What Can A 100 Do/Not Do Off Roader???

[landtoy80]

I am thinking of replacing my locked 80 with a 100.
I got my used 80 with 208k mi about 5 yrs ago. At that time not many people wheel there 80 hard. Now its common.
When I had my 60, the online forums were email based and 60 were not common place and most were offroading 40's.
Now its the 100's turn. I don't read this forum so I don't know what people are doing with their 100's but some must be wheeling them hard???

My 80 has lockers front and back, sliders and no winch. I don't have a lift and I have that dang trailer hitch that sits so low but I am not afraid to go anywhere with it. If the snow is too deep, I have a set of chains that I put on. That stock will go anywhere. The only thing that stops me is my angle of departure.

I would like to do the same with the 100. I would go with the max lift though.
So this post should emphasize on what a lifted 100 can and can't do.

Now that rear locker is only on 98 99 I would have to install a front locker.
Is it important to get a 100 with a rear locker even if I plan on installing one on the front?
If a rear locker is not important to get, what year 100 would make a great trail rig? Can a 100 be a trail rig or is it a

 

[Jim_Chow]

IMHO, the increased size (width) of the 100 will be a limiting factor.

 

[SINCITY100]

Can a 100 be a trail rig or is it a

Oh, yes... a 100 CAN be a trail rig


That is, If you can handle both the excessive exterior dimensions and weight AND appreciate its limits...

 

[dclee]

All things being equal, your 80 will be much more capable in serious off-road terrain. I guess it depends on your purpose. If you search the archives, you'll find lots of "80 vs. 100" threads.

 

[DoctorJay]

I can pass along some of what I've picked up along the way. I think most people use their 100's for what I do: to go to work and haul stuff around.

My impression is that the 100 is more limited by the IFS than the size. I just got back from South Africa, and talking to people there, it seems that the real off-road version is the 105. It's sold as the GX there: 4.5L I-6, 5M, F/R live axle, F/C/R lockers. They also get the VX V8 petrol, which is about what we have here. (they also get the 79-series LC pickup, which is really cool).

You're ahead of the curve. We're just now getting to the point that older 100's are in a price range where they can be modded and ridden hard off-road. I'll be interested to see what people can do with them.

 

[landtoy80]

All things being equal, your 80 will be much more capable in serious off-road terrain. I guess it depends on your purpose. If you search the archives, you'll find lots of "80 vs. 100" threads.

All the searching I found says to go with the 80. I think thats only because there are not many wheeling the 100 hard and the 80 has proven its self.
The posts start out about both but end with the 80 as the better.

If I ask the question 80 vs 60 60 vs 40 40 vs hard core forum 40 the latter always wins. Why, the latter has proven its self.
When the 100 is replace with ??? and the 100 can be had for under $10,000 I bet the 100 will be the better.

Has the 100 proven its self yet?

What I am looking for is peoples experience with a modified 100.

Can a 100 be a mod vehicle, I guess only time will tell.

 

[e9999]

the impression I have is that the 80 can be modded better and easier for real hardcore stuff. then again, a modded 100 can probably do 95% of what most "normal" people should even contemplate doing...

 

[SINCITY100]

Has the 100 proven its self yet?

What I am looking for is peoples experience with a modified 100.

I dont know, let me ask mine... OK, he said... "YUP" ;p

How modified are you talking ?

 

[Jim_Chow]

Even if the 100 could equal the 80 offroad (ask Schotts), it's a lot more difficult/expensive to modify with fewer options. There's no question that lifting a 80 more than 2" is easier than lifting a 100 more than 2". Recirc ball steering is also more durable than rack & pinion for heavy pounding. The 80 also has part-time 4wd kits available in case you blow a front axle, so you can't unlock the hubs and lock the center diff. LC 78 troopy's weakness is it's top-heavy, but tons of cargo space (you can easily throw a crocodile in the back...I've seen this on tv!).

 

[SWUtah]

I am thinking of replacing my locked 80 with a 100.
I got my used 80 with 208k mi about 5 yrs ago. At that time not many people wheel there 80 hard. Now its common.
When I had my 60, the online forums were email based and 60 were not common place and most were offroading 40's.
Now its the 100's turn. I don't read this forum so I don't know what people are doing with their 100's but some must be wheeling them hard???

My 80 has lockers front and back, sliders and no winch. I don't have a lift and I have that dang trailer hitch that sits so low but I am not afraid to go anywhere with it. If the snow is too deep, I have a set of chains that I put on. That stock will go anywhere. The only thing that stops me is my angle of departure.

I would like to do the same with the 100. I would go with the max lift though.
So this post should emphasize on what a lifted 100 can and can't do.

Now that rear locker is only on 98 99 I would have to install a front locker.
Is it important to get a 100 with a rear locker even if I plan on installing one on the front?
If a rear locker is not important to get, what year 100 would make a great trail rig? Can a 100 be a trail rig or is it a

What we all do with the 100 series is drive them to the trail head and then get out and hike. Great exercise.

 

[SINCITY100]

What we all do with the 100 series is drive them to the trail head and then get out and hike. Great exercise.

True !

Well... As long as the trailhead parking lot is paved

 

[macneill]

Apparently they suck on and off the road.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=129575

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

LANDTOY80: My recommendation is to:

#1: Eliminate all of the emotional and vague statements you read here and on other threads that compare an 80 to a 100 off road.

#2: Don't worry about lift height unless your main plan is to MAINLY hang out on "rock crawl" or say the toughest 5% of trails in the US. If you shoot for those top 5% most difficult trails then grab and 80 and go for extra lift.

#3: If your focus will be the other 95%, then either rig will do. If you get an 80, keep the lift height down (safer and les money). If you get a 100 then you'll not need more than the 2.75 front and 3" rear lift to run almost anywhere you wish.

#4: If you buy a 100, get the 2000+ for several reasons and add lockers later IF you decide you need them. You can run most trails with TRAC alone though having a locked 80 you know how those suckers help, and yes, they haelped my 100 too!

Just know this....IF you are the "95%" owner.....you'll be really glad you drive a 100 due to all of the added improvements and overall comfort. Sure...on the most challenging the larger truck will require more concentration though I have yet to attempt a trail the 100 couldn't complete.

So far I know of 2 80's to attempt this line. Joe Chott and myself...though everyone should try. It's obvisouly doable. Though the rest on my runs have passed. The 100 made it effortlessly too:
http://shottscruisers.smugmug.com/gallery/1928333

 

[OGBeno]

No one mentioned that you have to have boat-loads of cash to really make a 100 series a serious off roader.

For an 80 series, you just need a canoe full of cash.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

No one mentioned that you have to have boat-loads of cash to really make a 100 series a serious off roader.

For an 80 series, you just need a canoe full of cash.

It all depends on which trail he will MAINLY run.

Ya, if it's those top 5-10% toughest in the US....yep, it'll cost a few grand more with a 100. And even then, it's size can increase the challenge.

If it's those 90-95% of the trails? Not so. Get a 2000+ add in $1000 lift and go. IF you begin to push it towards those toughest trails, then lock.

I can build a 100 that'll ROCK for:

2000+ model
2.75" lift with L-shocks...$1000
Sliders...$750
Custom bumpers with frame cutting...$500
35-inch tires

The above rig will be smaller than the typical 80-series. (ARB, Slee, etc) It will rock and run most trails. IF...you want to go crazy:

ARB lockers...$2500

 

[spressomon]

It all depends on which trail he will MAINLY run.

Ya, if it's those top 5-10% toughest in the US....yep, it'll cost a few grand more with a 100. And even then, it's size can increase the challenge.

If it's those 90-95% of the trails? Not so. Get a 2000+ add in $1000 lift and go. IF you begin to push it towards those toughest trails, then lock.

I can build a 100 that'll ROCK for:

2000+ model
2.75" lift with L-shocks...$1000
Sliders...$750
Custom bumpers with frame cutting...$500
35-inch tires

The above rig will be smaller than the typical 80-series. (ARB, Slee, etc) It will rock and run most trails. IF...you want to go crazy:

ARB lockers...$2500

Don't forget to add in the CV boot rebuild or the CV axles post lift...as it seems almost everyone that has done the lift, even with the diff drop kit, will develop leaking cv's within 5K.

Shotts: You work cheap and must have a discount line on steel and cheap or free labor/tools to be able to provide custom bumpers...plural right?...for $500?

And, IMO, to make it work the best with 35" throw in a 4.88 conversion...I know you'll argue this point...but after running with/without 4.88 + 315's having the correct tranny shifts back and low range I deem this an option worth considering/listing and not overlooking.

And in your above reference to being "vague"...the only thing I have read that is vague is the description of the type of "rock smashing" he wants the rig to be able to handle.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Don't forget to add in the CV boot rebuild or the CV axles post lift...as it seems almost everyone that has done the lift, even with the diff drop kit, will develop leaking cv's within 5K.

Shotts: You work cheap and must have a discount line on steel and cheap or free labor/tools to be able to provide custom bumpers...plural right?...for $500?

And, IMO, to make it work the best with 35" throw in a 4.88 conversion...I know you'll argue this point...but after running with/without 4.88 + 315's having the correct tranny shifts back and low range I deem this an option worth considering/listing and not overlooking.

And in your above reference to being "vague"...the only thing I have read that is vague is the description of the type of "rock smashing" he wants the rig to be able to handle.

My answers:

1. Yes, diff drop is in the lift. My guy did it himself per Doron's (the designer who supplie dthe info the Slee) instructions. $50.00.

2. He did both bumpers on both my 80's. Frame cutting, steel, fabbing...$500 per set. That's one short 80. Image a 100 setup like this? Pics at the bottom:

3. I'd not add 4.88's to either list as they're not required to run any trail type from my experience. I'd like them though.

4. Vague meaning opinion of others in other 80 vs 100 threads. Example: The 80 all the way! 100 rules! 80's way better. That stuff. It's meaningless and emotional. (Something I'm not on forums any longer )

 

[landtoy80]

<<<type of "rock smashing" he wants the rig to be able to handle.>>>

I would like to run any trail or most trails in Co and Ut.
When I say "rock smashing" it refers to when I took my stock 80 up 21rd.
Its all rocks and my stock and locked 80 with all its weight ended up braking a big rock that others ( I was the only 80) just drove or slid over.

If a lifted 100 can go anywhere a stock locked I would be happy but after seeing the pic of what a 100 can do I am sure a lifted 100 can do way more that a stock 80.

BUT like all things, you always want more.

What it comes down to is if I can find a good priced 2000 before I find a great priced 80 I will not pass on the 100.
I think I would be happy with either.
The only problem is I think it will be some time before the 2000 get into my range.

I like the look of the bumpers on the LX but I live in deer/elk country and need full coverage, plus I need a trailer hitch.

 

[SWUtah]

My answers:

1. Yes, diff drop is in the lift. My guy did it himself per Doron's (the designer who supplie dthe info the Slee) instructions. $50.00.

2. He did both bumpers on both my 80's. Frame cutting, steel, fabbing...$500 per set. That's one short 80. Image a 100 setup like this? Pics at the bottom:

3. I'd not add 4.88's to either list as they're not required to run any trail type from my experience. I'd like them though.

4. Vague meaning opinion of others in other 80 vs 100 threads. Example: The 80 all the way! 100 rules! 80's way better. That stuff. It's meaningless and emotional. (Something I'm not on forums any longer )

Shotts very cool looking. Great job.

 

[landtoy80]

Shotts,
What gas mileage do you get with your LC's?