possible new fj80 owner

mendozart · 06-27-09, 10:15 PM

Okay, I read quite a bit of the newbie sections and "thinking of buying" sections. I owned a '90 4runner for 10 years, did most of the maintenance myself. I also own a couple straight 6 BMW's and wrench on them, including doing a couple headgasket jobs, timing belts, etc. The reason I say this, is I feel I can do quite a bit of wrenching on the LC. I'm going to go look at a '94 LC tomorrow that is super clean, just had the headgasket done recently by a high-end shop, along with alot of other maintenance that totalled $4000. The things I'm debating, or concerned with, is the lower gas mileage and 4WD insurance being higher, my 4runner was a 2WD. I was going to replace my recently "totalled" 4runner with a 3rd gen, but I've always loved the Land Cruisers. If you look at my join date, you can see I've admired the LC's for quite awhile. Anyway, any advice will be well received. Thanks.

Greg

AppleTech · 06-27-09, 10:33 PM

You can't go wrong with a LC. It is just so over-engineered and working on it you really understand why they cost so much more when new - there are so many cool little features on these trucks. The headlamps have built in leveling bubbles so you can level the lights in the field if you needed to! The fact that the truck you are looking at has had the HG done is HUGE.

Good luck. Don't worry about insurance increase with 4wd. These may not count as they are technically "AWD" by some insurance standards. They are also old trucks so they aren't that expensive to insure.

-Phil

mendozart · 06-27-09, 11:51 PM

One other thing I would like to add. I'm really not into 4 wheeling, so I'm wondering if the LandCruiser is overkill. I know most of you either live where you need a 4WD vehicle, or just love to go out and have fun off-roading. Really, this will be a kid hauler, drum hauler (musician), and occasional camping vehicle.

AppleTech · 06-28-09, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mendozart

One other thing I would like to add. I'm really not into 4 wheeling, so I'm wondering if the LandCruiser is overkill. I know most of you either live where you need a 4WD vehicle, or just love to go out and have fun off-roading. Really, this will be a kid hauler, drum hauler (musician), and occasional camping vehicle.

To be honest with you, it probably is overkill for you. I mean they ARE great trucks and very well built, but if you are not looking to take it off-road, I would consider something that gets better gas mileage. I don't know how many seats/space you need, but the 4 cyl 4Runners always worked great for me. Also very reliable. Not as well built as a Land Cruiser but is relative to the fact that they are still much more reliable than many other vehicles out there. You could also consider a Quad-Cab Tacoma w/ a topper for your hauling needs.

OR a Volvo wagon...

-Phil

mendozart · 06-28-09, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleTech

the 4 cyl 4Runners always worked great for me. Also very reliable.

You know, as reliable as my 4cyl '90 4runner was, the best mileage I ever got was 20 mpg on the hwy, and probably 13-15 city. So, the LC isn't too far from my previous mpg. The one benefit would be that I wouldn't hesitate to go to the snow more.

AppleTech · 06-28-09, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mendozart

You know, as reliable as my 4cyl '90 4runner was, the best mileage I ever got was 20 mpg on the hwy, and probably 13-15 city. So, the LC isn't too far from my previous mpg. The one benefit would be that I wouldn't hesitate to go to the snow more.

Did you have a auto or 5 speed? I usually returned at least above 20 in my 22RE / 5 speed 4x4 SR5.

-Phil

mendozart · 06-28-09, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleTech

Did you have a auto or 5 speed? I usually returned at least above 20 in my 22RE / 5 speed 4x4 SR5.

-Phil

It was an auto.

TobyJug · 06-28-09, 03:00 AM

I have driven a 2.4TD Hilux Surf (manual) Jap import for a while and have finally upgaded to the LC... (auto)

To be honest the mpg locally is more or less the same really and long distance the mpg figures are better in the LC really than the Surf...

Mainly because the LC runs at just under 2200 revs @ 70mph all day long and the Surf used to scream at over 3500 revs....

The 3rd gens however are a lot better they are the same as the LC colorado just a different body...
I do very much like the 3rd gen's but I am just to much in love with the LC...

Test drive both and see what u think...
if your not really 0ff-Roading then maybe a 3ltr is the way to go but I think u will just have to drive them both and see what u think..

Like I said I think mpg wise there is little difference depending on the mileage..

I get about 20mpg (uk gallons) around town and I think about 26mpg distance..

I used 46.7 literes on 215 miles yesterday that included 100 miles of off-roading though...

Good luck with your choice.....

ALCO · 06-28-09, 11:01 AM

I like driving my family around in a tank. There are a lot of crazy drivers in the PHX area and SoCal certainly has their share also.

People will think twice about turning in front of you (assuming they even look!).

Your street cred will be high. People have always seen these things on Nat Geo in far flung places, they may assume you are a great explorer.
Seriously though, your street gas mileage will be low (10-12). I get 16 on the highway.

0 to 60 is nothing to brag about but once they get up to speed they are fine.

Insurance is not bad.
You don't need a road. Also, when you need to work on your LC this board is a great resource.

mendozart · 06-28-09, 05:58 PM

Well, I went and checked out the LC and it was in great shape. There is only a few minor things that need to be fixed. The front passenger seat won't move forward or back. The motor works, but you can see that only one side of the seat is moving. The only other thing was some slight vibration on the driver's side mirror, which I know there is a fix for. Aside from the top end of the engine recently being done, the brakes were just done, and it's got new tires. The paint is in pristine condition, you could tell this vehicle had been garaged it's whole life. It does have the e-locker, which I know alot of you guys like. He's firm at $6000, but I think it's a really good price for condition and the major work recently done.

Lka1988 · 06-28-09, 06:49 PM

You say "the e-locker", which worries me. Does it actually have the rotary knob to the left of the steering wheel, or a button to the right that says "Center Diff Lock"?

Two different things...

mendozart · 06-28-09, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lka1988

You say "the e-locker", which worries me. Does it actually have the rotary knob to the left of the steering wheel, or a button to the right that says "Center Diff Lock"?

Two different things...

There was some sort of switch to the left of the steering wheel. I am not sure though.

Lka1988 · 06-28-09, 08:20 PM

What year are we dealing with?

mendozart · 06-28-09, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lka1988

What year are we dealing with?

It's a '94.

mendozart · 06-29-09, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lka1988

You say "the e-locker", which worries me. Does it actually have the rotary knob to the left of the steering wheel, or a button to the right that says "Center Diff Lock"?

Two different things...

I was doing some searching and found a pic of the locker knob. I tried to post it, but it was an invalid file. It's definitely a rotary knob to the left of the steering wheel. So, what do you guys think? Do you think it's worth $6k?

cody c · 06-29-09, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mendozart

I was doing some searching and found a pic of the locker knob. I tried to post it, but it was an invalid file. It's definitely a rotary knob to the left of the steering wheel. So, what do you guys think? Do you think it's worth $6k?

probally, you could get them cheaper but not necesarily with e-locker in good running condition.

mendozart · 06-29-09, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody c

probally, you could get them cheaper but not necesarily with e-locker in good running condition.

I have found some cheaper ones, but this one is in excellent condition. The paint is flawless, the PO replaced all hoses, belts, waterpump, wires, plugs, etc, when he did the HG. The head was fully rebuilt. I talked with the owner of the shop that did all the work, and he personally owns an 80 series LC himself.

retrofive · 06-30-09, 09:09 AM

Sounds fair to me. Buy it

Twiggles · 06-30-09, 10:25 AM

sounds like a fair deal. I paid a little more than that for my 94 locked cruiser about 5 months ago...There are better deals out there if you are willing to wait, but frankly, I dont think its worth the risk of passing up a nice truck to save a few hundred $$$...

mendozart · 06-30-09, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twiggles

sounds like a fair deal. I paid a little more than that for my 94 locked cruiser about 5 months ago...There are better deals out there if you are willing to wait, but frankly, I dont think its worth the risk of passing up a nice truck to save a few hundred $$$...

I've actually already looked at 5 of them in the last 2 months, and I feel this is the best deal by far. I already have a check on the way from my 401k account, so it looks like a done deal. I'm getting pretty excited now.

mendozart · 07-02-09, 11:00 PM

Well, I picked up the LC today and it is AWESOME! As much as I loved my '90 4Runner, this thing blows it away. I'm really looking forward to learning alot from this site and becoming part of the LC community.

AppleTech · 07-02-09, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mendozart

Well, I picked up the LC today and it is AWESOME! As much as I loved my '90 4Runner, this thing blows it away. I'm really looking forward to learning alot from this site and becoming part of the LC community.

... and getting offroad and using that magic dial

PICS!

-Phil

retrofive · 07-03-09, 08:33 AM

..... now this thread is useless without pics

on the new ride.

mendozart · 07-03-09, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrofive

..... now this thread is useless without pics

on the new ride.

Pics coming soon. I had to work today, and will have to all weekend.

ThePookieBear · 07-03-09, 12:27 PM

We do a group auto insurance deal, all the cars in our family are insured with the same company. I have full coverage and am a 24 year old male, but I only pay $80 a month. Shouldn't be too bad.

retrofive · 07-03-09, 03:26 PM

^ Me too... well not 24, but having 4 of our cars under the same policy makes the 80 dirt cheap including full coverage.

SchniperJB · 07-03-09, 06:10 PM

Congrats on the truck.

For the drivers side mirror, there is a hole in the bottom of the case, stick your screw driver up there, and try to tighten it. Three minute fix, will keep from driving you crazy.

retrofive · 07-03-09, 07:13 PM

^ mmmm BUT be very careful, over tighten it and it will break. There is some great write-ups and threads on the mirror and simple fixes.

mendozart · 07-03-09, 10:29 PM

Okay, here's a couple quick pics that I took today, so that you guys don't give me any sh!t. The PO put some, what looks like to me, newer 4Runner Rims and tires. He also gave me the original tires and rims, but they are cosmetically a little rough. I had my tire guy dismount the worn tires, and I'm going to look into refurbing the wheels. I did pop the original caps on the rims, they don't look too bad. I do need one extra cap if anyone has one they can spare.

lndcruz · 07-04-09, 01:27 AM

looks nice! best color btw.

Yeah I would put the factory wheels back on or get some spacers at least.