so the story goes i sold my SAS toyota about 6 months ago and needless to say I MISS IT!!!

so im researching a new rig/toy, since my last was basically an offroad only toy, i want more a less a 60-70% offroad toy this time that i can drive to the trails comfortably..

ive been dead set on a 4 runner even when i still owned my pickup, since i allready know mostly everything about them it would just be so much simpler. but to get the power i want im going to have to do a motor swap..most likely a supra 5m or 7m, might reuse stock tranny if i cant source an R151, and do another SAS which will be alot simpler cuz ive already done one..but alotta $ and time

but ive been looking around and i like the looks of an FJ80 and the power would be nice..but i dont know a whole lot about them. from what ive been reading they seem expensive! (body armor parts ext..) front end doesnt flex well and to remedy the problem right would cost 1000 for new radius arms! and not to mention im completly new to modifying link suspension, and their heavy..

BUT.. it has the power i want and the comfort i want and solid axles front n rear that can get me the flex i want and can be picked up for around 3k depending

so which one do you guys think would be more cost effective? it seems if i can find a first gen runner for under a grand (not likely) i will still be over 4k in mods to make it close to what i want...and be out months of time wrenching

im not 100% on FJ's yet im still researching but if some FJ owners wanna chime in how much would it cost to get 36's and about 10" of travel? without a kit..and is the power adequate?

ive seen the unbolting the front pass link to get some good flex but at the cost of possibly bending the link? and serious brake dive on the street is this true?

opinions please!
some links to FJ build threads would be cool too..

 

Cost effective = 4runner by far. However if you can afford it, I would swing the FJ80 route in a jiff. My brother had a FJ80 and it was amazing, I would love to have one myself. Yes it is more expensive to run and build, but IMO worth every penny in the end.

 

Get the LC. I wish I did now. I got my 3rd gen runner b/c I wanted all the nice creature comforts the 3rd gens offered plus the 3.4 for fuel economy. That was the only thing holding me back from an 80, the mpg's. Well, the diff is not that huge, especially once you add bigger tires, bike racks, etc.... If i got the 80 I would have the SAS and frt/rear lockers (I would not buy one w/o) for less then I paid for my 3rd gen 5yrs ago. Those things are nice even stock! Its such a nice base to start with.... I say save up and buy one even already built up, buy the most truck you can....

 

I would go the 80 route, if it were me. But remember they aren't really powerhouses. They are a bit more torquey, but not hot rods, by any stretch of the imagination... A 3.4 Runner may even be quicker... 80s are very heavy. An excellent build platform, but that also makes them tanks, which is good and bad.

 

I do love my 00' 4Runner (currently getting SAS'ed) but I'd have to say after having it for a while and really getting into this website I wish I had gone for a 1st Gen 4Runner or an LC or FJ. Even though they are older and a little more robust I think that I'd appreciate the simpler platform. You could always work swapping in a 3.4L or the IUZ-FE engines... or the 22RTE for a smaller FJ. I'd say hit up the LC or FJ, good luck

 

I know their not going to be the quickest thing on the trail, but I would at least like to make it up a partially steep climb with out bumping the limiter to keep the 35's spinning.. And from what I've read their is some aftermarket out there for them engine wise? So if I need to I can go that route... Sounds like a good plan save up for maybe a partially built lc.. And I'm guessing the fzj's are the ones with lockers and full float rears? I any other way to tell without looking on the inside? special badges or anything

 

Ahh I found my answer... Fzj's are 93-95 with 4.5 and rear disc brakes means full float. Right?

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...fzj-vs-fj.html

 

Go down a new trail-get the Cruiser.

 

I would the FJ in a heart beat (if I could afford it). The only concern I have had about land cruisers is the size, mainly the width. My 4runner has barely, literally barely made it through trees and rocks and i'm pretty sure land cruisers have a lot more width, correct me if i'm wrong.

 

Yeah that's what I was trying to get a handle on is how much bigger are they than a pickup/4 runner

 

Ive got a 93 LC and i love it, only true downside to it is the all time 4wd....sucks gas like a pig lol

 

you'd have to find a way to swap in a selectable T-case and see if the ECU can be modded allowing you to run 2x4 and 4x4