3rz Taco vs. 80 series Land Cruiser: Long Term

Again, if you buy one that isn't a basket case to begin with, you'll be fine.

Now you're talking about cracking while off-roading etc. Didn't you say off-road use will be limited? Reading about all the frame issues on 1st Gens brings back the point brought up about all the head gasket issues on the 1FZ found on the mud forums.

 

Can't wait to get my LC to drive that way

What all are you running?

My LC's suspension is shot and the 4Runner I had was running King 2.5s front and rear.

 

Idk mine is all original but it still rides better than anything I’ve had before

Are you on Mud? There’s tons of suspension threads on there.

 

After researching it seems like the HG issue on the 1fz is overblown, even many will admit this on Mud. Not any more of an issue than any other vehicle of the same age I’d say.

 

Ah, yeah stock suspension will always ride well on road of course.

My LC has OME coils that are on their last leg, as well as Tokico's that show signs of leaking. Don't need help with what I want or need, simple searches take care of that. I ordered Dobinsons coils and waiting for my Icon shocks.

Yes I'm on mud, but as a viewer to the many informative stickies found there. As far as the banter goes, I ignore it and don't let paranoia get to me.

There are many members here well-versed on LC's as well and so I just go to them if I have questions. One of them is @Speedytech7 and he's posted in this thread.

 

Gotta love the OEM Tokicos, up until a year ago you could still get em despite the brand having been sold to Tenneco (Monroe). KYB is the last manufacturer based in Japan for shocks now.

 

Good ol' OEM Tokico's.

I pulled these from the 4Runner when I threw on Kings.



Fronts were original as well.

 

Honestly out of all the vehicles you mentioned a 3rd gen 4Runner with a 5 speed and rear locker seems the best. Maybe an 85 4Runner with a 3.4 swap would be the best of all worlds.

I do really love the J80 axles though. The perfect mix of strength and relative light-weightness IMO before you start getting into Dana 60s and 14 bolts. Look at all the people talking about putting an FZJ80 frame and axles under xxx, Toyota really got the undercarriage right on that truck. The engine and trans leave something to be desired nowadays but hey, it was developed in the early 90s after all.

 

Get yourself a 3G4R then.

Frames are a bit better than the Taco's; they're actually built in Japan versus Fremont, CA like the Tacoma's were.

But before you get rid of the LC, let me have those black mirrors and door handles, mine are chrome

 

Lol the drivers side handle just broke the other day in fact.

The trouble with the 4Runner is it’s hard to find with a manual and rear locker.

 

The guy with the truck sent me undercarriage pics above. Not as rust free as I thought. I'd be worried about corrosion starting inside the frame rails.

Oh well, about ready to give up on finding a rust free Tacoma.

 

I mean is this a 12k truck anymore.

have a feeling the jig is up with these inflated first gen Tacoma prices. No more free money and everyone's broke with the rising cost of living. Could be wrong though.

Anyway if I'm spending that much I want it to be 100% rust free, not even "surface rust", whatever that means.

 

Found a really good one today, the guy seems willing to trade which would be a real coup for me I think.

With the short wheelbase and low weight so reckon it should be significantly more capable than the land crusher in stock form.

Only 104,000 miles too!