Why do YOU have a 100 series?

[77mustard40]

Wanted a rig to have at the fishing cabin, saw a Hundy in the classifieds for $9K. Bought it, put shocks and brakes on it, changed all the fluids (timing belt had just been done), loaded a trailer and drove it north. That was eight years ago. Poor thing sits all alone through the winters, but starts right up and goes where ever it’s pointed. Puts a smile on my face every time.

Gonna bring her home this winter for some TLC

 

[GTV]

I wonder if that's why you can't find an 80 out there with less than a quarter million miles on it? I guess they are not pleasant to drive long distances.

Lolz.
More power and IFS make highway miles a LOT more comfortable.

 

[Thingfisher]

Hurricane Harvey. Bad road conditions. Classic style. Reliability. Value. Coolness factor.

 

[newbielx470]

More reliable (compared to Land Rovers, G wagon, Ford), more comfortable (compared to Wrangler, FJ cruiser, 4runner), safer (compared to Wrangler, or 80/60/40 series), more affordable (compared to 200 series), can still do most overlanding trails. So overall, 100 series gets the highest Doug (Demuro) Score in offroading

 

[LRscorned]

Had a 2011 LR4 and it cost ~$3k a year in maintenance and it died on us. We wanted something off-road capable with three rows... oh, and reliable to replace it.

 

[MJK]

It is well (over)engineered, well built and done with little regard for cost. It is extremely comfortable, capable, quiet, and reliable. It is from an era that is still mostly analog, but with all the important bits of modern technology that I want. If taken care of, it will last a lifetime. I can work on it myself, it will go anywhere I want, in any weather, with the whole family, and towing a decent sized trailer if I wish. I love the hydraulic suspension and how relaxing it is to drive. For what you get, I'm stunned at how cheap they are.

 

[krice118]

Wanted to get into wheeling and getting to remote campsites. To me (5 years ago) It’s the best SUV under $15k. I love it and will keep for ever.

1 car do it all. - was 20 when my parents helped buy it.

 

[knewstance]

It's the best all-in-one for my current life situation.

It's a daily driver, it's an offroader, it's a minivan, it's a tow pig, it's a pickup truck, and it fits my budget.

It allows me to do all the things I want to (except pass up a gas station) and will start again the next day, ready for the next task.

I will say, it doesn't do any of those things "the best", but it does all of them pretty well. I can't think of anything I'd rather own for the way I use my 100.

 

[saucebox]

As quick as I started making enough money to travel everywhere I wanted to go, I got a...4Runner. 4th Gen, same engine/trans as I have now. It replaced an FJ60. But it was too small for me to sleep in, and the seat isn't far enough off of the floorpan. It was torture to drive >1000miles, and I'm only 6'1".

So I felt like my best options were to build another 60, or buy a 100. For what I've needed the last few years, the 100 made a lot more sense.

Unpopular opinion: never considered an 80. It's kind of a fatty-looking 60, albeit miles better in every other way. The 100 is even worse, but...road trips. With enough armor I've been (mostly) able to follow a good friend that had the sense to buy an 80.

Also, what @knewstance said. It's the best do-all that I could afford.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Almost got a ‘17 200 and almost sold the Lx. But for some unexplainable reason I keep going back to the Lx.. even I can’t explain it, good thing my wife understands my eccentricity.

 

[MHFJ]

I bought a beater 100 to keep my 200 rust free. The 200 spent its first 7 years in Atlanta, and now it’s in Illinois. I’ve got a 6 mile drive to work, and I’m usually going in before they’ve even thought about plowing.

 

[OwnerCS]

Does Toyota still produce important drivetrain and suspension parts for 80s? I’ve always like them and might get one at some point but I question choosing that as a “hardcore” 4X4 platform. I feel like they’re so old now with lots of stuff worn out beyond repair, drive like something from the dinosaur era, and knowing Toyota, a lot of parts are either overpriced or long discontinued. My main concern would be parts availability with 80s. At least most old American trucks have a huge aftermarket support. Don’t see a whole lot of that with these Land Cruisers here. The 100 series is 22+ years old and nobody even offers a built front diff yet.

We have multiple front diff enhancement options.

Trail Tailor - 100 series SAS Conversion
Front Lockers - Harrop and ARB

There are multiple options for pre-built or using well-established builders for the front diff enhancements.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Because of undiagnosed masochism?

 

[MUDZLLA]

300 km of washboard roads shook my IFS apart. Never had that problem with the 80.

 

[OwnerCS]

Because I couldn't find a 3rd gen 4Runner in decent condition for the outrageous prices that were being asked.

Since I knew I would be rebuilding the suspension and drive train anyway, I went looking for a solid Toyota built off-road capable vehicle at a price that would let me go all out on mods and not push the total cost too high. It made the most economic sense at the time.

It turns out that I'm glad I stumbled into a 100 series. It was kind of like this picture. LOL

 

[MongooseGA]

G-wagens are too expensive and an Excursion won't fit down any trails.

And Jeeps make too many rattling noises to drive on the highway.

 

[brm98]

It's been a dream car for many years. I always wanted a Land Cruiser and the 100 series was the best mix of reliability, off road capability and on road performance. I ended up with an LX for now simply because of price and availability. One day it will be a white LC, one day...

I was also looking at Disco 4's as they were another "dream car" but after some research and learning about how much upkeep they are I crossed that off the list.

 

[MountaineerLC]

After twenty years of Land Rover ownership I found my Disco II dying a slow death due to rust amongst other issues. I didn't have the time, space, money or energy to get it back in good order. My wife correctly pointed out the fact that the repairs, even if I did the work myself would exceed the vehicle's worth. Thus began the hunt for a replacement rig. We briefly considered an LR3, but quickly ruled it out. Having grown up with my grandfather's 60 series the Land Cruiser became the obvious choice.

Both my wife and I agreed that the 100 offered the balance we wanted between off road capability, not not being so old to need a thorough restoration, comfort, space for our family of 5 and relative mechanical simplicity allowing me to maintain it at home.

My wife found our 2001 LC in Knoxville, TN in October 2018 and the rest is history. It's been a joy to own and drive. I don't see us ever being "Land Cruiser-less" going forward. The wife is already talking about wanting a 200 once her Highlander is paid off.

 

[LittleRock80]

The 100 is the sweet spot.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

G-wagens are too expensive and an Excursion won't fit down any trails.

And Jeeps make too many rattling noises to drive on the highway.

Sounds like you would be happy with an 80