Toyota vs Jeep: Budget Off-Road Showdown - Jeep XJ VS 100 Series Land Cruiser Budget Build

[@OutdoorAuto]

This series is for all of you, thanks for a great 2024. Enjoy.

[@Mauser1965]

Dirt Lifestyle, Tyre Reviews and this channel helped me in considering my tire choice as I live in the same region basically. West of you, and north of Nate (Dirt Lifestyle) close to Walker Valley that I don't venture into but trample about the Olympics and Cascades mostly along Highway 20. Thank you for the content coverage.

[@leemen]

I so appreciate you guys keeping sponsored upgrades in the total budget. I hate the KZbin budget builds that say $10k budget and I see $30k worth of aftermarket parts that didn’t get added into the budget. I’ll also say I’m rooting for the XJ.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Someone had to do an actual realistic budget build comp...

[@Venture2Roam]

I agree. It’s got to be relatable to the person that might be doing a similar build.

[@trailrunnah8886]

That and the professional level fab work that would cost a normal person hundreds of dollars an hour in labor. I respect the ability that a lot of these builders have, but then it makes the builds unrealistic for the average Joe. I want to see a build with all bolt-on parts that can be replicated by the avg enthusiast in their driveway.

[@Venture2Roam]

I've had so much fun on this project with you Nate. And I'm starting to see Toyotas in a new light.

[@OutdoorAuto]

I have to agree... Toyotas are awesome 😂 - Just kidding... we are actually doing an XJ build in the shop right now... I am becoming an XJ fan.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

20k was a huge budget before Covid. Now, it's a budget build...

[@KLAYCO47]

The best combo i found with my XJ to have the best daily use and off-road capability was a positrac in the rear and a mechanical locker in the front. Never had to engage any lockers. Daily use wasn't hindered at all.

[@KSuspension]

Had an absolute blast with you bud! Excited for more! 💪

[@OutdoorAuto]

Can’t wait to come bug you at the new shop!

[@zachb208]

Very excited for this series! We just picked up a second 100 series. Can’t wait to see the build and competition!!

[@OutdoorAuto]

I really like the 100’s for family adventure rigs.

[@DMOReviews]

I have a 100 series and have gone to many off road trips and never left me stranded. I have a bunch of $ into it now, but for the longest time all I needed was good tires and that was it. I’m triple locked now since I need it for all the snow and mud wheeling I do.

[@OutdoorAuto]

The finale will not leave you disappointed... we take this thing on some crazy stuff...

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Can’t wait for more!

[@stevehamel1336]

I’m currently in the middle of an XJ build with 20k budget. Got it for 300 bucks with a swamped motor and transmission, which cost me about 3000 to fix, so I’m right with you guys. Can’t wait to see the future videos!! I just stumbled apon this, so you got a new sub. You can build a pretty sweet XJ for 20 grand

[@Venture2Roam]

The XJ build episode should be fun to watch. We do A LOT!

[@KSuspension]

@@stevehamel1336 heck yes! Hope some things we do help you with some ideas for your build! Feel free to reach out with questions anytime! 💪 Happy Trails!

[@stevehamel1336]

@@KSuspension hey!! I didn’t expect a reply from you guys. My build will be sporting your sticker on its product sticker area on the gull wing window. I bought your headlights harness, your fan switch set up, your fuel injectors and your axle truss as well as the . gussets for the super 30 I’m building! I was going to go with the 3 fan cooler set up as well but decided I was getting carried away with the shopping kit haha. 20 grand can go quickly

[@one-WildCard]

That was hilarious! Fantastic video for sure. Cant wait till the builds.

[@MrRedSoldier1000]

I love my 100 series and i’m rooting for it!

[@wyomarine-m5s]

Now that's funny, comparing Jeep to LandCruiser. I've been driving both for over 50 yrs, I'll never buy another Jeep. Aside from rock crawling rigs, there is no comparison. Jeeps are entry level vehicles with crappy parts and L/C are what you aspire to own after you learn the difference.

[@Venture2Roam]

😂❤🙌

[@wyomarine-m5s]

@@Venture2Roam I lived in Boise and Mackay, spent 20 yrs driving S. Idaho, my L/C's never let me down. I'm looking forward to returning to the Owhyhees in my GX470 after 30 yrs in NW WY. Loved that area and did some mining there in the old Petosi Mine in the late 80's.

[@Venture2Roam]

@@wyomarine-m5s glad to hear it! I’m sure that GX will do great in the Owyhees.

[@breaker3269]

@@wyomarine-m5s I own in the 100 series land cruiser and the jeep XJ. And they’re both built. And I would have to say my Xj is more reliable , And easier to work on. More simplistic. As for my Land Cruiser it’s super comfortable and drives like a dream. Especially on long trips. But I’ve had more odd mechanical issues with it that I’ve ever had with any of my jeeps. And harder to diagnose. So I’m going to have to say the XJ wins on reliability and simplicity

[@wyomarine-m5s]

@@breaker3269 I started with a '42 Willys, '71 FJ-40, a '72 Nissan Patrol, a '75 Fj-40 and now have an '05 TJ. The TJ is the worst vehicle I've owned as far as quality, welds breaking left and right on the axles, at 99k miles the head is ticking and needs serious work. Plastic never stops cracking on dash/doors. My TJ is more comfortable to drive at 1/2 the quality of those old FJ's. The interiors/dash of these new Jeeps are so hideous I won't sit in one, I miss the simplicity of the FJ-40 to this day. Some folks aren't into pitch black interiors with huge video displays. A friend just bought a brand new LandCruiser, it's as ugly as a Bronco inside. I'll stick to my GX470, beauty and function.

[@trailrunnah8886]

Looking forward to watching! Initial reaction is that a very capable XJ could be bought and built for the same if not lrss than the initial purchase price of a decent Hundo.

[@FrankSinh]

I actually had an XJ and went to a 100 series Land Cruiser. Love both platforms!

[@chancefreeone3768]

Love seeing the Xjs first rock obstacle.😄 Shows what open diffs do, front and rear.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Open diffs and no traction control is rough… at least the LC would break one of the spinning tires…

[@Venture2Roam]

The XJ and the Cruiser have to be driven with opposite methods…I didn’t understand that until this first shakedown.

[@xTinBenderX]

12:18 FINALLY! Someone gets out to check what's stopping the Jeep.

[@PhiLIdahoTaco]

Two of my favorite Idahoan offroad youtuber go head to head. lol

[@OutdoorAuto]

Will is really fun to compete with… he is so competitive it makes it fun.

[@PhiLIdahoTaco]

@ loved it Nate. I wish I could watch the final outcome. Is it going to be at the Lost Trail again? Merry Christmas!

[@Venture2Roam]

We both had so much fun…and Nate is super competitive too…but we’re also friends so we were kind rooting for each other too.

[@PhiLIdahoTaco]

@@Venture2Roam You two are both very competitive, making this series very entertaining. LOL

[@JoshLC80]

Looks like this will be a fun series!

[@OutdoorAuto]

I promise the vehicles get more capable

[@Altera_Industries]

I don't think I could think of 2 4x4s more opposite than an xJ and a hundy and that makes this a very interesting series. Keen for the next episode.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Yeah, that was kind of the goal… also having to cover 8 competing categories makes us have to consider different goals then just rock crawling

[@DanielRedgrave]

Indeed, just baseline maintenance on the LC will probably cost as much as the entire jeep! and considering you need just around half of that budget to make the XJ capable of almost anything I'm curious what they are going to do.

[@cowelk]

So cool!

[@TheCajunGaijin]

My 80 is still under the 20k range. I'm still running the wheels and tires that were on it when I got it though. Which were chinese 35" MT on SR5 5th gen 4runner wheels. I'm not in love with the wheels, but the tires have been pretty impressive. Not looking forward to spending on tires though. I spent 9k on a 94 with front and rear lockers a year ago, but ended up having to replace the HG and resurface the head. Also did a part time conversion when i rebuilt the knuckles, and added the 10% sumo under drive. Eimkeith PCK and RAM. It came with 3" Flexi from dobinsons. It drives really well on the road right now for the most part and really good offroad. But like the XJ I don't have a spare tire on it. I do have the factory aluminum 16" wheels, and I've been considering putting them on, but I wonder how weird it will look with 33" on the 3" flexi. Ideally I'd like to split the difference and find a 34". Because I like narrow tires. I've been thinking about 35x11.5/17 Falken AT4W. Or the 255/85/17 Mickey Thompsons. One of the reasons I am considering going down to 33" is because I currently can't put a roof rack on due to it not fitting in the garage with a roof rack.

[@Mauser1965]

Perhaps go in stages, first off go with traction control then afterwards go with the larger tires for clearance, then suspension for articulation. Most should know if you've got traction you can straddle obstacles if need be. My 4 liter powered '87 XJ Pioneer with 170,000 miles on the clock isn't locked, but I had to fix it's geometry of a partially installed RE 3.5" lift and have 235/85 Firestone Destination XT's on some ZJ wheels which are 32's. I probably could've went with the Destination AT2's for a slight quieter and lighter tire for mostly highway use boondocking/overlanding. Staying lighter, there are not aftermarket front and rear bumpers. Straps and come-along if/when needed.

[@albetherechillin]

Dude you're freaking tall bro. Big brother status

[@OutdoorAuto]

Jeeps make me feel like a giant

[@OutdoorAuto]

Jeeps make me feel like a giant… can barely see out of them.

[@BenCruisingAlaska]

100 Series all day 😉. XJs are awesome though. Definitely more "potential" to be a serious offroader once you mod them. Here in AK people build them up as hunting rigs and their lighter weight here definitely helps in the swampy areas.

[@chrisgrenzner9337]

I've been building a budget '96 ZJ. I'm interested to see how the XJ turns out.

[@koehnboy]

I've owned a 100 series for many years now and I don't know why, maybe it's looks? but I think the off road capability is very underrated.

[@TFCSHQ]

This is going to be a good series

[@OutdoorAuto]

Should be fun

[@OutdoorAuto]

I promise the vehicles get more capable.

[@fscottgray9784]

I have a 2001 XJ that I built a few years back. It will be interesting o see how close Will's turns out to mine. JCR is a good source of parts. Spartan Lunch box lockers and a lift makes them pretty capable.

[@adrianw3985]

I have a 2003 Land Cruiser... you should SAS it if you want to take on an XJ. Actually, it would be better to import a 105 series that came that way already. Same truck, but it's still like an 80 series, but with the 4.7

[@OutdoorAuto]

The 105 has the 4.2 6 cylinder… I have 2 80’s… the 100 has its place… but rock crawling it can be rough…

[@Venture2Roam]

Although it did pretty dang well on those rocks!

[@drobs7279]

You should put matching size / brand / style tires on both vehicles.

[@OutdoorAuto]

We actually do in the final

[@davidglenn1]

That was fun! Go Team Toyota!

[@MissouriAdventures]

Atrac ftw! Has nothing to do with anything else. Open diffs and two wheels spinning doesn’t get you far in tough off road situations.

[@OutdoorAuto]

The ATRAC made all the difference on the LC for sure… the tires were really bad… without ATRAC I would have been toast

[@Kjhgr01]

Don't watch the off-road recovery channel... you are going to faint when you see what they've done to their Land Cruiser.

[@georgemiloslavski7086]

Why did you place your cameras SOOOO far away from the car? It looks like all the exterior shots on the trails are being filmed from a quarter mile away.

[@Wiz-kidddd]

Xj’s for the win I just got t boned in mine last week and guess what? Still drove it home lol 😅 no problems besides my driver side doors are fucked and rockers , so now she will be a mudtoy

[@JeffCleverley]

Traction Control Vs Beans...

[@thonvuth809]

❤❤❤

[@dontask7898]

Why start off on an obstical that could damage your daily driver so bad you could not daily drive it? Amd p.s. a 20k jeep rubicon would check all your boxes.

[@tj_offroad]

Those are not rock rails on the 100, those are steps that in no way are meant to touch rocks ever.

[@OutdoorAuto]

I am aware… they were called steps and made fun of quite a bit…

[@Venture2Roam]

They are total garbage for offroading…but really nice for getting in the car. 😂.

[@theCostoochannel]

I own a hdj100 and really think about adding a 100series 2uz since all the new cars are crap

[@Dougcruiser100]

This video was brutal to watch. Hopefully it gets better

[@OutdoorAuto]

Stock vehicles with bad tires are rough on a muddy trail…

[@ponypwr]

First thing I realized dude in the xj doesn't 2 foot drive offroad. BTW Jeep will stay in 1st in a crawl.

[@Venture2Roam]

I do, but never crawled an XJ before, so had to learn what works and doesn’t work from scratch.

[@Midnightdreamer5287]

Your jeep does not have enough power

[@OutdoorAuto]

It's missing something... a locker would make all the difference in the world... I never realized until this competition that XJ's have no version of traction control at all...

[@Mauser1965]

@@OutdoorAuto I haven't checked my '87's Dana 44 to see what's inside, but throw devices in the D30 and D35 prior to lift and tires would be insightful. Too which I'd do on the Toyota as well. In humor, the AW4 is basically a Toyota tranny... i.e. "The AW4 was used as the A340 in various Toyota vehicles."

[@Venture2Roam]

V8 swap??

[@falkfluegel5557]

Sorry, a normal family doesn't buy an ancient landcruiser.

[@OutdoorAuto]

A lot do… I know more than 5… and most my friends drive jeeps…

[@Venture2Roam]

What do they buy instead?

[@matthopkins6286]

Horrible line choices. I have more faith in both vehicles than either driver. 🤷‍♂️

[@2dollarrip571]

Ok hear me out! Stock trucks same size tires and lockers front and rear both vehicles, loser wears a shame sticker on there car

[@Gazziza29]

Oh c'mon, this isn't even a competition. The XJ is a childs toy compared to a 100 series Land Cruiser. That LC will be driving in another 24 years like it did the previous 24 years. An XJ will be a pile of rust in another 5 years.

[@jacobgreenbough5678]

Reliability is one single feature of a vehicle. Toyota lovers think it trumps all others no matter what which is why they got Toyotas. Works for you guys but there’s more to vehicles than that. Regardless XJ engines hit 400k miles.

[@haroldshobbies]

Let me know when you're ready to see how they do vs a $5,000 Suzuki...

[@OutdoorAuto]

Don’t forget… there are 8 categories… I have driven $5k Suzukis… love them… but they would lose most the categories except maybe rock crawling….

[@haroldshobbies]

I’m trolling a bit, but in all seriousness… it wins in budget. I could build three for the price of your one. Daily driving and reliability all depends on who you ask and how you drive it. Drag race it loses (88hp) Tugowar it loses (2700lbs) Over landing only works if you’re a hobbit. The rock crawling would depend on what rocks you’re crawling. It’s all subjective and can be skewed any way you like based upon the judging criteria.

[@Venture2Roam]

Those are awesome platforms for crawling. I kind of want to do one next time.