the question is: how does one choose between two of the finest choices? the answer has to be then, purpose specific. my opinion (remember, i'm some loser nobody on a virtual bulletin board), if you are going to do realtively severe off-roading often enough to justify the fuel econ., then go LC. they are the coolest up until 97 (last year live axle).

otherwise, go runner. i've got one and i love it. although it's IFS, it has a factory electric locker so it kind of makes up for the potential traction loss. either way, you can't lose, given the other options (read: other manufacturers). your off to a great start with a yota

 

Get the 4runner, then buy my stock 97 LTD bumper to replace the damaged one on that. (definitely cheaper than getting that one fixed)!

Talking out of heresay, since I don't have it, but with a differential drop (cheap), most people seem to think the SAW's are ok with CV angles.

Honestly, you win either way you choose.

 

I'd say pick the LC. I wish I can find a 95-97 LC with FR and RR lockers around here. If I do, I'll buy it right away.

 

We've got 'em down here. It's just that they all have about 150K miles on them and they're all about $14K. At that mileage, you're gonna have some things break down, no matter how well it's been taken care of. And $14K for some more problems to deal with is a bit steep. I can buy problems a lot cheaper than that.

 

dude the lc is ugly get the runner

 

If I found one around here, I'll build it up like this.

 

the way i see it is that 4runner is already modded, who knows what type of labor went into it, and what kind of quality. so i would be weary of the 4runner just because it has already been modded, but someone else.
now that LC is totally sweet, a great find. however, i see it as just being too big to take on many trails, and the maintenance and mileage will really suck. Major service (every 30k miles) on an LC is $100 more than any other vehicle, so keep that in mind.
plus i would really hate to beat up that LC, i would be quicker to bash the 4runner since its a bit cheaper and easier to maintain.
but... alas this is just my $.02

-Casey

 

So looking through the classifieds today I spotted a '98 4runner V6 4x4 auto with one owner (2 in the same family) and they're asking $8270. It's vehicle history report (gotta love carfax) is clean. The only problem is that it has 121,000+ on it. If it wasn't for the high mileage I might jump all over this. I havn't really seen on the forums what to look for as the truck ages, just how to fix stuff that breaks. any advice on what to look for would be much appreciated.

 

go with the 4 runner

 

dude that runner is new (121,000 is nothing)

 

I've been eyeing that Cruiser for close to a couple weeks now. I'd consider pulling the trigger if I could convince my wife to swap it out with her minivan. Otherwise, I'll continue my search for another 1st gen. In any event, now is the time to buy, as most people are spending on presents, not vehicles, this time of year. If you're here in SoCal, you've undoubtly noticed that there are millions of 80 and 100 series LC's on the road driven by soccer mom's. I foresee a big glut of them on the market within the next few years, especially if gas stays in the $2.25+ per gallon range. As for Death Valley, apparently it's mostly backroads, so you shouldn't need a hardcore rig, and a 4Runner would probably work much better than a LC in sand (its lighter). Check out death-valley.us I'm hoping to do some expeditioning there as well as the Panamints myself. Good luck.