Back in a Cruiser again.

[audaciousduo]

It's been a while since I was out with some of you folks as I've been very busy over the last year or so. The last time I was out was the sudden blizzard on Mt Cheam when we got stuck on the side of the mountain. That little episode seems minor compared to my last miss adventure. Those of you who follow the 80 series tech column, you've see this and I apologize for the repeat. In April we went up to Sloquet Hot Springs about four hours north on the west Harrison FSR. Had a great day with the kids and headed back. I was only about 15 minutes into the drive back when I thought my 80 was overheating. By the time I got to the hood the paint was bubbling and the latch was seized from the heat. Within 30 minutes the whole truck was a burned out shell. We had no cell phone service but had emergency gear to spend the night. We did a lift out but it was a three ring circus this five of us in a beat up geo tracker. Canadian Direct Insurance did pay out but it took three months and they could not determine the cause of the fire. I just bought a 1997 FZJ80 cruiser in Seattle like my old one. It has the e-lockers but needs a lift, winch and winch bumper. I'm going to throw that and some decent tires on it as soon as I sell my other car that I bought to drive when we were with out a vehicle. I hope to be off road capable and back on the trails soon! If any of you are selling a 9000 lb winch or any of the other listed items let me know. We want to get back wheeling and camping if anyone is brave enough to go with us, I'm hoping the curse of the mountain man went up in smoke with my old cruiser.

 

[audaciousduo]

The new 80

I'm amazed at how much you get for $9,000 compared to when I was into land rover's. My old defender didn't have lockers, A/C or even a radio and the 80 is more capable in the bush with the lockers. The new one was a typical soccer mom truck with no time logged in the bush. I have all the service records through Toyota. I don't think the lockers were ever used. I'm starting on the modifications soon and all ready pricing tires out.

 

[canucksafari]

Sorry to hear about your last truck but glad no one was hurt. It reminds me that I really do need to get an extinguisher for the truck. The new one looks very nice. You will have fun building it up. I have considered getting a US 80 for my wife as well. Hope to see you at Cruiser Days on Satuday.

 

[Granite Grinder]

We were just talking about you a couple of months ago, we thought maybe we had scared you off with that Cheam mis-adventure. Glad no one hurt and everything turned out OK. Look forward to seeing you on the trail.
Phil

 

[audaciousduo]

We were just talking about you a couple of months ago, we thought maybe we had scared you off with that Cheam mis-adventure. Glad no one hurt and everything turned out OK. Look forward to seeing you on the trail.
Phil

LOL no I just got busy with other thing like renovating my house and restoring a car I always wanted. 1969 Dodge Dart GTS that was a fun project but not too family friendly at 450 Hp and $30/Hr to drive. I've lived it live and am done with muscle cars now. We were not scared off just got occupied with other projects. You all seemed like great folks, we were just unprepared for the snow which is our own fault. Will all the bush time and wilderness experience I've logged I should have known better. All we plan on doing for entertainment is wheeling and back country camping from here on. Drag racing was not my thing but at least I tried it.

The money pit that is now sold!

 

[kim]

Wow!

Sorry to hear about your last trip in the 80. I am happy that you are all ok after such a thing.

 

[audaciousduo]

Ever changing plan

Well' It seems the wife has taken a shine to the new 80 and would rather not have it modified and scratched up. Sooooooooo I bought Justin's 70 for a wheeler and can now play in the woods quilt free. It worked out to about the same as all the mod's were going to cost for the 80 anyways. Now I have some thing to do this winter for a project ........ weld in new rocker panels and fix some rust. I just finished telling my wife I didn't want another project after restoring the Dart. Oh well happy wife = happy life. I'm out of town on friday for a couple of weeks and have chained the 70 to my garage so my tenant wont take it fishing. I cant wait to go get it stuck somewhere when I get back. After 9 Land Rovers and only my third Cruiser I'm seriously kicking my own but as to why I wasted almost a decade tearing down rovers and rebuilding them. Why has no one else figured out these air ride seats? I guess it was cheaper for rover to provide mouth guards. I was a firm cruiser convert the moment I drove the 80 after bouncing around in the old military Defender I had. With the lockers if was more capable off road and waaaaaaay more comfortable to drive. Anyway, hope to see you on the trails when I get back in early august. If anyone had a mig welder (220 Volt) for sale PM me ..... I'm going to need it this winter.

Dave

 

[kim]

Good stuff. I like your plan.

And yes, happy wife = happy life.

 

[canucksafari]

I've been skimming the MUD and CL in the US for a decent 80 for the too. However, for a fair amount less than $9K. Still, I am amazed at what's out there in the $4-6K range in a post 1993 80 series. As long as she works in Abbotsford it's all good, but I would hate the monthly fuel bill of her commuting with an 80.

 

[matt49]

I've been skimming the MUD and CL in the US for a decent 80 for the too. However, for a fair amount less than $9K. Still, I am amazed at what's out there in the $4-6K range in a post 1993 80 series. As long as she works in Abbotsford it's all good, but I would hate the monthly fuel bill of her commuting with an 80.

lol i get 12 mpg and $135 a week in gas to and from work

 

[d0ubledown]

Well' It seems the wife has taken a shine to the new 80 and would rather not have it modified and scratched up. Sooooooooo I bought Justin's 70 for a wheeler and can now play in the woods quilt free. It worked out to about the same as all the mod's were going to cost for the 80 anyways. Now I have some thing to do this winter for a project ........ weld in new rocker panels and fix some rust. I just finished telling my wife I didn't want another project after restoring the Dart. Oh well happy wife = happy life. I'm out of town on friday for a couple of weeks and have chained the 70 to my garage so my tenant wont take it fishing. I cant wait to go get it stuck somewhere when I get back. After 9 Land Rovers and only my third Cruiser I'm seriously kicking my own but as to why I wasted almost a decade tearing down rovers and rebuilding them. Why has no one else figured out these air ride seats? I guess it was cheaper for rover to provide mouth guards. I was a firm cruiser convert the moment I drove the 80 after bouncing around in the old military Defender I had. With the lockers if was more capable off road and waaaaaaay more comfortable to drive. Anyway, hope to see you on the trails when I get back in early august. If anyone had a mig welder (220 Volt) for sale PM me ..... I'm going to need it this winter.

Dave

nice score. that 70 looks great...cant even tell theres cancer issues there. nothing beats getting into an 80 then into a 70 for play! hope to see either cruiser out there gettin pinstriped...

I've been skimming the MUD and CL in the US for a decent 80 for the too. However, for a fair amount less than $9K. Still, I am amazed at what's out there in the $4-6K range in a post 1993 80 series. As long as she works in Abbotsford it's all good, but I would hate the monthly fuel bill of her commuting with an 80.

lol i get 12 mpg and $135 a week in gas to and from work

i average about high 15s, but mostly hwy from surrey to abby. if i DD 5X, im out about $80/week for the petrol...about a tank in 5 days. good thing costco is a lunch break away from work. been trying to take the sienna...its nice to be able to go 130km/h and not watch the fuel needle drop.

 

[matt49]

high 15's on 35's? or are you runn'n 33's

nice score. that 70 looks great...cant even tell theres cancer issues there. nothing beats getting into an 80 then into a 70 for play! hope to see either cruiser out there gettin pinstriped...







i average about high 15s, but mostly hwy from surrey to abby. if i DD 5X, im out about $80/week for the petrol...about a tank in 5 days. good thing costco is a lunch break away from work. been trying to take the sienna...its nice to be able to go 130km/h and not watch the fuel needle drop.

 

[jcolvin]

Yikes. That's one of the things I love about diesel...much less chance of a rotisserie. My IH 3400 bus blew a fuel line last week (!!??!! why would IH use a soft rubber part in a high pressure line on top of the engine?!!??..it was rotten right through and the bus is only 8 years old), diesel pouring out all over the engine for a good hour on the hwy before i realized the gas gage was dropping much faster than it should have been. No flame luckily.

 

[audaciousduo]

I've been skimming the MUD and CL in the US for a decent 80 for the too. However, for a fair amount less than $9K. Still, I am amazed at what's out there in the $4-6K range in a post 1993 80 series. As long as she works in Abbotsford it's all good, but I would hate the monthly fuel bill of her commuting with an 80.

She has the toughest job of all, looking after my kids. No commuting so its a non issue as far as the fuel consumption. We looked at a bunch but this one is mint, has lockers and all the service records from Toyota. If you buy one in the US don't get one with a lift as they are illegal to import. We found that out after the fact and are lucky we didn't buy the one we were looking at. The inspection form clearly states not importable and to notify RIV if the vehicle has a lift kit. Just an FYI so you don't spend a fortune.

Dave

 

[Granite Grinder]

I think Sonny brought his in from the US, and I believe it has a lift... Sonny?
P

 

[audaciousduo]

high 15's on 35's? or are you runn'n 33's

33's on 15's

 

[d0ubledown]

high 15's on 35's? or are you runn'n 33's

not really 35s, and not really 33's. 50% 315s kinda = 33.75~34". ive got an arb up front, and sliders. stock gears, no roofrack. however, i get my best mileage carrying no spare, and no 3rd row seats installed...CC pegged at an indicated 105km/h which is approximately 112-115 actual speed. my commute is mostly from 200th street exit in langley to clearbrook road & south fraser way, abby. so as light and easy as you can DD an 80. once i go into the city or west of surrey..im back down to the average 12s.

I think Sonny brought his in from the US, and I believe it has a lift... Sonny?
P

yep, a 2.5" lift. it didnt look monsterous, and it only had 285 AT's with running boards...so it probably flew under the radar. i didnt think there was any restrictions on lifted vehicles though...as long as it was lien/recall free, and met all export requirements. i think where thered be a problem would be under the provincial inspection.

 

[audaciousduo]

high 15's on 35's? or are you runn'n 33's

33"s on 15's

 

[audaciousduo]

not really 35s, and not really 33's. 50% 315s kinda = 33.75~34". ive got an arb up front, and sliders. stock gears, no roofrack. however, i get my best mileage carrying no spare, and no 3rd row seats installed...CC pegged at an indicated 105km/h which is approximately 112-115 actual speed. my commute is mostly from 200th street exit in langley to clearbrook road & south fraser way, abby. so as light and easy as you can DD an 80. once i go into the city or west of surrey..im back down to the average 12s.



yep, a 2.5" lift. it didnt look monsterous, and it only had 285 AT's with running boards...so it probably flew under the radar. i didnt think there was any restrictions on lifted vehicles though...as long as it was lien/recall free, and met all export requirements. i think where thered be a problem would be under the provincial inspection.

The RIV inspection form you get after you pay the fee was the one that specified no lifts. You got lucky, thats the federal form. I was livid when ICBC added up the price of the vehicle, duty and excise tax and made me pay the BS BC welfare tax on taxes I already paid. I'm still firing off emails to the Canadian Tax Payer Federation. Taxing taxes could only happen in BC.

 

[d0ubledown]

the federal (RIV) form is a joke though. i just brought it to canadian tire. all they checked for was that there were DRL's that worked when the engine was running, the VINs matched. supposedly they're also supposed to check for proper child safety anchors if there are rear seats. i dont think they checked though but the 80 does have them in form of rear cargo anchor points. the provincial inspection is where you can get dinged. i had 3 or 4 dings in the windscreen, and one hairline crack on the lower drivers side, near the A pillar. i got one of the major dings filled at apple auto glass, then i went next door to hudson auto care to see if theyd have problems passing the glass. they didnt have a problem with it. of course when i asked JP toyota if itd pass, they said no. go figure.

i dont remember paying a bc welfare tax though? i just paid PST, GST, and duty. but yes...taxing taxes is the bc way of doing things. thanks gordo!