Anyone who upgraded from an 80 have regrets?

[MH_Stevens]

I notice that for similar mileage the 97 80's and the 98 100's are real comparable in price now and it is time for me to think ahead to the fall and to be replacing my '97 80 with a 100. Has anyone made this step up and regretted it?

mike

 

[kahuna]

I just sold my 97 80-series with vortec V8 and will absolutely miss it. IMO it is the best looking late model land cruiser. Moved to a 100 last year, and love it too though. i think there is a post somewhere that details all of the upgrades Toyota designers have incorporated into the 100 series compared to the 80. It is just a much more modern platform, and certainly more comfortable, but every bit as capable. Just seems a little of the character seemed was lost in the transition of models. Everyday I do like my 100 more and more though. No regrets.

 

[cruiserheadrat]

I missed out on the 80's fj40 guy for 28 years. I started shopping for 80's and lower mileage 100's were cheaper in MA. (?) It was a no brainer. Now, I see some problems. Not as much aftermarket. Slee and others paddleing like hell to get our money and are making inroads. Slee is offering so much more than just selling us parts. He's free with the advice. His product's are pretty good s**t. (I bouht my rear bumper to soon) So I hope he makes enough bucks off us to keep in business.
I love the car 98 100 I've done the bumpers, OME suspension, Going for a Slee slider kit and new 305's next. Did the slee diff drop.
Made the tranistion from a 64 fj to this. The manuels still run me in circles. No mention of duck tape hose clamps and bailing wire in these babies. But learning to move into the present. I bought a OPD scanner, a volt meter, and took the 2lb sledge out of the tool box. The car is a treat. I don't have to keep a wall paper scraper on the passenger seat to scrap the frost off the inside of the windows. I can take my coat off before getting in, not put it on before hand.
I don't run into trees like I used too. (shaking squirells out). But I'm comfortable now taking it where I took my old FJ. I just grit my teeth a little more when the tree branches are going down the side.

 

[b56tc]

had 3 80's, loved 'em all
but could not hold a candle to the 100

the 100 just does it all so effortlessly - loaded up, cruise at 80+ for 700mi at 16.5 mpg in a quiet cabin listenting to XM, to spend 3 days at low range crawling; come off the mountain and drive to a 5-star restaurant and get valet'd next to any other lux vehicle. It just does everything, anything - not perfectly, but very,very well, and much better than the beloved 80.

Best world - have one of each - and I'm workin' on it. 60, 80, 100, all unique, all superb, you just can't go through life without a cruiser

 

[alaskacruiser]

...drive to a 5-star restaurant and get valet'd next to any other lux vehicle.

I'm sure it does this very well, esp. considering the droves of 100 owners who actually wheel their rigs (read "very few") To say it wheels as well as an 80 is quite an overstatement.

If you don't mind ultra-bland styling, front diff explosions, limited front wheel travel, cracked exhaust manifolds, TPS problems, cracked torsion bars, relatively short timing belt / water pump lifetime, semi-floater rear axle, getting longing looks from soccer-moms, and not wheeling as well as an 80, perhaps a 100 isn't that bad.

(Just for you, Shotts. )

 

[SWUtah]

Personal opinion the 80 is better looking but the 100 series is a great truck and built even heavier then the 80.

 

[tech_dog]

I definitely have mixed feelings. The new 100 is far and away a more sophisticated vehicle, more comfortable, quieter, etc, but the 80 is a classic.

I think the 80 is "cooler", while the 100 makes me feel like I'm over dressed.

 

[hoser]

I liked my 80 but I like my 100 a bit more.

The 80, as you know, is a great rig. It has one distinct advantage (to most mud members)... and that is the solid front axle. But there are so many other advantages of a 100.

With proper funding, you can take a 100 and SAS it (Solid Axle Swap) OR you can take an 80 and make all these improvements. The 100 has:

More powerful engine with slightly better fuel economy
Better brakes
Rear A/C
More Rigid frame
Better Sound System and possible NAV/DVD
Better headlights (Halogen projectors if you get the LX)
CDL switch included
Better sound insulation
Actual Cupholders (9 vs. 2?)
Usable Armrests
More 12V outlets (4 vs. 1)
Heated seats
Power 3rd row windows
A roof rack that can be removed without exposing serious rust possibly requiring bodywork or Line-X'ing
Possible Traction Control and Vehicle Skid Control (could not add for any reasonable amount of $$$),
5-speed tranny,
Side Air Curtain bags

and some pink panty (LX) features one may not care about:
Adjustable suspension
Auto Dimming rear view mirror,
Homelink (3 built in garage door openers/accessories)
Memory seats, mirrors and steering wheel
In Cabin air filter

Modify both trucks as said above and in the end, the 100 is going to be nicer. The big downside, as mentioned is the lack of aftermarket parts but that has been changing so much in the last year.

 

[Jim_Chow]

A LC 70 body/chassis (f/r coils) w/ 100-series luxury interior, modern safety features, and V8 would be cool...could go head-to-head w/ the Benz G-class.

 

[e9999]

interesting that Hoser's list of pluses, with the possible exception of TracCon are items that have little or nothing to do with offroading...


they're different beasts. IMO, the 80 is more an offroad vehicle, the 100 more a road vehicle. Pick your poison...

 

[alaskacruiser]

e999999- I was just going to point out the same thing. hoser- almost forgot the rear seat DVD entertainment system for the kiddies in the back seat, which I hear is also a very popular option on minivans.

 

[ryanjl]

So, the V8 engine, standard CDL, automatic lift with AHC, better headlights, more rigid frame, or 5spd tranny don't do anything for you off-road?

 

[e9999]

So, the V8 engine, standard CDL, automatic lift with AHC, better headlights, more rigid frame, or 5spd tranny don't do anything for you off-road?

nope

 

[Greg B]

80 vs. 100...blah, blah, blah. Hasn't this been beat to death yet? :shotts: They both kick ass and if you've got one of either, consider yourself lucky. i know I do.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I'm sure it does this very well, esp. considering the droves of 100 owners who actually wheel their rigs (read "very few") To say it wheels as well as an 80 is quite an overstatement.

If you don't mind ultra-bland styling, front diff explosions, limited front wheel travel, cracked exhaust manifolds, TPS problems, cracked torsion bars, relatively short timing belt / water pump lifetime, semi-floater rear axle, getting longing looks from soccer-moms, and not wheeling as well as an 80, perhaps a 100 isn't that bad.

(Just for you, Shotts. )

I feel your love.

If I could have logged in as you, I could have written what you did because I know how you think.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

80 vs. 100...blah, blah, blah. Hasn't this been beat to death yet? :shotts: They both kick ass and if you've got one of either, consider yourself lucky. i know I do.

Hey, rename that Horse. "Shotts" doesn't apply on this thread!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I notice that for similar mileage the 97 80's and the 98 100's are real comparable in price now and it is time for me to think ahead to the fall and to be replacing my '97 80 with a 100. Has anyone made this step up and regretted it?

mike

Oh, to answer your question?

I doubt that I'll ever not have an 80. That's why I bought an LX when I gave my '93 to my son. When I buy my 2nd 100 and get crazy with it build-wise, then maybe.

IF you get a 100, and outfit it you'll not be sorry. In fact...you'll luv taking that new a pretty beast on the hard trails (with AlaskaCruiser...BACK AT YA ) with 80's and do it all just is easily.

Last week, BlueCruiser ran 3 trails with 10 other rigs. He had 32's and was bone stock. He did it all!

 

[ryanjl]

nope

If a CDL does nothing for you off road vs. an open center diff, then you don't go off road.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

interesting that Hoser's list of pluses, with the possible exception of TracCon are items that have little or nothing to do with offroading...


they're different beasts. IMO, the 80 is more an offroad vehicle, the 100 more a road vehicle. Pick your poison...

Define "off road vehicle"?

I think of a Jeep Wrangler, not a Cruiser (except pre-55).

 

[hoser]

interesting that Hoser's list of pluses, with the possible exception of TracCon are items that have little or nothing to do with offroading...


they're different beasts. IMO, the 80 is more an offroad vehicle, the 100 more a road vehicle. Pick your poison...

Why pick your poisen when you can have the best of both? We won't make this another 80 vs 100 thread but I hardly doubt most 80 owners would complain if they had the improvements/creature comforts of a 100. Just take a look at many of the 80 series ROTW's... you'll find modifications that either hopes for or accomplishes:

More powerful engine (S/C, forced induction, etc)
Better brakes (80's using 100 series brake pads, DBA rotors, etc.)
Rear A/C (they wish)
More Rigid frame (some concern for cracked C-pillars on the 80's)
Better Sound System and possible NAV/DVD (given in any most any vehicle)
Better headlights (hence Slee's wiring harness, HIR bulbs)
CDL switch included (many 80 owner's first mod)
Better sound insulation (dynamat?)
Actual Cupholders (9 vs. 2?) (lots of threads on that)
Usable Armrests (Airlard armrest?)
More 12V outlets (4 vs. 1)
Heated seats (Slee's heated seat kit)
A roof rack that can be removed without exposing serious rust possibly requiring bodywork or Line-X'ing (Numerous threads on this)
Possible Traction Control and Vehicle Skid Control (could not add for any reasonable amount of $$$),
5-speed tranny, (the lower 1st gear provides better off-road ability)