While it may seem like there's not a lot 80-wise going on in the Midwest, there are a few hot spots where they gather. It's good to know about these places. I'm getting up there in age and while I still enjoy wrenching within my limits, more and more I've found myself lucky enough to live in one of those places where you can find a tech who knows 80s (and other LCs), can get your broken iron into the shop in timely fashion, get it back out the door, and charge quite reasonably for it all. In East Central Illinois, that place is Specialized Automotive in Urbana. Even better, when I head out on errands, I drive right past it several times a week and it's always fun to see and count the Land Cruisers parked out front.
Tuesday, there were 4 present, plus the owner's (Eric, a former dealership tech) built Sequoia and a red 60 series by the shop (plus an FJ Cruiser hidden on a lift inside), so I decided to stop in and chat Eric up since it has been awhile since I'd needed his services, it was close to quitting time, and I wanted to get some pics, too.
Left to right here are our 1997, a nice JDM 80, a 100, the shop's built Sequoia, and another late model 80.
I was especially happy to see the low-profile Front Runner rack on the JDM, as it gave me an opportunity to measure exactly how high it rises above the drip gutter in order to see if it will fit through our garage door. Another friend and 80 owner gifted me an awning and I'd really like to bolt it on if able to do so without needing to take it off to get in the garage. Turns out the magic number is 7" so I'm planning on seeing about that tomorrow. Plus, if I am going to run a rack to hang that awning on, I prefer minimal like this one in order to also keep fuel consumption minimal.
The 80 on the east end had something a little different than a boring old ARB. Anybody recognize the maker of this nice bumper?
The 60 series sitting next to the shop with its hood missing is, I suspect, one of Eric's project trucks, but I forgot to ask him about it.
Eric has a 40 series he's working on at home, putting in a factory fresh 5-speed, which FYI requires a different bellhousing than the 3- and 4-speeds typically found in North America in 40 and 55 series of that vintage. I often wished for a 5-speed when I had my 55.
While this may seem like a crowd of Cruisers, Eric said he actually had 7 lined up there recently ranging in vintage from a 2019 all the way back to a 1971. Given that it's hard to find a mechanic these days at a dealership with much experience with the venerable 80 series, I've been delighted to work with Eric when our 80 needs fixing and I can't do it.
Any other low-profile, but very 80-experienced shops in the Midwest that you can recommend?
Tuesday, there were 4 present, plus the owner's (Eric, a former dealership tech) built Sequoia and a red 60 series by the shop (plus an FJ Cruiser hidden on a lift inside), so I decided to stop in and chat Eric up since it has been awhile since I'd needed his services, it was close to quitting time, and I wanted to get some pics, too.
Left to right here are our 1997, a nice JDM 80, a 100, the shop's built Sequoia, and another late model 80.
I was especially happy to see the low-profile Front Runner rack on the JDM, as it gave me an opportunity to measure exactly how high it rises above the drip gutter in order to see if it will fit through our garage door. Another friend and 80 owner gifted me an awning and I'd really like to bolt it on if able to do so without needing to take it off to get in the garage. Turns out the magic number is 7" so I'm planning on seeing about that tomorrow. Plus, if I am going to run a rack to hang that awning on, I prefer minimal like this one in order to also keep fuel consumption minimal.
The 80 on the east end had something a little different than a boring old ARB. Anybody recognize the maker of this nice bumper?
The 60 series sitting next to the shop with its hood missing is, I suspect, one of Eric's project trucks, but I forgot to ask him about it.
Eric has a 40 series he's working on at home, putting in a factory fresh 5-speed, which FYI requires a different bellhousing than the 3- and 4-speeds typically found in North America in 40 and 55 series of that vintage. I often wished for a 5-speed when I had my 55.
While this may seem like a crowd of Cruisers, Eric said he actually had 7 lined up there recently ranging in vintage from a 2019 all the way back to a 1971. Given that it's hard to find a mechanic these days at a dealership with much experience with the venerable 80 series, I've been delighted to work with Eric when our 80 needs fixing and I can't do it.
Any other low-profile, but very 80-experienced shops in the Midwest that you can recommend?
