80 Replacement??????????

[landtoy80]

Rust and mileage are starting to take over my 80
It still runs GREAT and looks good (from a distance )
BUT...
If I ever need to sink big $$$ into it I don't think I will.
I have some rust on the tail gate, rocker and back window frames.
The driver seat needs restichin and my tailgate is bent.
The only thing it needs at this time is a lift and a winch.
I drove it to Denver this week and it got 14mpg, and that was at 70 to 80 mph, all the way.
It made it over the passes with no problems but it I had to redline it all the way.

My ? is, what should I replace it with?
I am sure I will have pleanty of time before I will need to replace it but I want don't want to wait untill its too late.

My options:
another 94
a newer 80 ( I test started a 96 with 110k, it smoked on startup and the seat would not recline forword, passed on it)
Kristo said to look into a 98,99 100 series.
unimog
double cab taco
FJCruiser (don't like that the rear passangers [kids] don't have a window that they can look out of without leaning forword, looks like an airplan window)

I need a vehicle to drive to work and wheel with.
I don't have time to go though whole vehicle like I did on my 80 so I will need trail/road ready vehicle.

 

[firetruck41]

Rust free 80 from the southwest/pacific NW/etc..., would probably be the cheapest easiest.

 

[clownmidget]

double cab taco w/ 4-cyl & 5-spd

 

[landtoy80]

double cab taco w/ 4-cyl & 5-spd

I drove the V6 Taco with a 5-speed or I should say I tried to drive it
I kant shift the dam thing, the wife had no probem. A guy at work said the same thing when he test drove one. He got the V6 with auto.

 

[GUAC]

G-Wagon

 

[Cruiserdrew]

double cab taco w/ 4-cyl & 5-spd

#2

This may be my next car anyway, hopefully with a small diesel.

 

[spartan]

Sell it - get a 96-97 80 from no rust regions.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Get a 2000+ 100 and add ARB's front and rear. I had the chance to purchase a unimog before the 80--just couldn't justify it. I'm not much on American built Toyota's but since your considering the Tacoma why not the new Tundra--you can find it on Toyota's site---is going to have a 5.7 liter V8. The FJ sounds pretty neat but not so sure about kids in the back--you could also think about keeping the 80 around for wheeling.

I don't like the 4Runner becuase I'm 6´4" with a 32" inseam--the winshield is too low but if you fit--why not? With ARB's front and back along with the VVT-I V8 and hill decent/Acent controll---whats not to like about it.

 

[NorCalDoug]

100 series.

 

[Beowulf]

85 Chevy Suburban. Don't sweat a little rust, you can cut it out and make it look exactly like an Avalanche. Spring for the 454ci engine and automatic tranny.

Zoom Zoom Zooooom.

-B-

 

[skyshark186]

85 Chevy Suburban. Don't sweat a little rust, you can cut it out and make it look exactly like an Avalanche. Spring for the 454ci engine and automatic tranny.

Zoom Zoom Zooooom.

-B-

Lol. Yeah. Right. Come here. You could probably buy 10-12 of em for the same price as elsewhere.

Never drove a 100, but I cant get used to the look. I like older, so i can actually work on it, and dont have to worry about so many freekin computers. So i would say newer 80. But what do i know, right?

 

[sleeoffroad]

I like older, so i can actually work on it, and dont have to worry about so many freekin computers.

I never did understand this. Why would it be more difficult to work on. The computers are just fancy relays and control systems that were made solid state to be more reliable and have less moving parts.

They all use metric hardware to attach What is more difficult, a bad running FJ60 with no feedback or a newer car that will actually point you in the right direction?

 

[Romer]

Hey, Christos TURBO'd 100 would be a good one

 

[skyshark186]

I never did understand this. Why would it be more difficult to work on. The computers are just fancy relays and control systems that were made solid state to be more reliable and have less moving parts.

They all use metric hardware to attach What is more difficult, a bad running FJ60 with no feedback or a newer car that will actually point you in the right direction?

Either it aint getting air, fuel, or spark. Whats hard about that?

Ive chased deamons in comped cars that ended up being all sorts of stupid things. Shorts, bad ECU, bad sensors..........

Granted....a 60 can get shorts. But there are half as many wires to check.

 

[concretejungle]

Kurt, you looking to hardcore wheel, or more of a reliable family hauler that can get you where you need to go no matter the conditions?

If you want a wheeler', i'd look at another 80, perhaps a newer one from the SW. If it's the family hualer, i would look for a 100. One of the guys at my office has a 04' 100 series, that thing is butter!! I would love to have one.

 

[tarbe]

Hard to beat a higher mileage but well maintained 80 for bang-for-the-buck. The only compromise is fuel...but you know that all to well already.

 

[landtoy80]

I like the TuRDVALACHE idea.
I would love to TuRD the 80

 

[Walking Eagle]

There is an 80 for sale in Sheridan, WY with something rediculously low for miles - like in the 70's? If you want more details I can ask my dad if it's still there.

There isn't anything that is built like the 80 series. It's built better IMHO than even any other Toyota product. If you don't want to dump the money into this one, get a lower mileage one. I bought mine with 163,000 miles and figured I'd rather spend the money replacing the motor at 200,000 if I got unlucky with a head gasket, than on new car payments for something of lesser quality and capability.

If ya' gotta go new, TRD Double Cab Tacoma - Or the FJ Cruiser TRD. Both should be great off-road out of the box - since the engines and tranys are the same, it's mostly a matter of do you want a bed or not.

Or, better yet - get yourself a Toyota Matrix, or a SCION xB and keep the 80 you have. It'd probably be cheaper overall cost than running a new Taco - given the mileage and all.

 

[PDoyle]

$$$ is the question? How much do you want to spend?
I had the same problem. Bought a 96, sold the 94.
Go with what you know! There must be more than one 96 out there to look at...

 

[Tapage]

I thought you have only a few options .. ( if you try cruiser you never go back in cruiser years .. ? )

1. Newest cruiser like 97 -
2. 100 series ( or maybe a 105 Diesel ! )

MOG is a great trail rig engine .. but for DD sucks . !