Intro

[2tontoy]

Hello all, my first time on this forum. I'm seriously interrested in owning an 80 series cruiser, and hoping you folks will give me a little insight about this model.
Bought my first Toyota 6 years ago; an 85 SR5 xtracab and went through the entire process of building it up for wheeling, and like many novice 4wheelers probably built it bigger than I need it to be, also, I did most of the work myself. It turns out I'm not really that interrested in pushing the proverbial envelope off-road. Besides, I'm getting a bit too old for taking risks.
The Cruiser looks like it would be ideal for long trips and capable of handleing those less used trails as well.

I'm thinking a 96-98, hopefully with the locking diff's would suit that purpose.

Any feedback will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Fred

 

[Romer]

Welcome. The 80 series cruiser has All Wheel Drive which allows the front and rear axles to slip from each other. When the rig is placed into 4WD low, the Tcase locks the center diff so the front and rear axles are tied together for better traction. The CDL switch allows you to lock the front and rear axles together in High so you can lock them when you are driving in snowy conditions on the highway or a forest road.

This is different than Front and rear lockers whish is another option to get.

Please visit our FAQ and in the General section, you will see a link "Diffs for dummies" that should explain it all.

 

[2tontoy]

Welcome. The 80 series cruiser has All Wheel Drive which allows the front and rear axles to slip from each other. When the rig is placed into 4WD low, the Tcase locks the center diff so the front and rear axles are tied together for better traction. The CDL switch allows you to lock the front and rear axles together in High so you can lock them when you are driving in snowy conditions on the highway or a forest road.

This is different than Front and rear lockers whish is another option to get.

Please visit our FAQ and in the General section, you will see a link "Diffs for dummies" that should explain it all.

Thanks, didn't have much luck in the FAQ section untill AFTER I posted, then I found the "thinking of buying" thread and all the good info it contains.

 

[OZCAL]

Welcome 2Ton - be prepared to stay up all night reading - it's addicting! Good luck!

 

[cptmud]

welcome to the forum

 

[reffug]

 

[Rich]

Fred, presuming that you are in the US the 98 is a different model than the 96-97 models that you are also considering. Pre 98 the cruiser has solid front axle and is available with both front and rear factory lockers.

The 98 has a IFS axle with factory locker only being available in the rear. Due to the IFS, the 98 will have a more comfortable ride on road.

The 96-97 models that you are also considering have a stronger front axle that should be more durable off road, presuming that you remain interested in that aspect of use.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Welcome and a quick counterpoint to Romer's AWD comment. From what I know, the device in the center diff that allows for a small amount of differential rotation between F/R axles. It is not a viscous coupling as has commonly been written here. This is a full time 4WD system that is mechanically linked and as such is 4WD, and has a clever device designed to eliminate axle windup. It's a separate thread to fully explain, but that's my point - the 80 is NOT an AWD vehicle in high range.

So, welcome to the forum and also de facto to the "splitting hairs" club. Heh.

DougM

 

[2tontoy]

Fred, presuming that you are in the US the 98 is a different model than the 96-97 models that you are also considering. Pre 98 the cruiser has solid front axle and is available with both front and rear factory lockers.

The 98 has a IFS axle with factory locker only being available in the rear. Due to the IFS, the 98 will have a more comfortable ride on road.

The 96-97 models that you are also considering have a stronger front axle that should be more durable off road, presuming that you remain interested in that aspect of use.

Didn't know that about the 98, so it's no longer a consideration. I found a nice 97 on Ebay with the locking diff's but i'm very leary of buying a vehicle that way.

 

[lovetoski]

The Cruiser looks like it would be ideal for long trips and capable of handleing those less used trails as well.

It's maybe the most perfect choice out there. Comfortable, reliable, capable.

 

[NorCalDoug]

welcome aboard



read, read, read...
lots of info in the archives...read up.

 

[lahar50]

Welcome the 97 was the last year for the solid front axial and front and rear locking diffs. would be good also.

 

[Romer]

Welcome and a quick counterpoint to Romer's AWD comment. From what I know, the device in the center diff that allows for a small amount of differential rotation between F/R axles. It is not a viscous coupling as has commonly been written here. This is a full time 4WD system that is mechanically linked and as such is 4WD, and has a clever device designed to eliminate axle windup. It's a separate thread to fully explain, but that's my point - the 80 is NOT an AWD vehicle in high range.

So, welcome to the forum and also de facto to the "splitting hairs" club. Heh.

DougM

Some don't understand the difference between full time 4WD and how that changes when you lock the center diff. Saying it was AWD may not be technically correct. Although saying there is 4WD and center diff locked 4WD isn't an easy concept to pick up the first time.

I believe I have heard Robbie and others refer to the viscous coupler

The diffs for dummies links is a great description though.