I have done a bit of research myself on the subject(Only electronic media), and what i have found was indeed the Jap rigs are reliable and can be heavily modified as you suggest. How ever when it comes to stability i think the LR stands tall.
In my case i dont want this rig to be ´¨competitionon only¨. It must be street legal, which means changing over to wider track axles is out of the question.
But the LR is wider by design and has to be more stable(i am only guessing). Normally the diff gear ratio is low , meaning taller tires without much hassle.
So finally when you wiegh the pros and cons.....
LR= STABLE,UNRELIABLE,EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN
BJ=UNSTABLE,RELIABLE,INEXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN
Only other criteria which is not included in the equation is the initial cost of two similar condition vehicles.
Which is better???????????
Hasthi