While looking at buying a 3rd gen 4Runner, I have also found that in the province next to me (British Columbia) there are quite a few Land Cruisers Available. Most are 1997, but there are was one from 2000 and another from 2002 (from the sates I assume)

What are the differences between say a 97 4Runner and a 97 TLC?

TLC is longer and wider? How is the ground clearance? IIRC the TLC was available with front AND rear lockers. I would also assume quite a bit worse on gas with a 4.7L engine.

Engine reliability similar? Ease of maintenance?

97 and 2000 would be 2 different generations. HUGE differences. Mainly, the 97 would have the solid front axle, available dual electronic lockers, and an inline 6cy. The 2000 has IFS, V8, and no lockers (available rear ended in 1999, I think)


I'm sure the LC's are harder to work on. I know for a fact that in order to remove the starter on the V8, you have to remove the intake manifold! (thats how they did it at the dealer)

Of the three, '97 4runner, '97 LC and 2000 LC, the '97 LC gets the worst gas mileage and has the worst power/weight ratio, I believe, although not by much in terms of power.

But the '97 is the most off road capable with the front and rear solid axles and it's pure durability. The '97 engines are known for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles, 300K + (miles), but do occasionally have head gasket issues and it's sometimes recommended that the HG be replaced at around 130-150K just to be safe.

The '97 4runner is the smallest, but good economy, decent power and pretty darn durable. Something you could drive to work everyday and take to the mountains on the weekends.

The 2000 LC seems like a great rig. It's very durable just like the '97, but has IFS more suited to the highway, like the '97 4Runner. The 2000 4.7 V-8 engine makes more power. I'm not sure of the durability of the 4.7 V-8. I haven't heard of any major issues and that engine is found in the Tundra and 2003 and later 4Runners, so it can't be that bad. Parts and service will probably be easier to come by with the 2000 going forward, since it shares the same platform as the current 2007 Land Cruiser.

If it were me, I think the '97 4Runner is a great daily driver, the 2000 LC is a great luxery 4x4 for mostly highway trips (don't get me wrong it's good off road too) and the '97 would be a great weekend expedition 4x4, camping rig for the ultimate in durability and combined highway and off road capability at the sacrafice of fuel economy.

This is just book knowledge, I've never owned any of the three. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

According to the tech's at the dealership I used to work at, it's one of the best. There were plenty of them coming in the shop with 200 and 300k on the clock and still running strong.

If you want to learn about LC's, I recommend checking out www.ih8mud.com , a dedicated LC site. I own a '96 FZJ-80 and love it. It's slightly bigger than the 4Runner both in length and width and interior space. It's a very solid rig, and it has a lot more power than I'm used to with 22R and 22RE's, and 3.slow V6's. Durability-wise, the 80 is quite strong and dependable, arguably the best. It is heavy, safe, has 3 row seating, full time 4wheel drive, optional front and rear selectable lockers, easy to lift, and overall nice to drive. Yes, the fuel economy isn't that great, but I'll take paying a known amount more in gas versus paying an unknown amount more from risk of repairs on lesser quality vehicles. My 80 is stock with exception of a brushguard. I get about 15-16 in the summer and 13 in the winter on oxygenated fuel. It's not worth it for me to sell the 80 only to buy something that may only get a few mpg more than what I have now.

I've owned a 1990 4Runner for about 10 years and love it, but I can definately feel a quality difference between it and the 80. Afterall, the 80 was Toyota's flagship SUV (and still is).

I drove my other 4Runner the other day, a 1995, and I forgot how it's like to drive a rear wheel drive SUV becuase I'm so used to the full time 4 wheel drive in the 80. I didn't shift the 4Runner into 4WD because it didn't seem "that bad" out, but I spun the tires several times and the rear end wanted to spin around. Our winters can be pretty harsh and I don't know if I will ever go back to part-time 4WD. We even sold my wife's beloved Camry for an AWD Subaru Outback.

The Land Cruiser (and my 1996 FZJ-80) get two thumbs up in my book.

The nice thing about the 80 is that they were $30-45K vehicles, depending on the year, so not only do you get the normal Toyota quality, but I'm sure Toyota went the extra mile in quality control for these EXTREMELY expensive and relatively exclusive rigs. (only about 10K imported per year?) Plus, most used models have never seen the gravel roads, much less off road. Most original owners were wealthy and had the cash to take to care of their rigs.

The really good news is that used model prices are dropping like a rock for someone who might want one.

I plan on eventually replacing my truck with an 80 series. Probably in the next year or two or when a super good deal comes along in the meantime.

Yea...80's are coming down in price. I saw a 91 for $4500.

I've been doing the same thing as you, considereing an 80 instead of a new 4runner.

Unfortnately in Canada (Ontario anyway) they didn't import them after the late 80s. There are a couple around, I assume they came up from the states.

I've been looking into getting a used on shipped from Japan, Right Hand Drive. Anyone done this? Pros/ cons? The prices seem good.

Cons:

They're right hand drive.
It's hard to say if they've been maintained that well.
Some parts may be a little harder to find like certain engines parts if you get the diesel.
They're right hand drive.

Pros:

You can get a diesel.
I think factory lockers were available over there too.
You can get a diesel.
They're usually in at least decent condition.
Probalby don't have the rust issues Canadian rigs do.
Did I mention you can get a diesel.

If was going to import a rig from Japan, I'd be looking at a 70 series. The coolest of all is the Land Cruiser 77s. Japan didn't get the 2 door troopie or pick-ups, but they did get a 4 door full size Land Cruiser that was sort of a troopie and it's cool as heck. But also the short wheel base and medium wheelbase 70,73s are cool.