[cruiserdan]

Originally Posted by tech_dog

It's also a warning that it may not be as affordable as you might think.

If you work at it, you can pick up a LC for little more than $5K. While this is low price to pay for such a capable machine, you shouldn't forget that you then become the owner of a high end, high quality, luxury vehicle.

One of CDan's points is that the vehicle doesn't know you bought it used, and an alternator will still cost you $600 or so if you need to buy a new one.

It's not a $600 alternator going into a $5,000 vehicle. It's a $600 alternator going into a $50,000 vehicle.

EXACTLY.

[Jeremiaheaster]

but a 12 year old vehicle is 12 YEARS OLD!!! Why sink money into something with depreciating resale value. The more you put in, the more you lose.

Not so. It all depends on how you look at it. If I bought a brand new cruiser I would be spending somewhere in the neighborhood of 3k-4k/year in depreciation alone! Talk about loosing money! On the other hand if I "sink" 1k-2k/year in maintenance into my 13 year old 80, I can own an extremely capable luxury vehicle that runs like a top.
I would have to heartily disagree that "sinking" money into something with depreciating value is ALWAYS a loosing endeaver.

I would sum it all up to say that I understand CDan's point in his original post, yet I think it cannot be understated that comparitively speaking an 80 owner is getting WAY more bang for his buck than an owner of probably any other vehicle in a similar class.

[redrocket]

New to the forum and have been reading the FAQ’s, some of the archives, Slees newbie guide and this post. I hope I haven’t missed the answer to my questions (some of these threads are long) and if I have you can send me to my room without dinner. Well I think I may have found my future FZJ80 and i will want to catch up the maintenance but wanted to make sure I am not overlooking anything. It is a 94 with 207XXX miles on it. It is in my price range and it has e-lockers.its in very good comedic condition, and all the options seem to work. As far as base line maintenance I have done with my other newly purchased used Toyotas I plan on a complete fluid change, Tune up (cap, rotor, wires, and plugs), Fuel filter, and knuckle reseal with new trunnion/knuckle bearings. With 200k + miles would it be advisable to flush the transmission fluid not knowing the history of it? This will be my first Cruiser and if i have missed any thing let me know. If I have over looked the answers to these questions I apologize. Thanks for the amazing forum!

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by redrocket

With 200k + miles would it be advisable to flush the transmission fluid not knowing the history of it?

Yes, the tranny fluid should be changed using something like the T-tech machine that does a "fluid exchange" using the transmission's pump. It takes about an hour which includes all the prep time. Be sure they know the volume ahead of time. They will default to 3 gallons (12 qts) maybe less. Your tranny holds considerably more; IIRC, it is ~24 qts. Please check the archives for this number or PM CruiserDan and ask him to post the capacities in this thread.

The other thing that I recommend to new owners is a complete check of the cooling system. Also, when you say you are doing "all the fluids" this should include the coolant, the PS, and the brake fluids. If your cooling system is 100% then you can be confident that you have done everything possible to prevent a catastrophic failure.

Did you mention the PHH? If not, then at least check it out during the base-line.

-B-

[redrocket]

PHH = Pesky Heater Hose?

[slinger5150]

From the way people talk, I'm assuming the PHH is a pain to replace.

[slinger5150]

Also, I haven't really heard anyone mention timing chains on the 80 @ 90,000 miles. Is this recommended also?

[Beowulf]

You are thinking of timing belts. As you know, the 1FZ-FE has a timing chain that should last for the life of the engine (>300,000 miles)

The PHH is a pain to replace.

-B-

[Grench]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

The PHH is a pain to replace.

-B-

Personally I thought the birfs were a lot more work. On my truck with -rust- the parking brakes actually beat both of them for tedious PITA.

I shudder to think what's next...

[MoGas]

There are many high mile examples of well maintained 80s out there. I have just shy of 200k on mine and I would feel more confident in the vehicle to get me to Maine than I would my wife's 99 Grand Caravan with 70k.

Do you know that the reason there are so many Land Rovers out there with low miles is because they don't rack up miles sitting in the shop.

[13kids]

Hey All, this is my first post, so i don't know if it is going to work (never used any type of forum) Anyhow, i have been reading iH8mud for almost a year, and it made me decide to get an 80. So last september. i bought (this will probably make some people shudder) sight unseen a '95 from a dealer. it had 152k on it, was white and the salesmen said it drove "real good", they were asking 6995. i offered 6k, they countered 6500, we agreed on 6200, they had drivers bring it to me, i test drove it and gave them a check, and loved it. this was my first toyota. i have had 2 excursions, a land rover, expedition and a bmw x5. But the 80 has given me more pleasure then any. i have 4 kids (and a wife) so my options for vehicles are a bit limited. So the truck has no options as far as i know. Manual seats, cloth interior, no roof rack, no lockers (boooo). i know nothing about the previous owners, or maintenance. But i have put 4,000 miles on it, had the oil changed once, and have not seen any issues. i check the oil and and look at the coolant res before i drive it any distance, it has not used any oil or coolant. So either i am lucky with this truck, or they are simply awesome. i plan on keeping it forever, and doing all maintenance as it is needed. from what i have read here in the forums, the head gasket is original, hopefully i didn't just jinx it. i will mainly use it on road, with a labor day trip of off roading with my nephews (11 jeeps last labor day). So anyhow sorry about the blah blahing, but i really believe if anyone is setting on the fence to buy one, just do it, you won't regret it. By the way, i am looking for another one with lockers and lower miles. i will need to tow some jeeps out of the mud this fall!

[Miescha]

First, welcome to mud .

Second, you mention that you have four kids, but your screen name is 13kids, so I assume this is a goal. To you I say good luck. To your wife and or mistress(es) I say don't walk - run!

Third, with such a large family, why not keep the excursion (especially if it had the 7.3L diesel)? I'm not knocking the 80 (I've had mine since 1996 and love it), but I also have a Denali XL for the family needs.

Finally, why did it take a year of reading mud before you decided to get an 80!

Again, welcome to mud (a year late I suppose).

[Beowulf]

At 156k on it now, you really need to know if the front axle has been serviced at some point in time. If it has not been serviced then you should plan to do so. This is a 60k service and your wheel bearings (F&R) are scheduled for service at 30k intervals.

Glad you are enjoying your new truck and I would recommend you start a new thread to introduce yourself as you see that several others have done recently.

-B-

[13kids]

thanks you guys, the reason i didn't keep the exursion is because it was 565.00 a month and i have recently moved and do not drive as much, or make as much. the only thing that gives me a little fuzzy feeling about previous owners maintenance, is that it has a recent toyota battery in it. i am not on my way to 13 kids! 4 is plenty. i did have a leak, the carpet was wet after i first bought it, did the sunroof drain holes with a cable tv cord(thanks to ih8mud), thought i had it, but the next rain it was wet agian, found it to be the windsheild. i can't believe how much water can seep through the windsheild. i know i need to look at the front end, that is my next plan. Again thank you.

[80 Cruiser Rod]

Originally Posted by Grench

If you can't afford to pay cash for one, you probably shouldn't be buying it.

Very good point!!! After my extensive research in searching for a vehicle to replace 1994 4Runner that replaced my 1988 GMC Jimmy (the biggest piece of c**p I've ever owned). I wanted a vehicle that I would be sure to get better than 200,000 miles and be very dependable. Well I came to only one conclusio, the Land Cruiser was the vehicle for me. This vehicle was to serve me as to going in and out of the Deer-Woods as well as running back and forth to work (14 miles from home).

I doubled the initial cost of the vehicle in the first two weeks I owned it with just repairing items that needed to done. Any vehicle I have ever owned has always had to be mechanically sound in all areas.

I'm still getting use this rig, never had one like it. Having this site to reflect on isn't helping either, just make you want to spend more on mods (that's not a bad thing either). I'm not sure were I'm going to end up with this but I'm sure it's going to be a great ride.

Thanks ih8mud.com and great posting to everyone,
Rod

[erymer]

Awesome info...this will really help me when I finally get an 80. I've been wanting one for a while and this is great.

[tech_dog]

I keep re-reading this thread.

One more perspective to consider....

I insure my 06 LX because it was expensive. I have lowjack in my 94 LC because it's irreplaceable.

If I were to have one stolen, I'd definitely want it to be the 06 LX. I could always buy an 07.

[tblume]

just arranged purchase sight unseen of a 93' locked and loaded. I looked for a while half heartedly till this one showed up; second owner is the nephew of the original owner, two years since engine rebuild and trans O/H, paper trail, stock except the tires are bigger all terrains of indeterminate make in the photo. no fear on my part- like the CRD I'm selling, I plan on being my own maintenance department.

I'm with the guys here that are planning on being buried in theirs; my first "car" ever (1989) was the 71 FJ55, had to let it go two years ago to relocate, Been without at least one land abuser since then but will never happen again.

since I started lurking on the 'MUD site I have been amazed at the level of knowledge and community here, I thought the CRD community was good, fuhgeddaboudit

so now the question is, can somebody give me a ride to Portland from Roseburg Wednesday, and who knows someone that needs an 05 CRD?

[JO MAOMA]

Originally Posted by tblume

just arranged purchase sight unseen of a 93' locked and loaded. I looked for a while half heartedly till this one showed up; second owner is the nephew of the original owner, two years since engine rebuild and trans O/H, paper trail, stock except the tires are bigger all terrains of indeterminate make in the photo. no fear on my part- like the CRD I'm selling, I plan on being my own maintenance department.

I'm with the guys here that are planning on being buried in theirs; my first "car" ever (1989) was the 71 FJ55, had to let it go two years ago to relocate, Been without at least one land abuser since then but will never happen again.

since I started lurking on the 'MUD site I have been amazed at the level of knowledge and community here, I thought the CRD community was good, fuhgeddaboudit

so now the question is, can somebody give me a ride to Portland from Roseburg Wednesday, and who knows someone that needs an 05 CRD?

welcome and congrats! this place is a great sourse of information on both land cruiser and low cost palm oil...

[GA Trevor]

Welcome

[tblume]

thanks for the welcome, HIJACK ON


re: CRD ownership and low cost palm oil; I wish! the cost of fuel is a non issue for me as I am in a company rig 40-50 hours/week, the problem lies in the payment. By my calculations, owning a LandCrusher and buying fuel @ $0.28/mile Vs. payment and fuel for the CRD @$0.19/ mile, the CRD is $100 bucks more a month.

HIJACK OFF

thanks again, I hope I can be forgiven for driving a Heep for the last year and a half, I promise it will never happen again.

Give me till wednesday and I'll have a report on the new crusher in my life, can't wait!

now for a cool avatar........

[Colonal Angus]

This is a great thread.....When I first started reading it, I felt like I was making a bad decision for purchasing such an old vehicle ('94). I want to purchase a vehicle with cash and I've always wanted an 80...they're in my price range and I know they are pretty much indestructible, so i started looking into them...now I can't get enough MUD. I had some time to think about this....The costly repairs and upkeep of a landcruiser seem to be far less compared to a newer, less mile vehicle that won't hold up. If I purchase a Lc for $4500 and have drop $2000 into immediatley to catch it up on a few services....I'm only into the vehicle $6500. What other kind of vehicle can you buy for $6500? Lots!!!! but nothing I'd want to drive. LCs are timeless, if you see a '92 driving down the street.....you say, damn thats a sweet Land Cruiser (atleast I do). I have yet to find my 80, but when I do..... well....you know.....I'll be happy like you guys. And be under 10k with an awesome vehicle.......

[bpassmore]

Originally Posted by Colonal Angus

This is a great thread.....When I first started reading it, I felt like I was making a bad decision for purchasing such an old vehicle ('94). I want to purchase a vehicle with cash and I've always wanted an 80...they're in my price range and I know they are pretty much indestructible, so i started looking into them...now I can't get enough MUD. I had some time to think about this....The costly repairs and upkeep of a landcruiser seem to be far less compared to a newer, less mile vehicle that won't hold up. If I purchase a Lc for $4500 and have drop $2000 into immediatley to catch it up on a few services....I'm only into the vehicle $6500. What other kind of vehicle can you buy for $6500? Lots!!!! but nothing I'd want to drive. LCs are timeless, if you see a '92 driving down the street.....you say, damn thats a sweet Land Cruiser (atleast I do). I have yet to find my 80, but when I do..... well....you know.....I'll be happy like you guys. And be under 10k with an awesome vehicle.......

First, Welcome.

Second, your logic is spot on. You will love your truck (rig, suv, battle beast, or whatever you want to call it) for years to come.

[Right Turn Clyde]

Having purchased a '94 back in summer, and having done the sudden-80-research-online process, I find it interesting to read this post which spans several years.

80s today have plummeted compared to when the first post went up on this thread. I bought the '94 for 2,500. I liked it enough to waste a LOT of hours on Mud et al. From driving the 80 and reading up, I opted to get a '96 LX. $6k for a $48k rig. I have seen others equally as cheap for both eras of rigs.

The cost of ownership seems to vary a lot though. Clearly there are a lot of 200k+ mi rigs that have basically had oil changed. I'm not sure what the variables are that affect who has to do what, but my readings suggest you may in fact not have to do much if you buy a higher miles truck like my '94 (which needed belts and $100 in little bits.

Anyway, good thread. I think it'll be interesting to watch how posts change on this, and how the trucks vary in value. Gas prices and the BIG LIE of saving money by purchasing a new Civic etc will continue to scare folks off from an 80. But I gotta tell ya, I LOVE climbing into the LX and like my KLR it makes me want to come up with excuses to drive. When your truck makes you react like a teen with a sports car---offering to run errands for mom to have another reason to climb in and put on a few (s)miles---that is where the value comes in....



ps-and if you are familiar with the whole Pareto rule (aka, 20/80 principle) then you know that for all the pricey mod's to add to wheeling (or looks), the first 20% (if chosen wisely) will produce 80% of the actual gains. I suspect lockers, if not factory equipped, is a great example of that. Similarly, the cost of lifts keep going up past 2-3", adding larger tires brings on exponential costs and yet yield limited gains for 80% (or more) of offroad. Maybe that's why it's numbered an 80----it'll do 80% of all wheeling in stock form, and only needs a few tweaks to handle the remainder.

[nodaksn3]

Great post Dan, and the rest of you. I'm ready to hit 200,000 on my '80, and after reading everybody's comments, I feel as though I'm under- maintaining it! I've owned a ton of vehicles in my 63 years, loved some, hated others, but my 80 is by far the best car/truck I've ever owned. Most comfortable, most capable, most expensive to maintain, most all-around fun. Ned

[truevil]

I know that I am a newb but this is my .02 cents.
I was a lucky one, and was given my LC from my Aunt. She was the original owner, and like another post said, all she did was oil changes and minimal services. I have had it for about 2 months now, and have put $4,000 in PM and redoing the interior, and new tires and rims, and a OME 1.5" lift. The $4,000 didnt go as far as I had wished, but this is my first 4wheel drive and I had noidea what i was getting into. The LC still needs the front axel rebuilt, because the seals are leaking a little, and I plan on jumping into that this winter, but for now I just keep toping off the front diff fluid and drive on my merry way. I do all of the wrench turning my self, for two reasons, i love it and the dealership is too expensive(but we all know that already). This site is the best, I have learned so much from you all, Thanks and keep it comming. One example is I said this is my first 4 wheel drive, I had no idea I had to check the fluid in the transfer case, or even what a transfer case was, it was this site that set me straight and now my tcase has been drained and refilled. I am on a very limited budget, i just got out of the Army, and now go to school full time. I live off of a verry liminted budget, so my plans have to be well thought out and researched, and then I have to save up the money in order to do any else to the LC. I am so proud to own one of the finest vech. ever made, and I guess with only $4,000 invested so far, I am way ahead of the curve.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by truevil

... but for now I just keep toping off the front diff fluid and drive on my merry way.

Just so you know, your diff fluid is going into your knuckle if you keep topping it off and the knuckles are leaking. What this means is that you have diff fluid where moly grease should be. The life of your birfields (~$500 each side for OEM) will be dramatically reduced if you don't properly service your front axle.

A better strategy would be to pump a tube of moly grease in the knuckles using the square plug atop the knuckle housing. This should get you by until Jan/Feb when you were planning the axle service.

-B-

[nodaksn3]

Truevil- Welcome, we're proud of all you guys. Good luck at school. You'll love this group. Ned Vietnam '69-'70.

[joebarbarian1]

Coming from a 2x bmw owner 91 850i 98k and a 97 740il 65k.. I love my lx 450 and I bought it used..it is one of my best buys YET!.. completely enjoying it and thinking of moving my wife's new fj into a previously owned LX! 97and older frnt axle and all.

Joeb.

[ba450]

F it just get one! they are built like tanks!!! Way better than my 40. though I loved my 40 these are better!