buy a 70 or 80

[c0mputerking]

Hello all new to the forum (my bother is on here somewhere too) and need some advice. I am selling my 300zx TT and going to buy a land cruiser. However i have some question should i get a 70 or 80? I will be driving on the highway a fair bit for work usually 8 hours a day. I am interested in comfort but not at the expense of reliability? which is more reliable? seems like the 80 seems more comfortable? which is more efficient? I really like the no frills approach of the 70 i have seen not alot of bells and whistles seems less to go wrong. How does the 70 ride on the highway with the leaf springs? do leafs make it tougher? do they make a 70 with reg springs? also want a standard trans? seem to be more 70 with them. I might be importing so i need keep it under 1993

ps i will not be doing lots of off roading mostly on road but weather in alberta can be get bad and i will be doing lots or back roads and some fields.


thanks in advance

[john_d]

80 series, if I were in your shoes.......in a heartbeat. The on road manners and comfort level of a 70 series compared to a 80 series is very poor indeed.

Furthermore, I'd go for the factory turbocharged 6 cylinder diesel, the HDJ80.

[roscoFJ73]

When it comes to build quality all the landcruiser bodies are equally well built. If your not going offroad,can afford the higher running costs,get the 80.

The 80 is still a tough contender offroad.
As to the springs,they make a coil spring 70 but many owners have reported problems with the heads in the smaller 4cyl L engines.
No real difference in "toughness" between coils and leaves. You can make leaves comfortable but you can also make coils better with aftermarket coils.(Coils will always be better for comfort)

[M John Galt]

If you want a highway comfortable safe rugged vehicle with modern SUV styling and 'comfort' features, with better than average SUV off road capabilities, then get an 80 series.
If you still want most of those features in a more classic style, then a 60 series might be an option. Especially if importing from Japan where some near mint 60s can still be found.
If your preference is a safe, rugged, long lasting, classic truck with military/utility styling, then a 70 series might be the best choice. Less highway comfort than the 60s or 80s, but still as good or better than most, for that style of rugged utility truck. They can be found with manual trannies, manual windows, factory winches, and LSD or locking differentials, all designed for long term trouble free operation if properly maintained. They're made to be fixed, not thrown away. Offroad capability equals the the best, even without aftermarket options. If you're not in a hurry a 7x will go just about anywhere. Fuel economy with the turbo diesel is close to that of 4cyl cars half the weight.
These older style diesel engines can also work well with biodiesel or veg-oil mixes with diesel as fuel alternatives to improve economy of operation and significantly reduce pollution emissions.

[Gold Boy]

Originally Posted by M John Galt

If you want a highway comfortable safe rugged vehicle with modern SUV styling and 'comfort' features, with better than average SUV off road capabilities, then get an 80 series.
If you still want most of those features in a more classic style, then a 60 series might be an option. Especially if importing from Japan where some near mint 60s can still be found.
If your preference is a safe, rugged, long lasting, classic truck with military/utility styling, then a 70 series might be the best choice. Less highway comfort than the 60s or 80s, but still as good or better than most, for that style of rugged utility truck. They can be found with manual trannies, manual windows, factory winches, and LSD or locking differentials, all designed for long term trouble free operation if properly maintained. They're made to be fixed, not thrown away. Offroad capability equals the the best, even without aftermarket options. If you're not in a hurry a 7x will go just about anywhere. Fuel economy with the turbo diesel is close to that of 4cyl cars half the weight.
These older style diesel engines can also work well with biodiesel or veg-oil mixes with diesel as fuel alternatives to improve economy of operation and significantly reduce pollution emissions.

well said, red green

also the 70 s body steel welds very easily.

i have found my 74 a easy vehicle to maintain and up grade when necessary.



edit, the 70 series tlc, is also the most definitive land cruiser series....
imho

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by c0mputerking

I will be driving on the highway a fair bit for work usually 8 hours a day.

This alone makes me say HDJ81. Powerful for the fast highways and comfortable. Still rugged and comfortable.

Originally Posted by Gold Boy

edit, the 70 series tlc, is also the most definitive land cruiser series....
imho

Too me the 60 is that. But for most it's the 40 series.

[jonb96150]

Having both a 70 and an 80 I would advise the 80 for your purpose. You will get tired of driving the 70 8 hours a day real fast. The full-time 4x4 of the 80 is fantastic in snow and ice. Unless you're in 4x4 with hubs locked, and you hit the random icy corner in the 70 you could be doing 360's real quick.

Wayne in Calgary owns Luxury Imports and has been bringing in the JDM 80 series and knows them in and out.

luxuryimports.ca

[Arjun75]

I have had my Lj79 Prado for about a year and a half now and its been a great car.Super reliable,easy to drive and very economical with the 3L engine.

Of late i have been wondering the same thing.70 or 80 series.....its just that my LJ with the 4 speed and very basic interiors is not the best on highways.

From wht i have read in the 80's forum and heard from friends who own 80's it does not seem to be as uncomplicated and reliable or even for that matter as economical as owning a 70 series.Still would love to own an 80with the turbo diesel cause they are just scsh great cars.............having said that i dont want to let go of the hassle free 70 either.

So i decided its the 70 for now unless an 80 in spanking condition turns up.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by Arjun75

I have had my Lj79 Prado for about a year and a half now and its been a great car.Super reliable,easy to drive and very economical with the 3L engine.

Of late i have been wondering the same thing.70 or 80 series.....its just that my LJ with the 4 speed and very basic interiors is not the best on highways.
.

Yours with a 5sp and a small power increase would make a world of difference

[Arjun75]

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Yours with a 5sp and a small power increase would make a world of difference

hi Rosco.....been thinking the same.So do i take it you would rather i stick with this car and not look at an 80.

As for the power increase....what would you recommend.Turbo Install?.... but to do that i first need the 5 speed to be done.

Another question...out on the highway at around 90-100km/hr the 4 speed makes the 3L run at very high revs as you would know.is it ok for the engine to be cruising at say constant 90Km/hr.I change oil every 5000 km.And its only occasionally i take it long distance..its mostly used in the city as a DD.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by Arjun75

hi Rosco.....been thinking the same.So do i take it you would rather i stick with this car and not look at an 80.

As for the power increase....what would you recommend.Turbo Install?.... but to do that i first need the 5 speed to be done.

Another question...out on the highway at around 90-100km/hr the 4 speed makes the 3L run at very high revs as you would know.is it ok for the engine to be cruising at say constant 90Km/hr.I change oil every 5000 km.And its only occasionally i take it long distance..its mostly used in the city as a DD.

I got friend who is a teacher on a remote Aboriginal settlement 2500klms from his home. When the school break starts he drives the distance in his 3L powered Hilux dual cab with a 5 sp
He says it holds its own at the 110klm speed limit.

I would say if you really want the 80 and can afford it ,get it. Otherwise a gearbox upgrade is maybe all you need.
I dont know how the 3L goes with a turbo. I would do some research on aussie hilux forums as they are quite common engines here.
Do the 5 sp and then consider your next step.

[Tapage]

I've been driven plenty of 40 / 70 / 60 / 80 .. definately the best option it's the 80 series .. great aftermarket if some day you get the off road bug and wanna make it a monster .. instead of .. grear on road and very off road capabilities ..