I have to say I'm surprised and disappointed in the comments posted in this thread. Three years ago my son and I switched to the Toyota platform after years with Rovers and wheeling with our local TLCA chapter (TAC). We have built Mitch an incredible 3x locked LX450 that truly is a billy goat and will take us anywhere we ask it to go. Of late, we have discovered Overlanding and are putting our focus and resources to that sport rather than the rock climbing around here in the Midwest. On our last trip to Silverton/Ouray we were joined by a 100 and 200 which went up, down, and through every pass, river, obstacle, etc. that all the 80s conquered without any difficulties or challenges. To say that either the 200 or 100 aren't true Landcruisers is a little offensive but do agree that the 80's locked SAs can go places that the IFS 100/200 cannot.
I don't recall reading the OP's specific missions or terrain he intends to utilize his rig in so as far I know the 200 could be the perfect match for him and his family. Since our last trip to CO, I have built up a 100 to serve our purposes better in Overlanding knowing full well that it is not as capable as a locked 80 in extreme environments but it will provide a much more comfortable platform for our specific missions without sacrificing utility or obstacle clearance. I do agree that dimensionally the 100/200 platforms are considerably wider than the 80 not just on paper but also due the the 80's flares make the width comparison even more dramatic. With the flare width considered the 100/200 rigs will see side panel contact on narrow trails that the 80 might just graze a flare. With respect to weight, Mitch's 80 weighs 6,380 lbs as configured and our new 100 6,070 lbs but does not have a swing-out rear bumper, roof rack, belly armor or drawer system yet...both are heavy pigs compared to the Jeeps we wheel with around here. Build quality between the platforms has a lot more to do than simply the materials utilized. The engineering strides has placed each of these three generations in completely different universes. Where a 10 lb piece of cast iron thng-a-ma-jig was needed on an 80 and replaced by a paperclip on a newer rig doesn't necessarily call out a build quality issue. I have yet to identify a part on my 100 or my best friends 200 that doesn't appear to be engineered and built to outlast my ownership or for that matter any conceivable period of time but again, my mission with this platform isn't rock-crawling.
From a road/daily-driver stand point, I've yet to meet an 80 owner that finds it to be their dream rig...just acceptable. Yes it makes me smile when Mitch lets me drive his 80 and I do get a lot of attention but even with the Audi S5 seat swap and 4.88s w/ 35s its tiresome to be so limited on power. S/Cs, turbos & engine swaps help a lot and we have considered an LQ9 for his as our next project but it still will be an 80 at the end of the day on the street. We trailer Mitch's 80 to most destinations and the 100/200 makes driving 16hrs to CO to play a little more palatable and efficient. I like the idea of multiple cruisers for various missions but this is not always practical or possible for many of us. We have found ourselves in the situation of what to send Mitch away to college in this coming fall. He resisted the idea like most of the responders here about leaving the 80 for a newer generation but after driving the 100 for a three day weekend last week he has already asked if he can trade me when the time comes as it will perform commuting duties more comfortably. We find ourselves contemplating if we will return to rock crawling local on trails/parks or leave that permanently as we explore the country overlanding. Like the OP, we will keep both for now but likely we will sell the 80 as the practicality of keeping such a built rig to use a couple times a year really isn't fair to it as it should probably find a home that will use it for what it was built for.
At the end of the day, I'm a believer in buying and building a rig for your mission. I have a Swiss Army knife in my tool box but a I carry a single blade Kershaw in my pocket everyday...handles 99% of My needs for what I use it for.
View attachment 1587164
