I'll back this up, eventhough I'm aware this will star a riot here. In Venezuela <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> 4Runners are grocery getters and LCs are for the hardcore wheelers.

BTW, are you writing from Vzla or from USA?

Just to clarify from an earlier post, when referring to the 4runner as being a "better choice offroad", I was comparing the '85ish 4runner with a solid front axle to the fzj80.

In no way would I ever claim that a new 4runner is better offroad than a Cruiser of ANY variety! That my friends, would be totally false.

Gonzo,
I purchased a 2001 l/c over a brand new Sequoia. The Sequoia is built on a tundra truck bed therefore, it has a "trukier ride than the L/C .The L/C has its own bed made exclusively for it.
It has a much smoother ride and it is the most awesome SUV I have ever driven.

I have a 99 LC 100 and the only thing I dont like about it is the Tailgate. Very good design for camping and utility work but cumbersome for wife grocery getting purpose. I have 2" lift and 2" taller tire which makes it about 3" taller than stock. The tailgate makes is really hard to load unload things.

LC IFS are long travel design. It have 7.5" travel standard compared to about 6.??" on sequoia. The control arms are about 50% longer than sequoia. Inside you would feel the LC have much better build quality than sequioa. The sequoia are more like domestic SUV. The 3rd row seat fold to the side on LC. It fold to the front on sequoia and would need to be removed if you need to load long items (correct me if I am wrong). Plus a lot of people will notice that you buy a LandCruiser not just another SUV.

Good luck on your decision.

hi, well i may help you to resolve your problem....
I have a 00 toyota hilux,some months ago, me and a friend went offroad,in my hilux and his moms 99 4Runner.
The terrain was really difficult,the differentials back stab us,but with some speed you can pass almost anything in these vehicles(2 gear 4low).The thing is, that my hilux does not have much to envy the 4Runner in offroad abilities.
The new 4Runner is better for offroading than the last model,but dont get confused...the more important change in the offroad performance is the rear auto-locking differential and the new engine that is very amazing.
The Land Cruiser... is another level of vehicle let me explain you some....
First: Toyota company assure`s that the "Ladder desing for chassis" is the MORE DURABLE,REALIABLE,RESISTANT,TOUGH ETC. KIND OF CHASSIS.Only 2 vehicles of toyota has that kid of chassis design the Land Cruiser and the Land Cruiser Prado.I may add that this desing is unbreakable,if you dont believe me just crash against a land cruiser.
Second:The suspention of the Land cruiser has 8 modalities, for every different situation(offroad)...4runner doesnt
Third:The 4wheel drive traction... the 4runner traction is a simple 4wd that can be connected by some buttons, and if you put the 4low , the auto-lock rear differential is automaticly connected.
NOW BE CAREFUL... THE LOCK DIFF OF THE 4RUNNER IS A SIMPLE AUTO-LOCK DIFF...i say simple cause that kinf ok lock doesnt block the 100%,in other words if you demand too much, the lock will stop blocking.This is normal,almost all the offroad vehicles has this same system,sequoia,pajero,patrol,discovery etc
Now lets talk about the Land cruiser traction:
Is a full time 4wd system,if you connect the low,will appear some light in the panel, like "no abs",means that when you connect low the abs will be disconnected(we all know that is very dangerous to go offroad in a car that has abs),also will appear a draw, that says "center differential locked", ...but this continues... you can also lock the rear and front differentials (front diff in some versions of vehicle) and the most important thing....Land Cruiser has 3 differentials locks Rear,Center,and Front,ALL THESE 3 LOCKS ARE IN 100%, MEANS THAT YOU CAN DEMAND ALL THAT YOU WANT TO THE LOCKS AND THEY WILL DO THEIR JOB , ALWAYS, THEY WILL NEVER STOP BLOCKING.
Plus the quality of the lc is in another level, in africa you will be considered mad if you go to an excursion without at least one land cruiser.
and another thing... the land cruiser prado is much better offroader than the 4runner of sequoia,the land cruiser prado is a great offroader and great vehicle, he will never let you down... BUT THE LAND CRUISER.... ITS NOS A VEHICLE, IT`S AN UNSTOPABLE AND UNBREAKABLE MACHINE.
i hope this may help you to solve your doubts.
bye

Wow, I must be from the stone age, I didn't think they had built a land Cruiser since the FJ40! All this gold trim and crap they put on the new ones really turns me off!!!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

FJ40crab