97 without lockers or 99 with OEM rear lockers?

[JCruse]

thanks all . Def a lot of info to look for. Like the LC's and Like the 4runners....just not experienced in either. Mostly beach driving to fish and trails up in moutains. no rock climbing etc

That's my area, beaches! My unlockered 80 is a monster on the sand. Climbing up dunes or just chugging along through deep sand the unlocked 80 is nearly unstoppable. I've tried to get stuck and didn't many times over. Climbing slowly up sand dunes you begin loosing momentum, and then just before getting bogged down the center diff kicks in, you feel a bump from behind and it's like getting pushed up and over the top. Cruising speed on foot deep fine white sand is around 25MPH at about 2100RPM. Easily.
After 6 years of driving beaches I really believe that no other truck is it's equal. And I see hundreds of other fishermen and surfers every year driving all kinds of rigs. (Toyota is very well represented, as is Jeep and Ford.) I've seen about 5 or 6 80's out there but only maybe one 100 series and I didn't know the guy so I cant comment about them.

Good luck friend.

 

[LS1FJ40]

But what if you don't need an off road vehicle?

Most people don’t. Still buy the 80!

 

[BullElk]

I would say a land cruiser that is specifically designed to be a 25 year vehicle is rather off road worthy. Ask Takeo Kondo, the chief hundy engineer

 

[Bludozer]

I'm not the biggest 100 s***-talker you will find here, I do actually think it is a great truck but it is very different.

That said, the 80 has character. The 100 doesn't. Your heart wants the 80, your brain tells you the 100 is more "logical". To me it's obvious - pick what calls out to you.

 

[surfpig]

Buy both.

 

[actionron]

That's my area, beaches! My unlockered 80 is a monster on the sand. Climbing up dunes or just chugging along through deep sand the unlocked 80 is nearly unstoppable. I've tried to get stuck and didn't many times over. Climbing slowly up sand dunes you begin loosing momentum, and then just before getting bogged down the center diff kicks in, you feel a bump from behind and it's like getting pushed up and over the top. Cruising speed on foot deep fine white sand is around 25MPH at about 2100RPM. Easily.
After 6 years of driving beaches I really believe that no other truck is it's equal. And I see hundreds of other fishermen and surfers every year driving all kinds of rigs. (Toyota is very well represented, as is Jeep and Ford.) I've seen about 5 or 6 80's out there but only maybe one 100 series and I didn't know the guy so I cant comment about them.

Good luck friend.

JCruse
should I be afraid of an 80 with 270,000 soft miles with excellent maintenance?

 

[JCruse]

JCruse
should I be afraid of an 80 with 270,000 soft miles with excellent maintenance?

Don't know for sure. I paid $50 or $100 to have a mechanic go over the one I was looking at (originally from your neck of the woods - CA) but even that's not 100% .

If you're willing or especially eager to tear into any future maintenance (because of the 270K) then sure, go for it. In maybe 100K you'll need to rebuild the top end and be good for another 200k or 300k miles. Records are critical in considering such a high mileage truck. But then we'd be saying the same thing about a 90K Ford. LOL

If you're an older guy like me (56) and have the means to have a little fun, then repair costs are worth it. And if you do the work yourself then yes, get the 80.

But then, I bought a rust free California '97 80 series with 150K and good records for $9000 6 years ago. So I know there are lower mileage trucks out there. If you're willing to wait. I paid a bit too much, but I'm impatient and I wanted it NOW. LOL

 

[actionron]

Don't know for sure. I paid $50 or $100 to have a mechanic go over the one I was looking at (originally from your neck of the woods - CA) but even that's not 100% .

If you're willing or especially eager to tear into any future maintenance (because of the 270K) then sure, go for it. In maybe 100K you'll need to rebuild the top end and be good for another 200k or 300k miles. Records are critical in considering such a high mileage truck. But then we'd be saying the same thing about a 90K Ford. LOL

If you're an older guy like me (56) and have the means to have a little fun, then repair costs are worth it. And if you do the work yourself then yes, get the 80.

But then, I bought a rust free California '97 80 series with 150K and good records for $9000 6 years ago. So I know there are lower mileage trucks out there. If you're willing to wait. I paid a bit too much, but I'm impatient and I wanted it NOW. LOL

Thanks a bunch ( I am an older guy like you -55) and yes i'm frickin impatient as well. But I'll take a deep breath and have fun looking for a lower mileage machine.
thanks again,
Ron

 

[Funner]

Climbing slowly up sand dunes you begin loosing momentum, and then just before getting bogged down the center diff kicks in, you feel a bump from behind and it's like getting pushed up and over the top.

I don’t understand this, makes no sense.

 

[Qball]

SAS or IFS, you need to answer that question to yourself first

 

[LS1FJ40]

See post #7

 

[actionron]

Not enough info to make a good decision. I have almost the same two vehicles; my '95 w/330,xxx miles w/no lockers, and a '99 w/225,xxx w/rear locker. They are almost entirely different trucks- the '95 is a truck, the '99 is a modern SUV. You're in Kalifornia so I presume rust isn't an issue, but otherwise what is the condition of the interiors, any maintenance records, tires, paint, seals, etc. If it's true that the "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" has been the driver of the '97, then it might be pristine, whereas the '99 might have been lived in by some homeless guy, or gal. 250,000 miles is not a show stopper IMHO (others may disagree) and I have not kept up w/prices. Give us some more details. Both will do what you're wanting to do with them.
Oh, and BTW, welcome to Mud.
Ned

Thanks Ned

97 Toyota LC- Birfields replaced/Valve Cover replaced/New Pwr steering pump/New Radiator and 20 yrs of maintenance records
Owned and driven by 68 yr old lady for last 16yrs / Doctor driven for first 4 yrs - 286000 miles/ $5000.00

97 Lexus LX- One Owner/ Adequate service records/ 208000 miles/ $4000.00

I have no idea what to do or choose

 

[actionron]

97 Toyota LC- Birfields replaced/Valve Cover replaced/New Pwr steering pump/New Radiator and 20 yrs of maintenance records
Owned and driven by 68 yr old lady for last 16yrs / Doctor driven for first 4 yrs - 286000 miles/ $5000.00

97 Lexus LX- One Owner/ Adequate service records/ 208000 miles/ $4000.00

I have no idea what to do or choose

 

[Qball]

97 Toyota LC- Birfields replaced/Valve Cover replaced/New Pwr steering pump/New Radiator and 20 yrs of maintenance records
Owned and driven by 68 yr old lady for last 16yrs / Doctor driven for first 4 yrs - 286000 miles/ $5000.00

97 Lexus LX- One Owner/ Adequate service records/ 208000 miles/ $4000.00

I have no idea what to do or choose

View attachment 1638193

View attachment 1638194

97 Lexus LX- One Owner/ Adequate service records/ 208000 miles/ $4000.00!

 

[LS1FJ40]

I’d pick the green one. But I hate the cladding on the LX.

Jesus, I just suggested someone buy a green 80! Time for me to go home! Been a long day!