Maybe you all have an opinion. Besides my034runner, I also have my874runner. I bought it for $1k and have had plans to swap out the front IFS for a SAS (solid axle swap) and all of the other thing's that it takes to make a pure trail rig. It only has 138k on the original 22re with a 5 speed manual. It's not pretty, but I bought it for a beater, won't care if it rolls, smashes into rocks etc...
We just took in a '96 Crusher (Land Cruiser) here at work. It only has 145k on the original 4.5l straight 6 cyl. Need a new front bumper (ARB) and a major tune up, new belts, hoses, plug, wires, etc... But it already has dual lockers, and of course, a solid front axle. Obviously, my874runner, being much smaller, would be a more- size wise-capable trail/rock rig, while the Crusher is a bigger- albeit capable trail rig as well. The cost of doing everything that I would want to do, would probably be about the cost of buying the '96 Crusher. The Crusher will need a lift, ARB with a winch and maybe recharge the AC.
So, my question is: which should I do, keep my874runner and gut it and build it, OR buy my96crusher and use that for some of the more hard core trails, and preserve my034runner from the abuse that I already inflict on it.
Thanks for your opinions.
Robert


P.S. I'll post this on some of the other forums also, it will be interesting to see what others say as well.

 

I think you answered your own question.

Dont get me wrong the fzj80 with the e-lockers are probably one of if not the greatest STOCK 4x4. both of the guys I usually wheel with both drive fzj80's w/elockers, 2.5 OME, ARB's, and 33's. as long as trail is wide enough they can barely be stopped, but I would still take my runner, and they both have seriously considered switching to runners. the cruisers are EXPENSIVE, from the day you buy them to the day you scrap them. bumpers, susp, aromor, all of it is very expensive. Plus there is very few options in aftermarket. But where are you, and what do you wheel, style?

 

yeah it sound like you want to build the runner just need a push in the right direction
sas the runner add 4" springs some 35" tires,bumpers,sliders and gears and lockers still cheaper than the lc would be
plus it will fit almost any where you go
enjoy and keep us posted
good luck with it

 

I think that owning a big Land Cruiser is something that I would enjoy. In fact, although I've had two Tacomas and plan on a 4Runner next, I will inevitably one day own a FZJ80. I think that because of the relative rarity of Land Cruisers on the trails, you will enjoy the attention it brings to you, the uniqueness of it, and you'll still have your other 4Runner in case you want to blend in on a Yotatech trip. I would say that you should take advantage of the opportunity to drive the FZJ80 because you may not have it again. Anyway, worst case scenario, just leave the 87 Runner out at Ma's farm or whatever and come back to SAS it in 5 years when you're tired of the Cruiser. Nobody ever said it's wrong to have 3 Toyota trucks!

 

Build the Runner... With ALOT less money invested you'll have a WAY more capable trail rig... if you just want a Do-IT all 4x4 then the FZJ may be better as it's better appointed, has more power, and is ALOT bigger inside (if you've got kids etc.) But they're HUGE and building one will cost ALOT more then building the Runner (if you want a trail toy). Besides, you can't take the top off a New Cruiser can you IMO, the Runner has more going for it, the WB is about PERFECT, the removable top, the ease of building them, the abundance of parts and info etc. I don't know where your from or ehat you wheel, but here in the NW, the FZJ will just end up being an expensive piece of thrashed sheetmetal with all our tight trees. Too bad you can't steal the solid axle'sand lockers for the Runner

I lived in OZ for a while and while I really liked our 80, the Burly utilitarian HJ70 Ute and Troupies were my fav's just cause they were smaller and could go ANYWHERE... the 80 was a nice rig, it was just more of a Luxo barge with a good 4x4 system underneath it. And this was in QLD Australia where you can get ANYTHING for LC's.

 

I personally would go for the land cruiser. I have an 87 4runner, and it's not that cheap to build, trust me. All you would need to add to that land cruiser is a lift, sliders, and the ARB and tires. The tune up will be required, but probably you'll end up doing that to the 4runner as well. So for offroading, you're looking at 2.5K to have an Extremely capable truck.
Now, if you have the tight trails where a couple extra inches of width will kill your sides, then by all means keep the 4runner, but otherwise go with the land cruiser.

 

I think it'll depend more on what type of wheeling you're gonna do... If you're camping and just doing trail runs the Cruiser will be fine... if youre talking about tight trails or Crawling the 4Runner will walk all over the Cruiser, it's all about Size...

Axle I realize he already had both, but there's no way you can compare the entry price of a new Cruiser plus all the goodies to SAS'ing and Locking an Old Runner... You'd spend 40K just to get into the Cruiser...

 

Then i suggest you come to colorado to buy a 96 land crusier with 146K on the clock. They are going for around 8k here. we looked into buying one. If its rock crawling you want, the 80 is still better, becuase the drive train is stronger. Rock crawling will dent your truck up anyway, so the wideness isn't reall a factor. So, you can buy a LC for 8K, and spend 4K in bumpers, sliders, lift and tires. You sell the 4runner for 4K, and you're only out the price of the new cruiser.

 

Damn... only 8K!!! That's unreal, although I guess it is 10 years old.

Size wise, I'm refering more to Trees and roots... here in the NW our trails are tight and twisty, shorter WB, and narrower trucks are superior here... (course I still don't know where this guy's from or what he wheels most often so.... ) I was out at Browns CVmp yeaterday, and honestly an 80 wouldn't fit down most of the trails...

We could go b/f all day but when it comes down to it I'd rather have a Gen 1 4Runner than an FJ80 personaly, I own the Former, and have spent ALOT of time guiding 4x4 tours in the other (the 80) and if it wern't for our HJ70 the 80 would still be out in a canyon. I know 4Runners are more common but IMO they're(gen1's) easily one of the coolest 4x4's ever made and they're pretty damn capable rigs to boot... Besides, as far as durability is concerned... remember, a bigger heavier truck with more power will break things easier... my 22RE doesn't have enough power to break anything

This is a moot point, we've got different oppinions and that's cool, at least we're arguing over different Toyota's eh, not some POS Chevy or something

 

ya good point. i see how narrow narrow trails aren't really the thing for an 80. Also true, my 22re won't be breaking anything anytime soon. Good luck with your 4runner.

 

Cheers, It's getting there, my first mod was a liberal dosing of Mud for the paint, I hear it adds about 15hp from the kid down the street with the Winged up Honduh... I relaized after I typed all that, that you too are a Gen1 Runner owner... All I can say is with all the different Cars and trucks I've owned, I love this old Toyota more than any of them... my403runner whaty ever you decide to do, you'll be hapy I'm sure, it's like arguing over wich year of Telecaster is the best( ehem! 1952 ehem!)... they're all still awsome eh... good Luck

Cheers and No Worries

Dave