Find and buy a good, non molested one with the help of some local MUD members, do a little baselining, keep it light, advance the timing and just drive it. Fix stuff as it comes up. MPG be damned! All about that Swag Per Gallon 
80s as Daily Drivers?
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LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
This. There was about a 3 minute period of my day last Friday where I wondered why I have been daily driving an 80 series for the past 25 years. I even mentioned it, briefly to @Dudleyfj40 on the phone. Then I quit being a pu$$y and remembered it's because it makes me smile from ear to ear every time I get in it. I drove my Camry Hybrid (daughter's car) the other day. It was more comfortable. Got WAY better gas mileage. And was lame.
Someone said to me the other day "It always looks like you just got back from off roading or something." My response was "I did. And I'm ready to go again."
Welcome. I DD my 93 with 280,000 miles. I bought it with a file folder of maintenance @240,000. I have driven the s*** out of it! 6 trips from Louisville, KY to Houston, TX; 1100 miles each way; cruise set at 75! Two feet of snow last winter; no problem! Dirty Turtle Off road park; I need tires and a lift, But no one else was even attempting the muddy trails that I was. Turkey Run Off Road park; nothing but razors, buggies and bikes; you should have seen the looks when I blew over the hilltop with my windows up and A/C on! Had to do the birfs and the HG @ 276,000. I will drive it until the wheels fall off; then I will break out the FSM, and put em back on! Totally stock, just upped to a 275/70 Michelen LTX
I seriously hate this too. I volunteered to drive on a road trip this winter to go skiing, and it was embarrassing having to stop as often as we did. The range is ridiculous. I new what I was getting into, but its still one of my least favorite things about my truck.
We use my 80 as our regular family car. Have bumpers and 33's. No suspension mods save new shocks. 270,000 miles now. Takes me where I want to go on and off the road. Yes the gas mileage stinks but I drive it regularly on long trips (6-8 hours). 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. I am 6'1", 250lbs and I find it plenty comfortable. Fits me, my wife and 2 kids along with all our gear very well with just the third row taken out.
If you can do repairs and maintenance yourself it will keep cost of ownership down. If you have to send it to a shop for most things I'd frankly look at something a bit more common as it will keep repair costs lower. As mentioned above have a back up car. These are reliable but they do need work and parts can take a little longer to get ahold of than just running down to the local parts store.
For what you're talking about think it would work great with modest mods for off road. Good set of aggressive all terrain tires on these things is all you really need unless you plan on getting extreme.
If you can do repairs and maintenance yourself it will keep cost of ownership down. If you have to send it to a shop for most things I'd frankly look at something a bit more common as it will keep repair costs lower. As mentioned above have a back up car. These are reliable but they do need work and parts can take a little longer to get ahold of than just running down to the local parts store.
For what you're talking about think it would work great with modest mods for off road. Good set of aggressive all terrain tires on these things is all you really need unless you plan on getting extreme.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
I have two. My oldest two children inherit them when they graduate from college. They are their DDs, and were mine.
The only thing I regret was selling my last 40, which was my DD for 10 years before the 80.
Do what you love, and love what you do.
The only thing I regret was selling my last 40, which was my DD for 10 years before the 80.
Do what you love, and love what you do.
Sold my wife's tdi wagon for a locked 96' 80. She was apprehensive going to a 20yo vehicle. But with 31k original miles when we bought it in 2015 and being a yota, I was able to convince her. Going from 45mpg down to 15(?)mpg hurt a bit. Nothing in Montana is close. We've put on almost 20k in those two years. The peace of mind for me knowing my wife is driving the best 4x4 ever made on snowy roads with my kids in the car is invaluable. It is her dd.
Bludozer
SILVER Star
I like how the actual tech threads get 3 replies and then threads like these always explode (I dont mean that sarcastically either I like semi-off topic threads like this better 
)
I've said this before and I'll say it again: I DD'd a 2003 honda civic during the first few months of ownership with my 80. I got incredible gas mileage but outside of that it was awful. Having to walk right by my 80 every morning and mumble something about only a few more days until we'd be driving together every weekday was torture. I sold that pile and DD my 80 now and am nothing but smiles.
)I've said this before and I'll say it again: I DD'd a 2003 honda civic during the first few months of ownership with my 80. I got incredible gas mileage but outside of that it was awful. Having to walk right by my 80 every morning and mumble something about only a few more days until we'd be driving together every weekday was torture. I sold that pile and DD my 80 now and am nothing but smiles.
I think the 80 series rides quite well,for a solid axle vehicle. I daily drive mine and we took our new 1994 all over the country. Now daily driving a 60 series with leaf springs, that's another story.
Bludozer
SILVER Star
x2
obviously there are thousands of cars that ride much better but i have no complaints dding mine. im currently sitting on j springs at stock weight too so its also possible im just more tolerant...
I have used my 80 as my DD from 15 miles daily to 80 mile daily communtes for 14 years. Yeah it eats some gas, I knew that going in. My thinking, it takes me hunting and fishing where and when I want. It's safe for me and my passengers should anything happen. My commutes were mainly hwy, I got also 110K miles on a set of BFG AT's 60k out of a set of pads. So the the main offset the gas a little.
Stay on the hwy at around 70 and i see 16mpg
Stay on the hwy at around 70 and i see 16mpg
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.
DD'ing an 80 is enjoyable for those of us with the LC sickness. However, having a backup vehicle on standby makes DD'ing an 80 even that much better because you're not constantly worrying about blowing the head gasket or making sure you get the front axle rebuild all back together by Sunday night so you can drive to work on Monday...
So, if you can swing it buy something cheap in addition to the 80. Find something practical that fits a bill the 80 doesn't i.e. a little pickup to use for hauling crap during home improvements.
So, if you can swing it buy something cheap in addition to the 80. Find something practical that fits a bill the 80 doesn't i.e. a little pickup to use for hauling crap during home improvements.
FiftyTwoEighty
FZJ 80: The Best 4x4xFAR
For years, I used my 80 to commute from San Diego to San Jose, and she never missed a beat. Today, I do not DD my 80, but we still put about 12,000 "fun" miles a year on her -- mostly to Mammoth, Tahoe, and our Cabin on the Central Coast, with my wife, daughter, and dog. We also use our 80 to wheel and mountain bike in Moab and my old home state of Colorado -- the supercharger does help A LOT!
Yes, the gas mileage SUCKS, but my DD is equally as bad (details are in my signature). Life is too short to drive boring cars!
Yes, the gas mileage SUCKS, but my DD is equally as bad (details are in my signature). Life is too short to drive boring cars!
If you don't mind DD'ing a 20 yr old underpowered bloated wagon with "check engine" light on and get passed by Mrs. Nesbeth's corolla on your way to work and smell like oil all the time, get an 80. Seriously though, I also think 80s are one of the best off-road vehicles to be had, I just couldn't stand not being first when that light turned green.
"Rides like crap"...really? I have a OME 2.5" medium lift, new steering stabilizer and Geolander tires. Drives like a dream. Handles amazing. Not fast, holds its own, fuel milage stinks - I knew that going in. Drive any other car as a daily driver - nope - like my LX450. And yes I do light 4 wheeling, dirt road driving, snow driving, rain driving, cross country driving and this my vehicle of choice.
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
It's all relative. My 80s are nowhere near as smooth and comfortable as the 07 Camry Hybrid with 160k miles and original shocks and springs. And that is one of the things I enjoy about it. It is more raw.
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
When I am in a pinch I order parts from my local dealership. They have them the next day.
Case in point I had to order a new radiator inlet hose for my 92 because I didn't have a spare laying around. I damaged it trying to get it loose when repairing my radiator. The hose was in within 24 hrs.
As for getting a secondary vehicle, I highly recommend this. This is why I bought another 80. Now I have two for myself. So I don't have to sacrifice.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Makes a fine daily driver for what it is. A car would be better.
It burns more gas than you can ever imagine.
I'm driving a Civic right now across the country and can't believe the fuel economy-averaging 37 mpg, at 80 mph! Incredible when for the last 17 years, I've been averaging 12 in my 80.
I do agree with the sentiment, that if you own an 80, you also need a second (or third) car.
It burns more gas than you can ever imagine.
I'm driving a Civic right now across the country and can't believe the fuel economy-averaging 37 mpg, at 80 mph! Incredible when for the last 17 years, I've been averaging 12 in my 80.
I do agree with the sentiment, that if you own an 80, you also need a second (or third) car.
My wife just got a 2013 4Runner and I had the same feeling when I drove it for a day. It was comfortable and had everything a normal person would want in a truck. I told her it just wasn't for me. I rather drive my 80, 40, or my beater F350.
