Can you really rock crawl with an FZJ?

[dclee]

3rd gen is '96-'02, 4th gen started in '03.

Also, every `Runner from 1986 onward has had an independant front end, though the SAS thing I think has pretty much been figured out on all Gens except IV. Actually, I think a 3rd Gen 4Runner with an 80 solid front end would be a highly capable vehicle. Dare I say it, maybe even more so than the 80. We had a Taco set up this way on the last 80Con (so basically the same truck) and it cleaned up the trail but good. However, as someone else mentioned, it is not a heavy duty, ultra-reliable, even-if-it-breaks-it's-designed-to-be-fixed-easily-in-the-bush vehicle like a Cruiser, that will probably last long enough to put in your will.

 

[Bear80]

you have obviously not seen actionjackson's 80........

 

[Bear80]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=71280&page=3

get schooled son

 

[dclee]

you have obviously not seen actionjackson's 80........

Are you replying to me? Wasn't sure as there was no quoted text. Anyway, I have seen this truck (though not in person). Looks extremely capable, I have no doubts. But... put the same amount of money and the same mods on a 4Runner with a front SAS, and I still think it could be a better overall wheeler. The wheelbase is nearly perfect (what are they, 100 or 105 inches?), size is good, overhangs are smaller, angles are better, etc.

But again, I own an 80, not a Runner, for what it's worth.

And, this is all opinion, as I have not actually wheeled a 4Runner, this is simply armchair commando stuff, based on objective data but no actual real-life seat time in one.

I do, however, have just a little bit of experience wheeling an 80...

 

[Bear80]

I know where you are coming from and can understand it. BUT I use to have a 4runner which was ifs, and even the ones with a soild axle that I've seen would never IMO be better than an 80. Size, wheel base, the 80 is a leap ahead any 4runner

 

[dclee]

I know where you are coming from and can understand it. BUT I use to have a 4runner which was ifs, and even the ones with a soild axle that I've seen would never IMO be better than an 80. Size, wheel base, the 80 is a leap ahead any 4runner

Luckily, I've had the privelage of seeing all three wheel the Rubicon on the same trip:
- 6" lifted 80 on 35s, fully locked
- 2.5" lifted IFS 2nd Gen on 33s, rear locker, front LSD
- 5" or 6" (I think) lifted Taco with SAS on 35s, fully locked (same platform as 3rd Gen 4Runner)

Aside from a monster 1st Gen Runner on 37s that was also on the trip, the Taco had the easiest time of all. The 2nd Gen IFS had the worst time, by far. And left virtually no panel un-dented by the time we reached Observation Point (they were all straight at the trailhead...). This was not due to driver error, but rather the limitations of the vehicle. The 80 did very well, and nearly had as easy a time of it as the Taco, but that huge butt, even with the rear crossmember cut off and the 4x4 Labs rear bumper nice and tucked up, still kept wanting to plant itself on rocks all the time, and those wide sills and side glass kept wanting to get pitched into trees and tall boulders and granite faces about once every 100 feet...

But, for other types of wheeling, specifically expeditions, the 80 has got the Runner beat cold, due to cargo capacity, durability, and reliability. Also makes a nicer daily driver!

My $0.02,

 

[Jason Andrews]

You call it a con,....I call it a Pro. Who wants an ole small ass 4runner like body? I like them big, more of a challenge!

3rd gen is '97 to I believe '04.

And I agree, the 80 is the best looking large 4x4 out there. Every rig has its pros and cons, and the only con to the 80 is size...unless of course you have 4 kids in which case there are no cons

Nay

 

[Jason Andrews]

Luckily, I've had the privelage of seeing all three wheel the Rubicon on the same trip:
- 6" lifted 80 on 35s, fully locked
- 2.5" lifted IFS 2nd Gen on 33s, rear locker, front LSD
- 5" or 6" (I think) lifted Taco with SAS on 35s, fully locked (same platform as 3rd Gen 4Runner)

,

The guy with 6" of lift on the 80 and only 35"s is not the most idealistic setup!! I say that cause I have the same setup and ran these same tires with only 3" of lift and no bumpstop ext. If it had some 37's I'm sure it woulda ran all over the Taco.

 

[jonb96150]

Are you replying to me? Wasn't sure as there was no quoted text. Anyway, I have seen this truck (though not in person). Looks extremely capable, I have no doubts. But... put the same amount of money and the same mods on a 4Runner with a front SAS, and I still think it could be a better overall wheeler. The wheelbase is nearly perfect (what are they, 100 or 105 inches?), size is good, overhangs are smaller, angles are better, etc.

But again, I own an 80, not a Runner, for what it's worth.

And, this is all opinion, as I have not actually wheeled a 4Runner, this is simply armchair commando stuff, based on objective data but no actual real-life seat time in one.

I do, however, have just a little bit of experience wheeling an 80...

I do have a built sas 4runner. And I motor through the Rubicon very easily. It is the best trail rig I've ever owned, and I've owned a few. I have wheeled the 80 on some easy stuff and it is impressive, but the size is going to be the limiting factor on the tighter trails. But if you avoid those types of trails and don't mind getting the 80 all scratched up due to it's width on brushy trails, I'm thinking (hoping, as I will be building my 80 up also)it will be a better "general purpose" hard-core expedition rig rather than a "hard-core rock crawler" There are hard-core rock-crawling 80's but probably very few.

There are a lot of pix of Moab in this thread. Moab is very friendly to full size rigs, I have seen lots of full size trucks on those trails. There are no trees to squeeze through for the most part. If you run an 80 on tight trails like the Rubicon, be prepared for body damage. You might squeak through un-scathed if your'e careful enough and do it all perfectly, but sooner or later a muddy tire will slip off a rock and whamo, that extra girth is gonna meet bark or granite.

 

[dclee]

The guy with 6" of lift on the 80 and only 35"s is not the most idealistic setup!! I say that cause I have the same setup and ran these same tires with only 3" of lift and no bumpstop ext. If it had some 37's I'm sure it woulda ran all over the Taco.

Sure, until you also put 37s on the Taco...

BTW, that 80 guy was me! I cannot run 37s without rubbing, and that would limit my ability to stuff the tire anyway (I already rub now very slightly with the lift, 35s, and bumpstop spacers).

 

[fzj80kidpen]

JustaGirl,
Welcome
I don't know those LR-110's are sweet.
Hell on reliability from what I understand but I have always liked them.
Looking forward to seeing you post up your new found beast soon.
Love my 96.
My 2 year old daughter loves playing in the back.
My 10 month old is just starting to talk and will soon be able to say "Daddy's Cruiser"

 

[NorCalDoug]

Consider heading up to Pismo Beach in early November for Surf-n-Turf. Lots of rigs there during that time...A good way to meet some decent people as well.

 

[FirstToy]

There are a lot of pix of Moab in this thread. Moab is very friendly to full size rigs, I have seen lots of full size trucks on those trails. There are no trees to squeeze through for the most part. If you run an 80 on tight trails like the Rubicon, be prepared for body damage. You might squeak through un-scathed if your'e careful enough and do it all perfectly, but sooner or later a muddy tire will slip off a rock and whamo, that extra girth is gonna meet bark or granite.

Here are some of dclee and norcaldoug on the 'Con

 

[jonb96150]

Yahoo,
Next time you guys go can I follow so I can watch and learn what I need to do to the 80 in order to Rubicanize it?

One pic looks like coming down the big sluice, hard to tell the others, maybe between Ellis creek and Walker rock. Those pix really illustrate how tight portions of that trail are. Well done!

 

[justagirl]

Those are great shots of dclee and norcaldoug! Looks like fun!

Since I whipped myself into a frenzy last night over that 95 on ebay, I've found several more with lockers. I'm calm and logical again. : ) I can't wait to hit the trail, though.

 

[dclee]

Yahoo,
Next time you guys go can I follow so I can watch and learn what I need to do to the 80 in order to Rubicanize it?

One pic looks like coming down the big sluice, hard to tell the others, maybe between Ellis creek and Walker rock. Those pix really illustrate how tight portions of that trail are. Well done!

Come along, the more the merrier!

Both those shots of my green truck are on Big Sluice.

 

[mickey_rubicon]

Any 80s on Fordyce creek trail (Star Terek or Sierra Trek) pictures?

 

[NorCalDoug]

Yahoo,
Next time you guys go can I follow so I can watch and learn what I need to do to the 80 in order to Rubicanize it?

One pic looks like coming down the big sluice, hard to tell the others, maybe between Ellis creek and Walker rock. Those pix really illustrate how tight portions of that trail are. Well done!

The shots of mine are on Big Sluice too. Probably some of the tightest sections for an 80 are right there.

As Derek said, the more the merrier...

 

[NorCalDoug]

Any 80s on Fordyce creek trail (Star Terek or Sierra Trek) pictures?

I know of definitely 1 and possibly a second 80 that's done Fordyce -- that's just what I know about...I'm sure others have run through by now...

 

[reffug]

Actually, that newb is our benevolent dictator and supreme ruler, Woody. The guy that runs this asylum. He's been know to rock crawl before, just not with a wagon.


This might be the first wheeling trip he didn't end up on his lid.

LMAO.................