80 Series as work vehicle

[808Cruising]

Hey Guys,

Does anyone here use their 80 as a work vehicle; if so, what type of industry are you in? I was doing a few things around the internets and thought about this. I don't use mine aside from driving as a DD but not for work. I was just wondering. I did a little bit of searching around but haven't really had luck (or maybe it's because not many people do it).

I know the dude from I Like to Make Stuff used to use his before he got super-commercial but I haven't watched his videos in a couple of years, so IDK if he still does.

Anyway, just curious. I figured I'd ask you lovely people and ask the people over at Reddit.

 

[slow95z]

we use one for our plumbing company. so many nasty dirt roads here.

 

[amgraham]

I have an auto repair shop and usually keep tools, jack, etc. in the back of mine for roadside rescues. Also use it a lot for hauling parts, tires, stuff like that.

 

[GSTMike]

I wouldn't use one as a Uber!

 

[mjosoba]

I’ve been wondering the same. Considering partnering with my buddy for his arborist business. He’s got a 3/4 ton Duramax, but I thought about the Cruiser for pulling a trailer with saws and stuff and a stump grinder and little Dingo skid. Whatever the Vermeer version is. I think it would be a bit much for it.

 

[jeeprjames]

I use mine for my part time tiling business.

 

[bigredmachine]

I use mine for making scrap metal runs when Im not just driving around in it. most ive had in the back is about 1700 lb and it was riding o the bump stops with the heavy springs.

 

[Rifleman]

I use mine for making scrap metal runs when Im not just driving around in it. most ive had in the back is about 1700 lb and it was riding o the bump stops with the heavy springs.

Let me guess, that scrap metal you're carrying around actuality came from all the Jeeps you've had to rescue while out on the trail.

 

[bigredmachine]

Let me guess, that scrap metal you're carrying around actuality came from all the Jeeps you've had to rescue while out on the trail.

close, mainly rotors from work.

 

[LINUS]

I see easily 3 different land surveyors / companies who use or did use FJ/FZJ80’s (one updated to some Lexus SUV in the last few yrs).
It might be a rebranded 100 series, I only really spot LX570/200’s clearly.

One was a 2-houses down neighbor prior to his death, he was the owner of that survey company & I think they folded/employees migrated to other companies after his passing.

But there’s a few around here you see parked roadside out in rural areas with their transit & marker poles, etc.

Anybody in the greater Skagit/Whatcom counties here has seen them - IMO it’s the perfect vehicle for that job or for scouting raw land like some commercial developers do as part of their jobs.

 

[808Cruising]

I use mine for my part time tiling business.

I saw a dude at the hardware store a couple of weeks ago in a BEAUTIFUL, all original (except the wheels) 88 Supra. He said he barely had 90k+ miles on it and drove it for his side business (sprinkler irrigation) because "I pay taxes and insurance on it, I don't want it to sit in the garage for seals and gaskets to rot." I understood and respect his opinion, but also feel a little sad for the Supra.

 

[808Cruising]

I see easily 3 different land surveyors / companies who use or did use FJ/FZJ80’s (one updated to some Lexus SUV in the last few yrs).
It might be a rebranded 100 series, I only really spot LX570/200’s clearly.

One was a 2-houses down neighbor prior to his death, he was the owner of that survey company & I think they folded/employees migrated to other companies after his passing.

But there’s a few around here you see parked roadside out in rural areas with their transit & marker poles, etc.

Anybody in the greater Skagit/Whatcom counties here has seen them - IMO it’s the perfect vehicle for that job or for scouting raw land like some commercial developers do as part of their jobs.

This makes sense considering how amazing they are in rough terrain. I hadn't ever thought about that, but I also don't live in an area where that would be a thought.

 

[BILT4ME]

I use mine for work, but it's mostly highway travel and carrying a few parts. I do about 20K a year on mine. No a lot of "WORK" that I'm tasking it with. It's not a pickup and I don't want to tear it up. That said, a 42" pallet will fit in the back with all the seats folded up.......

 

[SNLC]

One of mine is a shop truck. Someday I am actually going to build it into a pickup.

Cheers

 

[Corbet]

I used mine for a number of years as my DD for outside sales. It was cheaper to simply buy a new car, insure and maintain it than fuel the 80.

 

[ZackR]

I’ve been wondering the same. Considering partnering with my buddy for his arborist business. He’s got a 3/4 ton Duramax, but I thought about the Cruiser for pulling a trailer with saws and stuff and a stump grinder and little Dingo skid. Whatever the Vermeer version is. I think it would be a bit much for it.

I use mine to haul a trailer full of firewood, saws and such but only for personal use. If I was doing arborist/forestry work commercially I'd get a full size truck that is much better suited for towing.

Probably the best commercial use for a 80 would be as a land surveyor, wilderness photographer, fishing guide, remote weather station maintenance, remote cell tower maintenance, etc...

 

[Tools R Us]

Know of, work on, a bunch of them that are used for Forest work. Some occasionally, some almost full time.

 

[greentruck]

I use mine for work a couple of ways. I do some property management and repair work. It's easy to throw in whatever tool bags I need, haul many items, etc, because the backend has been converted to a sleeper.

Throw a trailer behind it and you're good for lots more capacity.

Add a crane to the trailer and you're good for some heavy lifting.