Trading my Tundra for a midsize SUV, halp me choose

[Czechnology]

If its not to late go test drive a FZJ80 (1994-1997) Land Cruiser with stock lockers. You will be happy. I have owned one for 6 years now and just picked up another Land Cruiser (1983 this go around) a few months ago. My '97 has 220k on it and runs like a top. Just changed my plugs and wires a few months back and other than that it has been trouble free the whole time i've owned it. That being said nissan makes a nice unit....but check out a Land Cruiser

'83 what? FJ60? 55?

[Hanzo]

'83 what? FJ60? 55?

Was my post not clear?

I own both 1997 and 1983 Land Cruiser. The 1994-1997s are also know as FZJ80s (their chassis codes) and the 1980-1985s are referred to as FJ60s (again the chassis code). I was suggesting the OP go check out 94-97 Land Cruiser with stock lockers. Sorry if I was confusing.

[Paladin1]

Land Cruisers are awesome and were at the top of my list, before I went another direction.

The things that I learned is the older ones are underpowered and the newer ones are expensive to maintain. If you can do a lot of your own maintenance that can mitigate the expense.

I still may end up with one one of these days, but in my area a 10yr old one in great shape is pushing 20K. By the time you outfit it as a BOV your spending some cash. And if I'm spending that much then I want something that I don't have to overhaul.

[Domindart]

this is more of a crossover SUV .... turbo.... love it.

[Czechnology]

'83 what? FJ60? 55?

Was my post not clear?

I own both 1997 and 1983 Land Cruiser. The 1994-1997s are also know as FZJ80s (their chassis codes) and the 1980-1985s are referred to as FJ60s (again the chassis code). I was suggesting the OP go check out 94-97 Land Cruiser with stock lockers. Sorry if I was confusing.

There were much more than FJ60's produced in the early 80's. I own a 1981 BJ-44, for example, and there's a whole slew of FJ's that were in production, from 40-45, 55, and a similar line of BJ's and HJ's, with all kinds of frame lengths and body styles.

ETA:81 BJ-44.



FWIW: the number is the chassis code, and the letters are the engine code.

Land Cruisers are awesome and were at the top of my list, before I went another direction.

The things that I learned is the older ones are underpowered and the newer ones are expensive to maintain. If you can do a lot of your own maintenance that can mitigate the expense.

I still may end up with one one of these days, but in my area a 10yr old one in great shape is pushing 20K. By the time you outfit it as a BOV your spending some cash. And if I'm spending that much then I want something that I don't have to overhaul.

As an owner, I can tell you that you're right. Mileage is bad on the pre-60 model FJ's too. I was lucky to find my BJ, and can get low 20mpg with the diesel engine. Downside? 24v ahead of the firewall. I've got a stepdown in the cabin so I can use normal electronics, but it's still a pain running stuff on 13.8.

[Hanzo]

There were much more than FJ60's produced in the early 80's. I own a 1981 BJ-44, for example, and there's a whole slew of FJ's that were in production, from 40-45, 55, and a similar line of BJ's and HJ's, with all kinds of frame lengths and body styles.

Oh got ya I am aware of this but didn't want to go into all that for the OP. Just figured and FZJ80 would be his best bet.

Land Cruisers are awesome and were at the top of my list, before I went another direction.

The things that I learned is the older ones are underpowered and the newer ones are expensive to maintain. If you can do a lot of your own maintenance that can mitigate the expense.

I still may end up with one one of these days, but in my area a 10yr old one in great shape is pushing 20K. By the time you outfit it as a BOV your spending some cash. And if I'm spending that much then I want something that I don't have to overhaul.

This is why I would say get a 94-97. I have never thought I didn't have enough power (with the 97), sure it's not a rocket but for a mid-size SUV it does does just as well as any jeep in my opinion (have not driven a JK model yet though). It has also been THE most trouble free care I have ever owned. As far as "overhauling" a 94-97 Cruiser to be a BOV there's not much you need to do to it (if you find on with stock lockers lol). Mine has an OME 2.5" lift and 33s, and it goes just about anywhere you could ever hope for it to go. A Rubicon is about the only SUV of the factory floor that would do better off road.

Ok I'm done beating my Land Cruiser drum. It just I truely love both my Land Cruiser with a passion and feel its a duty to pass the knowledge on. Sure Czechnology and a slew of other LC owners would tell you the same.

Did you get a Xterra yet BTW? If so pictures are a must

[Czechnology]

If nothing else, you can always get a cruiser and drop a 350 smallblock in. They damn near snap right in.

[RangeRat]

FJ's are less effective if you actually need to travel off road. Every trail I have run in Moab where there was a FJ in the group, it was constantly struggling at obstacles. I had to strap a few up fairly easy obstacles for my Jeep. Granted a lot of it was probably driver error. The IFS is not ideal for rock crawling

LOL, really?




You just haven't been with the right FJs

[roscoe]

Is there a reason you arent comsidering a 4runner? They are great trucks, on a truck frame, and are gcapable off-road and on, and hit the sweet spot of size vs. mileage. The Landcruisers are great, but they are heavy, expensive, and have always gotten poor mileage. I had two older Fjs and while I loved them, I never regretted changing over to the 4runner.

[powerstrokin06]

I vote FJ, Landcruisers and or my own favorite the Hummer H3...I own one and must say they hold their own and or quite a bit larger than one might think....

[Scout308]

Personal Experience with 08 Jeep Rubicon unlimited

4 Door, Electronic Swaybar Disconnect, Front and Rear Lockers







I do a lot of long trips - 1000mi+

The new engine is from what I've heard - better, I have no experience with it.

This thing will go places I will not, I'm generally traveling alone and I'm not young and stupid anymore - I am middle aged+ and wise (OK wiser) and I think about things like having to Hike out 40 miles to find someone to come in hand hall me out - the hike, the time, the cost - ouch.


Fully loaded I get about 17-20 hwy under 60mph near sea level with the roof rack/tent
At 7000 feet - I get about 13-15
Going up hills fully loaded requires a lower gear - 4th at sea level - sometimes 3rd at latitude it is GUTLESS
If it's wet, when you open the door be prepared for a stream of water to come off the roof into the cockpit - depending on the amount of side lean.

The doors do not stay open - because they are removable they have no spring locks to keep them open (trade off)
The mirrors are manual external adjust - no idea why - it has electric windows and door locks - why skip the mirrors?

It's pretty comfortable and was reasonably quite until I put on the roof rack and the tent - roof rack added a noticeable level of noise - tent just a bit more (not enough to care about)

The stock tires on the Rubicon are OK - not really heavy enough for serious off road - I got a gravel flat on the "road" to Race Track in Death Valley - get a higher load rated tire.

The addons are Shrockworks and Rock Hard and Garvin, All very good companies. The winch is Warren - in hind sight - I'd have gone with a different winch and an engine mounted compressor - the warren is OK but expensive.

The back seats lay down fairly flat - but the space is insufficient to lay flat - I'm 5'9"

I don't like the nav system - I still use my Garmin.

If I were to do it again (SUV) I think I'd get the Grand Cherokee with a Hemi, either that or a FJ or X - I don't know enough about either at this point to comment. What I'm probably going to do is get a Ford F150 with an EcoBoost engine (still researching but all indicators are that it's a 28-30mpg TRUCK) needs upgraded springs, and I really wish they'd not dropped (or maybe it's a secret) the Power Takeoff on the transmission - useful for driving an under carriage 10kw generator and other assorted oddities.

[Scout308]

Actually I do like the Jeep, and the power is adequate when not heavily loaded at 7000 feet.

Also in regards to the F150. I [bold]apologize[/bold] for what appears to be misinformation. This thread got me to researching again and user reports on milage are noticeably lower than media reviews. My bad for giving out info... er...NOISE with out having confirmed it my self.

I'm back to considering an Outback, but... no decisions pending.

[Tater Raider]

I'd look at the top 2 choices (you have to pick those) and go test drive the snot out of them. Do some city and some highway both.

The secret to getting good milage is to drive it like you stole it and by like you stole it I mean so you don't attract the cops attention. Go easy on the throttle, obey the speedlimts, keep it under 65 on the freeway (my milage plumets when I go over that), coast to a stop as much as possible, etc.

'11 Wrangler is listed as 19 highway. My Rubi gets 23+ hwy normally, meaning not on my paper route, and with 4.10 gears and 32" tires. I drive like I'm 70 and it works.