4Runner or Sami?

[condortaco01]

Not sure if this belongs here or off topic but here we go. I've finally decided that my Tacoma doesn't fit my needs as a DD or a wheeler. With 2 kids I decided to get a '91 4Runner for my DD. My ext. cab Taco was going to be my wheeler but for PA it's just too long. It's also stock and would need mucho $ to get it where I'd want it. So I'm gonna sell it and buy/build a wheeler. I'm kind of torn between a 1st Gen 4Runner or a Samurai. I love how small the Sami's are but they may be just a little too small. I don't know, any comments or pros/cons would be a huge help. Thanks.

[Super Scout]

Those two choices I would go with the four runner. I am a fan of bigger rigs but it would also depend on what kinda wheeling you do.

[notmYJ]

Come over to the dark side and get a YJ. Enough room for the fam and cheap to build. ;)

[Deadman 94 xj]

Are Sami's solid front axle?

[condortaco01]

As far as wheeling right now I'm looking to take that next step. I would love to have a vehicle that is capable yet still able to make it to my camp up north. ( about 3 hrs) I'm taking a step backwards because the older vehicles are easier to work on, at least for me. Its also cheaper to find a decent rig and build it than it would be to build my Tacoma. I'm digging the runner because I like to carry a lot of crap and my girls will be able to wheel in a few years. But Sami's are just soooo cool and maneuverable.

[condortaco01]

Samis are sfa. Birfields like the old toyotas I believe. I've had yj's and I plan to have another some day but for now I want to try something I've never had before.

[village_idiot]

i vote sammi as i am a fan of smaller rigs.

[Deadman 94 xj]

I don't know. That's a tough one to me. Samurai's just seem like a lot of fun but I'd have to go with the wheelbase of the 4runner. Both have great aftermarket support.

I guess if it were me I'd go with what I found in better condition.

If you can fab, stretch out the Samurai :)

[Sycotik Skier]

getting some basic parts like brake pads and rotors for the Sami can be difficult from parts stores, well atleast advance auto. I'd go toyota

[pittim]

If it's a dedicated rig go Sami. You already have 2 SUVs that can comfortably haul your family + junk, why get a third?

Sami's have 4 seats right?

[betrayed93]

I just sold my 2 sami's for 600 for both of them, They Look like way more fun to beat in the woods then my xj, I just sold them because I just bought wheels and tires etc for my xj and figued the sami's needed more

They are up at yankee Lake Now!

[pittim]

Just saw what 4runner you might be getting if it goes through. I will be extremely jealous (since I want a SFA first gen)

[338reezens]

i would go with the 4runner. i loved my 2nd gen 4runner (6" of total lift and 33's) even with its IFS it was great offroad, had good road manners with TSL's, had plenty of storage room and it went anywhere i have ever tried to go. the only thing, i dont like the looks of the 1st gen. i would have never got rid of mine but im right at 6' tall and my news would be sticking up past the driver side window when i was driving. lol. if you get one, make sure you get the 6 cyl, the 4 cyl is a dog, not saying the 6 cyl is much better with bigger tires. good luck man.

if they made a 2nd gen with a straight axle, i would have a couple of them. im not doing another SAS. lol

[Fourx4sr4me]

Boy, thats a tough one:017:

I'll have to think about that for a while!

[Super Scout]

With what you wanna do I would say the 4 runner hands down. Something about driving 3 hours in a 63 hp sammy would drive me nuts. But im 6'5 lol... Still I think you could 4runner to be extremely capable and still be decent on the highway.

[Bax]

With what you wanna do I would say the 4 runner hands down. Something about driving 3 hours in a 63 hp sammy would drive me nuts. But im 6'5 lol... Still I think you could 4runner to be extremely capable and still be decent on the highway.

I think the 22re is only 100hp in a rig that is twice as heavy.

do both put the drivetrain from a toyota into a sammi. then it would still be light enough to flat tow if you wanted for longer trips and you would have a great drivetrain.

[DMG]

I have had both Sami's and 4runners. I have 2 1st gen SAS'ed 4runners now so you can guess which I suggest.

[condortaco01]

I'm really leaning towards the 4runner. The sami is just too small. My buddy just bought 2 and they are cool little vehicles but I think the size would really limit me. I know the 22r's are gutless and I swore I'd never own another 4cyl but I'll be 30 in a couple weeks. That and a few kids tend to slow ya down little. First things first, I've gotta do some body work on the Taco so I can get it sold. The kind of person I am if I find the right truck I'll want to buy it before mine sells and that equals one unhappy wife!! Steve, I only met you once but I just can't picture you in a samurai. You'd probably need the jaws of life to get out!lol(insert short joke here)

[Lumpy]

Go with the 4Runner!!! I like my 22re I have in the pickup but the 268 from Engnbldr does help out some. If I had the funds and time I'd pull the 3.0 out of my 2nd gen runner and toss the 22re in. I'd much rather have a 1st than a 2nd as well.

[OverkillZJ]

Sammy's are fun but TINY. I got mine simply because I wanted to have something different to play with, and I plan to have multiple rigs.

If this will be your primary rig, for around here, I'd definitely go with a 4 runner.

[Dick.Breakey]

I didn't read the entire post but seems like you'd be pissed at urself if you didn't get the runner.so I vote that, because you seem to have more reasons to have that then the sami

[condortaco01]

But they're just soooo cool! Doesn't that count? I could throw some Thornbirds on there and pow, instant bada$$. Not quite. I'm probably going to start looking for a runner cuz I imagine I'll have to travel to find a decent one for sale. I've always liked the 1st gens and i've got time to look for the right one. While this won't be my DD I only drive 6 miles to work so in the summer it might be driven more often. Thanks for all the input.

[ridgerunner97]

I'd go 4runner for the wheelbase and its a yota. For a hardcore straight up trail machine, i'd go stretched sami with yota axles :) For what you want to do the runner just makes more sense I think.

[88wd21]

I gotta say 4runner. I got a love/hate thing goeing on with my 2gen but wouldn't trade the thing for a Sami personally...now if I had time/room/money for ANOTHER toy that seems hell bent on irritating me with constant issues... Then I'd go with a Samuri or maby a SAS Tracker in the driveway as well...

[tjblair]

I could throw some Thornbirds on there and pow, instant bada$$. OH REALLY?:044::044::044:

[condortaco01]

I could throw some Thornbirds on there and pow, instant bada$$. OH REALLY?:044::044::044:
Sarcasm doesn't come across so good online. Bad attempt at a joke. I guess I'm going to have to break down and start using smilies.

[RalphDogg]

sami's are small like matt said, i would go with toyota. a sami comes stock with a 205 tire and you can fit a 31 or 32 on a toyota stock. keep that in mind.

[Fourx4sr4me]

Go with this. It would be great.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=865374

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bkfj40/hilux/IMG_0780.jpg

[2002wranglerX]

Go with this. It would be great.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=865374

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bkfj40/hilux/IMG_0780.jpg

Look at all that nice sheet metal to smash... mmmmmmm nice

[condortaco01]

Man, that would be perfect as long as it would pass emissions.

[techno]

Were LWB Samurai's sold in the US? I've done plenty of wheeling in these and they are great. I wouldn't hesitate getting one for a dedicated wheeler. The extra room makes a difference and the wheelbase is perfect.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u4/jhsuzi/100_0483.jpg

[cityslicker]

4 runner. sammis are just way to small to be practical.... though they run on fumes, our gide at wellsville put a dixie cup worth of fuel in his and made it a few miles back to camp.. it was amazing.

4 runners are sick though.

[Lumpy]

Go with this. It would be great.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=865374

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bkfj40/hilux/IMG_0780.jpg

Now that's sweet!!! I have not see one of these in the states.

[jlovbasz3]

Were LWB Samurai's sold in the US? I've done plenty of wheeling in these and they are great. I wouldn't hesitate getting one for a dedicated wheeler. The extra room makes a difference and the wheelbase is perfect.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u4/jhsuzi/100_0483.jpg

unfortunately they never sold the lwb in the u.s.,but they did in canada

[jlovbasz3]

I think the 22re is only 100hp in a rig that is twice as heavy.

do both put the drivetrain from a toyota into a sammi. then it would still be light enough to flat tow if you wanted for longer trips and you would have a great drivetrain.

the only problem with that is the 22re is 2-3x heavier than the 1.3 so you really don't gain anything but more weight and a longer drive line.the reason i say this is because i thought of doing this when i had my samurai. you would be better off with the 1.6 16 valve from a tracker/sidekick.

[techno]

Any Toyota 4A series engine (4AGE, 4AGZE etc) is a good swap into a Sami. Corolla's have these engines so they are very easy to get. These require the use of a toyota t series gear box(t50, t51), and engine mounts from a sprinter (i think), and moving the transfer case back. If you can source a 4AGZE these are supercharged and output about 170hp. Not bad for 1.6 liters.