Cruiser Questions

[Houndoc]

As my Montero Sport racks up miles, I am thinking about other vehicle options. Thinking of family-friendly rigs, got to think Land Cruiser, right?

So, since a vehicle still must serve as my 85-mile-a-day commuter, needs to be reliable enough to get me to work and back nightly. Cruiser, right?

Anyway, what are the key features of various model years to focus on? Having factory lockers is obviously feature #1 of importance.

How are they for clearance, entry and departure angles etc stock and how expensive are they to lift?

What tire sizes fit stock vs different lift options?

 

[Greg]

I take it you're talking about the 4 door Wagon FJ80 & FZJ80 Land Cruisers? As I understand, the FJ80's never came with e-lockers, while the newer FZJ80's did have the option. Kurt can add more info than I'll ever know, so I'll let him chime in.

I have been seeing older FJ80's popping up for sale around $5k... at that price, I've been thinking about having one as a family/expedition rig. Mild lift, 33" tires, a winch & snorkel... build it for extended trips around CO & UT. I think they'd make a great vehicle for that. I've been thinking hard about picking one up.

Lifting them should be somewhat less-expensive, since they have solid axles F & R and coils on all corners. I bet an Old Man Emu lift would provide the needed lift & still ride well for daily drivers. Here's some info from Kurts site, gets you an idea of prices too.

Old Man Emu for FJ80's

 

[Brian P]

85 mile commuter...Look elsewhere, Most cruisers get 12-15 MPG

 

[Houndoc]

85 mile commuter...Look elsewhere, Most cruisers get 12-15 MPG

I get 16 or so now...and is any trail rig going to really do much better?

 

[Houndoc]

I take it you're talking about the 4 door Wagon FJ80 & FZJ80 Land Cruisers? As I understand, the FJ80's never came with e-lockers, while the newer FZJ80's did have the option. Kurt can add more info than I'll ever know, so I'll let him chime in.

I guess the other area for the cruise heads to chime in is locker options for those w/o factory lockers.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

80's are great rigs, no doubt... but for your commute its gonna be a pricey one! As Brian P. mentioned, with a built rig your lucky to get into the teens for mileage, more realistically 11-13 mpg for mixed driving.

As far as the vehicle themselves, excellent rigs no doubt. There are alot of minor changes (syling, interior, etc) but the major ones to know:

90-92 FJ80 has the older 3FE inline-6, great motor, but a bit lacking on power
93-97 FZJ80 has the 1FZ inline-6, great motor
93 & newer has the FF axle (not in all the early models) with the OPTION of OE E-Lockers

The locked models are really pretty rare, mabey 15% of each model year? And thus they seem to demand a bit more $$$. Make sure to physically check for lockers and the switch, very often sellers confuse the CENTER diff lock (they have a viscous coupler) with actual axle lockers. Makes a sweet deal feel sour when you go to pick it up.

Build info here:
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/tech_80_upgrade.html

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I get 16 or so now...and is any trail rig going to really do much better?

Tacomas and 4Runners can stay in the high-teens, even when moderatly built... and still feel alot "sportier" all the while. 80's are kind've slugs, great rigs, but slugs. Toyota recently discontinued the supercharger for the 80's but you can still find used rigs equipped as such. There is a local WC member selling a VERY clean charged 80, I think he is looking for ~$ 19k LMK if your interested and I'll grab some info.

Another club member is selling this:
It's a 1994 with factory lockers, ARB front bumper, ARB roof rack, metaltech sliders, OME J springs all the way around, 1.25" Spacers up front. It has almost 180,000 on the odometer. It also comes with (not installed) one new Toyota birf, all hoses and belts all genuine Toyota. I have replaced the driver side birf with a new Toyota one during cruise Moab.

Issues
Scratches, the paint has many pinstripes and some scratches from my dog.
Power Locks the lock button on the driver side needs to be replaced (the door lock works with the key though)

It has a drip from the power steering somewhere I have had to top it off twice in the year I have owned it.

Pic's upon request. $10,500

I guess the other area for the cruise heads to chime in is locker options for those w/o factory lockers.

LockRight, Aussie, Detroit, ARB or retrofit OE Lockers

 

[Rot Box]

I get 16 or so now...and is any trail rig going to really do much better?

A 4Runner with the 3.4L would be a pretty nice option if you ask me... Avaliable E-locker rear, plenty of power, Toyota reliability, tons of aftermarket support, decent fuel milage ect.. ect... Just a thought

 

[Houndoc]

A 4Runner with the 3.4L would be a pretty nice option if you ask me... Avaliable E-locker rear, plenty of power, Toyota reliability, tons of aftermarket support, decent fuel milage ect.. ect... Just a thought

Alright, but I thought 4Runners (and Tacos) have the evil IFS??

Which years/models of 4Runners have the locker option and how easy are they to find?

 

[projektdotnet]

I don't know about the e-locker question but you are right Tacos and 4rnrs have IFS. Such an evil evil thing. But be not without worry for there are many SAS options out there . Also from someone who has driven lots of long miles in an FJ80 I must agree with Kurt the 3FE although great off the pavement is not so powerful on the pavement. Also the departure angle could use some work. Other than that no complaints.

 

[Houndoc]

So, I guess I will keep an open mind and consider 4Runners as well....please share recommended models for best off-road etc.

Anyone do much with the double cab Tacos? Would be a great rig in many ways, although lenght (202" I think) and long wheel base (123"??) are concerns. Any personal experince out there?

 

[Rot Box]

If a Solid Axle is a must then I'd probably go with the Cruiser.

The IFS on a 3rd gen 4runner has a lot of potential but that takes a pretty substantial amount of money to upgrade, and still won't preform the way a solid axle will IMO. Also a solid axle swap these years is a royal pain compared to the earlier models.....

Hope I didn't make this any more confusing :-\ Good luck,

Andrew

 

[Houndoc]

If I had a good option for a rear locker on the MS I could simply add that and be the same baot as a 4Runner, but options are very limited.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've had my IFS Ex-Cab Taco and Double Cab Taco on trips all over the state, the Pickle, Hog Canyon, Cliff Hanger, etc, etc, etc... They are great setups and reliable. If you need tires bigger than 33", then a SAS would be a must, but they work amazingly well with a simple upgrades suspension kit (ie. the OME systems for Tacomas). I always said I would SAS my Taco when it was payed off... years later I never thought twice about it... its not a rock-crawling chassis, why try and mask it as one

 

[Houndoc]

Thanks for the feedback, Kurt.

It is good to know the double cab did well for you. Will keep that on my list as well...it would work very well for other uses beside wheeling.

 

[SUPERFLY]

i just picked up an 80 with the lockers and it is nice in the past week i put about 800 miles on it and about 300-350 was off road. its pretty much stock but it keeps its own really well.

but if you are looking for a comuter/wheeler get honda when you buy the cruiser, with the money you spend on gas in the first month you will have paid for the honda. (trust me, i went from 4 cylinder 4runner to 80 series, not cool)

if you are really looking for dual purpose, look into a 2nd gen 4runner with a 22re. With a 3 in lift, rear locker and a skilled driver you should be able to do a lot of decent trails in moab and get great mpgs.

also, im not a huge jeep guy but a cherokee might be up your alley as well. efi, automatic, good large motor, capable, cheep, and depending on what gears/tires you run you might get decent mpg's

 

[Houndoc]

also, im not a huge jeep guy but a cherokee might be up your alley as well. efi, automatic, good large motor, capable, cheep, and depending on what gears/tires you run you might get decent mpg's

Have thought about re-entering the Jeep world. Had an XJ before Monty, sold it in part because the back seat didn't comfortably hold three car seats.

Now 2 of 3 kids are out of them, third in a booster so may be an option. Milage was similar to what I get now.

May keep my eye open for moderately built Jeep as well.

I guess my real issue is wanting a locker. Only options for the Montero Sport is a front ARB or rear axle swap from an older MS with factory locker. Either of those take cash out of pocket, which I don't have since the family needs a horse trailer more than I need a locker.

A vehicle swap that takes little cash on the other hand is at least something I am looking at.

 

[Rot Box]

You really can't get a locker for your current rear axle? I've obviously never looked into one, but it seems that your outfit is very popular overseas. I’m certain that the Pajero’s had a factory air locker option I wonder if they used a similar diff carrier (thinking out loud again)…… Anyway seeing Mitsubishi's offroad is just cool if you ask me

 

[Meat_]

...the family needs a horse trailer more than I need a locker...

behind Monty?

 

[Houndoc]

You really can't get a locker for your current rear axle? Anyway seeing Mitsubishi's offroad is just cool if you ask me

Searching high and lo and none to be found. The last couple of years of the MS life they went to a large axle and to 31 spline (fron 28). No lockers out there. Not even a limited slip.....

Other than the lack of after market, I love the Montero Sport. I may just need to wait it out and eventually go with the front ARB.

And no, the horses (and boat) get pulled behind my Yukon XL, not Monty.