Angry at my 80

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tomatopants

tomatopants

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Dec 14, 2006
Threads
47
Messages
529
Location
Sonoma, CA
Website
www.myspace.com
After spending an hour tearing up my arms trying to get my alternator loose and the belts off in my '94 FZJ 80, another hour trying to figure out how to get the new belts on(which didn't work, because they were the wrong belts :mad: ) and then finally another hour putting the belts back on and getting everything back together, I decided that I am now too angry to own my 80.


I have decided that I want something that's engine bay isn't completely overstuffed with ridiculous electrical stuff, and something that isn't impossible to do work without scratching the hell out of your arms.



Which is why I want a 55. Because they look awesome, and they aren't a very common sight around here. Unless you're in Mudrak's backyard. Which most of the time, I'm not.



So I'm curious since I haven't done a ton of searching, I would like to sell my 80, I expect I can get around 6500 dollars for it as is, and I'd like to buy a pig that isn't terribly rusty, runs at least okay, and isn't torn up inside.


Is it possible to buy a 55 that is in that kind of shape for around 6500 dollars? Is anyone looking to sell a 55 like that? A little rust, runs alright and isn't torn up inside?


Lemme know. :grinpimp:
 
Pigs are the coolest. That said, too bad you are not selling later, I want an 80 to go with the 55 :D
 
nat said:
Pigs are the coolest. That said, too bad you are not selling later, I want an 80 to go with the 55 :D
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Well how soon is later? I just want to sell it before I have to do any more work on it besides oil changes and transmission fluids. If you buy it now, it's only got about 150 miles on the Mobil1 synthetic oil and fresh Toyota red coolant. ;)
 
Quit whining.

Pigs are cool, but you'll bust your knuckles up just the same. Use this as a learning experience. If you buy the wrong parts for a 55, you will be just as frustrated.

The 80 is definitely not the easiest rig to work on, but it is a lot easier than most.

That being said, you can buy a pretty nice pig for 6-7k.
 
KliersLC said:
Quit whining.

Pigs are cool, but you'll bust your knuckles up just the same. Use this as a learning experience. If you buy the wrong parts for a 55, you will be just as frustrated.

The 80 is definitely not the easiest rig to work on, but it is a lot easier than most.

That being said, you can buy a pretty nice pig for 6-7k.
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I just don't like having to work around all of the wires and everything. My friend has a '79 RamCharger, and it's got an engine and a radiator. Easy enough. I'd rather have less technologically advanced stuff and be able to work on it easier.
 
A pristine, perfect Fj-55 will not be a replacement for an 80. There is no way it will be anywhere near as reliable, comfortable or trouble free as an 80. You'll get half the mileage with a third of the horsepower. You'll bake in the summer, freeze in the winter and deal with squeeks, rattles, bumps and wind noise all of the time. The ride will suck. You will be unable to just pick up and drive more than a hundred miles without serious thoughts about break downs and what you're going to do when your stranded.

Nothing against pigs. They are 20 years older, during perhaps the most important 20 years of automotive development ever. They are built to a different standard altogether.

If you think getting the right parts for a 94 FZJ-80 is hard, walk into a Toyota dealership and ask them to find you a part for a 73 Fj-55. They will have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. An hour later after you explain difference between "the one that looks like a Jeep" and yours they will tell you your part has been discontinued for 20 years.
 
Gumby doesn't know what he's talking about. They are very comfortable, especially blue ones that are for sale with A/C near Boston.....very comfortable and quiet......

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=180557

John

BTW, I source a lot of wine from Selby Winery in Healdsburg for my regular job. Are you close to there??
 
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Gumby is speaking in tongues. Pure blasphemy... a Pig rides like, well a Pig. 5,000lbs of prime 60's-70's vintage Japanese steel. True it's hot in the summer, unless you have Vintage AC installed, but it's not too terribly cold in the winter - just a bit drafty. Just don't drive in the rain - you can never keep the windshield defrosted.

You'll be much more comfortable in the 80 but you'll be riding in style in the 55. As for parts... you just have to have 2 or 3 (4 would be better) parts trucks stashed behind your garage.

Go for the 55.....
 
I'm with Gumby. Keep the 80. If you think it is hard to work on wait until you snap off a half dozen bolts on a pig.

But I think if it is done right it can be a nice vehicle. With 30yr old seals it can be drafty and loud. But with new seals and some sound insulation and some good shocks it can be a pretty good ride. No 80 but a good ride.
 
My self-serving $.02 is that if you sound proof the interior and have comfy suspension then you're riding like a pimp in style. There are enough people with parts yards behind their houses to get basically anything. besides, if you start with something nice and don't drive it like an 18 year old kid would then you'll have a nice truck for a long time. It never rains in Sonoma anyway. Mine is in the garage 6 months a year and if I could use it as a DD I would. Don't make me beg........

Bottom line, If you have a short commute and really want a 55, get a 55. If you have a long commute (45 mins plus), keep the 80.
 
Ming89FJ62 said:
Gumby is speaking in tongues. Pure blasphemy... a Pig rides like, well a Pig. 5,000lbs of prime 60's-70's vintage Japanese steel. True it's hot in the summer, unless you have Vintage AC installed, but it's not too terribly cold in the winter - just a bit drafty. Just don't drive in the rain - you can never keep the windshield defrosted.
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FWIW, I have a '73 with no A/C, live in Oregon and the windshield has no problem defrosting. All the OTHER windows, however....:grinpimp: I would second the notion put forth by Gumby and Trollhole and jsaltlick-- get a 55 if it is something that sings in your blood. Otherwise love the LC you're with!
 
jsaltlick said:
Gumby doesn't know what he's talking about. They are very comfortable, especially blue ones that are for sale with A/C near Boston.....very comfortable and quiet......

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=180557

John

BTW, I source a lot of wine from Selby Winery in Healdsburg for my regular job. Are you close to there??
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I'm about 45 minutes to an hour from there, depending on traffic. Want to drive your 55 out here to sell it to me? I'll pay for gas and hotel rooms. :)


Gumby - I love how the 80 is so luxurious, and it's been reliable as all hell for me, but I'm 19, and shouldn't be able to have those luxuries. And I'm lucky enough to live in a climate where the temperatures stay between about 45 and 100 degrees, so heater/AC won't be a big deal. And I drive with the windows down unless it's raining so whistles/wind noises don't bother me one bit.


And it's not that finding the right parts is a big deal, it's just working on installing the new parts in the cluttered engine bay that's so irritating. I ordered Toyota alternator belts from Mudrak, but then I waited about 3 months before picking them up, so he may have grabbed me the wrong belts off the shelf. So it's probably my fault. And the other plus is living 10 minutes away from Mudrak, he's been more than helpful to me finding me whatever the heck it is that I've needed. He helped me fix non-working tail lights on Christmas day!

I just like the simplicity of the beast. The 2-toned color. It's a sexual being.
 
I'll split the shipping with you.

If I had the time and didn't have a baby at home I'd drive this to CA in a heartbeat. Probably need a chiropractor after 3,000 miles though.
 
i happen to know where there is a built 55 with a turbodiesel and the owner would be pretty happy to trade it for a nice 80 and build another diesel 55.:flipoff2:

seriously though, i keep getting a wiff of troll aroma and i took a shower recently.
 
Get a pig.............you have to love em...plan on getting a good set of tap and dies along with a very good drill to get out the broken bolts/screws then use antisieze liberally on stainless replacements screws and bolts!

Lou
 
I have a 62 and a 55- I want a '97 80 but dont want to deal with the repair costs and the such. I can do anything to either one of them myself and costs are still low as well as back running the same day! I must also say that my 55 drives lightyears better than my 62... One other thing about driving a 55 is that EVERYONE wants to talk to you- Ya they're DAMN COOL!
 
I have a 62 and a 55- I want a '97 80 but dont want to deal with the repair costs and the such. I can do anything to either one of them myself and costs are still low as well as back running the same day! I must also say that my 55 drives lightyears better than my 62... One other thing about driving a 55 is that EVERYONE wants to talk to you- Ya they're DAMN COOL!
 
I have a 62 and a 55- I want a '97 80 but dont want to deal with the repair costs and the such. I can do anything to either one of them myself and costs are still low as well as back running the same day! I must also say that my 55 drives lightyears better than my 62... One other thing about driving a 55 is that EVERYONE wants to talk to you- Ya they're DAMN COOL!
 
everybody's posts tripled just after 8 am today for a short time. very strange....
 
hicruise55 said:
I have a 62 and a 55- I want a '97 80 but dont want to deal with the repair costs and the such. I can do anything to either one of them myself and costs are still low as well as back running the same day! I must also say that my 55 drives lightyears better than my 62... One other thing about driving a 55 is that EVERYONE wants to talk to you- Ya they're DAMN COOL!
Click to expand...
X3

Now, with extra emphasis! :grinpimp:
 
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