Considering getting an 80 series land cruiser

Damn I love this forum!!
Great information everyone! Thank you

so if I understand correctly, the 80 series is far more capable Offroad but is less desirable for DD and highway driving, and the 100 series is more desirable for DD and highway driving but less capable Offroad correct??

this will be my DD that I’ll build up over time. So how much more capable is the 80 series off-road compared the 100 series? I like the v8 option the 100 series offers, but What would I be sacrificing for a v8 with more bells and whistles?

again thank you all for the information!!

 

As long as one doesn't have an extra locker, an 80 and Hundy are gonna be neck and neck off road. You can build either one to the gills and gain lots of capability.

With a 100 series you get 2 more cylinders, an extra gear (as long as you go 2003+) with no mileage sacrifice (they both suck). And the Birfs on an 80 will require more maintenance than the front end of a Hundy.

There arent many downsides to the 100 series: starter kinda sucks, exhaust manifolds leak/tick, heater tees, etc. But they are bulletproof just like an 80.

Toyota had some really exceptional engineering and assembly back in those days, and it's really crazy how well built a Landcruiser is.

 

The argument of 80 versus hundy has been raging for better part of twenty five years.

Many people have owned both. Many have owned more than one of each.

I'm an 80 guy. Without question. Had one or more of them since 2000. Bought an LX470 new in 2002 for my wife and owned it for ten years. Currently have a high mile 2004 100 series.

If you really care about creature comforts, then the 100 wins. If you are a tall dude or have REALLY long legs, the 100 wins.

But for me, in every other category, the 80 is simply more of what I want. And I don't daily any of my land cruisers (currently 1967 through 2004). That chore is the responsibility of my first year Taco (which is currently Inop).

As for the powerplant, each have their minor issues.

Engine specs: The 1998-2005 100 has 235 hp @ 4800 and 320 tqs at 3400. All FZJ80s have 212hp @4600 and 275tqs @ 3200. Sounds like a lot, but all those convenience items add up to more weight. 5400lbs vs 4800.

The five speed transmission in the later 100s gives a noticeable boost to on road performance. No doubt about it. But really, it isn't until you drop serious coin on a 2006-7 vvti 100, does it really matter.


Find a nice example of each model and drive them. Have your wife drive them. Then start to shop. Pricing is going to be basically the same for the 80%ile example of either truck. Lower miles and lockers tend to send 80 pricing higher much more quickly, though.

And if you're shopping the 100, budget for the AHC to fail (if so equipped, which means all LXs and most later LCs). And then replace it with a traditional setup.

 

Owned a 96 land cruiser as my first vehicle when I turned 16 lol

Absolutely loved it, an absolute tank. Front/center/rear lockers came stock. Crawl under it and see the massive chassis and drivetrain. They were all Made in Japan too, at least mine was

It had a bullet proof in-line 6 gasoline motor, do not recall any of them having a diesel motor unless it was from Europe, Asia, or Middle East maybe.. or motor swap

they drive up sorta high and feel cushy but overall they drive great. The tailgate is just massive and heavy everything about it is a tank

The Full time 4wd is also badass (not to be confused with crappy awd). Best snow car there is period. Enjoy 4 wheel drive with a center diff so power is variable from like 60rear/40 front to 70rear/30 front.
AWD systems are built into the rear dif and only get like 90rear/10front maybe 85rear/15 front..

Standard 4x4 like all other tacomas, tundras, and most 4runners are fixed 50/50 when put in 4wd. Which can be nice, but causes wear on your drivetrain when you turn. No way around it.
That is why the full time 4 wheel drive system with beefy center dif on these land cruisers is bullet proof and best vehicle for highway snow driving and snow in general

only other vehicle with this system besides land cruiser is the modern Limited 4runner. Probably next best option.

I got around 350k miles on my LC before selling it but I wish I had kept it

 

Careful when you buy one to ensure it has the front and rear lockers. Some dirty online seller will even put the locker knob in the dash to make it look like the car has lockers in photos. You’ll need to crawl down under to check

 

This is true. Flippers and other sleazy sellers will buy the 80's locker knob and pop it into the dash. It's only about $50 and will net them several thousand from an unsuspecting buyer.

Absolute best way to verify is to look at the VIN sticker on the door jamb. You want to see code K294 in the center just below the bar code.

I grabbed this internet pic to show what it looks like when NOT EQUIPPED with factory installed triple lockers (Code K292).

 

Start here for info on the 100, and hit the 80 guide while you are there--this is by far the most comprehensive run down of information.
https://sleeoffroad.com/tech-zone/100-series-newbie-guide/

As mentioned above, the 100 is plenty capable off road. I wheeled my 100 for the first time back in June, and I went everywhere that I used to go with my 80, it just took a little more finesse. The real difference is in what you want to do with it. The 80 can fit 35s with minimal work while the 100 cannot. If you put 33s on both, they will both go the same places. The 80 is a point and shoot beast off road, while the 100 requires a little more intelligent driving. You are used to IFS already, so I don't think you'll mind the 100 at all. So, unless you are going for a hard core build, the 100 wins in my book. I had 3 different 80s, and now have 3 100s. I still miss my 80. Here is a quick rundown of points I find useful to consider.

-2uz is a common engine in north america--most mechanics will have encountered it, a sibling (1uz and 3uz), or a cousin (5vz). The 1FZ was only sold in the 80 series, and the only cousin is the 1JZ.
-1998 LC does not have rear air, 1999 does. Both years of LX have the rear AC.
-98 and 99 had a rear locker available, but have a weaker front diff. You will break it if you wheel even somewhat hard. It can be replaced with a diff from 2000-2002.
-2000 on up have ATRAC and no lockers--you should have ATRAC on your 02, so again, a familiar system.
-There are no cheap auto lockers available for these. Selectable is all that is made, with Harrop, ARB, and OEM retrofits leading the way.

As you you get to 03 and newer, things start to get fancier, and more expensive to fix. Rain sensing wipers, tpms etc. So while the power goes up and you get a 5 speed transmission, complexity goes up as well. So, I think that 2000--2002 is the sweet spot. I also think that the ATRAC and VSC are very well executed systems and work very well. Later versions tended to have the NAV system more often, which is nice because of the backup camera, but the system is crap compared to a garmin, and total crap compared to google maps. The problem is that the HVAC controls are integrated into the NAV screens, so if you want to change out the radio, you lose your heat and AC. There is a way to address this, but it consists of sourcing all of the used parts to convert your center stack over to the non-NAV system--not worth it in my opinion. There are widgets out there that allow you to add bluetooth streaming, but none are as clean or functional as a modern stereo.

-Last point: Don't let AHC scare you off. If it has been maintained well, it is really nice. If it hasn't, it isn't terribly difficult to address and you always have the bailout of buying a set of torsion bars, a set of coils, and some shocks. FWIW, I have a 99 with a locker, a 99 without, and a 2000 LX.

 

Damn good info!!

 

Nice! Thank you

 

More refined and modern conveniences are good arguments for the 100. But the 80 is cooler

 

DEP unite!


This was my locked '93 that I sold a couple months ago. 95K miles.

 

This one's my locked '97 CE. Too nice to drive, so she just chills under a cover at the back of the garage.

 

I have a 1997 collectors addition cruiser that's triple locked as my weekend toy. I bought it in 2015 and daily drove it for 4 years. It's fun as hell to drive and with 3 lockers it will go ANYWHERE I point it. The engine has never given me any problems. Only thing is all 80s for some reason burn a little oil so you gotta keep an eye on it and top it off every now and then. It's a tank and weighs a lot. If you're worried about gas mileage, they're terrible for that, which is why I only drive mine on the weekends. They're beautiful and have quite the aftermarket support. I can honestly say I'll never sell mine.

 

Agreed! The <1998’s are way cooler looking!
It may seem trivial, but I love the look of the 80’s they look like they were made to kick ass. Whereas the 100’s look like they’re made for rich soccer moms..

 

Practically a minivan.

This is our 250K mile '04. Complete with the gawddawful Gulf States fender flares.

 

Good lookin rig!!

 

Damn 95k miles?!!!

 

Ok so do you have any reference photos of the triple lockers under the vehicle?
I’m certainly no expert, and I’m not sure what the lockers look like.
If there are some photos with the triple lockers and some pictures without them that would be extremely helpful!
-Thanks

 

Does anyone know how difficult and costly it is to swap out the gasoline I6 In an 80 series to a diesel 1HD-FTE Engine?
Or maybe a less costly engine option that can get it closer to 20 mpg with bulletproof reliability?

 

I keep my 1 owner 3xlocked 95 in the back of my pole barn. Im replacing the hg now. Undercarriage & body is rust free on this one. My other 80 is also 3xlocked but it's a rust bucket that I bought cheap off of a local Tacomaworld member. I use it as my mountain beater up at my cabin.