Why landys, but no four runners?
 

I've heard of, and I've even seen people driving there Toyota land cruisers arround the world. This tells me that there probobly a very durable and reliable rig. But I've never heard of similar feats being done with the similar four runner. the four runner also seems to hold a lower price tag. Is the Four runner indeed inferior to the land cruiser? Would it be foolinsh to adopt the fourrunner as an overlander?Thanks for your answers.

Wade

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Rich
LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

Hi

from what I understand 4runners are not so heavily built and not as spacious as an LC, most probably have more electrics on-board - giving the obvious risk of problems.



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ChrisC

Three main reasons, 1) They aren't as heavy duty as TLCs or LRs, 2) they have less space and 3) most importantly you don't find that many round the world so its harder to get parts.

Having said that you can quite easily use one, people go round the world in all sorts of vehicles, not necassarily even off roaders. Just depends what you want to do whilst your travelling.

My Italian mate has done a lot of Sahara in his 4 Runner, but space and a modest engine are the big issues. He runs 750 wheels.
http://go.supereva.it/micsoffi/index.html
As for spares - it a Hilux with a body so that should not be a prob - and we've all seen what a Hilux can take, havent we!

Chris S

Hi
Preping my 4Runner at the moment - 3.0 TD. I'm fitting splitties and having the rad recored for extra cooling. Come visit me in Coventry sometime or give me a ring: 07876 457831.

By the way there are lots of Hilux Surfs in SA / Zimbabwe but alot have busted the head - age old overheating problem that's why I'm getting my rad rebuilt / enlarged.

http://www.bundubasher.com

Stay well,

enzo

here in the states, there are a multitude of cheapish cruisers that can be outfitted much better than a four-runner ever could.

not saying it can't be done, but for $3000 total, including vehicle (luck, diy, and a generous amount of local cruiser buddies) have turned my 1987 FJ60 (gasoline) into a fairly capable rig. add another $5k and i could have a wonderful diesel overlander that i wouldn't hesitate to take anywhere in the world.

they are durable, fairly inexpensive to care for, and leak less than a comparable rover. i can't say the same for toy pickups and 4-runners, although some parts are interchangeable and indeed better designed or beefier on the smaller trucks. it's all a matter of choice in what you have though.

Been in Africa for 18 months now - the 4runner's been here 12. No real problems except that the wheels/suspension are taking a battering. Made a few mods out here but still swear by the 3 to 5 core rad upgrade.

By the way, the 3.0TD 4Runner has the same engine as the early Prado's and Landcruiser II's with the advantage of being a lighter vehicle - 1900kg tare. A çruiser may be heavier duty but the Hilux chassis just can't be beat and with the power of the 3.0TD the only thing I'd swop it for is a 76 or 78 series ambulance conversion with its 4.2 diesel lump.

Hi!
Back in the day before I realised 2 wheels good four wheels bad (kidding!) I really wanted a forerunner or hilux for a solo trip I was planning, as the smaller size would have been good for one or two people. They looked ideal to me.
Theres a (slightly twatty) tv show here in the UK where every week they tried to kill a hi-lux. They dropped it from a crane, submerged it in the sea, hit it with a wrecking ball and everyweek it started up and they drove it away! I think they're probably tough enough for you, look at what people have done in 2CVs (another option I looked at!)
Matt

[This message has been edited by Matt Cartney (edited 02 January 2006).]

Drove Hilux many times accross rock and sand deserts in Oman.Great overlanders if u are solo or 2 up.Vital to keep weight down.

It took a team of toyota technicians and a small foutune to keep that Hilux going on the tv show by the way, not just some old boy in a greasy coat, but the point was real. just look at what has been the best selling pickup to people who really need them (as against poseurs) in the uk, and as fleet vehicles they have a seriously hard life.

Hi

Toyota hilux had mad the tough gilf tour of 2000 km with a starting weight of around 900 kg including 400 litre of diesel.
I believe its up to any thing also it’s not a land cruiser but can do the same job.
If you can get the turbo diesel specially the new D4D then it’s even better than the cruiser in terms of weight to power ratio.