I've cursed the size of the rig on trails before too... but I always forget about this as I ride in supreme comfort on 100 miles home...
New 100 Owner - just adding to my stable (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Romer
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #22
Welcome to the 100 board, but I am certainly confused.
I had to "give up" my 4runner for a 100 due to family size (three kids). I would have liked to go with the 80 (seems much more designed for offroad than 100), but it did not have the power or the center shoulder belt I needed for the kids/gear.
I read your posts that your kids are grown up and wheeling with you (how freaking cool is that!!, every wheeling-dad's dream!), and you have a seemingly awesome and well-modded 80 series that you obviously know a lot about. So...why NOW in life are you making the switch to the monster SUV, the 100?
Sorry to be a traitor to the 100, as I am finally now starting to fall in love with my 100. But...I have to admit...If it was just me and the wife, and the kids had their own rigs...I never would have taken the huge financial and time-sucking hit of giving up my well-built runner for pennies, only to have to drop 12K and start over with my stock, monster-sized rig. I cannot (think I cannot) take the 100 on some of the trails I took the narrow runner on. (American Flag Mountain by Taylor Park Reservoir being one of them that comes to mind).
Just curious what your motivation was for making the switch. I still slightly have it in my mind that I should have gone with the 80. Perhaps your story will give me more reason to love my 100 with no regrets.
Thanks for the welcome
My 80 is awesome and I don't expect the 100 to be as capable. Not because of the IFS, just thinking about what I currently intend to do (things do change). My 80 is well built, but what I enjoy running doesn't require that well built of a rig. I built it for the Rubithon and that is likely the only trail that has benefited from the 35 inch tires.
I had the 80 as a DD for a while and then bought a BMW for a commuter car to work. The BMW convertable was fun, BUT I really enjoyed driving my cruiser more.
What I want is a capable off road vehicle and a nice vehicle to drive to work every day and on long trips, even short ones to see my daughter in college. Additionally, need something to tow my Kimberley Kamper easily. My 80 with a SC struggles a bit on the mtn passes.
I have had two 40's and may eventually get another one. 40's are cool, but not what I want to drive to work in. Not what I want to drive to Moab in either.
Finally, I am 50 years old and want something stylish and a bit luxurious to take to work and yet be capable to take to the trail. I love my 14 year old Land Cruiser, but I wanted a newer one.
- Thread starter
- #23
I'm off in the morning to pick up my new cruiser in Arizona and will be driving it back. I'll be stopping to see an old friend Tuesday and his little friend Beno on the way home.
I will put the front and rear bumpers on it and storage drawers, winch and skid plates and drive it for a bit before I do the lockers and decide on gears.
I also will be installing a Dual Battery system for my fridge and winch. I will be installing my HAM and CB radios as well. In addition, an IPOD adapter for my stock stereo system. I have plenty to do for a while.
I think 33's would be overkill for 4.88 gears with the 5 speed. I definetly will be installing front and rear lockers. Just want to make up my mind on gears before I do that. I can always add them in a couple of years if things do change.
I do want the compromise of a nice vehicle for driving around town and a very capable off road vehicle. Finding that sweet spot is what life is about.
I will put the front and rear bumpers on it and storage drawers, winch and skid plates and drive it for a bit before I do the lockers and decide on gears.
I also will be installing a Dual Battery system for my fridge and winch. I will be installing my HAM and CB radios as well. In addition, an IPOD adapter for my stock stereo system. I have plenty to do for a while.
I think 33's would be overkill for 4.88 gears with the 5 speed. I definetly will be installing front and rear lockers. Just want to make up my mind on gears before I do that. I can always add them in a couple of years if things do change.
I do want the compromise of a nice vehicle for driving around town and a very capable off road vehicle. Finding that sweet spot is what life is about.
werd
SILVER Star
Welcome and have a safe trip. I just bought a 100 last week for my fiance and we both love it. It sure drives and rides better than my 40! Looking forward to seeing the build.
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
wonder if 200 series cross your mind .. ?
Sweet rigs!
Well, Romer was indeed here. You can see in the first pic that CDan is very, very perplexed by the lack of a drawer system.
The second pic shows that CDan is also very disappointed to see that the all-important factory diff locker switch is missing.
CDan said "That's what you get with the damn IFS systems..."
Nice to see you again Ken and safe travels back to Colorado.
CDan is very, very perplexed by the lack of a drawer system.
CDan is also very disappointed to see that the all-important factory diff locker switch is missing.
CDan said "That's what you get with the damn IFS systems..."
Nice to see you again Ken and safe travels back to Colorado.
wow, Dan does cut quite a GQ figure in his bizness attire, I must say... More used to see him in fisherman outfits... 
Eh, Ken, there is always the solid axle swap way to go since you don't have a lot on your plate yet... and after that portals....
Eh, Ken, there is always the solid axle swap way to go since you don't have a lot on your plate yet... and after that portals....
Congrats on the 100 Romer! I ran the Rubicon with you guys on the hall of fame Rubithon run(We were on the wagon run also in an 80)
I do really miss my 80,but man these 100's are really nice!
Looking forward to seeing your build.
John
I do really miss my 80,but man these 100's are really nice!
Looking forward to seeing your build.
John
- Thread starter
- #31
What Dan really said is it looks like a Subaru Forestor on a lift!
Got home mid afternoon and did the emissions and plates so I can be legal
Drove like a dream. Too much of a dream, a NM state trooper clocked me at 96. forgot the speedo was off with the 33" tires. He was nice and knocked it down to 91 in a 75.
Did some measurements between my 80 and the 100
The 80 with 35's lowest clearance in the center is 11". Same for the 100 with the stock skid plate, BUT the 11" goes across to the arms where the 80 is just in the center at the bottom of the diff. The rest of the axle is close to 16" (forgot to meaure - guess on my part).
So going from 33's to 35's would raise the clearance to 12".
Not sure what the Slee Skid plates do with respect to that measurement
Thats why we buy bigger tires right? to get clearance
Thats fully aired up
Wonder if the 18" rim provides less of a clearance impact when aired down due to less tire sidewall
Anyone with the slee skid plates care to make the same measurement?
Got home mid afternoon and did the emissions and plates so I can be legal
Drove like a dream. Too much of a dream, a NM state trooper clocked me at 96. forgot the speedo was off with the 33" tires. He was nice and knocked it down to 91 in a 75.
Did some measurements between my 80 and the 100
The 80 with 35's lowest clearance in the center is 11". Same for the 100 with the stock skid plate, BUT the 11" goes across to the arms where the 80 is just in the center at the bottom of the diff. The rest of the axle is close to 16" (forgot to meaure - guess on my part).
So going from 33's to 35's would raise the clearance to 12".
Not sure what the Slee Skid plates do with respect to that measurement
Thats why we buy bigger tires right? to get clearance
Thats fully aired up
Wonder if the 18" rim provides less of a clearance impact when aired down due to less tire sidewall
Anyone with the slee skid plates care to make the same measurement?
Ken just measured mine @ 11.5" lowest point, center of the slee skid, really worn down 35s @35ish psi. You have to remember the slee skidplates are designed for the diff drop, so if you dont have a diff drop on the 100 then your number would be lower than 11" on your 33s.
Better just get 37's to be safe!
Welcome to the dark side Ken. Hope you don't have red hair too.
And giddeeup on the LED light upgrades!
Welcome to the dark side Ken. Hope you don't have red hair too.
And giddeeup on the LED light upgrades!
- Thread starter
- #35
Thanks, I do have the diff drop, but a factory skid plate. Truck came with a lift
Nice. Numbers should be similar then. Get 35s
Trunk Monkey
Moderator
Is that a Jeep next to the front doors?
Yeah, the 100 is veeeery easy to speed in.
Yeah, the 100 is veeeery easy to speed in.
Yup, a 4 door Rubicon on really big tires. It actually looks good except for the pimpin' wheels.
He picked up an extremely clean vehicle. It's very nice throughout.
- Thread starter
- #40
Thanks
Today I installed the ARB Bumper (No pics yet)
Tomorrow I will swap out the VAIS Satellite radio adapter for a VAIS IPOD adapter. I'll likely sell the satellite interface. Never been a fan of Satellite radio. I listen to it when I am on business trips, but I prefer my IPOD for home driving
I also have a Blue Marine Aux fuse box I need to figure out where to install and then hard mount my HAM Radio.
That's my weekend project
In a couple of weeks I'll get the ARB Drawers, Winch, Skid plates and rear bumper from Slee. Maybe even a snorkel
Will get ARB F and R lockers. Leaning towards not regearing. If I wanted 35" tires I would regear for sure. Been driving 35" tires for 4 years on my 80 and the difference isn't really alot when wheeling. Skill with 33's is just as capable. BUT, I need to take it wheeling before I decide on that. Hopefully by the end of the month
