G
Guest
Guest
Julian wrote...
I was actually suprised on Salisbury at how well Richard Mclennan's stock 90
did along some of the severe ruts we encountered.
SNIP
At which point I would like to endorse the effectiveness of Toy IFS
(except the RAV4 of course!)
At the risk of repeating myself, the UN's standard vehicle is the
4Runner/Surf ,call it what you like. The 90 series is the same
vehicle in its underpants. The ground clearance under the 4Runner is
extremely high, in fact more than a Patrol which is a vehicle that
has an almost as good reputation as an 80. The UN (Toy's largest
customer) don't buy any vehicle that will not do the job. The 4Runner
provides most of what an 80/105 will do at a more budget conscious price.
I had an ex UN 4Runner and it went everywhere I pointed it,
essentially the same mountain tracks that the 80 has subsequently been used on.
I have used 90's in the office fleet (Prado's) with no problem
whatsoever and been very pleased with them and their performance
(especially with that lovely 3l turbo). The axle articulation - or
its alleged limitations - has not been any problem. The downside is
that they can be hard on tyres and the front suspension and steering
are more car-like, so the maintenance is higher, and by now, with
2002 supplied vehicles, major overhaul is required whereas with a FFA
it would not be significant. When I replace either of my 4X4's I
have already decided that I will try and seek-out a 90. But I think
the 80 will be with me for a very long time yet, even if I eventually
register it in UK despite the LHD.
JB is right that the IFS has another 2 CVJ's, but I would worry more
about the rubber boots splitting than anything else - a major cause
of bearing failure rather than wear. That is not a cheap repair and
unfortunately a necessary evil; one could make a case for manually
engaged hubs to enable the disengagement of the shaft and subsequent
turning and enhanced perishing of the rubber. One great advantage I
had with my 4Runner and not the Prado, a case for easy disabling of
'full-time 4WD'. Often the front axle turns with little need to do
so. (Even more exaggerated in a RAV4!)
Cheers
Jon
Grand Union Canal
'92 HZJ80 ex UN surplus from Bosnia
I was actually suprised on Salisbury at how well Richard Mclennan's stock 90
did along some of the severe ruts we encountered.
SNIP
At which point I would like to endorse the effectiveness of Toy IFS
(except the RAV4 of course!)
At the risk of repeating myself, the UN's standard vehicle is the
4Runner/Surf ,call it what you like. The 90 series is the same
vehicle in its underpants. The ground clearance under the 4Runner is
extremely high, in fact more than a Patrol which is a vehicle that
has an almost as good reputation as an 80. The UN (Toy's largest
customer) don't buy any vehicle that will not do the job. The 4Runner
provides most of what an 80/105 will do at a more budget conscious price.
I had an ex UN 4Runner and it went everywhere I pointed it,
essentially the same mountain tracks that the 80 has subsequently been used on.
I have used 90's in the office fleet (Prado's) with no problem
whatsoever and been very pleased with them and their performance
(especially with that lovely 3l turbo). The axle articulation - or
its alleged limitations - has not been any problem. The downside is
that they can be hard on tyres and the front suspension and steering
are more car-like, so the maintenance is higher, and by now, with
2002 supplied vehicles, major overhaul is required whereas with a FFA
it would not be significant. When I replace either of my 4X4's I
have already decided that I will try and seek-out a 90. But I think
the 80 will be with me for a very long time yet, even if I eventually
register it in UK despite the LHD.
JB is right that the IFS has another 2 CVJ's, but I would worry more
about the rubber boots splitting than anything else - a major cause
of bearing failure rather than wear. That is not a cheap repair and
unfortunately a necessary evil; one could make a case for manually
engaged hubs to enable the disengagement of the shaft and subsequent
turning and enhanced perishing of the rubber. One great advantage I
had with my 4Runner and not the Prado, a case for easy disabling of
'full-time 4WD'. Often the front axle turns with little need to do
so. (Even more exaggerated in a RAV4!)
Cheers
Jon
Grand Union Canal
'92 HZJ80 ex UN surplus from Bosnia