80 w/ factory lockers - buy this or run away?

[Marine7]

$2500 would be a good deal if the axles are in good shape. If you get and air-locker, you'll have $1200 in each axle so you're getting that plus you can put your used axles on the junk 80 and sell it for $2000

That’s a big “IF”. And swapping locked axles on to a rig that came with open axles is a pain in the arse! You have to make sure you get EVERY little electrical piece....... helped do it once, that was enough for me! Lol
Actually the guy I helped said by the time we were all done with it, he really didn’t save that much $$$.
If your open, but want to be locked I would go Aussie in the rear with a selectable up front. Right around $1500 out the door. (That’s with you turning the wrenches)

 

[inkpot]

Most Lexus have a lot of the wiring harness in place. Done a bunch of axle swaps: not that hard.

 

[LINUS]

All ‘97 & most ‘96 LX450 floor harnesses are locked, been there myself.

Beyond that, 3 subharnesses, 1 ECU, the dial, 2 bulbs in the cluster, and a pair of axles.

Easily installed in 2 days, troubleshooting acuators & CDL after that.

It’s a 2-3 job at most.

 

[Marine7]

All ‘97 & most ‘96 LX450 floor harnesses are locked, been there myself.

Beyond that, 3 subharnesses, 1 ECU, the dial, 2 bulbs in the cluster, and a pair of axles.

Easily installed in 2 days, troubleshooting acuators & CDL after that.

It’s a 2-3 job at most.

But.... once your done screwing around with them what do you have? Inferior axles. Save the headache and drop a $250 Aussie in the rear, and spend $1200 for ARB front and you’ll be much further ahead.
But hey..... if you want to go for it, this thing is in Wilmington NC. I can get you a # if you want. Knock your shorts off . I was just replying to OP that this thing is a train wreck, trying to save a member some headaches.... lol

 

[LINUS]

^^^ I wasn’t out to do the debate, just mainly inform people the LX450 floor harnesses are generally locked unless a early ‘96 (I heard this anecdotally) - I only have been involved with a couple ‘97s & a late ‘96.

Heck, yeah - there are “superior” ways out there - but if I grenade something on a trip a few states from home, theoretically I can find a Toyota dealership to source all parts, not just say some specialty 4wd shop who know Harrops or ARB’s, let alone whatever part so I’m not stuck buying a complete unit.

To me, it’s more a case of playing with greasy Legos than some feat of engineering esp since I did it to my own yrs ago. But to me, all cars are just greasy Legos, aside from newer feature/subsystems.

But you’re right, by ~2015 it became a point where axle swaps & the cost of actuators made it mostly impractical.
Having had ARB’s as well, they are better - but if you really fear popping a e-locker/bending splines out back, you might as well go like @nukegoat & put some real Dana axles under there.
That’s a real fix.

I wouldn’t swap e-lockers under a V8 swapped 80, but generally our whopping ~130hp isn’t going to destroy e-lockers. YMMV.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I am looking to see (if I can get the other 97 LX450 with the factory lockers at a good price) if it will be worth my time and effort to buy the truck, clean and fix it a bit, and look to resell it to a new buyer who might be looking to build a trail rig that already has factory lockers

I'm not very mechanically inclined (though I want to learn) - so for now I'd have to pay a shop for repairs :-(

these two comments add up to a loss making proposition IMO.

If you're looking to build yourself a trail rig, and can do the work yourself it maybe a different story

 

[DawnpatrolCBNC]

I drove past the truck this morning and it still seems to be available/ for sale.....again, just a heads up for anyone in NC/ SC or the Southeast looking for a trail rig or just an 80 to restore. Could be a good project for a buyer who can do their own head gasket work.

 

[Heckraiser]

If you're paying a shop for repairs, no way in hell you'll turn a profit on it. This is not a sound investment. Buy it if you intend to enjoy it yourself, otherwise walk away.

IMO, factory lockers are not as valuable as overall condition, so don't think you're walking into some sort of gold mine because it has lockers.

 

[skhochay]

Hi all,

Had to "re-sign up" to the forum b/c of losing access to my old EM address/ username. So, first post!

I have an opportunity to buy a '97 LX450 with factory lockers. (I already own a '97 LX450, BTW). The truck I can potentially buy is mechanically and cosmetically rough and needs TLC, but seems to run/ drive fairly well. The key reason I'm interested in the truck is that it has factory lockers, which from the research I've done so far, apparently only about 3% of LX450's came with factory lockers and most of those went to the Rocky Mountain region.

Is my info above accurate? If I bought the truck with the intent to clean it and fix it a bit to resell, is the fact that it has factory lockers as big a selling point as it seems? (I'm also concerned that the lockers may be "stuck" from not being used). I'm thinking this could be a great truck for the right person who wants to build an offroad rig with factory lockers, and doesn't care that the leather is rough, etc....

Your thoughts? Thanks all!

I have ALL3 lockes on my LX450 - and I do periodically tuning them on and off just to see if its engage . Do I have to use all of them - nop not one time I stuck in the snow and use only CDL - had no need to use rear or front.

 

[DawnpatrolCBNC]

As an FYI to anyone following this thread: I drove by the LX450 yesterday and it's still out on the side of the road for sale. I don't think the owner has it listed on CL, FB Marketplace, or anywhere online (I could be wrong) which is probably why he still has it. I would think that the longer time goes by, the more negotiable he would get......maybe someone can snag this truck for $2k to $2500 or so? If you have the skills to rebuild the engine (it seems to run/ drive OK but apparently needs the head gasket done and more) it could be a deal for someone. PM me if you want the seller's number. I have no affiliation with the seller or his truck, just want to see someone get a good deal and restore a decent 80 with factory lockers......seems like it would make a great trail rig or even daily drive for someone who can put some work into it.

 

[Marine7]

As an FYI to anyone following this thread: I drove by the LX450 yesterday and it's still out on the side of the road for sale. I don't think the owner has it listed on CL, FB Marketplace, or anywhere online (I could be wrong) which is probably why he still has it. I would think that the longer time goes by, the more negotiable he would get......maybe someone can snag this truck for $2k to $2500 or so? If you have the skills to rebuild the engine (it seems to run/ drive OK but apparently needs the head gasket done and more) it could be a deal for someone. PM me if you want the seller's number. I have no affiliation with the seller or his truck, just want to see someone get a good deal and restore a decent 80 with factory lockers......seems like it would make a great trail rig or even daily drive for someone who can put some work into it.

Lol.... I went by it today! One of these days we need to coordinate and meet-up! I took my Aussie out on the beach (south end.... Ft Fisher) to play frisbee and swim. She LOVES the beach!
I second your statement though! I hope someone from the Mud community can use it!

 

[DawnpatrolCBNC]

Lol.... I went by it today! One of these days we need to coordinate and meet-up! I took my Aussie out on the beach (south end.... Ft Fisher) to play frisbee and swim. She LOVES the beach!
I second your statement though! I hope someone from the Mud community can use it!

Yeah, definitely - I drove by again today and it's still out there for sale. I wonder how low the owner will have to go?

We bought the annual pass and drove out at Fort Fisher on Saturday! Beautiful day down there. Do you typically air down when u take your 80 on the beach? We used to drive out at Freeman Park/ North End CB a lot, and didn't go out as far as you have to at FF with that longer ride to get to the water so we haven't typically aired down. We've given up on the North End now though since they jacked the prices up and it's so crowded/ crazy.

I will def. look to meet up with ya soon.....I will probably need to do some work to my truck and would love you to take a look and see what u think it will need.

 

[Marine7]

Yeah, definitely - I drove by again today and it's still out there for sale. I wonder how low the owner will have to go?

We bought the annual pass and drove out at Fort Fisher on Saturday! Beautiful day down there. Do you typically air down when u take your 80 on the beach? We used to drive out at Freeman Park/ North End CB a lot, and didn't go out as far as you have to at FF with that longer ride to get to the water so we haven't typically aired down. We've given up on the North End now though since they jacked the prices up and it's so crowded/ crazy.

I will def. look to meet up with ya soon.....I will probably need to do some work to my truck and would love you to take a look and see what u think it will need.

I usually run 16-18 psi at Ft Fisher. Definetly give me a shout!

 

[hpierce301]

Let me add fuel to the fire. I went to test drive this with Marine7, I'm a former "Heep" owner and was looking for something else. Somebody buy this so I'll quit daydreaming about it with money I don't have.

I have a few pics here

LX 450

 

[DawnpatrolCBNC]

Let me add fuel to the fire. I went to test drive this with Marine7, I'm a former "Heep" owner and was looking for something else. Somebody buy this so I'll quit daydreaming about it with money I don't have.

I have a few pics here

LX 450

You should buy it! (if budget allows I would think the seller should be getting more open to offers since he's had it out there for about 2 months. Thanks for posting the pics.....it does look good from 20 feet. Will make a good project for someone. and.....factory lockers!

 

[DawnpatrolCBNC]

Haven't been on the forum here for a few weeks. I drove by where the truck was today and didn't see it.....guessing it finally got sold. anyone here on Mud buy it by chance?