner, and I can squeak out 20 mpg if I am being very careful. My 80 is lucky to average 10.

Capability: 80 wins hands down.

Parking in narrow parking spots: the first gen wins every time

View attachment 2190170
View attachment 2190173

Honestly, your answer is here. Look at how sparse the 4R is compared to that loaded 80. If weekend warrior stuff is your jam, go with the 4R. But if you go on serious expeditions, you go with the 80.