FJ 80 or 3rd Gen 4 runner?

[alfanator]

Trying to decide between the 2, both cost about the same on the used market and both are good rigs. Will use primarily for commute and the occasional road/camping trip with wife, 2 boys and 1 dog.

 

[elmariachi]

Trying to decide between the 2, both cost about the same on the used market and both are good rigs. Will use primarily for commute and the occasional road/camping trip with wife, 2 boys and 1 dog.

I don't see many 4 Runner owners in this forum, so I am guessing you know what the answer to that question is. They are two different animals altogether. The LC is bigger, certainly safer on the road due to its sheer size, and more capable offroad in a stock configuration, especially if it has the locking differential option. The LC will have better resale IMO, but the fuel costs will be a bit higher than the 4Runner. Still, I think the LC wins hands-down.

 

[Nay]

Trying to decide between the 2, both cost about the same on the used market and both are good rigs. Will use primarily for commute and the occasional road/camping trip with wife, 2 boys and 1 dog.

I'd take the 80 for the camping as you will appreciate the size difference, but the Runner will probably give you better gas mileage for the commute, if that matters to you.

I'd honestly get the Runner for mostly commuting, as the IFS is nice and the Runner is going to be faster. The more you want to use the 4x4 side of things the more I'd want an 80.

Really comes down to which one makes you feel more like a man, because quite frankly, a minivan would be a better choice than either by a long shot for car camping and commuting

Nay

 

[mickey_rubicon]

A 4runner lasted me about 2 months before it was a total loss. They are nice, but smaller and have weird road manners, especially at high speeds. 4runners (especially with V8s and superchargers) are a strange combination in the way where they make you feel like you should drive them fast and furious yet they handle like a pickup truck. It didnt work for me. The ravine was too much for mine. I did take the dogleg turn on a dirt road at 52 mph which may have launched anything but .... If you dont need a big vehicle, 4runner is a good choice, and they hold their own on the trail. Its really like a baby cruiser, which is what I used to call mine. I would get another 4runner but I would drive it with more caution.

 

[89s rule]

Search on nhere for a post by me about this same question. I also posted up on yotatech and got better and more honest answers than on mud. (Which was a suprise to me.)

Long run - If it will be a DD and you have a decently long commute the 4runner. If you want offroad more then the 80. Size might be a big factor for you as well. We are considering selling our 3rd gen to get an 80 or 100. This is for the wife and we have 2 kids, both are in car seats. So we have no room for anyone extra at this point. Thus the 80 or 100 with the 3rd row. I have actually seen 100 series for under $13K. Not sure of your budget but that can be an issue as well.

 

[boarcrz]

I 2nd to elmariachi and Nay.
I bought my 80 about six months ago replacing Tundra which I used for hunting.
I didn't know this then but it became my DD.
Now I'm looking for a roofrack that sits low enough to clear my office's parking structure. I still have '01 4runner and I would say it is a good vehicle with more sportier ride and easy on gas but I would recommend 80 to any of my friends.

 

[heckler]

Alright i will be the bad guy and take the otherside. I had a built 3rd gen 4runner about a yeara ago and sold it for a stock 97 land cruiser, that i have been building and wheeling. There are many up and downs about both but if i had to do it all over again i would have stuck with the 4runner and had gotten a very nice SAS put on. The parts cost less and the size of the 80 makes it hard to negotiate on tight trails. I hope that helps. Oh and get a 5spd 4runner they are a lot of fun.

 

[CJF]

I also posted up on yotatech and got better and more honest answers than on mud.

Linky?

I'd be interested in seeing what they had to say...

Curtis

 

[89s rule]

Linky?

I'd be interested in seeing what they had to say...

Curtis

Yeah I am lazy too MY SN over there is X88&94GT

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=80982

hope this helps. Now that I see a 100 series isnt that much more I am leaning that direction. But it is really up to the wife. I just want to make sur ewe get somethign thast will give us the space we need. 4x4 ability isnt really an issue either way as I have my 62 for that.

Please note I nor the wife have had a chance to test drive an 80 or 100 series. We love our 3rd gen 4runner. And will be selling it within the next year. Been one of the best cars I have ever owned!

Whatever you go with I woudl recomend an aftermarket front bumper if you live anywhere that deer are an issue. They can save you mucho $ in the long run!!

 

[ranma21]

I think I can chimp in a bit on this topic since I still own both. 3rd Gen 4runner is pretty nice especially for your application. It rides nicer on all kind of surface, 80 is more truck like feel on the rd. 4runner is definatelly faster than an 80 in stock form and it is flexible in tight trail. But 80 is built for hardcore abuse and offroad, 4runenr is not. One of the thing that hit me is the parts/maintenance cost is much higher for the 80 but is all worth it=P 4runner is much better than fuel mileage, I avg 18-19 mpg with lift and bigger tire. Before mod, I got about 22mpg on hwy. Expect to get 16 for a 80 if it is well maintain on freeway and 12-13 in city. You can get around 20mpg off a LC80 if you drive consistently at 50-55mph, me and my bro experience that iwth both of our rig doing the same trip, same speed one behind another, noone believe us, is up to you=) I got my landcruiser becoz I am building a long range expedition rig, 80 will be more suitable due to its size and ruggedness, 4runner is just too small for that application. ohh yea, I am not sure if it is just me, but I feel my 80 is quiter than my 4runner, more comfortable in long trip. if you do not plan to go serious offroad and bring tons of stuff for your occasional camping trip, 4runner will be ok, or else u might need a 80 for your family and dog.

 

[firetruck41]

With two kids and a dog, the 80 or 100 would be my preference. To be honest, in just about any situation, I would prefer the 80/100.

I had an 80, sold it for a 2nd gen 4r, did not like it from about day 2 onward, sold it less than a year later and now have an 80 again. Back in Jan, the wife needed a new vehicle, preferably a 100, checked out a 3rd gen 4r, it was a little better than the 2nd gen, but still much prefer the 80/100, wife has the LX470 now.

 

[gnx7]

Over 20K miles the FZJ80 will cost you about $1K more in gas. You get larger and safer truck that can carry all the gear and can wheel great.

I had an FJ60 before and love my new LX450. 10x quieter, plush, better ride quality, and has lockers. I was looking at a 3.4i 4Runner and decided for the $1K difference in gas I'd rather have the 80. Plus I believe they will hold their value better.

 

[97fortieth4me]

I have both. I say get the Cruiser, especially if you're fitting that many bodies into the vehicle.