What's better offroad, 80 series, or 100 series?

[IronYuppy]

You know, I'm one of the most die hard toyota fans out there, worked for the company, and can really appreciate the quality difference over most other companies.

Yes, I do believe the Jeep is nowhere near the Toyota in quality and on road drivability, HOWEVER, some (4wheeler mag) independant testers (more than one) in certain off-road circumstances ( ie. when you MUST have a locker) the jeep will outperform the FJ.

As a whole, I believe the FJ is better, but I don't know if I really subscribe to the opinion that it is "hands down" a better wheeler. Harsh words when you're offroad to next one that's taking you down.

FWIW if you want to talk compare rear visibility, I can't imagine the FJC being worse than the new Wrangler. I haven't driven an FJC but I had a Wrangler unlimited as a rental this summer and the visibility absolutely sucked worse than anything I've ever been in. Even forwards was not spectacular, due to thick A-pillars and a low roofline.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

FWIW if you want to talk compare rear visibility, I can't imagine the FJC being worse than the new Wrangler. I haven't driven an FJC but I had a Wrangler unlimited as a rental this summer and the visibility absolutely sucked worse than anything I've ever been in. Even forwards was not spectacular, due to thick A-pillars and a low roofline.

Could be, however everything comes off on the Wrangler. Roof, doors, etc.

 

[cruiserloco]

Ten years from now the majority of the 2007 FJC will be running and wheeling strong, the 07's jeeps who knows?.

Toyota's reliabilities and capabilities are legendaries world wide thats why forums like this exist. GO CRUISERS !!!

I'm leaving to Moab tomorrow I'll tuck to you gays in 2 weeks.

 

[landtank]

My posts weren't aimed at starting a Toyota Jeep thing. But Nay quite often points to these Rubicons as the ultimate truck to drool after. I finally had a chance to see one in action compared to a FJ and wasn't at all impressed.

Maybe after a bunch of mods things change but that goes for just about any vehicle.

 

[tntoyota]

Ten years from now the majority of the 2007 FJC will be running and wheeling strong, the 07's jeeps who knows?.

SOooooo, new jeeps AUTOMATICLY carry the "p.o.s" designation BECAUSE of there past....i.e the new ones cant get any better.


yeah billion $ companies NEVER learn fro there (50+ of years experience...) mistakes....how they stay in business?

Toyota's reliabilities and capabilities are legendaries world wide thats why forums like this exist. GO CRUISERS !!!

yeah go no believing that, I've seen them go back to the dealer I've seen the SEA of breakage in 90's, 100's, and FJC tech keep putting Toyota on a pedestal.....they can NEVER make a krappy vehicle, they go a rep!



LAWYERS are keeping the Toyota name unblemished, they (Toyota) contribute a lot of our economy, If they're "black eye" was exposed what do you think would happen?

 

[FirstToy]

My posts weren't aimed at starting a Toyota Jeep thing. But Nay quite often points to these Rubicons as the ultimate truck to drool after. I finally had a chance to see one in action compared to a FJ and wasn't at all impressed.

Maybe after a bunch of mods things change but that goes for just about any vehicle.

I do feel the same somewhat after wheeling with them. The issue I think is the short wheelbase combined w/ some factors that make them scary on steep climbs and descents. Flopping becomes a very real situation much more than in a wagon. Also, they seem to have more difficulty in more situations that the Cruiser... But that's for me, personally, why I don't like it. It's more manuverable, so tight trails, it'll be the better of the wagons.

However, I got excited by the 4-door Rubicon w/ a long wb (cure that stability issue) while adding cargo space and retaining the great clearance angles & narrow body.
When you look at the axles, it's no Land Cruiser that's for sure. But for a new vehicle, it might be pretty cool... esp if they offer a diesel version.

 

[landtank]

I do feel the same somewhat after wheeling with them. The issue I think is the short wheelbase combined w/ some factors that make them scary on steep climbs and descents. Flopping becomes a very real situation much more than in a wagon. Also, they seem to have more difficulty in more situations that the Cruiser... But that's for me, personally, why I don't like it. It's more manuverable, so tight trails, it'll be the better of the wagons.

However, I got excited by the 4-door Rubicon w/ a long wb (cure that stability issue) while adding cargo space and retaining the great clearance angles & narrow body.
When you look at the axles, it's no Land Cruiser that's for sure. But for a new vehicle, it might be pretty cool... esp if they offer a diesel version.

I'll say one thing about their wheel base, at times it almost seemed to be perfectly matched to the terrain in a bad way. Like there were 4 rocks placed perfectly in front of each wheel making it as difficult as possible. This happened quite a few times and really struck me as odd. Obviously the terrain is completely random but maybe it had something to do with the type and size of rock we have around here.

I did have a few guys comment on the size of my truck but that didn't really factor into any fit issues and between the 35" tires and 4" lift it went over the rocky stuff pretty easy.

 

[tntoyota]

However, I got excited by the 4-door Rubicon w/ a long wb (cure that stability issue) while adding cargo space and retaining the great clearance angles & narrow body.
When you look at the axles, it's no Land Cruiser that's for sure. But for a new vehicle, it might be pretty cool... esp if they offer a diesel version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyPWe-pe05g


not the one I wanted to show, it got took off utube it was a test drive with a RR defender 110, Merc G-Wagon and a yep you guessed it a 4 door Diesel jeep wrangler...oh, and it was in German


anyway cant find the utube it was here

Boycott Chrysler!


I want one!!!

the 4 door unlimited jeep with a factory Diesel is in production today

kinda makes you wonder, if a Diesel Land Cruiser is $100,000 just how 3rd world are the places you see in the videos?....just who is 3rd world??? us?

 

[clindsay123]

This was an interesting 80 vs 100 thread. I just finished it. One last post and I'm out.....

I read two sets of qualifications in your question.

1. Off-road capability is MORE important than on-road ride quality.
2. You ask about 33-inched 2-3" lifted rigs.

Because of those points I have two answers.

1. No question the 80s can out perform the 100s on the tough trails.
2. IF...IF you plan on modding your buy with 33s and only 2-3 inches lift...IF....that will predetermine the trail-types you will run. The extreme to very-difficult ones are out. IF that's the case....IF....the 80 will not offer hardly anything over the 100 on the "runnable" trails. That give the nod to a 100-series overall due to it's other beneifts.

So really, the answer lies with you. If you re-think or re-post and say you'd like 35's and/or taller lifts, etc.....then it's back to the 80-series.

super late to this thread. I find this logic to be very helpful. But, is there still not an advantage to the durability of the solid axle for remote off road travel?

 

[mudgudgeon]

super late to this thread. I find this logic to be very helpful. But, is there still not an advantage to the durability of the solid axle for remote off road travel?

Theoretically, yes. There is some strength benefits.

This thread is nearly 20 years old. In all reality, in that time many thousands of IFS 4x4s have been to every popular 4x4 destination around the globe, and the vast majority made it home again without catastrophic failure.

 

[ginericLC]

I own both 80s and 100s and have owned 80s continuously since 2001 and 100s from 2006 with a gap for a few years. The solid axle may theoretically be stronger but I've never broke a CV in a 100 and I've broken birfields in 80s. I've broken both 80 and 100 front diffs (the early 2 pinion ones). I've ripped off sway bar mounts on the 80 series as the axle end. The factory welds and mounts are a weak point. The 100 frame is actually stronger than an 80 chassis. Maintenance wise the 100 is easier to maintain or not maintain than the 80. The 80s front axle seals are a regular repair item, whereas the 100 CVs can go 300k or more without any maintenance. Suspension bushings wear out about equally as fast. 80 series folks will always point out the front solid axle being superior off road. 100 series folks will always point out the ride and power. They are different enough that I don't see them as being competitors. If I'm going to play in the rocks I take the 80. If I'm doing a lot of miles I'll take the 100. They both excel at different things. They both suck fuel equally well.

 

[12bit]

Ten years from now the majority of the 2007 FJC will be running and wheeling strong, the 07's jeeps who knows?.

I'm from the future and I can tell you that my 2010 FJ has 270K miles, runs like a top and has never needed anything other than brakes, tires, spark plugs & fluids (ok, front wheel bearings). It seems it's only kryptonite is road salt.

 

[Mag71k5]

I love seeing old post like this revived, the answer is just to have both a 100 and an 80 series. problem solved.

 

[efjayatee]

Or cheaper to just Turbo the 80

 

[MUDZLLA]

Las week I was the only 80 wheeling with five 4-runners (all IFS). We were going gnarly mud trails, muskeg, forests and some steep trails. I think the 80 with only a rear locker was about middle of the pack. All the rigs had good clearance and 35" mud terrains.