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Greg French
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 09:24 pm: | 
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I am sick of constantly repairing my Disco, and am thinking of trading it for an FJ-80
How do they compare? I go off road with a friend who has a 40 and a 4 runner. Both seem very capable on the trails, and run great with well over 200K miles on each. I am tempted.
What do you know? |
Dave Smith (Javelinadave)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 10:30 pm: |
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I own one of each. I have never spent a dime repairing my Landcruiser. It is truly the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned.
On the other hand I have spent a lot of time fixing my Disco. Weird things happen without any explination. That's what you get with any English car or truck. I expect it and don't get frustrated or mad. Which do I like better? Both. My wife drives the FJ80. It starts every time. The windows roll down every time. The A/C works every time....etc....etc....etc. Which is more fun to drive on and off road? The Best 4x4 by far. My not so reliable, may not cool down fast, always finding a new rattle 2001 Discovery. Just remember, getting there is half the adventure. Hope I was of some help.....Dave |
nadim
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 03:07 am: |
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Living in the Middle East, you'd think that the place would be scattered by Land Rovers.
Well, unfortunately, that is not the case. Everytime I go offroading in the Lebanese mountains, I find Japanese and American 4x4s, with the occaisional Landy.
Out in the Saudi Deserts, Toyota is King, Nissan is Prince, and Land Rovers wear leather and CDs...
To each his own. I personnaly will never change my Land Rover for a Toyota, even though the latter are bomb-proof. |
M. K. Watson (Lrover94)
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 05:48 am: |
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it always kills me when people compare this with that. you have to decide what fits your taste and what you plan on doing with what ever it is you want before you can determone which is the best product. if i was a long distant commuter and wanted to get there fast then an F1 car would be my choice, but it would not haul my dogs to the nanny so then well maybe something with more than one seat, so its a van, oh but wait when i go hunting some of the places are a bit remote so i will need four wheel drive. hmmmmm the van with 4x4 would be ok but isnt as nimble in the woods and rides rough as heck. so now i must pic among the many larger capacity vehicles that will travel well on the hi-way and yet get me into the backwoods. oh yea leather seats would be nice and well i do have to have a/c and and and....i guess what i am saying is the toyota is ok but in the end is it a Land Rover? LR is not by any means the most perfect 4X4, just the best!
mike w
happy Disco owner
sorry if it sounds like i am muttering the new baby had me up at 05:00 and now she wont go back to sleep! |
rovers 4 life
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 12:11 pm: |
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fj 80 .. bad ass... i use to have one but i slamed it into a tree.. there bad.. the can go almost any where you put them.. but i would choose a rover over it b.c rovers are bad |
Mel A. (Krawlrovr)
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 12:19 pm: |
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Well, I am in the same boat as you are Greg. I love my Disco to death, but keeping the truck running is a pain in the arse. Just last year I spent 2 DSUs for maintenance. But what really makes me a Disco lover is the fact that I went EVERYWHERE a heavily modified Land Cruiser 80 did in my stock suspended Disco. But I hear that you can run 35-inch tires with just 2.5" of lift. Also the stock axles and CV's can take that stress and parts are cheaper than Disco parts. It also feels tough. I recently went to Australia, and went to a couple of off-road shops, this is basically what I heard: The Discovery is the better off-roader, but they can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, the Land Cruiser is almost as capable, but its reliability is unmatched. |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 12:26 pm: |
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want somethin you never have to work on that will take you deep offroad? try a pair of hiking boots. |
Jeremy Katka (Jkatka)
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 01:09 pm: |
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Are you looking at getting the FJ80 or the FZJ80? I would say that you need to look at the type of off roading that you might want to do. To me a 112.2" wheelbase is pretty long. I would hate to be trying to turn around on the dead-end of a trail ;) The TLC is also 6" wider. I guess to me bigger is sometimes more of a PITA. I found the specs for both at http://www.fourfold.org/LR_FAQ/Disco/US_Discovery.html and http://www.tlc4x4.com/2000/SpecPages/fzj80_specs.htm
I really like the tall skinny profile of the Disco. It makes it very adaptable in the woods and around town when trying to park 
Also look and see if there is a "good" community around the TLC. I feel like discoweb has done alot for me. If I didn't have someplace to kill hours during the day who knows how productive I could become
JK |
offrovn
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 01:27 pm: |
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I have both. I love the cruiser. It is a very reliable car in all aspects. I am having to do far more work on the disco with 50,000 than the cruiser with 165,000 miles. However, rovers are just addictive. Both will be costly to fix. I have heard bad cases with cruisers and discos it just seems I hear of the rovers more often, probably because I'm here. Look into and just see what others have to say. A cruiser is a much bigger vehicle therefore making the rover more enjoyable to drive. The cruiser really should be compared in size to a range rover. It also depends on where you live and off road. For example a cruiser is a much heavier vehicle than a rover making it get bogged down easier in mud, water and deep ruts. However some of these pictures I see of the Landcruiser rock climbing out in tellico or moab are amazing. good luck |
eric j
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 03:59 pm: |
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after getting rid of my third land rover. i was in between the Cruiser and G wagen, both are really bombproof compared to your disco, but the Cruiser is certainly easier to get parts for, I've seen the cruiser do some really amazing things in Moab and around Arizona. Really a solid truck but the MPG sucks I hear...
can you get the Cruiser in a Diesel? |
Todd slater
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 05:44 pm: |
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I have owned my D2 since 99, and I've owned my FJ62 since 89. The FJ is positively bullet proof. The D2 is one high maintenance little princess. I think you know what to do. |
Kai Dussling (Kai)
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 06:03 pm: |
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Dude, your gettin' a D....... Discovery |
BW
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 01:24 am: |
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What about the Toyota four runner? That seems to be a comparable size to the discovery. Anybody owned one of those? |
AC
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 03:10 am: |
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Over here in OZ, LCs are by far the most popular with patrols not far behind.They have a excellent reputation for relability. LCs and LRs both have there good and bad points. The toyotas are just plain.There every where and the styling partularly inside is well just plain. The 80/100 series are big trucks, they are excellent for touring, but abit to wide for narrow tracks. Rovers on the other hand have class, something which toytas dont and will never have.Theres something about a rover that no other car company has.
A stock disco will go further then any stock cruiser. LRs have this ability to get up steep hills which just cause the others to stop dead in their tracks. There are just some hills which a only a LR will go up.
The reality is could you live without a rover in the driveway, many here including me could not. |
E Snyder
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 06:57 am: |
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I've owned both cruisers and landrovers, old and new. I have an FJ-60 with 216,000 miles that runs like a top. My fiance has one with 213,000 miles that runs even better. I wheel all the time with FJ-80s, and will probably get one for her in a year or two. A few points to consider:
1.0 Value. In a used car lot here in VA. I recently saw a 95 Disco for $7500.00. A 95 FJ-80 in the same lot was $17,900.00. Hmmm.
2.0 Off-road capability. Although a few people in posts above say their stock discos have outwheeled stock FJ-80s, I doubt that was with evenly matched driving ability. Stock dual lockers? 35" tires with a 2" OME kit? Hard to beat. Their transfer case doesn't have quite the options the Disco's does, but a switch can be installed that allows you to run in 4hi locked.
3.0 Reliability. Enough has been said already. I love my Disco, but if I moved to Africa I'd sell it in a second.
4.0 Size. Definitely an edge for the Disco. The Cruisers are big, and you get banged up a lot on the trails.
5.0 Crowd. Rovers definitely have a certain following, which you understand if you've attended ralley's, etc. I've met and know some great friends through toyotas, as well, but it's different.
All that said, I won't be trading in my Disco anytime soon. There is something about the Disco that makes it a joy to own. I love it, and I suffer through the maintenance. In fact, the old girl has been pretty good to me this past year. I think I've fixed everything that can break! |
Greg French
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 10:27 am: |
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Thanks everybody. I am just so frustrated with my Disco. I love the Hell out of it, and find myself making excuses for the problems it has. "It's not the truck's fault...it was just the alternator." But I had to say it 5 times in a year.
I do love the looks I get while I am in it. There are more Discos on the road here than Cruisers, but none look like mine. I'm sure I can get the same looks in a cruiser once I modify it.
I know what you mean about the community. I attend ralleys and am on here all the time. This site has most definately helped me.
I guess I am just sick of being stranded. I drove a Toyota 4X4 for 11 years and never had any problems. The day I sold it, I would have had no hesitations about driving it to California and back (to South Carolina) or anywhere.
I have been toying with the idea of trading my Disco in for a few years, but always end up keeping it. I gave it an ultimatum, though. I have been planning a trip to the mountains in New York all summer. I decided that if my Disco made all the way it up and back with no problems I would keep it.
It never even made it out of my driveway.
Ouch.
I had to drive a Buick! Ouch again!
I have been married for a year, have one kid and thinking about another, and want to buy a house soon. I have a lot going on and really don't need this sort of thing from my truck. |
Greg French
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 10:30 am: |
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People are saying the 80 is much bigger than the Disco. What about the 60 (or 62)? |
nadim
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 11:21 am: |
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The Land Rover community is GREAT!
I have met Land Rover people from around the WORLD, and it does not get any better than that!
You Guys Rock! |
nick
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 11:33 am: |
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Anyone know anything about the nissan Patrol and why it is not available in the U.S.A. From what I read about it seems to be very capable and also has some good engine options. |
todd slater
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 12:39 pm: |
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Greg,
By your last post it appears you are heading in the right direction for you. Your last concerns were getting looks and community. I live outside of Philly, my environs are full of both LR's and LC's. I get more looks and compliments from strangers when I am in the old but super clean FJ 62. As far as community, as with other british rolling stock I own...the community is/has evolved to be a very important aspect...call it misery loves company, a common bond, of fulfilling the need to belong to something...there is a strong LC community, however they do not pine away over mechanical gremlins and mysterious ills, they tend to focus on enjoying the ride more. With kids looming you need a FJ. |
E Snyder
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 01:10 pm: |
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Todd-
I echo your thoughts exactly. It's nice to have both, but I'm fortunate enough to be able to do that. "With kids looming you need an FJ" is exactly what I've been thinking. My fiance and I may end up selling both of our FJ-60s to finance an 80!
Greg-
The 60s are fairly narrow, but long. Departure angle is poor. Great trucks though. You can sleep full length in the back! I've got a picture at home of a 60 that is seriously set up, and I'll email it to you this evening.
Enoch |
Eric Brodis (Broder)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 02:04 pm: |
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I own a 95 disco and my brother owns a Lexus LX450(fj80). There are a few things I like about the fj80, factory lockers and much stonger axles/cv's. As far as size goes they are larger, but on the trails in colorado and moab it hasn't seemed to be a problem. In fact when we both ran Lower Heldorado canyon at moab he fit through the tight spots better then I did(less body roll). Here is a link to some pictures(no pictures of Lower Heldorado yet).
http://www.colorado4x4.net/
My disco seems to have a little more power for the mountains. I figure the main reason for that is he has 315's and I have 265's.
To each his own, why not have both |
50987
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 04:52 pm: |
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My brother has a 1989 Cruiser, he loves it, I think it's awsome. We have done some off roading together and his truck does pretty good, especially for being leaf sprung.
Ya, it is more "reliable" but every car will have it's troubles. I would always steer away from Fords and Chevys and Dodge (listen to Tom Martino some time) I have had nothing but problems with them. Sure my LR's have problems, but nothing that I would say would make them "not good cars". They're just wierd sometimes. There is a picture of the articulation that a stock Crusier gets on my web site.
For the most part, it is just as good as my Disco - but I can upgrade my Disco much quicker and easier with the coil spring setup. And, don't tell my brother this, but at least half of the stuff we have been through I have been through with no Diff Lock! In the end, it really is a matter of the truck YOU like to drive.
P.S. Don't take your Cruisers to 35+ degrees on a traverse slope!!
http://landrover.mrbaileyshistory.net |
Tony
| | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 03:51 pm: |
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Have had nothing but trouble with my Disco. Wish I still had my FJ60. |
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