Another .....What to do with this 80

[LandCruiserPhil]

I found this LX450 in the middle of nowhere with the keys in, hood open and a dead rabbit in the front seat. < truth I tried starting, it had strong cranking but no start. The gas tank showed 1/3 of a tank and had fuel pressure still no start. I then called the Sheriff and it was towed to our local yard. After a month or so I went and ask the tow company about it. Yes it will be for sale but Im waiting for the title. Over the next 8 months I stopped in 3 different times asking, whats the story. I have the title just need to get to it. Small town we dont move fast on anything. I get the call and had him drop it off. Once in my shop I popped the hood and LCP has her purring like a seasoned sewing machine in short time. First thought Im putting this motor in my 80, because it sounds and runs perfect even with year old gas. Lets clean her up and see what we got.

1996 LX450
triple locked
221K mileage

The good

Clean title
Runs perfect
Drives like new
5 matching tires
Springs were replace with OME 851-860
Interior is perfect
100% unmolested
Zero leaks on the underside
All fluids are clean
Air filter new and clean
Brakes are newish

The bad
Little front damage replaced the bumper and did a little pulling and bending to give it a 10foot look.
AC no working - condensor took a little hit no freon
Lockers dont work my guess is they have never been turned on and the Whale grease in harden.
Sun roof no working also
Outside shows scratches scraps but no real damage
Looks like it spent some time in the snow with some surface rust on the underside and one little bubble around the rear window.
No secound and 3rd row seating.

Pictures before the inside was detailed

 

[Marvelicious]

I found this LX450 in the middle of nowhere with the keys in, hood open and a dead rabbit in the front seat. < truth

This has to be a trap, right?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

This has to be a trap, right?

not where i live LOL

 

[bj70bc]

WTF some people just FIND landcruisers in the wild..... i cant find one any where near me with 25k in my hands

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Bonus I have owned a lot of 80's and this was the cheapest purchase to date

 

[76lcmike]

I found this LX450 in the middle of nowhere with the keys in, hood open and a dead rabbit in the front seat. < truth I tried starting, it had strong cranking but no start. The gas tank showed 1/3 of a tank and had fuel pressure still no start. I then called the Sheriff and it was towed to our local yard. After a month or so I went and ask the tow company about it. Yes it will be for sale but Im waiting for the title. Over the next 8 months I stopped in 3 different times asking, whats the story. I have the title just need to get to it. Small town we dont move fast on anything. I get the call and had him drop it off. Once in my shop I popped the hood and LCP has her purring like a seasoned sewing machine in short time. First thought Im putting this motor in my 80, because it sounds and runs perfect even with year old gas. Lets clean her up and see what we got.

1996 LX450
triple locked
221K mileage

The good

Runs perfect
Drives like new
5 matching tires
Springs were replace with OME 851-860
Interior is perfect
100% unmolested
Zero leaks on the underside
All fluids are clean
Air filter new and clean
Brakes are newish

The bad
Little front damage replaced the bumper and did a little pulling and bending to give it a 10foot look.
AC no working - condensor took a little hit no freon
Lockers dont work my guess is they have never been turned on and the Whale grease in harden.
Sun roof no working also
Outside shows scratches scraps but no real damage
Looks like it spent some time in the snow with some surface rust on the underside and one little bubble around the rear window.
No secound and 3rd row seating.

Pictures before the inside was detailed

View attachment 4186453View attachment 4186454View attachment 4186455View attachment 4186456View attachment 4186461

you found my car dude!

 

[sjpitts]

Bonus I have owned a lot of 80's and this was the cheapest purchase to date

As I recall, you are a master of finding good deals. I doubt that you have paid close to retail for any of your 80s. I wish I had those skills.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Being from Arizona help me understand rust. Starting with a scale of 1-100 where does it fall? 0 underside looks like day one. A score of 100 you have plywood floors and you can see the rear axle in the trunk. What I dont want is every bolt I touch breaks or you need a tool for ever turn to get it out.

 

[76lcmike]

if it only has one rust hole in the frame you have years left, if you have 3 sell it.
rustophobia is no joke, seek a professional
bartender.
View attachment 4186502

 

[Marvelicious]

Being from Arizona help me understand rust. Starting with a scale of 1-100 where does it fall? 0 underside looks like day one. A score of 100 you have plywood floors and you can see the rear axle in the trunk. What I dont want is every bolt I touch breaks or you need a tool for ever turn to get it out.

Just based on that one underside photo, that doesn't really look "rust belt" rusty, just rainy country rusty. You'd probably want to use some penetrating oil when working on the chassis, but I don't expect you to snap lots of fasteners. It's when you start seeing holes through the metal that it's time to run, IMO.

 

[MissahPapaJ]

Man you’re luckier than a dog with two…… tails? Guess I’ll keep it PC this time! Sweet find I've gotta get me a 80 series water witch like the one you’ve got.

 

[bj70bc]

That or he buried the p/o before anyone got there....

 

[mudgudgeon]

IH8RUST

I don't see a rust issue.
I see a 30year old truck that's seen some mud occasionally.

Good deal

 

[SNLC]

Just based on that one underside photo, that doesn't really look "rust belt" rusty, just rainy country rusty. You'd probably want to use some penetrating oil when working on the chassis, but I don't expect you to snap lots of fasteners. It's when you start seeing holes through the metal that it's time to run, IMO.

That ain’t rust man, that is road grime. Maybe a speckle of rust here and there but when you been living your whole life on the west coast you can see rust a mile away.

That is road grime. Wash it with a hot water pressure washer and it will look 90+% new.

Cheers

 

[Azca]

Good to see you back in an 80 Phil!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Nice to hear its workable and not a nighmare.

Back to the original question What would you do with it given you already have a perfectly fine 80 series?
I dont really need another project or Land Cruiser for that but I could not see it rotting away.

 

[mehbohdi]

You could have a Give-away and donate money to charity or.......

 

[Azca]

I thought you had gotten rid of your last 80, so having two is a blessing—of sorts. Knowing what these cost to maintain and keep running, though, I’m not sure I would keep both.

I’ve always drooled over a 70 Series pickup, but even then, I don’t know how evenly I would split my time between the two, especially knowing how much stiffer the ride would be. I recently went a different direction and picked up an LC convertible instead.

I love my 80 and will never get rid of her, love driving her everywhere. I also love the LC. It’s a great, fun daily driver and GT car for road trips to San Diego and Sedona, although I haven’t ventured much farther than that yet. And yes, I try to stay off the freeways, take highways as much as possible.

In the end, I think having two fun cars with distinctly different personalities is more appealing—at least for me. So, being in your position, I might consider flipping one and picking up something a little sportier. Just make sure the new one goes to a good home where they will cherish it as much as us true 80 fans do.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I thought you had gotten rid of your last 80, so having two is a blessing—of sorts. Knowing what these cost to maintain and keep running, though, I’m not sure I would keep both.

I’ve always drooled over a 70 Series pickup, but even then, I don’t know how evenly I would split my time between the two, especially knowing how much stiffer the ride would be. I recently went a different direction and picked up an LC convertible instead.

I love my 80 and will never get rid of her, love driving her everywhere. I also love the LC. It’s a great, fun daily driver and GT car for road trips to San Diego and Sedona, although I haven’t ventured much farther than that yet. And yes, I try to stay off the freeways, take highways as much as possible.

In the end, I think having two fun cars with distinctly different personalities is more appealing—at least for me. So, being in your position, I might consider flipping one and picking up something a little sportier. Just make sure the new one goes to a good home where they will cherish it as much as us true 80 fans do.View attachment 4186940

Love the LC500 conv. I had to settle for a LS460L

 

[Azca]

Love the LC500 conv. I had to settle for a LS460L

That is not settling, those are awesome cars! One of my friends has one; we went to lunch the other day and I told him that I had forgotten what a nice ride it is. I should have bought one of those instead of our ES but the wife wanted a smaller car.

Unfortunately Lexus is killing these two cars and going the hybrid or EV route . Neither of which I will ever own if I can help it. Lexus, if you read these forums, STOP IT! We want real cars, not high powered golf carts. I forgot who said it but to have a soul, a vehicle has to have a beating heart. Electric vehicles have no soul...