Buying a LC can't decide b/w 80 or 100 series.

[Josh N]

I have owned both an 80 and 100 and only recently sold the 80. The 100 was intended to be a replacement for us from the start. Impressions from while I owned both:

The 80 was rugged, reliable and rarely left me wanting except: in the winter when I ran the ventilation because everything always fogged up (you can leave your AC engaged which helps clear it up and recirculate the air instead of using fresh air); when I wanted to make an extended road trip (70+ MPH for an extended period is a good bit of work for an 80, the skinny pedal gets work out); when I wanted to tow something (anything really, unless you are on flat ground below highway speeds). I personally found the drivers seat to be the most comfortable seat I have ever had. I found that not having locker was never a detriment off-road. The factory roof-rack was useless and a rust magnet waiting to happen. I would pine to drive the 80 when I hadn't for awhile and in almost every case it was just me. My wife and son always prefer being in the 100.

The 100 is just as rugged and reliable. It has yet to leave me wanting except when I had it "lifted". I had the AHC removed and replaced with an OME 2.5" lifted conventional suspension (personal preference) and getting the front raised is a pain compared to a solid axle truck (cranking the torsion bars is an in-exact science). It cruises at highway speeds easily and comfortably. It tows my small camper like it isn't even there (the main reason for the switch). It stops better. Off-road it is more a matter of finesse than brute pedal mashing. In the same locations where I used to just mash the pedal and hope for the best with the 80, I crawl and creep (even towing the camper) because A-TRAC is some magical unicorn shiz. Most of the time you won't know when it kicks in because it just works well. On a road trip this thing is king. While I still feel the drivers seat was more comfortable in the 80 (again just my preference), all of the other seats in the 100 are more comfortable than their counterparts in the 80 AND the middle row reclines . With rear AC the truck cools down much faster overall in the summer and I have yet to experience interior window fogging in the the 100. It is much quieter inside. Also while it isn't dramatically larger than the 80 (sitting next to each other there is little difference in size, with only the width being noticeable); it feel HUGE compared to the 80 inside. The roof rack is still useless garbage.

Recommendation:
For overall comfort and usability and based on what you stated you need the 100 is going to be the way to go. If you were building a trail rig then I would recommend the 80; not because the 100 is not as capable (in my experience) but because the 80 easier to modify, slightly narrower and a little older tech (which almost always translates to easier to maintain). The creature comfort level is higher for the family in the 100. If I didn't need to tow on road trips I would never have given up the 80 since it met every other need and I seriously dug the look and feel of it. One other factor to take into account as I wrap this up; each generation of Landcruiser will experience this, the longer that series has been out of production the harder parts are going to be to find. The 40s group felt it, and 60s guys too, this is starting to creep into the 80 community. Currently we aren't too far removed from 100 series production and in the US in particular they sold better than the 80 series between the LC100s and the LX470s. They also share some parts (engines mainly) with the Tundras.

 

[BEG]

...A-TRAC is some magical unicorn shiz...

That it is, my friend. That it is.

 

[93yotasr5]

What are the reasons, and what type of driving. Just curious to know, I like the 80 and have been thinking of getting a diesel 100, but a manual diesel 80 might be a option.

It is just as comfortable to drive as the 100. Although the 100 has a little more get up and go which is nice in traffic and day to day driving, they both get about the same gas mileage, the 80 has a lot more room to expand ie. bigger lift, tires, etc. it’s also factory locked. I have over 325000 miles and it still runs like a champ. The 100 isn’t bad I like mine, but I prefer my 80 over it.

 

[uzj100]

Best of both is a modded 100. ;<)

 

[Josh N]

Lets not get hung up on saying that 80 series trucks are locked. The vast MAJORITY of all 80 series truck were NOT LOCKED, while all of the 100 series trucks 2000 and later sold in North America DID have A-TRAC. Reading mud is sometimes misleading since the only thing anyone ever talks about is the best possible scenarios when it comes to 80 series trucks. If you find it then yes an 80, factory triple locked is awesome but most of them were not. Also for the OP's stated purpose triple locked is way overkill, while a 100 with A-TRAC will cover the majority of low traction situations anyway even if he does get a wild hair going. Also 100 series trucks far outsold the 80s and even more so the LXs outsold the cruisers in the 100 series nearly 2 to 1.

 

[suprarx7nut]

I've been a Land Cruiser fan since I was 18. I lusted after the 80, but couldn't justify it because it was slower than an urban bus and got 8 mpg or whatever with 33-35" tires.

Then along came the 100 in the used market and it was of similar build quality with a more powerful engine, far superior mpg and comfort improvements.

For me, it was an easy choice and your needs don't shout "80 Series" to me. I vote 100, hands down. The 80 is super cool in triple locked fashion in good shape, but the 100 wins in just about every single practicality category.

 

[ylexot]

Lots of good comments here. I went from a FJ62, which i dearly miss, to a tripple locked FZJ80. I sold the 80 in less than a year and got an LX hundy.

The 80 is a better chassis for modding. The 80 is arguably the best overlander ever made. It looks smaller than a 100, but it is nominally the same size as a 100. The cab is smaller in an 80, and that was the primary reason we moved on.

Hauling family on camping trips, the 100 kills the 80 on comfort, drivability, and does a smidge better on gas. The 100 feels roomy vs 80 feeling enveloped. Rear climate control is a big upgrade. Cup holders seem like a silly reason to chose one car over another, but try going through a drive through once with a couple passengers in an 80. The v8 is a nice upgrade that makes a big difference towing even a small camper. Got 9mpg towing with the 80 with some active shifting of gears and the OD switch in mountains. (That is kind of fun.) 100 did same trip with same gear with only a few drops out of OD and got 12mpg. They both got me 15mpg in daily driving.

For hard core wheeling, I'd build an 80, or more likely a 40. For camping adventures with occasional forays offroad, a stock 100 will go a long ways in a lot more comfort. A modded 100 will go further still.