Dedicated 4X4 expedition FJ60 or do everything 100?

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KlausVanWinkle

KlausVanWinkle

10 Year
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Do Everything 100 or Buying a 2nd Dedicated 4x4 Land Cruiser

A hypothetical I was thinking about and looking into over the weekend.

If yall had <$10k to blow, would you rather have a built build up a DD UZJ100 or buy and build an FJ60 (Keeping the 100 stock for DDing)?

I have a 2000 UZJ100 that I've finally updated almost all the PM suggested on the FAQ here, except the 90k service which I'll do soon. And it's ready to start being built up with a slight lift, sliders, bigger AT tires, recovery gear etc.

The 100 is my DD and I enjoy driving it. Especially in the slow traffic of LA where being comfortable, insulated and above the rest of the traffic makes my short 9mi commute less stressful. Right now I get some of the best mileage I've seen on here 15-16 mixed, 17.5mpg highway.

I don't want to give up too much drivability on the 100 but I do want to explore all the ORV parks, trails, ghost towns, etc that CA and the west has to offer. I figure the above mentioned mods would be a good compromise.

But I've wanted a nicely built FJ60 also. I love the aesthetic and the barebones honestness of them. My thinking is that it would take about the same amount of money to outfit the 100 or the 60 as far as bumpers, lift, sliders, tires go. But since the 100 is a lot newer, it'd take less maintenance and work to get it and keep it running reliably enough for adventuring.

jhh-0376.jpg
(idk who's 60)
Or
PG3_6192.jpg
(Paul's 100)
 
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That is a really tough call.....

I love my 100 offroad because of the comfort. If Money were no object I would build a 62 on an 80 chasis with the 100 engine... but that is my dream....
 
Nothing says expedition vehicle like heated seats:grinpimp:

Get an expo trailer to haul all your crap, and do some armor mods to the 100 to protect against the bash, smash and scrape. One of our local club members went the trailer route and is glad he did. Makes it easy to set up camp and not have to pack up your junk when you have to make a beer run.
 
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KlausVanWinkle said:
I don't want to give up too much drivability on the 100 but I do want to explore all the ORV parks, trails, ghost towns, etc that CA and the west has to offer. I figure the above mentioned mods would be a good compromise.
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Let us CA guys know when you're going. RobRed and I are enjoying exploration of ghost towns as well. CA is littered with them.

Also, I think $10k goes further on a 100 than it does on a 60.
 
lexi4darin said:
Also, I think $10k goes further on a 100 than it does on a 60.
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Especially when you have a 100 that you have already baselined the maintenance. Depending on the 60 you buy, you could blow a bit if of that $10K just making it reliable, before any mods:meh:
 
I'd build the 100, but consider another cheap car for DD duty, a little Honda or something. Not every day, but there is a nice benefit of not having to drive the 100 all the time, allows you to leave it taken apart mid-mod, or not finish something right away, etc. Plus the more you build up the 100, the less you'll enjoy parking it in some of the 'hoods you got over there. I hate leaving mine at the airport, for example..
 
nakman said:
I'd build the 100, but consider another cheap car for DD duty, a little Honda or something. Not every day, but there is a nice benefit of not having to drive the 100 all the time, allows you to leave it taken apart mid-mod, or not finish something right away, etc. Plus the more you build up the 100, the less you'll enjoy parking it in some of the 'hoods you got over there. I hate leaving mine at the airport, for example..
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I had a 96 Civic for 8 years. So the 100 is a nice change of pace. My Fiance got a new Elantra (that thing has more interior luxury features than the 100) so once the newness wears off, I'm sure we'll drive that more. And I ride a bicycle to work a couple times a week so that's a nice backup plan.

No hoods for me. I live in Santa Monica and work in an equally uppty area. Although sliders might stop the mysterious door dings coming from the parking deck at work.
 
The answer depends on your definition of an "Expedition" or "do everything".

If you consider Cruise Moab an expedition or plan on staying in the lower 48 build the 100. I'd say Ive dropped between $10-$12k into it and it will go just about anywhere I would ever want a 100 series to go. It still does 85 on the interstate and gets me to and from the trail in comfort.

If you plan on traveling to Argentina or do extended multi-country / continent trip get the 60 (or a 62) and be happy that you can actually work on the thing when it really breaks down. i.e minimal electrical / computer work.


That said I'd feel comfortable taking my truck the length of Baja or the Trans Taiga road with sufficient spare parts and communication. I wouldn't do a circumnavigation though. :)
 
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In this country we call it camping. Drive it factory and buy what you need as you go. No point in buying mud tire's if you've never got stuck in the mud.
 
I would build the 100 as I go and enjoy the journey. The more you do exploring the more you will know what you need.
 
You can't go wrong with either one.
 
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Load 1000 lbs of junk in a 60, to simulate bumpers, sliders, winch, camping gear, etc., and then drive it to the top of one of the passes in the Sierra. That should put the decision to bed...unless you're thinking of V8'n the 60.
 
KlausVanWinkle said:
I think I agree with yall.

By do everything, I mean using the 100 for DD, camping, trail riding, etc and all the compromises that go along with that.
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I think you know the answer then.
 
I`m on to use my Land Cruiser 200 for exp. too. I had done enough stuff with Hilux, Ford Ranger or similar, and love the comfort also while offroading.

Also each person who will spend the day with you, will love the comfort that a 100 or 200 give then.
 
My .02 since adding more mods to my LX is continuously being delayed and I commute 150-250 miles a week, depending on how lazy i am.

1) Keep the 100, don't buy a 60.....do this now

2) Sliders and 33s first, it makes a big difference......do this soonish

3) Now add bumpers and winch......do this when the stock bumpers are trashed or you need the winch (may need to lift or change t-bars)

4) If you feel the need and have the money, add lockers. Alternatively go to a more aggressive tire like KM2s, with ATRAC and KM2s you go can very far......Do this if needed


With a 9 mile commute you can run a pretty aggressive tire if you want, I don't know what kind of terrain you will use you hundred in, but tires make a massive difference IMO.

Also hold off on lifting the truck until you deem it really necessary. Recently I find my self just keeping my LX in the "N" ride height even on trails, the bigger tires help more than the suspension lift for me.
 
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