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Show me your old Tacos (4Runner, FJ, Landcruiser, bronco etc)


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On 12/9/2020 at 9:17 PM, Your Mom said:

Here’s my 2000 LX470. I would’ve liked to have an 80 series instead but I do way too much highway driving and the 100s are just way better on the road.
The LX has the adjustable height suspension so I can lift and lower it a couple inches as needed. That will go out one day and I’ll replace it with conventional suspension with a 2” lift. But for now it rides smooth as butter.
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I have the 3rd row seats removed and a drawer system that forms a sleeping platform with the 2nd row seats folded down. Perfect simple car camping. No tent needed if there’s just two of us. The girlfriend likes it way better than a tent and I like the convenience of it.
There’s a fridge in the back powered by a 100w solar panel on the roof when I’m not driving and by my alternator when I am. Steaks on camping trips, cold beer after every mountain bike ride, cold Gatorades for the kids after practices, etc... It runs 24/7 and I love never needing ice. I can pull the fridge and portable battery out at a campsite and put in a second air mattress for sleeping 2 or I can just sleep next to it when I’m solo.
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It’s 6 years older than my old Taco but so much nicer. I had all the seat leather reupholstered and it's getting a new stereo with wireless Apple Carplay next week. The gas mileage sucks but I love driving it. It’s my daily driver for the next 3 years until my younger son turns 16. It’ll go to him and I’ll finally by something newer for myself. Probably a 200 series Cruiser or a 4runner.


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Nice setup on your 100.  I would be wary of leaving a cooler/fridge out overnight when in CO.  Bears know what's in there.  Ask me how I know...

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On 1/1/2021 at 7:35 AM, Your Mom said:

GF and I just spent 3 days in and around Big Bend Ranch State Park in mine.  First time I played around with the rear diff locker.  Probably didn't need it but locking it up to crawl up a few creek crossings on the backroads was fun.  It makes it so easy.  No slippage at all.

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Unless you installed it aftermarket, you have a center diff lock, not a rear locker.  Rear lockers were eliminated in US spec 100s in 1999.

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Picked up a 2002 Landcruiser for my oldest to learn to drive.  Almost 2 years later, he still has no desire to drive, but I drive this more than I drive my Audi.  I like it so much I think I'm going to order a 2021 Landcruiser and have one of the last of the greats.

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On 12/10/2020 at 6:37 AM, Armybrat said:

My oldest son’s free 4x4 - one of his bank perks...

That truck ain’t got any soul.

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That’s a sweet truck with plenty of soul! I just picked up a Tahoe in this exact execution. This after having four Land Rovers.  I’m VERY happy. 
 

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Picked up a 2002 Landcruiser for my oldest to learn to drive.  Almost 2 years later, he still has no desire to drive, but I drive this more than I drive my Audi.  I like it so much I think I'm going to order a 2021 Landcruiser and have one of the last of the greats.
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I’ve got the itch and mulling over trading up to a new(er) Audi or getting some flavor of Toyota. The 11 year old wants to start hunting and fishing more, and I like the idea of something I can ding up and get dirty.

But I sure do like driving my Audi.
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These old 4Runners are hard to beat for a deer lease/outdoor vehicle and so much more practical and cheaper than a side by side at least for my uses. Loaded the dog, ice chest, clothing, deer corn and two rifles into the back of the runner. Drove 150 miles and then drove all over the ranch corning roads; cutting wood etc.

It’s just hard to find one vehicle that is this reliable, capable off road and street legal!

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23 hours ago, Buzzrock said:

 


I’ve got the itch and mulling over trading up to a new(er) Audi or getting some flavor of Toyota. The 11 year old wants to start hunting and fishing more, and I like the idea of something I can ding up and get dirty.

But I sure do like driving my Audi.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love my Audi.  But I don't drive much around Denver now that everyone is WFH.  Most of my driving is in the mountains.  Audi not so great on snowy dirt roads.  Not enough clearance...

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So I’m jonesing for a third/weekend warrior vehicle, and am thinking 90’s era Land Cruiser is the ticket.

Curious about towing capacity. Needs to handle a 22’ Center Console. Thoughts?
Are you talking 80 or 100 series? 80 probably not up to the task on towing. 100 is borderline. They are both under powered, but especially the 80.
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12 hours ago, Chewbacca said:
13 hours ago, MirrOlure said:
So I’m jonesing for a third/weekend warrior vehicle, and am thinking 90’s era Land Cruiser is the ticket.

Curious about towing capacity. Needs to handle a 22’ Center Console. Thoughts?

Are you talking 80 or 100 series? 80 probably not up to the task on towing. 100 is borderline. They are both under powered, but especially the 80.

yea, 100 series would be better but still not great. Also seems like the 100 series can be found cheaper than the 80s these days. At least an 80 series that's not in need of a lot of work. 

Little Rojo turns 14 in a few weeks, and I've been kicking around the idea of buying him a project truck that we could work on together for a couple years until he's old enough to drive it. Thinking of maybe a 3rd gen 4Runner, early 2nd gen Tacoma, or maybe even an 80 or early 100 series Cruiser. We can park it in the barn at my in-laws place in Llano and work on it when we're there on the weekends. Ideally something that's high mileage, but well cared for mechanically. We can work on cosmetics, light mechanical, maybe a small lift or level, and interior work/lights/stereo, etc. A guy in my neighborhood has an early 100 series with ARB bumpers, lift, roof rack, external spare, etc. The boy drools every time we go by it (so do I), but I think a runner or taco would be a better choice. (better availability, cheaper parts/upgrades, lower insurance & gas expense)

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1 hour ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

yea, 100 series would be better but still not great. Also seems like the 100 series can be found cheaper than the 80s these days. At least an 80 series that's not in need of a lot of work. 

Little Rojo turns 14 in a few weeks, and I've been kicking around the idea of buying him a project truck that we could work on together for a couple years until he's old enough to drive it. Thinking of maybe a 3rd gen 4Runner, early 2nd gen Tacoma, or maybe even an 80 or early 100 series Cruiser. We can park it in the barn at my in-laws place in Llano and work on it when we're there on the weekends. Ideally something that's high mileage, but well cared for mechanically. We can work on cosmetics, light mechanical, maybe a small lift or level, and interior work/lights/stereo, etc. A guy in my neighborhood has an early 100 series with ARB bumpers, lift, roof rack, external spare, etc. The boy drools every time we go by it (so do I), but I think a runner or taco would be a better choice. (better availability, cheaper parts/upgrades, lower insurance & gas expense)

80 series is the best of the bunch (though overpriced for now). But they will last. Live front axle, the in-line 6, just very, very reliable. By far the best off-roading vehicle I have ever owned (I've had two 80s, a 100, a FJ55, a 200 and a late model Tundra, and nothing comes anywhere even remotely close to the 80). They are very easy to work on, and very easy to modify. Great all around vehicles. I miss my 97 40th Anniversary 80 series every day. 

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1 hour ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

yea, 100 series would be better but still not great. Also seems like the 100 series can be found cheaper than the 80s these days. At least an 80 series that's not in need of a lot of work. 

Little Rojo turns 14 in a few weeks, and I've been kicking around the idea of buying him a project truck that we could work on together for a couple years until he's old enough to drive it. Thinking of maybe a 3rd gen 4Runner, early 2nd gen Tacoma, or maybe even an 80 or early 100 series Cruiser. We can park it in the barn at my in-laws place in Llano and work on it when we're there on the weekends. Ideally something that's high mileage, but well cared for mechanically. We can work on cosmetics, light mechanical, maybe a small lift or level, and interior work/lights/stereo, etc. A guy in my neighborhood has an early 100 series with ARB bumpers, lift, roof rack, external spare, etc. The boy drools every time we go by it (so do I), but I think a runner or taco would be a better choice. (better availability, cheaper parts/upgrades, lower insurance & gas expense)

A 4Runner or Taco would be cheaper for sure.  I got the LC because of full time 4WD.  I bought it to teach my oldest how to drive and wanted to make sure he didn't have to decide whether to put it in 4WD or not when weather got bad.  2 years later he still isn't interested in driving...

 

An 80 is a better offroader than a 100.  The 100 does everything else better (while still being a very good offroader).  Just depends on what you want out of the truck.  Neither one will get you more than 14-15 mpg if that is a concern.

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Just now, MirrOlure said:

So that's disappointing to hear on towing with the 80 series.

Follow-up question:  research on the FZJ80 line shows a higher towing capacity than the FJ80.  Would that change the opinions on towing ability?  

Nope.  It's just underpowered.  Even the 100 is underpowered.  Have to go to a 200 to get a LC with any real towing capabilities.

 

They'll do it, just very slowly.

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7 minutes ago, MirrOlure said:

So that's disappointing to hear on towing with the 80 series.

Follow-up question:  research on the FZJ80 line shows a higher towing capacity than the FJ80.  Would that change the opinions on towing ability?  

Yes. It would change it from "that's not possible" to the original assessment of "that would be hard." 

Here's the reality: the FZJ80 has a 212 horsepower, in-line 6 with 4.5L displacement. It is geared very low, and its relatively large displacement and torque make it a very serviceable driving around vehicle (even on the highway) that really excels when it gets off the pavement, and then goes totally bananatown when put in low range. In fact, you would have a tough time finding a BETTER vehicle for towing something off road. But on the road, it just does not have the horsepower to tow something heavy. I've towed maybe 4500 pounds with one before, and uphills are a slog. 

It's a passenger vehicle. It's a high-level off-roading vehicle that was civilized just enough for the American road system. But it does not go fast, it does not accelerate quickly, and it does not tow well. 

Edited by BHMCruiser
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On 1/17/2021 at 10:32 PM, Buzzrock said:

Man, Car and Driver is no fan of the Tacos. 4/10 for the last three years at least for the 4Runner. 

C/D are a bunch of dorks that don't know Jack shit about trucks nor SUVs.  They live in a world where everyone is a rich single dude that drives a sedan during the week and a sports car on the weekend.  They gave the Ridgeline truck of the year when it first came out.  

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22 hours ago, MirrOlure said:

Dang.  Really hoping to find something other than a pickup/Tahoe/Suburban.  Thanks for the info...

I've thought about this more. As long as you didn't mind going slow or have to go too far, or didn't do it every weekend, you could do it. I think it would be a fair trade for all the great things about the 80 series. But again, I'm a Land Cruiser nut.

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33 minutes ago, BHMCruiser said:

I've thought about this more. As long as you didn't mind going slow or have to go too far, or didn't do it every weekend, you could do it. I think it would be a fair trade for all the great things about the 80 series. But again, I'm a Land Cruiser nut.

I agree; I’ve been eyeing those 80 series for a while and think they are some of the best looking LCs ever made. Looks like their values are going through the roof; wish I would have pulled the trigger a couple years ago

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23 minutes ago, cknight said:

I agree; I’ve been eyeing those 80 series for a while and think they are some of the best looking LCs ever made. Looks like their values are going through the roof; wish I would have pulled the trigger a couple years ago

Best place to go is ih8mud.com and look at the 80s classified section. Most of the ones being sold there, while expensive, are owned by people knowledgeable about them who have taken care of them. 

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I dropped my LX off this morning to have the timing belt and water pump done at Land Cruiser Specialist in Austin. I always like checking out what they have coming through the shop. A whole fleet of awesomeness was there today including this especially sweet 200.




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I've thought about this more. As long as you didn't mind going slow or have to go too far, or didn't do it every weekend, you could do it. I think it would be a fair trade for all the great things about the 80 series. But again, I'm a Land Cruiser nut.

So, towing a yet as of acquired 22’ boat is at most 10% of the duties that I have in mind for this vehicle. And flat roads except for overpasses and bridges and boat ramps...80 miles or less per haul.

So I think all odds still tip in favor of a 90’s era vehicle. Will report back. Great thread.
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On 1/22/2021 at 10:29 AM, BHMCruiser said:

Best place to go is ih8mud.com and look at the 80s classified section. Most of the ones being sold there, while expensive, are owned by people knowledgeable about them who have taken care of them. 

Yeah, everyone who owns (or wants to own) a LC/LX should be on MUD.

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