Buy the 1999 or the 2000?

[SWUtah]

Looking at a 1999 100 series, looks like new, clean carfax with 58K miles. It's silver and has a rear locker. It does have a quality after market hitch which I would assume means it did some towing. Spent its life in AZ. Now at used car dealer in Utah (I'm sure they bought it at auction). I'm going to deal on it Monday, they are asking $23K. I will check all of the normal stuff and do a good test drive. If it checks out and I can buy it for between $21-23K would it be a good deal? They also have a 2000 for the same price it is the dark grey with 80K miles and has after market 18 inch wheels. I like the fact that the 1999 has 22K less miles but the 2000 has the traction control on it. I am sure if I wanted the 2000 they would switch the wheels from the 1999 to the 2000. Any advise would be great.

 

[VA Runner]

Buy the 1999

My advice is to buy the '99 with less miles and the rear locker. I have a silver 99 with locker and it has 103K miles... still running strong. I don't think the hitch is a bad thing, doubt the towing hurt it.

Spending its life in AZ is a good thing. We 'north easterners' have to deal with all the salt in the winter. My '99 spent it's early years in NJ, according to the Carfax.

Good luck.

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

If I was in your shoe, I will take the 99 in a heartbeat specially if it has a RR DIFF LOCK on the dash board and has less mileage is a plus.

 

[e9999]

well, it can be argued that the Trac Con is better for all around road and moderate offroad driving. And one can always add ARB lockers later on if wanted for hardcore wheeling. Whereas adding Trac Con to an earlier model would be prohibitive.

What about rear air? that is a big plus for hot climates.

22K difference is not a huge difference milewise in the grand scheme of things, but yes, the fewer the better of course.

23K for a 99 with 60K is OK but not a steal.

 

[hoser]

If they are in similiar condition and same price, I would take the 2000 most definitely. In addition to what Eric said, there are TSB's on 98-99's that were fixed on the 2000's. And don't forget the 2000 received the 4 pinion front diff, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) and standard Rear AC.

 

[NMuzj100]

For the same price I would go for the 2000. Interiors both look good?

Trac is going to be good in snow if that is a factor for you.

 

[Landpimp]

I would prolly go with the 2000.

 

[Snook]

2000

 

[Greg B]

I too, would go with the 2000. The only real advantage of the 99 is the rear locker. And, as E9999 already said, you can add a locker a lot easier than you can add the additional traction control features.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Remember that 98-99 100's tipped onto 2 wheels on road tests and were rated as dangerous. TRAC in 2000 corrected that. Add a lift and bigger tires and you're at some higher risk. TRAC!
4-wheeling....until I added lockers I followed 80's EVERYWHERE. They'd be locked F&R and TRAC would take me through too.
Add in the other bene's mentioned...I personally would pay thousands more for a 2000 over a 1999.

You're in Utah? Does it get snowy and icy? TRAC is invaluable and amazing in those conditions. I've play in N AZ in snow and ice. Lockers threw me all over, slid me sideways, they sucked. TRAC corrected for this and the difference was amazing. In S AZ I even pulled out a Tahoe from a snow drift with TRAC. I didn't want to lock for fear of sliding into the same drift.

TRAC!

 

[SWUtah]

Thanks guys for the input. I will check for the rear air on the 99 and I will drive both. If I get the 00 I will have them switch the wheels I want the 16 inch original LC wheels on which ever one I buy (they are compatible I assume between the 2000 and 1999 model year?). Where I live in Kanab Utah if it snows one day it is gone the next (high desert 5000 ft) I do have a 2004 AWD V8 4runner with all of the traction control stuff if that ever was a problem. I had a 95 FZJ80 and like the low tech traction lockers and thought that having the 2004 4runner and a 1999 LC would give me some options. But bottomline I will buy the best vehicle and do a complete fluid change, rad, diff's, transmission, filters, repack front wheel bearings etc. I want to make sure they have the red antifreeze and the existing trans fluid looks clean. (by the way since the 99 is 72 months old but only has 58K miles does the timing belt need to be changed or could I wait for the 90K mile interval?)

I just moved to this area and think I'm located in the right area to have a LC. I'm 70 miles north of the Grand Caynon, 30 miles east of Zion National park and 35-50 miles south of Bryce Caynon, 98% of the land around me is BLM land and they have some great trails. I think I'm also going to buy a ATV in the spring

 

[hoser]

One disadvantage of the 2000 is that some 00-01 are prone to transmission problems. You'll have to search the forum for more detail.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

One disadvantage of the 2000 is that some 00-01 are prone to transmission problems. You'll have to search the forum for more detail.

????? A750F has been used since the later model 80's? ?????

 

[hoser]

Yes, the transmission is the same design as the later FZJ80's but there was a manufacturing defect on one part of the tranny in those years. I have to run. Too nice of a day. If nobody responds with more info, I'll get back to you later.

 

[Snook]

2000: A Offroad Odyssey

 

[Landpimp]

I did not know about the tipping, where, who did the tests?

Remember that 98-99 100's tipped onto 2 wheels on road tests and were rated as dangerous. TRAC in 2000 corrected that. Add a lift and bigger tires and you're at some higher risk. TRAC!
4-wheeling....until I added lockers I followed 80's EVERYWHERE. They'd be locked F&R and TRAC would take me through too.
Add in the other bene's mentioned...I personally would pay thousands more for a 2000 over a 1999.

You're in Utah? Does it get snowy and icy? TRAC is invaluable and amazing in those conditions. I've play in N AZ in snow and ice. Lockers threw me all over, slid me sideways, they sucked. TRAC corrected for this and the difference was amazing. In S AZ I even pulled out a Tahoe from a snow drift with TRAC. I didn't want to lock for fear of sliding into the same drift.

TRAC!

 

[spressomon]

I did not know about the tipping, where, who did the tests?

Consumer Retorts.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Consumer Retorts.

Yep, the 100 was a two-wheeler tipping on it's side. IT wasn't until TRAC was added and this stopped that they could recommend the 100. (Ala Samurai and Trooper)

 

[trainrech]

I think $23k is too high for a '99 w/ 100 k miles- mine just went for $19k ('00 w/ 82k miles).

 

[FirstToy]

Are you Pitbull?
https://forum.ih8mud.com/member.php?u=1995

Thanks guys for the input. I will check for the rear air on the 99 and I will drive both. If I get the 00 I will have them switch the wheels I want the 16 inch original LC wheels on which ever one I buy (they are compatible I assume between the 2000 and 1999 model year?). Where I live in Kanab Utah if it snows one day it is gone the next (high desert 5000 ft) I do have a 2004 AWD V8 4runner with all of the traction control stuff if that ever was a problem. I had a 95 FZJ80 and like the low tech traction lockers and thought that having the 2004 4runner and a 1999 LC would give me some options. But bottomline I will buy the best vehicle and do a complete fluid change, rad, diff's, transmission, filters, repack front wheel bearings etc. I want to make sure they have the red antifreeze and the existing trans fluid looks clean. (by the way since the 99 is 72 months old but only has 58K miles does the timing belt need to be changed or could I wait for the 90K mile interval?)

I just moved to this area and think I'm located in the right area to have a LC. I'm 70 miles north of the Grand Caynon, 30 miles east of Zion National park and 35-50 miles south of Bryce Caynon, 98% of the land around me is BLM land and they have some great trails. I think I'm also going to buy a ATV in the spring