So after selling my 99 Runner built for Overlanding, for my dads 77 Celica, their was a hole in my heart, My wife felt it too. So we tried to fill it with a 91 FJ80, but the gas mileage was KILLER, and my wife hated the LC. While we were buying it, her GrandPa was place in the hospital and passed a few days later. So the LC had to go.
Adventure is out there, but adventure out of the back of a 13 avenger is not the same. But we didn't need a 4x4 or another car in general, and could use the money to help with student loans so we decided we would wait... but waiting is HARD...
After 10 month of drooling and waiting for the summer of 2020 when Student loans would be Paid off in full. A deal that we could not refuse popped up. A poorly advertised Hilux popped up on Ebay. Advertised as a Toyota pickup and the pic being of the front most would accidentally glance over this yota thinking it was just a regular old Toyota pickup. BUT IT WASN'T! and even better was it was only 3 hours away! I messaged the guy and got the details on the HiLux. He offered to sell it out right at his reservation Price, and I made arrangements to go check it out. Sadly this Lux has had a hard life since entering N America. Spending a few years in Canada took a toll on the front doors and tailgate. Maintenance... well she needs a master cylinder, power steering is not working (thinking the pump), Rear Diff pinion bearing is SHOOT, and i think so are the gears, Belts are all loose, Leafs are toast, and the switch for the Fan is broke on Full blast!
After my experience with my FJ80 I was tempted to walk but he offered to drop it another 500 to help with the diff issues... at 5500 for a 3L Double Cab 4x4 Hilux legally imported into the US with 200,000KM... and a fully supportive wife. We jump on it!
Sadly this will be a SloooooooooooooW build, I just got accepted to grad school and we still want to get those pesky student loans paid off. So I will be starting with Mechanical first, then Body, then in the summer of 2020 fun stuff like ARB bumper, Winch, OME lift and maybe even a RTT. If you know where I can find a OEM service manual please let me know.
Adventure is out there, but adventure out of the back of a 13 avenger is not the same. But we didn't need a 4x4 or another car in general, and could use the money to help with student loans so we decided we would wait... but waiting is HARD...
After 10 month of drooling and waiting for the summer of 2020 when Student loans would be Paid off in full. A deal that we could not refuse popped up. A poorly advertised Hilux popped up on Ebay. Advertised as a Toyota pickup and the pic being of the front most would accidentally glance over this yota thinking it was just a regular old Toyota pickup. BUT IT WASN'T! and even better was it was only 3 hours away! I messaged the guy and got the details on the HiLux. He offered to sell it out right at his reservation Price, and I made arrangements to go check it out. Sadly this Lux has had a hard life since entering N America. Spending a few years in Canada took a toll on the front doors and tailgate. Maintenance... well she needs a master cylinder, power steering is not working (thinking the pump), Rear Diff pinion bearing is SHOOT, and i think so are the gears, Belts are all loose, Leafs are toast, and the switch for the Fan is broke on Full blast!
After my experience with my FJ80 I was tempted to walk but he offered to drop it another 500 to help with the diff issues... at 5500 for a 3L Double Cab 4x4 Hilux legally imported into the US with 200,000KM... and a fully supportive wife. We jump on it!
Sadly this will be a SloooooooooooooW build, I just got accepted to grad school and we still want to get those pesky student loans paid off. So I will be starting with Mechanical first, then Body, then in the summer of 2020 fun stuff like ARB bumper, Winch, OME lift and maybe even a RTT. If you know where I can find a OEM service manual please let me know.
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