Samurai vs. 4Runner

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Will - 11 Oct 2004 23:30 GMT

I've got an '87 samurai thats pretty much stock except for a 2 in . shackle
lift. It's great off-road, even in pretty nasty stuff, and its pretty
reliable, but it stinks on the highway (I hit 80 mph ONCE on a really long
downhill with the petal to the floor; I usually have to be content with
going 60 while truckers fly by at 80, threatening to suck me into their
draft and throw me across the median. :) ), doesn't have much room for gear,
and can't tow anything. So I'm looking at trading it for something like a
late 80's 4Runner. I don't know anyone that takes one offroad, so what am I
looking at compared to a Samurai, stock vs. stock? Is there much less ground
clearance with the longer wheel-base? Is it geared as well as the samurai
for off-road use? Reliability? I am looking for something cheap (less than
$2000), so would I just be better off keeping the Sammy? I'm sure ya'll get
annoying questions like this all the time, but I didn't really know where
else to get decent info (of course every 4Runner website will say its the
best off road vehicle ever, and every Sammy website will try to tell you its
the best thing since sliced bread). Thanks.

-Will

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Roger Brown - 12 Oct 2004 02:14 GMT

> I've got an '87 samurai thats pretty much stock except for a 2 in . shackle
> lift. It's great off-road, even in pretty nasty stuff, and its pretty
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> -Will

I take mine off-road a lot, the '85 4Runner has a solid front axle
(later models had IFS), fuel injection and removeable hard top:
http://www.4crawler.com/4Runner.shtml

Longer wheel base is nice been on a few trails with Samis that rolled or
came close to it on steep hills. I like the room, you can haul enough
gear for a 2 week trip with ease. Ground clearance is adequate, it can
be improved. Reliability with the 4cyl engine is good, lots of off-road
accessories you can get, gears, lockers, springs, etc.

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Roger

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Will - 12 Oct 2004 03:14 GMT

> Reliability with the 4cyl engine is good> --

How is the V6? And what kind of reliability should I expect if I'm spending
less than $2000? I bought my sammy w/ about 100k miles; no trouble for 2
years but a clutch cable, ignition coil, and a mudd-filled starter (oops),
and all that was for $1100, mostly because samurais started off cheap and
are ugly and have 60 hp. Can I find a 4Runner that cheap that isn't a piece
of crap? Thanks.

-Will

ps- I liked your website and your 4Runner- it made me think of a few
questions. Is it a lot harder/more expensive to lift one without a solid
front axle? And a general question- a Samurai weighs just over 2000 lbs,
while your 4Runner was over 4000. How is that going to effect traction, dry
and in mud, with comparable tires on both vehicles?

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Kerouac - 12 Oct 2004 03:22 GMT

Will,
I have yet to hear an educated opinion of a Toyota 4Runner that
includes the words "piece of crap" in it. 100,000 miles is the break in
period for one of these. Like any 2nd hand 4X4, just look for the odd signs
of abuse.
If this endorsement still doesn't do it for you, consider this: I've been
a faithful Nissan owner for my last 4 trucks. No owners bias here;) Toyota's
good stuff.

Best of luck!

Neil

> > Reliability with the 4cyl engine is good> --
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> while your 4Runner was over 4000. How is that going to effect traction, dry
> and in mud, with comparable tires on both vehicles?

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Roger Brown - 12 Oct 2004 04:10 GMT

> > Reliability with the 4cyl engine is good> --
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> are ugly and have 60 hp. Can I find a 4Runner that cheap that isn't a piece
> of crap? Thanks.

If you keep the head gaskets intact, it is fine. With good gears, the
22RE engine is fine, around 110-120 HP and with 200:1 gearing, it'll go
most anywhere and still get reasonable gas mileage on- and off-road.

> -Will
>
> ps- I liked your website and your 4Runner- it made me think of a few
> questions. Is it a lot harder/more expensive to lift one without a solid
> front axle?

Depends on how high, for 33" tires, its easier to fit on an IFS truck:
http://www.4Crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/BodyLiftKit.shtml#FAQ10

> And a general question- a Samurai weighs just over 2000 lbs,
> while your 4Runner was over 4000. How is that going to effect traction, dry
> and in mud, with comparable tires on both vehicles?

All depends, traction is partly friction, coef. of friction times the
normal force, more weight=more force=more traction. On soft terrain,
traction is also dependent on strength of the surface like mud and
snow. Generally you would want a little larger tire ona larger
vehicle, a 31x10.50 works well on a Sami, something like a 33x12.50 or
35.12.50 works well on a 4Runner. Sure, lighter is better for a
dedicated rock buggy, but I built my truck more for expedition type
trips. I drive it out, do the trail and drive it home. I can drive it
5000 or more miles on a given trip and carry all the spares and tools I
need to repair in the most remote coutry. Most recent trip I broke a
shock mount at nearly 10000' in the Wasatch Mtns. in UT, 10 miles from
pavement and 40 miles from the nearest town and was able to weld it back
with on-board welder and spare steel I carry.

So I am not so concenred with weight; bumpers, winch, rock sliders are
all heavy but they serve a purpose. Dual batteries are heavy but having
a backup is very handy, etc.

Signature

Roger

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