Input from former 80 owners/Dual owners

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devildogcruiser25

devildogcruiser25

10 Year
Joined
Jul 11, 2011
Threads
200
Messages
2,067
Location
San Antonio
Website
www.tdtp.org
Hey guys and gals, I currently own a 97 fzj. I love it and have spent the last few years building it into what I want it to be. I think I have taken it past the point of a "reasonable" daily driver. I'm running 37's and 5.29's. Highway speed is comfortably maxed at about 70-75 mph.

I have been thinking a lot about the 100 series and decided that I want to buy one when I finish school. I plan on keeping the 80 for serious duties and having the 100 for light/weekend duties. I planned on keeping my 80 relatively stock but that didn't last too long.... We all know how that goes.

Anyway, I just want to hear from those that have gone from an 80 to a 100, just in case I can't have my cake and eat it too, what do you love about your 100, and what do you miss about your 80? TIA
 
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Won't say much, but a previous/current owner of a 40 60 80 and now 100, the hundy is fast becoming my go to/favorite rig... And im not an old fart either, 33...
 
I am starting to think of the 100 as a mix of the 80, a nice minivan and a luxury sedan. It has 75% of the off road prowess of the 80, 75% of the creature comforts of a nice minivan, and 75% of the luxury of the sedan. That being said, I have only had mine for a few weeks, and my opinion may change. I like it so far and would probably do it again.
 
Have only done a little off road so far in the 100, but so far I think sdnative probably has it pretty close with his comments about the 100 vs various other vehicles.
My 80 became a point and shoot beast for the sane (but moderately difficult) wheeling that I do (did). On 35s with just the right amount of armor it was carefree wheeling in through and over wherever I wanted go. Loved it. Still miss it. It was also slow and lurpy on the road, kinda loud, mostly comfortable, and starting to accumulate minor wear and tear issues.
The LX 470 on the other hand, is a pleasure to drive on the road, quiet, quick, and almost luxurious. So far it seems to be more relaxed off road than I thought it would be, but I haven't pushed it yet.
Overall, the 100 seems more refined and civilized, but I can sense the brute within. Maybe a few protective mods and some relaxation of my new car paranoia will allow me to find it.
 
Good to hear. It sounds about like what I was expecting. I really want to keep my 80, but we will have to see what happens when the time comes.
 
I've had both for a couple of years now. I use the 80, my wife uses the 100, and the 100 is our vehicle of choice for longer trips. Hope u can keep both!
 
I have owned three of each and still have two 80's and wife has the 100. LOVE both styles a lot. I agree with the basic sentiment of the other guys here.
 
80Greg100 said:
I've had both for a couple of years now. I use the 80, my wife uses the 100, and the 100 is our vehicle of choice for longer trips. Hope u can keep both!
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I tried to get my wife into a 100 after her altima died. For some reason she was very opposed and I couldn't even get her to test drive one. I know if I could have gotten her behind the wheel of a 100 she would have been sold. So she ended up with a 2010 camry.

I figure that the argument I use will go something like this. "Well, the 80 is fully depreciated and has more money in it that we could ever recover. We would lose too much money if we tried to sell it. That being said, it's not a practical daily driver, AND I just finished school....Sooo Let's buy a hundy"

It's not the perfect argument but I have about 18 months, give or take, to perfect it. I'll take some tips from some experienced salesmen.
 
I had the 80 and my wife drove the 100. We had a 3rd kid and kid #1 had difficulty getting into the 3rd row plus no A/C in the 3rd row so we sold the 80 and picked up a 200. Now I drive the 100 and wife drives the 200.

Not to say that the 100 is perfect. It does have some quirks that can be repaired like the 80 eg: leaky 3rd row light on the 100 vs leaky 3rd row windows on the 80. Door lock actuators that eventually fail.

What I love about the 100:
Power
V8 grunt when you step on it
2nd and 3rd row A/C and Heat
Comfort
More quiet interior compared to the 80 when going 70mph
Ability to raise and lower height with AHC - (LX470)
More availability of parts for replacement from manufacturer
Interior lighting (replaced to LEDs)
Exterior lighting (replaced with HIDs)
Stock stereo is better than the 80
Bluetooth
Auto wipers
Tilt down mirrors in reverse
Head curtain airbags
Dimming mirrors
Memory driver seat
Heated front seats
All auto down/up windows
Ability to roll down windows remotely with key fob
1 key fob with key and remote
I can fit 3 car seats side to side on the 100 in the middle row

What I miss about the 80:
Low maintenance cost
More availability of parts from ih8mud classifieds
No timing belt to worry about
Ability to know that it won't break down- EVER.
16" wheels
Sliding 3rd row glass
3x lockers
Legendary looks
 
There's lots of us with far too many vehicles than sense :) I tried to get my wife to drive a 100 for the family hauler when we were replacing our '01 Ody. I looked at several and finally found one nice enough for about $30K. Finally, had the time to schedule a test drive with the wife and she didn't like it. Said it was too big, and it would be hard to get groceries in the back with the tailgate down. So, we ended up with a new Ody EX-L, which she loves. I then searched for an 80 for me to use as a fun vehicle w a budget of $10K. After searching for a while, I decided to up my budget and get a 100. I love my '03 and can't wait for Winter!
 
My old 80 was built up a lot like yours was. However, the trails I was taking kept getting harder and I quickly found the limitations of the 80 platform (size & weight). I ended up trading my 80 for a built 40 and buying a 100 and a trailer. I feel I have found the best of both worlds. I love driving my 100 daily, it pulls the 40 well, and it will handle any moderate trail in stock form. Just another option for you to consider.
 
CreeperSleeper said:
My old 80 was built up a lot like yours was. However, the trails I was taking kept getting harder and I quickly found the limitations of the 80 platform (size & weight). I ended up trading my 80 for a built 40 and buying a 100 and a trailer. I feel I have found the best of both worlds. I love driving my 100 daily, it pulls the 40 well, and it will handle any moderate trail in stock form. Just another option for you to consider.
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Thanks for your input chad. I may have to go that route eventually. I know the 80 will never be a rock crawler, but it's just so fun to wheel in! I know I'm biased, but I think it does great in the rocks, the front could use some more flex, but it doesn't stop it from doing anything. I guess time will tell what path I have to choose. Maybe I'll trade the 80 for a built mini and tow that.
 
If it wasn't for my need of a back seat, I would have stuck with my mini. I LOVE how they work. If you check out my 40 build thread in my signature, it will have links to both the build thread on my 80 and my mini. It might give you some food for thought. Weight was the biggest reason for me ditching the 80 but it was really fun to wheel!
 
Based on personal experience, if at all possible, keep the 80 and get an 03'+ 100.

I sold a built 80 and got an '04. The 100 is fantastic but given that it was my DD, bashing on it could prove problematic when you need to get up on Monday morning and head to work. (for you, coming from an 80 on 37's, you might want to consider this)

Less than a year after selling the 80, I ended buying another built one. By keeping the 100 mildly built, I feel I've retained a lot of the initial perks that the truck provides (Quiet, comfortable, good road manners, etc.). The 100 now is a great light wheeler, camping, long distance truck and daily driver, while the 80 can be wheeled harder and still serve as a backup if needed.

Dream world scenario (i think) would be:
1. Built 40
2. Built 80
3. Mildly built 200

Nothing wrong with dreaming, right?
 
Cruiserhead05 said:
Based on personal experience, if at all possible, keep the 80 and get an 03'+ 100.

I sold a built 80 and got an '04. The 100 is fantastic but given that it was my DD, bashing on it could prove problematic when you need to get up on Monday morning and head to work. (for you, coming from an 80 on 37's, you might want to consider this)

Less than a year after selling the 80, I ended buying another built one. By keeping the 100 mildly built, I feel I've retained a lot of the initial perks that the truck provides (Quiet, comfortable, good road manners, etc.). The 100 now is a great light wheeler, camping, long distance truck and daily driver, while the 80 can be wheeled harder and still serve as a backup if needed.

Dream world scenario (i think) would be:
1. Built 40
2. Built 80
3. Mildly built 200

Nothing wrong with dreaming, right?
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I like the way you think. It's the same train of thought I have in my head. I love my 80, it's well built, and well used.... I would be say to go out and bang up a hundy.
 
LimaBravo said:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/wife-complaining-about-mpg-help.808932/

I wrote a reply in this thread thinking about your situation (Altima to Camry and trying to convince the wifey that it's worth it).
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I really like what you said, and you seem very knowledgeable on the topic. While my wife is in a camry, I feel much better with her in that than in her altima. I don't know why, but that car always felt like a trap to me. It was good to us, and was reliable but I didn't care for it.

As far as the camry goes, I don't know how long it will be around. We bought it with VERY low miles for the year (2010 w/28k), but my wife has always talked about having a big family. We are expecting our first now, and the camry can handle two car seats, but anything more than that and we will need a bigger car.

when the time comes for my 100, I will make the argument that it is very safe, and very comfy.
 
I have both. The 80 is pretty juiced up and the 100 is completely stock. I have no inclination to juice the 100 up. It's perfect as the family truckster. Love the 80 because I know it like the back of my hand and at this point, really really confident in it's reliability and off-road capabilities. Love the 100 for the smooth ride, a/c in the back for the kids, and my wife not being reluctant to drive it like she is the jacked up 80. They are completely different vehicles to me and one is in no danger of being made obsolete by the other. Do I love one of my Cruisers more than the other? Oh hell yes. Pry my 80 from my cold dead fingers. If my family had votes though, I think I might be the only one voting for the 80. Hopefully you can have both but if you are thinking of a 100, and you are also thinking you might dump 6, 7, 8 grand or more of aftermarket stuff into it... you might just stick with the 80. I dunno... that's what I'm sure I would do after owning both.
 
I liked driving a stock 80, but the 2UZ in the 100 is a huge improvement. The 100 is a better rush hour vehicle and long distance road warrior even mildly built. As a DD, the 100 wins. I will likely have another 80 many years from now, but that's only after a 200 becomes the daily with the 100 parked next to it :)
 
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