The Baja Is beating me.. 4RNR VS. TLC fj80

[BajaSurF]

I need some help from all the Ih8ers out there. My 97 4runner is taking a beating anyone thats been down the baja knows there is no mercy on and off these roads.. For a full timer here in the Baja its getting out of control. i spend 90% of the drive time on these mangled roads. 10% is its parked. Washboard, potholes, incredibly oversized topes (speed bumps), thats a daily commute.. Ok you get the point the roads are awful..

i have a 97 4RNR sr5 193k miles. no lift. all terrain nitto terrain grapplers.

I've replaced 3 axle arms. because on 3 separate occasions my lower ball joint separated and yanked the juicy end out of its housing thats in the front differential . Ok so then i replaced all four shocks there ranchos.. didnt have much of a choice. yada yada yada..

What are the options i have in regards to durability, strength etc. vs. comfort for these roads ie. the washboard i drive on everyday.. Should i keep my 4runner and add tons of extras lift kits softer suspensions..??? etc..

Sell it.. And look for a Land cruiser or New 4runner. and then beef those newer cars up?

Im leaning towards the land cruiser/lx 450. but have been warned the front solid axle will hurt the ride vs the indie suspension of the 4Runner. Tell me what you think.

Dont get me wrong im not complaining i just want a solution.


I need all the help i can get on this, without breaking the bank..

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

100 series has IFS. 80 series is not so bad since it is coil suspension and the solid axle is much more durable off-road (or on your roads!).

 

[landtank]

in that harsh environment you want to avoid IFS at all cost. Who ever told you that the solid axle of an 80 would be detrimental to the to the ride quality in those conditions has no idea what they are talking about.

 

[e9999]

?
I would think that IFS would fare better indeed over rough roads at more than crawl speeds. Isn't that why the Baja 1000 and Dakar guys use IFS and not solid axles?
Solid may be stronger but is it really better suited to washboardy roads?

 

[landtank]

?
I would think that IFS would fare better indeed over rough roads at more than crawl speeds. Isn't that why the Baja 1000 and Dakar guys use IFS and not solid axles?
Solid may be stronger but is it really better suited to washboardy roads?

you really can't compare a racing suspension to that of a factory one. Besides they are only looking to get a 1000 miles out of it and then some don't even do that good.

I'd put my 80 with the FOR suspension against any IFS truck for comfort and control in this kind of environment at the speeds he is driving.

 

[BajaSurF]

I'd put my 80 with the FOR suspension against any IFS truck for comfort and control in this kind of environment at the speeds he is driving.

I have leaned in the past toward the idea of the land Cruiser, Though excuse my lake of knowledge with the acronyms 'FOR' suspension. please elaborate.. any other suggestions mod wise for these roads out here for a TLC...?

 

[NLXTACY]

Frankies Off Road Gen II specifically for the 80 series.

 

[zooroadbaja]

unless you're looking to stick with toyota, id think about getting a 4x4 beamed ford. for a stock vehicle they handle really well and are easy to find parts for, easy to prep, and suspension kits are on the cheaper side. but if you're sticking with toyota look into total chaos, camburg, or jd fabrication for a kit set up for baja. pm if you want some more info or help.

 

[BajaSurF]

unless you're looking to stick with toyota, id think about getting a 4x4 beamed ford. for a stock vehicle they handle really well and are easy to find parts for, easy to prep, and suspension kits are on the cheaper side. but if you're sticking with toyota look into total chaos, camburg, or jd fabrication for a kit set up for baja. pm if you want some more info or help.

^thanks zoo check your PM..

Any pros vs. cons in regards the LX 450.. i know its the same but not. Any perspectives on it?

 

[No. 3]

What about a '60? Mine loves washboard, if I'd had any fillings they'd be gone to be sure but no failures whatsoever.... I imagine you are airing down somewhere between asphalt and washboard pressure because of the on/off road driving.

As an aside, I sure love Todos Santos- great people, good surf and good food. And the history museum is awesome. And the bakery! What are you doing to support yourself full time there? And is there room for another gringo? I grew up being a haole, not much of a stretch to become a gringo. I could clean Jack O'Neil's house even.... FYI surf here today was cold, rainy, a little overhead and dumping hollow in 3' of water. And cold.

Best,
Jeff

 

[Combat Chuck]

Personally, I'd look into the cost of having the IFS on your runner swapped out for a beam axle. It may be a more affordable solution to replacing the truck outright. At least with your runner, you'd know the condition of the rig overall, and be comfortable with that, than get a new to you rig, and have to spend alot of cash replacing worn out parts, or repairing PO hackwork to get her up to speed.

 

[BajaSurF]

What about a '60? Mine loves washboard, if I'd had any fillings they'd be gone to be sure but no failures whatsoever.... I imagine you are airing down somewhere between asphalt and washboard pressure because of the on/off road driving.

As an aside, I sure love Todos Santos- great people, good surf and good food. And the history museum is awesome. And the bakery! What are you doing to support yourself full time there? And is there room for another gringo? I grew up being a haole, not much of a stretch to become a gringo. I could clean Jack O'Neil's house even.... FYI surf here today was cold, rainy, a little overhead and dumping hollow in 3' of water. And cold.

Best,
Jeff

I Have nothing against the 60.. Im more interested in a newer vehicle.. And my wife really prefers the 80.. but for sure some food for thought.. who knows what ill come across..

ive tried to keep it at 34 psi.. not too soft..

Hah, nice to hear you've enjoyed it down here. theres more room for move ins then tourists.. if you know what i mean... You kidding me, i live on gringo street.. Surf sounds like a rush.. haven't been in cold water since i moved down from north Baja. Today shoulder high, breezy, and trunkin it.. First real north next thursday!!

Housesitting.. Homeowners down here actually prefer people to watch and take care of there house instead of it being unoccupied.. the concept is still catching on else where...

Sorry guys getting way off subject..

 

[No. 3]

80 works in mendocino

A friend recently bought an 80 to camp and the like on some unimproved acreage he bought in Mendocino- the washboard isn't like in Todos Santos but it is similar on/ off pavement driving. (His 80 is to replace the freakish Pig he had prior to having a kid- family car!)The 80 handles well enough that his one year old doesn't mind the bumps. He hates the gas mileage though. Fortunately gas is cheaper in Baja Sur.

Might PM you for some more Todos dope, if you don't mind. Best,
Jeff

PS: You'll recognize this spot:

 

[BajaSurF]

A friend recently bought an 80 to camp and the like on some unimproved acreage he bought in Mendocino- the washboard isn't like in Todos Santos but it is similar on/ off pavement driving. (His 80 is to replace the freakish Pig he had prior to having a kid- family car!)The 80 handles well enough that his one year old doesn't mind the bumps. He hates the gas mileage though. Fortunately gas is cheaper in Baja Sur.

Might PM you for some more Todos dope, if you don't mind. Best,
Jeff

PS: You'll recognize this spot:

Sweet pick of pastora.. that was on of the first spots i surfed when we came down..

Yeah im pretty much dead set on an 80.. ill take the hit on the mileage jsut as long as i dont ever have to say "i have a hairy ball joint situation that needs to be looked at STAT" ever again..

Just took My 4ruuner to a neighbor for her to check it out shes making an offer this weekend, and if all goes well, we'll fly up to so cal and let the shopping begin..

pm me, we live in front of San Pedrito.. First real north all season this AM 18 heads in the water bought crapped my pants. the season got here before i knew it..

 

[BajaSurF]

So i sold the 97 4runner. So now the fun part..

I read on the Wiki page for the lx 450.. that the lexus came with a softer suspension anyone know the difference between the LC and the LX, suspension wise.. or is my best bet just to swap whatever i get with some modded out offroad package..

in SoCal in 10 days..

 

[Combat Chuck]

The "Softer Suspension" probably just means easier-riding springs.

 

[firetruck41]

So i sold the 97 4runner. So now the fun part..

I read on the Wiki page for the lx 450.. that the lexus came with a softer suspension anyone know the difference between the LC and the LX, suspension wise.. or is my best bet just to swap whatever i get with some modded out offroad package..

in SoCal in 10 days..

With the age/mileage of these vehicles, the original suspension on either will probably seem to ride about the same. The FOR (Frankies Off Road) springs seem to have the reputation for the best ride, as opposed to OME springs. You might want to start a thread in the 80 series forum for specifics that you are looking for.

 

[landcruising]

You could spend hours on the 80's page doing research so be prepared. Finding a good clean 80 in socal is getting difficult now unless willing to spend $. I have seen them recently from $2,900 for a 92 with 200 K miles to $14,500 for a built 80 150 K miles. Most are looking for lockers front and rear and less than 120 k miles. Your best bet is to try to get a well serviced 80 with good maint history. 95-97 are often regarded as better rigs since they have a larger more powerfull motor. Expect to get about 12 -14 mpg at best. Things to look for are front end birf service, head gasket issues or repairs, radiator or overheating issues. Most of this era are now replacing radiators or fan clutches, front end birf service, AC parts and egr parts for California smog. check out slee off road for a newbie guide and many parts and options. Several companies make bumbers and armor parts but only a few make suspension upgrades. Old Man EMU and Frankies are the most prevalent.

Man I miss being in BAJA although not paddling out anymore and never did much or enough. hell its been 10 years now, I guess I'm too old, fat and lazy now with kids. Good luck with the search.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Don't know what you have decided on yet, but something to take note of nonetheless. I have a 97 LX with 185K and ALOT of driving on the heavily wash-boarded roads of Colorado back country. I don't think you will notice any measurable difference between an LX/Cruiser ride based on the age of the vehicles (they're just too old now). I will say the Lexus definitely "floats" badly over bumps compared with its Toyota counterpart.
I currently have OME Heavies on mine and I must say, the ride is quite a bit stiffer than before, not to the point of being annoying on road trips, but my wife definitely has a harder time sleeping in the passenger side on PAVED road trips.
I must say all the rave about F.O.R. is proportional to the quality of ride and product, from my one experience riding in a Cruiser equipped with his suspension.
From my last time talking to him, about six months ago now, he did not have a "heavy" set-up for the Cruiser. I'm not sure how much weight you normally carry in/on the truck, but I ended up with the OME suspension since I have some weight on my truck. Frankies guys I'm sure will burn this post if he does in fact offer the setup now.

 

[BajaSurF]

Expect to get about 12 -14 mpg at best.

Man I miss being in BAJA although not paddling out anymore and never did much or enough. hell its been 10 years now, I guess I'm too old, fat and lazy now with kids. Good luck with the search.

I think thats what for me at this point in time, Helped me out in this Decision.. Gas Mileage. Even though the gas might seem cheaper its a poorer quality so your mileage suffers a little.


So we've returned from the Uder Side. Drove the Baja to Todos santos in under 19 hrs...

With Many a headache and trips up and down Southern California. I found a 2001 4runner with factory Diff lockers. with 161k miles.. Did 1500 miles on the New 4runner in the past 3 days. not a single hiccup.. and the best part is it hasn't been on the Baja so it hasn't been thrashed yet.. i did find one very promising LC 97 40th with no lockers. 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 40th Anniversary

But decided the 4runner was a better option budget wise in the long term.. For my current situation.. And then with the view in the hopeful near future to upgrading the suspension/ lift etc.. and still having a Baja proof (to an extent) truck.

97' 4Runner sold in Baja + 200. dlls = 01' 4Runner

Bro its never too late. The Baja's Ready for you when you get here.