Are they good trucks? Really?

[Cruiserdrew]

. I asked if people thought they are good trucks.

They are good trucks. But, they are old. Electrical components just wear out. You'll replace a bunch of them and then your truck will be rock solid. I love mine but I would not buy one as the only car for my wife.

They have become single use enthusiast cars. They are great for camping, offroading, and goofing off in the back country. For daily use going to the grocery store--there are better choices.

 

[taccruiser97]

My 97 has 122,000 on it. The antenna quit working 4-5 years ago, have not worried about fixing it yet. It is in the "up" position and receives just fine. My seats still work, but I bought some replacement gears a while back just in case. I have had both front birfields done several years ago when they started clicking. I have had to have a minor oil leak repaired also. I have replaced both rear door lock actuators in the last 3 years.

I like for all my stuff to work too, but what you describe I consider relatively minor and it doesn't prevent you from driving it. What you have listed I consider normal wear and tear on a vehicle.

As a matter of fact, everything I have repaired or had repaired on my Cruiser I consider to be normal wear and tear. Even with what I have had to have repaired, and its' age, I consider my Cruiser to be the best 4WD I have ever owned, and this includes several other Toyota 4x4s.

When I bought my Cruiser I bought it used with about 50k miles on it. I was looking at an Avalanche and selling my 4Runner. As I told my wife, I would rather buy a used Land Cruiser than a new Avalanche because a used Cruiser was still way better than anything new GM was pumping out.

If you are unhappy thus far over these repairs, then you should probably just sell it and move on to something else. As somebody said before, it is a 20 year old vehicle and will undoubtedly develop some other problems. The majority of what you have listed strikse me as Saturday afternoon repair jobs, and are not overly critical to daily operation of the vehicle.

I wish you luck no matter what you decide.

 

[94SRUNNER]

Well said Roger!

Ok so you bought a used 16 year old vehicle and are complaining about some minor, and I say minor problems.
What did you expect?
Regardless of how well you claim the vehicle was maintained that does not really mean anything.
It is 16 years old.
Sorry to hear that you are not happy, time to move on.
This is a forum for land cruisers and people are very passionate about them here just as they would be in any other vehicle forum.
Complaining on here is not going to make any difference for your situation.
Do I think an 80, or any cruiser for that matter is a good vehicle, yes I do
Are there other vehicles out there that are just as good, yes there are.
As far as your GMC I am actually surprised it has done so well for you.
My neighbor has one and it has had nothing but problems, yet he still stands by it because he is a chevy/gmc guy, just like we are toyota guys.
The stuff you are complaining about is all relative in the grand scheme of things when buy a 16 year old used vehicle with over 100k on it.
Would you go out and buy a used GMC with over a 100k on it and expect no problems?
I had a nissan xterra prior to my 80 and i gave me 175k of worry free driving.
I now have an 80 for the last 4-5 years love it regardless, have had no major issues.
That being said I believe you picked the wrong place to complain about an 80.
Guys like you come along every now and then to completely bitch about how bad an 80 is and they just fade into the sunset.
Again sorry about how you feel about an 80
But at this age an 80 is not going to make a very good daily driver for your family regardless of what you think, these vehicles at this time are more hobbies and off road adventure vehicles at this point and do that very well, daily drive a family not so well.
I think you made a poor choice to buy an 80 for your wife to drive on daily bases.

 

[Youngjoonni]

The reason you are getting flamed is due mainly to the word "reliable". The term differs depending on perspective. Most on the forum actually use the vehicle for what it was designed for... ie, offroading. Mechanical reliability. The bones of reliability. Getting home is all that really matters. You're talking from an entirely different perspective. Hence the "princess" label from the masses.

Analogy: fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan and complaining to your brothers that your rifle is dirty, the sling is worn, the stock is scratched up, and that it is overall a piece of s**t because of it. Does that put things in perceptive for you?

 

[raynyc]

how much do you want for it? what color? where are you located?i have 2 80's , i might as well get another lo mile project.

 

[OGBeno]

For daily use going to the grocery store--there are better choices.

Like a 1985 FJ60!

 

[BrotherRob]

Step away from the cliff and put down the pipe. I have 100k on you, of the issues you've listed, I've only lost an antenna and one set of seat gears. I've barely opened the hood in 3 years and it still runs flawlessly.

As stated before, you should expect some issues with an old vehicle. What's done is done and won't likely need to be done again.

 

[canman]

I got mine as a "daily driver" second vehicle. Originally, I wanted a Sequoiia, but could not find anything in decent enough shape and for the $$$ I was willing to spend. I too wanted the renowned Toyota reliability after a disastrous time with a 2000 Volvo XC70 - talk about an unreliable vehicle. Fortunately, I came across the LX by chance and it was in very good condition with low mileage for its age. But as time has marched on, and with the price of fuel through the roof, last year we purchased another more practical second daily driver veh. The LX is now for the most part my off-road toy and weekend hauler.

 

[Ballsie]

power antenna fail
both front seats stripped gears
brake fluid level sensor fail
rear door lock actuator fail
weak AC
oil level sensor failed

no offense but this just is not for you if you think the above makes this vehicle "unreliable". These things are minor fixes that should / could be fixed by yourself to save money. For me the 80 series is incredibly reliable from the aspect that I can take it anywhere with my family and I WILL get home. Something minor might come up but the drivetrain and vital components are there to ensure I get home, especially on a well maintained rig. This is the aspect that most folks talk about when they term landcruisers a reliable vehicle. For me I love my 80 series (so much I sold my 40) in that it can be consistently rebuilt. The engines are incredibly stout on the 80 series and below landcruisers. The straight six engines are strong and mostly only need the top ends refreshed on a well taken care of vehicle. Axles, etc can also be refereshed fairly easily.

Just depends on what your idea of true "reliability" is.....

For me it is a truck that I can drive to moab towing a trailer, reving high rpm's most of the way, bounce and drag across rocks for 3 days, and then drive home in complete comfort with my family, 2 dogs and gear. It got me home, not fast, and a few things might have gone awry because of the age of the vehicle, but it performed as I expected.

My 80 has only stranded me once, and that is because I was stupid enough to put a high amp ebay alternator in it. Seqoia alternator is on the list of future mods.

It is a passion. I am constantly thinking of mods to do in the future and I have lists to prove it. If you are not excited about fixing and improving it then best to buy a new car.

Noah

Thanks for the constructive input, man.

I never asked if the truck was "reliable." Everyone is flaming me because apparently I said that LC's are not reliable.... Please go back and read the thread, because I never said that.

I seem to be getting crucified for asking if I should expect to continue to have things break literally EVERY OTHER WEEK. I have had the truck for 12 weeks and I have had to buy parts and repair 6 different things. I am not a pussy. I take care of my own cars. I just didnt expect to ALWAYS have to fix something on this truck.

It was a very simple question that has somehow bothered a lot of people.

I guess I dont fit in on this forum because Im not a rock crawling, Mountain Dew drinking, cool cruiser head that doesnt give a crap if the truck sinks in the lake as long as it runs. My wife drives it during the week and I haul deer out of the woods with it on weekends. Nothing more.

I want everything on my truck to work properly. I have a very nice 16 yr old specimen that is garage kept and still gets washed/waxed regularly.

Forgive me for annoying or offending anyone with my questions.

 

[M32H32is]

How much do you want for it?

Perhaps you can use the cash from selling it for a down payment on a new Highlander.

 

[techsis]

Thanks for the constructive input, man.

I never asked if the truck was "reliable." Everyone is flaming me because apparently I said that LC's are not reliable.... Please go back and read the thread, because I never said that.

I seem to be getting crucified for asking if I should expect to continue to have things break literally EVERY OTHER WEEK. I have had the truck for 12 weeks and I have had to buy parts and repair 6 different things. I am not a pussy. I take care of my own cars. I just didnt expect to ALWAYS have to fix something on this truck.

It was a very simple question that has somehow bothered a lot of people.

I guess I dont fit in on this forum because Im not a rock crawling, Mountain Dew drinking, cool cruiser head that doesnt give a crap if the truck sinks in the lake as long as it runs. My wife drives it during the week and I haul deer out of the woods with it on weekends. Nothing more.

I want everything on my truck to work properly. I have a very nice 16 yr old specimen that is garage kept and still gets washed/waxed regularly.

Forgive me for annoying or offending anyone with my questions.

Many of the items you list as issues are things that need to be dealt with on all LC. Sometimes a little reading on a forum this deep would be recommended. The crew here can help you resolve your issues & search is your friend. For the money, the FZJ80 is a fantastic platform TO BEGIN IMPROVEMENTS. There are many tricks to overcome the various issues you have raised.

I hope you can learn to love the LC and the various +-.

 

[Ballsie]

If I decide to sell it I will send pics and price to all the people that have PMed me.

 

[M32H32is]

Perhaps this is a better option for you, based on what you have stated in the thread.

 

[techsis]

Tone it down and this group can help you solve many issues. AND we are a proud bunch of our 80 series and that should be considered in your posts. Cheers

 

[Kaveeks]

I think you feel let down because you thought that since the PO was the original owner and had all the scheduled maintenance done on-time by the dealer that this rig would be a guaranteed reliable rig. The problem with that tho is, the owner really didn't use it so things became unreliable. You know the saying "use it or lose it". Vehicles need to be exercised just like anything else. Which includes all the components.
You would've been better off buying a rig from a mud member.

 

[Matty]

Not going to get into flaming, but it sounds like you made the wrong choice for a DD as everyone has said. That being said I just bought my first 80, 2 months ago, with no records, 193k, replaced fluids, belts, brakes, and have driven it 4k....across the country through the mountains without an issue.

But I'm with everyone here. Its a labor of love and it sounds like you don't have it for the 80. Mines been reliable so far but I know ill have to put $$ into it at some point and that's ok cause this thing has character!

 

[Ballsie]

Not going to get into flaming, but it sounds like you made the wrong choice for a DD as everyone has said. That being said I just bought my first 80, 2 months ago, with no records, 193k, replaced fluids, belts, brakes, and have driven it 4k....across the country through the mountains without an issue.

But I'm with everyone here. Its a labor of love and it sounds like you don't have it for the 80. Mines been reliable so far but I know ill have to put $$ into it at some point and that's ok cause this thing has character!

Matty, I was in Breck a couple weeks ago. Have you seen the black 80 running around town with at least a 6" lift? Nice truck!

 

[iptman]

Thanks for the constructive input, man.

I never asked if the truck was "reliable." Everyone is flaming me because apparently I said that LC's are not reliable.... Please go back and read the thread, because I never said that.

I seem to be getting crucified for asking if I should expect to continue to have things break literally EVERY OTHER WEEK. I have had the truck for 12 weeks and I have had to buy parts and repair 6 different things. I am not a pussy. I take care of my own cars. I just didnt expect to ALWAYS have to fix something on this truck.

It was a very simple question that has somehow bothered a lot of people.

I guess I dont fit in on this forum because Im not a rock crawling, Mountain Dew drinking, cool cruiser head that doesnt give a crap if the truck sinks in the lake as long as it runs. My wife drives it during the week and I haul deer out of the woods with it on weekends. Nothing more.

I want everything on my truck to work properly. I have a very nice 16 yr old specimen that is garage kept and still gets washed/waxed regularly.

Forgive me for annoying or offending anyone with my questions.

The answer to your primary question then is no. You should not have to replace or fix something every 2 weeks for the rest of your ownership of the truck. Your question and inference bothered a lot of people because this forum is specifically dedicated to people who have strong favorable opinions of their trucks. What did you expect to happen? Also, based on the description of what you're using it for, you won't get a chance to see how capable your truck really is. I promise you if you actually saw what it could do, even in stock form, your opinion would change. I'm on my second 80 series and both 'D' lights on the dash were burned out. If this type of thing would have ended up on your list of issues then this definitely isn't the vehicle for you.

 

[kidglove13]

you seem to be coming around a bit.
you do seem to have a fondness for the 80

I would do a search on here and read, search for cost of ownership.

Like others have said including myself, there is not have to do anything reliable, and there is it will get me home and not leave me stranded reliable even with issues.

I will not bash you for not liking an 80, that is your choice.

I think that you have just hit a bad string of minor problems that has agitated you maybe not.

An 80 is not for everyone, please do a search and do some reading about ownership and what really goes into it.

I believe it is not what you really think it is, because it is not like owning a toyota pickup or 4runner.

There is a reason they were still making 80 series and selling them down in south america up until not to long ago for a reason.

If I recall they stopped making the 80 for south america in 2007

 

[Matty]

Matty, I was in Breck a couple weeks ago. Have you seen the black 80 running around town with at least a 6" lift? Nice truck!

There's lot of 80s up here, my old neighbor is the one with the lifted black 80.