HELP !!!! Need help deciding :(

[Snoxxy]

Hey everybody, I am a LONG time "Post-Stalker" and first time poster

I am in the market for a "new" ( to me ) Vehicle and need your help.

Here is my Situation:
I currently have a 91 Toyota Single Cab 4X4 P/U and it is awesome, however I don't fit in it very well. It does OK but it is NOT comfortable at all for me ( 6'3" 200 lbs ) so my friend is buying it from me and I am free to buy whatever I want/can afford per my wife ( she is awesome like that )
I do want to get into longer trips/camping/exploration type stuff, but nothing super hardcore. I am not looking into building a rockcrawler etc.
I do want a decent ride over long distances seeing how I will probably drive it to NY and such from where I am currently stationed ( AR )
Here is what I came up with so far.
Another 4th Gen P/U BUT extended cab, or a equal year 4 Runner
a FJ62
FZJ80
Crew Cab 1st gen Tundra

let me know what you think and tell why and how and that great stuff.
Price limit in this case would be 14G's upper limit, really want to stay below that and Gas/Mileage is not all that important because I have a sweet 89 CRX for the daily driving tasks that gets 36 MPG when I beat the SNOT out of it.

Sorry for the lenghty post and I am looking forward to your feedback

MODS: If this wasn't placed in the appropriate section ( I couldn't think of a better one, but you never know ) please move it

Thanks

Phil

 

[Niner]

Get an 80

 

[cruiser_guy]

Get an 80

I agree.

 

[VTCruiser]

yeah as much as I love my 60, it sounds like an 80 would be a better fit for you. You can pick a nice one up for ~$10k which leaves ~$4k for mods....or gas!

 

[clownmidget]

If you seriously have $14K as an upper limit I say you should be in the market for a UZJ-100. The FZJ-80 is amazing but for what you are describing as your needs/wants and your size you are not going to find a more comfortable and capable rig than a mildly build 100. Here is one that has been for sale long enough that he might be willing to consider $14K and this is about as turn-key for what you describe as you can get.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/251265-1999-uzj100.html

 

[Gallo Pinto]

You can a get a REALLY nice 80 with that cash.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I paid $14K for my 98 UZJ100. It gets better mileage than the 80, will tow a small trailer with ease and has a bit more room in the cabin. It's the first car that I can drive without putting the seat all the way back, I have a couple of inches of adjustment left.

That said you can buy a nice 80 for that kind of money and have change left over for stuff like a fridge, recovery gear, tents and such.

Remember the vehicle is only part of the expense of getting outfitted.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

You want an 80.

It will do what you want with style, and it is far cheaper to build and update than a 100 series. It's also a better wheeler if you get into that aspect of the game.

 

[Snoxxy]

THX

It seems as if I am gonna have to get an 80
I was contemplating on the FJ62 because yo ucan pick them up relativly cheap and therefore mods would me quicker attainable, but I guess the 80 is the better choice overall.
I left out the UZJ100 because i figured, if I get a Land Cruiser, it has to have solid front axle, so that why I left it out of the equation
Thanks again.. once my buddy buys my truck, I will be in the market and should be in the next 2 months...
I will keep you posted.

 

[roscoFJ73]

It seems as if I am gonna have to get an 80
I was contemplating on the FJ62 because yo ucan pick them up relativly cheap and therefore mods would me quicker attainable, but I guess the 80 is the better choice overall.
I left out the UZJ100 because i figured, if I get a Land Cruiser, it has to have solid front axle, so that why I left it out of the equation
Thanks again.. once my buddy buys my truck, I will be in the market and should be in the next 2 months...
I will keep you posted.

I was looking through craiglist for california the other day and the average 60 series price was more than an 80

I would also take the 80 for 2 main reasons. Time has shown us it is more rust resistant than a 60 series.
It has a good coil suspension system.
Unless you go crazy ,you should have a fair mount of the $14k left over

 

[Snoxxy]

Well,

More or less what will happen is I will get the thing, then set up first and formost for recovery, cause my friend who is coming with me on the trips, has a land rover freelander ( he just wouldn't listen ) ..... So I am assuming that I will have to pull him out of alot of trouble, literally.

Thanks for all comments

Phil

 

[cruiser_guy]

cause my friend who is coming with me on the trips, has a land rover freelander ( he just wouldn't listen )

Phil

Phil, just have your friend attach a tow bar to the front of the Freelander and get yourself a receiver hitch and you should be good to go!!

Your friend will need a complete list of all Rover parts stores and copious amount of money to pay for said parts!!

 

[aclos3]

Make sure you get the seat extension kit if you go with an 80! I am just slightly over 5'10" with normal proportions and I drive my 80 with the seat all the way back. If I was any taller, I'd have to get a seat extension for sure.

 

[96Cruiser13]

80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80

just get one in good condition... unlike mine..
With that money ur good to go
haha