80s as Daily Drivers?

[zipdoa]

I own an HDJ81 and I get jealous every time I drive my buddies 2006 UZJ100. The 100-series is better is pretty much every respect.

I enjoy the truck-ish nature of it, but the power windows suck (forget about using them if it's really cold), defrost and HVAC suck, it isn't exactly air tight and is really clunky. The A750 is way better than the a442f as well.

There's some qualities I like, including articulation and the lack of electronic aids. If I could do it all over, I'd get a 100, hands down.

You'd really have to be pushing it Offroad to see an 80 hold advantage over the 100.

FWIW I don't daily my 80. I daily a stage 3 allroad.

 

[rc51kid]

To be honest i cant even imagine owning one of these trucks if didn't wrench on it myself. but for that matter i could not imagine owning my house if i couldn't fix a leacky pipes or hike in the mountains if i didnt understand medical problems. So my mindset is kind of fixed on DIY.

 

[lastresort576]

I DD my 80 in Denver. I sought out an 80 when my wife got pregnant and sold my mint '03 Tacoma because we do go offroading and I would rather start off with a solid axle than do an sas on the likes of a 4runner. That being said if you are only going to go offroad here n there I would suggest getting a 100-series or a 4runner. Better mpg, more comfortable to drive, IFS has lower maintenance requirements in my eyes and overall a better choice.

All that being said, I love my 80. But I am lucky that I work graveyards and my wife works days. So any down time repairing the 80 I have another set of wheels('16 rav4). I'd still prefer to get a 92-95 civic hatchback or an E30/36 bmw and get back into racing Auto-X and Dual purpose both vehicles as DD and what theyre made for.

 

[math]

We DD ours, but we live at 10,000 feet and it's always snowing. Sometimes the "road" isn't there. For that, it's comfortable and effective. But unless you choose to inhabit ridiculous conditions like we do, probably no reason to DD your 80. Today, driving in the mountains, everyone else was basically stuck. I wasn't. It's a good feeling. But yes, they work well as daily drivers. It's not like you'd hate driving it if you bought one. You might like a 100 series more, but it won't annoy you or make you want to sell it. They're fun to drive.

I enjoy the truck-ish nature of it, but the power windows suck (forget about using them if it's really cold),

Why does this happen?

 

[mikaelrules]

I DD mine in severe traffic in Manila (a 6 mile commute can take more than an hour) and its been extremely reliable. Our roads here are also in pretty bad shape and easily take a toll on smaller vehicles so pickups and SUVs are very popular. When I got mine around two years ago I did have to put in around $4-5k for deferred maintenance though. Fuel economy isn't too bad though mine is a diesel.

 

[IronCladLou]

Just to pile on, I DD my '97 LX. I've put over 40k miles on it in the last 3.5 years. Absolutely reliable and I never have to worry about getting home from work in the occasional snow storm or zombie apocalypse. Just got back from Road Atlanta this past weekend where I got 18.4 mpg. No kidding. That's corrected for the 33s, but even uncorrected, it worked out to 17.5 mpg or so.

Life is too short to drive boring vehicles.

 

[matt80sc]

I've owned my 96 outright for 13 years and still DD. 14.8 mpg here in the south (flat roads @45) with 285s but otherwise stock. Use real gas, not the E-crap, it drops 12% off the mpg in my rig and knocks. I have recently decided to keep it instead of getting a newer 4 runner. I went through my service folder the other day and was blown away at how little the overall cost of ownership was. It's now creeping to the point of bigger servicing issues and can't afford to send her to the shop for everything. I got an FSM and order parts preemptively. I can say I'm a -1 but have still saved myself $1000 in the last few months. Not sure if you have seen under the hood of some other the new vehicles but I can't even wrap my head around our Prius.

My main concern for the DD is useless miles on an incredible truck. It still purrs beautifully and has never left me stranded but if I hear a funny sound, I come here, investigate and then purchase parts. At some point it will have to see some kind of $2k job that is beyond my ability but then you won't have to do it again for another 20 years.

If your dad is TV repair man with an ultimate set of tools or you own a socket set and an FSM, you can go far. If I see a civic for 1k kicking around, I may snatch it up though.

 

[Hornd]

I only drive the Cruiser when my wife questions my Virility, otherwise I'm in the Avalon.

To deny the Avalon is quicker, quieter, more refined and cheaper is silliness, taking it off-road would be foolish.

 

[SkyMall]

I figure the money I am not spending on a car payment, insurance and registration for a newer car more than pays for the gas.

This is how I feel about mine. I had an old 4Runner and it got a little better mileage, but when I discovered overlanding and decided I wanted to build a truck I picked the 80. I'd always wanted one and I found a 94 for a good price. I considered getting a newer 4Runner or an FJ, but for what I paid for the 80 PLUS the upgrades PLUS the maintenance PLUS the gas it's still cheaper. I even carry full coverage on it and my insurance is like $60/month. I split time in Tennessee and California and DD the 80 in Tennessee. Other than mine missing the radio, I'm very happy with it as a DD. It rides like a truck, which is fine. I've had it on a coupe road trips and it was fine on the highway. Like a few others have said, it can be frustrating stopping for gas every 200 miles. I routinely do 4+ hour legs when I travel and you just cant do that on a long trip in an 80. It adds time to a long trip and you end up buying more gas station coffee... Haha!

I did quite a bit of research and determined that I wanted a 94, but if I could do it over I think I would have looked a little harder for a truck with ABS and OBDII (95-97 model).

 

[Box Rocket]

If you aren't going to wheel it get a 100 or 4runner. The 80 rides like crap. You buy one for its off road ability and reliability, not comfort on the street.

I disagree with the "rides like crap" on the street comment. If an 80 rides like crap, you have the wrong suspension (or worn out suspension) and wrong tires for street driving. My modded 80 is more comfortable to drive than my stock GMC Yukon XL, and the cruiser is built way more for offroad than it is for pounding pavement.

I average 25K miles a year in my 80 and drive it every day. They can be great daily drivers. BUT, from a practical standpoint, the fuel economy sucks, and like others have mentioned, you are dealing with a 20yr old vehicle that will require a different level of maintenance than a brand new Toyota Camry. If you want something that you can just hop in a drive and never have to do a single thing to, the 80 isn't the right choice. An 80 can still be very reliable if it's cared for properly, but there are just 20 yr old parts that are wear items than will probably need to be replaced at some point. If that doesn't scare you and you can put fuel economy out of your mind then there is something special about an 80. Many of you know what I'm talking about, just can't really describe it. Others just never have that connection.

 

[Bludozer]

I disagree with the "rides like crap" on the street comment. If an 80 rides like crap, you have the wrong suspension (or worn out suspension) and wrong tires for street driving. My modded 80 is more comfortable to drive than my stock GMC Yukon XL, and the cruiser is built way more for offroad than it is for pounding pavement.

I average 25K miles a year in my 80 and drive it every day. They can be great daily drivers. BUT, from a practical standpoint, the fuel economy sucks, and like others have mentioned, you are dealing with a 20yr old vehicle that will require a different level of maintenance than a brand new Toyota Camry. If you want something that you can just hop in a drive and never have to do a single thing to, the 80 isn't the right choice. An 80 can still be very reliable if it's cared for properly, but there are just 20 yr old parts that are wear items than will probably need to be replaced at some point. If that doesn't scare you and you can put fuel economy out of your mind then there is something special about an 80. Many of you know what I'm talking about, just can't really describe it. Others just never have that connection.

x2
Willing to forego everything else for that feeling. Even if that means my wife looking at me in awe because of my gas bill every month

 

[slow95z]

i daily my 80 and 100 depending on mood. the 80 is on 37s, armored and setup for offraod. it rides like a truck and bounces over everything. the 100 is stock, street tires, and rides like a dream. if you are going to keep the 80 stock and drive it on the street then just get something else.

you buy an 80 to mod it and have an offroad jack of all trades imo. once you do that it rides like crap compared to anything else you could get, is terrible on fuel, has a higher cost of upkeep and is just not a good choice. if you think otherwise then you have blinders on and love you truck. nothing wrong with that but the fact is that there are better things to drive as a daily.

 

[Lumpskie]

I just bought an 80 to be my next daily driver, replacing my 1st gen tacoma. It's interesting reading the responses on this thread. In a few months, I wonder what my answer will be. (compared to my tacoma, I expect the LC to feel luxurious but you never know)

 

[zipdoa]

I just bought an 80 to be my next daily driver, replacing my 1st gen tacoma. It's interesting reading the responses on this thread. In a few months, I wonder what my answer will be. (compared to my tacoma, I expect the LC to feel luxurious but you never know)

Hopefully that 1HD-T swap was done properly and doesn't give you any headaches!

 

[Funner]

I will add a point that nobody has brought up but 99% have experienced; waiting on parts. If this is the only vehicle in the household it is a poor choice. That's not to say they aren't reliable, but any rig this old will have minor issues. Case in point, last weekend I replaced the starter in mine, fired it up and let it idle for a bit. I noticed a minor coolant leak in the lower radiator hose and ordered a new one. Shipping the hose takes a week, and I haven't been driving it. I could if I had to, but it would make me nervous. If you have back up transportation of some sort it's not a big deal, but something to consider.

Living in Pendleton Oregon means you can't complain about parts availability. That's not a Land Cruiser problem, that's a you problem. My parts are usually available for pickup the morning after I ask for them and only a short 5 minute drive to get.

 

[Box Rocket]

i daily my 80 and 100 depending on mood. the 80 is on 37s, armored and setup for offraod. it rides like a truck and bounces over everything. the 100 is stock, street tires, and rides like a dream. if you are going to keep the 80 stock and drive it on the street then just get something else.

you buy an 80 to mod it and have an offroad jack of all trades imo. once you do that it rides like crap compared to anything else you could get, is terrible on fuel, has a higher cost of upkeep and is just not a good choice. if you think otherwise then you have blinders on and love you truck. nothing wrong with that but the fact is that there are better things to drive as a daily.

Nobody will argue that there are "better" cars for daily driving than a modded 80. But I also don't think I have blinders on and my 80 rides great IMO. As I said, better than my Yukon, as good as my inlaws Acura (except for the noise).

I agree if the goal is purely a daily driver and it's rarely going to go offroad, get something other than an 80....unless you are just dying to have one.

 

[speyrod]

I DD mine in severe traffic in Manila (a 6 mile commute can take more than an hour) and its been extremely reliable. Our roads here are also in pretty bad shape and easily take a toll on smaller vehicles so pickups and SUVs are very popular. When I got mine around two years ago I did have to put in around $4-5k for deferred maintenance though. Fuel economy isn't too bad though mine is a diesel.

ER, ever thought of getting a bike? take that hour into about 15 minutes.

 

[Lumpskie]

Hopefully that 1HD-T swap was done properly and doesn't give you any headaches!

Yeah, I hope so! I called Tor at Torfab and took his word that I could get in and drive it without issues. I still need to get it shipped to New Hampshire but, even after that, I'll keep my Tacoma handy for a few months.

 

[Andrew Bluemel]

I just bought a project 85 FJ60. I absolutely love it but god I have devolved a whole new appreciation for the 80. It feels like a Mercedes S class in comparison to the 60. Leaf springs suck!

 

[ChaseTruck]

We DD'd the 93 '80 for 4 years, ~6-7k miles/year. There have been a few hickups here and there, but there's a second vehicle in the garage.
The LX has done well for both trail rides and errands.

I currently actually enjoy driving the '00 RX300 to work these days, sort of as a reprieve from 35" Mud tires. We'll see how long that car will stay in the fleet, though. After all, according to my wife, "...life's too short to drive boring cars..."