New from Tennessee

[Painkiller7]

Hey all! My name's Josh and I'm down in Tennessee. I'll be a lurker for the most part temporarily.
I'm doing as much research as I can because my truck isn't cutting it now that I have a 7 month old.
I'm in the process of deciding wether I want a 100 cruiser or a 4runner, and trying to balance practicality and wants with finances.

 

[camino70]

Hi Josh,
Welcome. I don't think you can go too wrong with either choice.

 

[Painkiller7]

Hi Josh,
Welcome. I don't think you can go too wrong with either choice.

I don't either. I've always wanted a 100 but cost of ownership and maintenance is what has me skeptical at this point in time. I need reliability and if I'm going to be costly wrenching or having to change out a part or swiping a credit card to do some sort of pm all the time, that wouldn't be feasible for me.
I was looking into 5th gen runners (2010 and newer) for the lower miles.

 

[Buu100]

I've never had a 4Runner so I can't comment on that. But if gas mileage is a factor in your decision stay away from the LC 100. I am getting about 10 city and 12 highway. And that's with street tires! I just put on a set of larger all-terrain tires so will see how bad it will get.

 

[Simplespirit]

I average about 14 doing shortish city trips with 33" AT KO2s, Slee sliders, and KISS drawers in my 03. The last 4Runner I had was a 99 Limited V6 and it averaged about 16 doing the same kinds of trips stock. The 2014 Tacoma I had was also averaging about 16 stock. The minor mpg difference should not be part of your decision IMO. That said, I constantly think about going back to a 4Runner for the sliding rear glass, but that would be for my dogs. The rear quarter glass does vent on the 100, but it's not the same thing. I haven't done any more maintenance on my 100 than I did on the 4Runner, but parts and mods do tend to be more expensive.

 

[Greenbean]

Both are great choices,

Both built in Japan as well.

You could find a 4th gen T4R with AWD and the 4.7 V8.

I would recommend you drive both if you can, test driving a 4runner will be easier as there are more.

My wife absolutely loves how solid the almost 3-tons of cruiser feels under her.

 

[sickspeed]

Both are great trucks so your decision is going to have to be based on something more deliberate. The 100 will probably last longer than the 4runner due to being built to a higher spec. They're just built slightly differently. The 4runner will get better fuel economy but might struggle with certain tasks that the 100 won't. I've owned a couple of older 4runners and friends of mine have or had 2010+ ones. Everyone I know with the 2010+ agrees that there seems to be a mismatch between the 4.0 engine, the trans, and the size of the truck albeit slight. Maybe sort out what features are most important. For instance, I really like the split tailgate on the LC over the 4runner. I also prefer the third row seat arrangement. That being said, finding a 4th gen 4runner with the 4.7 is also a sweet proposition and they really don't take much of a hit on fuel economy either. Either way, you can't really go wrong. Good luck.

 

[mstakacs]

Don't forget the drool factor. My brother bought a 2007 4Runner and constantly drools over my 2004 LX470 with 255,000 miles. My best friend just bought his wife a 2017 LX570 and she misses her 2003 LX470. I think you should get an FJ40 that gets about 10 mpg with windows that rattle, no power steering, and A/C comes by the way of kick vents - dual A/C. That car is everyone's absolute favorite.

 

[Justinfro]

As a previous owner of a '10 4R Limited vs my current LX470, the additional room, ride quality, and the split rear tailgate (awesome for tailgating, etc.) are what would make me recommend the 100 for you. Plus, I have three kids!

 

[fooldall1]

I'm a little biased, being a new Hundy owner myself- but MPG aside, I LOVE this truck. Expect to put in about 2k to baseline a used LC unless you buy it from an enthusiast. 2k and some of your own wrench time.

 

[Painkiller7]

I could probably live with the fuel mileage, though not ideal. My power stroke gets 14-15 in town and 17-18 highway. I generally average 16 combined. With that being said, I could live with 14-15 in a 100 with gas being 25-35 cents cheaper a gallon.

The drool factor is the biggest reason of me wanting a cruiser. I've wanted one for years but never thought I would be able to afford buying one. I could drop 2-3k maybe to baseline, but can't afford to be shelling out several hundred dollars a month to fix something all the time.
I'm not going to lie, I can't afford to be ocd and super preventative with the pm. As time and money allows I'll be able to service it, but it may not always be exactly when it needs to be done. That is the biggest reason I was leaning towards a low mileage runner.
Resale is moot...I generally keep something once I buy it as long as I'm not constantly shelling out money to fix it. I've had my truck 6 years and the only reason I want to get rid of it is it's just not practical anymore.

The only real NEEDS I have are reliability, and practical/economic in regards to repairs or maintenance. I realize it's a high quality rig therefore parts will be more, but I see people on mud claiming they sink thousands upon thousands in their 100 to pm it and others saying it's no different than any other rig.

 

[sickspeed]

I think that the people that are sinking a lot of money into a 100 are either rebuilding some critical parts of the rig to then get another 300k miles out of it or are simply building up a trail rig with high end after market parts. Maintenance items for a 100 aren't really more than for other toyotas unless its a sturdier part that will last longer than other toyota parts so either way, its not wasted money. Remember that the 100 is a global product whereas some other toyotas like the sequoia and some T$Rs are really geared towards north america. Being global, parts are readily available.

If you really want a 100 though, thats what you should get. There is certainly no reason to fear them over a 4runner or most other vehicles for that matter. We are talking about what is arguably one of the most reliable and well built vehicle on the road today.

 

[fooldall1]

I could probably live with the fuel mileage, though not ideal. My power stroke gets 14-15 in town and 17-18 highway. I generally average 16 combined. With that being said, I could live with 14-15 in a 100 with gas being 25-35 cents cheaper a gallon.

The drool factor is the biggest reason of me wanting a cruiser. I've wanted one for years but never thought I would be able to afford buying one. I could drop 2-3k maybe to baseline, but can't afford to be shelling out several hundred dollars a month to fix something all the time.
I'm not going to lie, I can't afford to be ocd and super preventative with the pm. As time and money allows I'll be able to service it, but it may not always be exactly when it needs to be done. That is the biggest reason I was leaning towards a low mileage runner.
Resale is moot...I generally keep something once I buy it as long as I'm not constantly shelling out money to fix it. I've had my truck 6 years and the only reason I want to get rid of it is it's just not practical anymore.

The only real NEEDS I have are reliability, and practical/economic in regards to repairs or maintenance. I realize it's a high quality rig therefore parts will be more, but I see people on mud claiming they sink thousands upon thousands in their 100 to pm it and others saying it's no different than any other rig.

You have the right idea. When I bought mine, it had 215k on the Odometer and the Previous owner ONLY replaced things that broke.. Which wasn't much. Like, coil packs/plugs- Starter repair- New steering rack- Fuel injector - Radiator and fan clutch. They did NOT do any maintenance on it. So, the Timing Belt/WP, Tensioner, Idler, Fan Pulley Assembly, shocks and Power steering pump I had done myself just recently- and now it sounds like a sewing machine when running. and I KNOW it will get me where I'm going. It's my DD. It will be the truck I take all over the southeast (and beyond). MPG be damned, at least I KNOW I will get there.

 

[geanes]

I recently purchased a 1998 LX470 (Lexus J100 Landcruiser) with 152k on the clock. I didn't care about mpg (12.8 real world mixed with larger tires and a roof rack). I bought it because of the room to carry more than 5 adults, true off-road capability, comfort and the previously mentioned (and can NOT be overstated enough) split tailgate. For me, that tailgate alone was the deciding factor over a 4Runner and the Lexus GX470. I swear, the practicality of that split gate is incredible. As for maintenance: I spent 1.2k to baseline all fluids, pack a front hub and redo the front brakes. My LX has the AHC added expense to take into consideration, which the LC does not have. Having said that, these things are bullet-proof. Take care of them with routine maintenance (fluid changes and belt replacements), don't drive them like an 18 year old kid hopped up on RedBull and it will last longer than any other vehicle I can think of. I've fallen in love with mine and look for reasons to drive it all the time. My biggest problem now is that my wife has "discovered" it and wants one of her own.......well, I guess that's not a bad problem to have

 

[mstakacs]

I bought mine with 221,000 miles January 2016, 100% Lexus dealer-maintained by previous owner (even bulbs, wipers, tires) . It now has 255,000 miles. After all the fluids and plugs and filters, I have only spent money on the T-connectors ($6), a new exhaust from cats back since original was rusted through, and new Michelins. I just optionally upgraded the Mark Levinson speakers to Alpines in front and back. That's it. It's a Toyota.

 

[DirtDawg]

Both options sound like they meet your requirements. As others have said, go test drive both and I think you'll have your decision. Ive owned both, no regrets from either, still wish I had my 4R (in addition to the LX).

 

[Painkiller7]

Thanks for the help guys. I reckon I just need to test drive both.

1999 Toyota Land Cruiser 88k original

I'd like to take a look at this one