Burial for my 80..Birth of my 200!

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Joined
Aug 4, 2011
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208
Hello mud,

This story is a testament to the strength of these vehicles. I have a '94 80 that has carried me and my family everywhere. We've put 275K miles on her and she has never once left us stranded. Kudos to both the build quality of the platform and many many thanks to all of you and the invaluable advice of the Ih8mud community.

Unfortunately, about 4 months ago I was traveling on a two lane back road, probably going about 60-65mph, when a flatbed eighteen wheeler obviously didn't see me coming and decided to take a left turn in front of me, leaving me simply nowhere to go. I veered off the road to avoid the flatbed, careened into a ditch and slammed the passenger side of the truck into an embankment. The truck rolled and flipped over end to end. I landed on the front tires and eventually came to rest on all four facing the opposite direction, back on the road...the truck suffered heavy body and frame damage but was still running. I unfortunately, also suffered some damage - 3 broken ribs and a couple broken bones in my left hand. After assessing the damage and looking the truck over and furiously wondering if I could ever find the driver of the 18 wheeler (no, he didn't stop), I hopped back in the truck and limped back home.

IMHO, that truck saved my life. I think most cars/trucks simply would have disintegrated, exploded or imploded. While the damage is extensive and the frame is obviously bent, the overall damage is shockingly minimal. Not a single window broke and after replacing most lights and turn signals, if you look at it from the driver's side you can barely tell. Anyways, here is a couple pics.

LC_glory.jpeg by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 12:50 PM
Her glory days!
The damage.

LC-limping by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 12:55 PM
another angle
LC-today by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 12:55 PM
front shot.

A special shout out to @beno. The day after the accident, I apparently sheared a caliper bolt during the wreck. Onur overnighted that baby to me and I'm forever grateful for the unbelievable service that kept that truck working for me.

Anyways, on to the reason I'm posting this in the 200 section. After an extensive search, I'm now the proud owner of this beautiful 2008 LC. As an homage to my previous LC, I stuck with a similar color combo, Amazon green metallic with a grey interior. I paid 28K for her and she's got 120K on the clock...just getting broken in. The boys over at @ACC Toyota are going to be handling this one. If you are ever in Alt and need some work done, these guys are it. Let the mods begin! I'll update this post as the build moves along.
new 200 by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 1:08 PM
new_LC by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 2:12 PM
Amazon_green_metallic by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 2:12 PM
interior by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 1:08 PM
alt-interior by Buddysuede posted May 27, 2015 at 1:10 PM

Funny side note, my daughter calls this site IEatDirt instead of Ih8mud. "Daddy, are you on IEatDirt again?"
 
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Awesome. Looks like I'm not the only one here with an Amazon Green Metallic anymore.

What modifications are you planning?

You are in ATL?
 
Hey, MScruiser, I gotta say, your build has been some of the inspiration for the direction I want to go. Love what you've done and of course, I love the color. I am in ATL around Decatur. I'm researching the suspension options now but I want to be able to haul ass on forest service roads and just soak up the bumps. I do a lot of highway miles as well, so not sure I want to go 35s, probably 33s in the new BFG K02 tires but we'll see. Of course, sliders and some front bumper. By the way, are the KDSS brackets required due to the lift amount on your truck?
 
Thanks man! Sounds like a solid plan.

The kdss brackets and only required if you are going to be using 35s.

I am looking forward to the build
 
Wow that is an amazing story and glad to know the 80 held you and itself up after that.... Congrats on the 200! Looks great!
 
I had a green 1995 FZJ80, sold it with 120k miles on it. Wish I still owned it. Back when I sold it I did not realize how long they would last. Bought mine at the Toyota store in north Atlanta. You will love your 200. Glad your ok. Ever find the Semi driver?
 
Thanks. Nope, never found that driver.
 
I had a green 1995 FZJ80, sold it with 120k miles on it. Wish I still owned it. Back when I sold it I did not realize how long they would last. Bought mine at the Toyota store in north Atlanta. You will love your 200. Glad your ok. Ever find the Semi driver?


I bought my second 80 from Sandy Springs Toyota.
 
Drove down from Greenville........ dang GOLD PACKAGE was still on the truck. I told them days before hand to take all the gold stuff off.

That cost me several hours. They added the extended warranty at no cost due to the trouble.




I want a green 200!!!!
 
I looked at another great one while I was picking mine up. It was a 2008 green with tan interior. They were asking 32 or 33 for it. Offer 28 and see what happens. Here are are some pics of it. They still have it because they just called me minutes ago.
ImageUploadedByIH8MUD Forum1432761274.267737.webp

ImageUploadedByIH8MUD Forum1432761300.593933.webp
 
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Here's a pic of the interior on that one as well.
ImageUploadedByIH8MUD Forum1432761902.677283.webp
 
While we're on the Amazon green metallic convo, it was my understanding that only certain regions of the U.S. even had this color as an option. Does anyone know if that is really true?
 
I know that if I try an go to the Toyota website and enter my zip code, it does not even give me the option of building one. So yes, there is at least some truth to the statement.
 
Congrats and welcome to the 200 club. Lucky you to have ACC in your backyard. There's a handful of us in ATL now.
 
Congrats! You will be very happy with that purchase, and yes, ACC is the place. Done lots for me over the years, and more to come I'm sure.
 
Major props and great color. Awesome price as well. As for ACC, I am thinking about driving down from Knoxville next time something is needed to be done.

Would be fun to be back in Bulldog territory anyway as I live in the epicenter of "Big Orange Country". And would be great to go back to visit Athens as well.
 
I was a freshman with Herschel... and my daughter just finished her freshman year at UGA... can't imagine having to live in the land of Rocky Top!
 

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