Unlike the 100, I've decided to do a build thread for the 80.
I've been fortunate enough to learn loads from this community and I figured, sharing my own build experience would hopefully generate something positive that would perhaps help others make decisions on their own builds. Not to mention, I would also keep learning from what others have to preach - the good, the bad, the ugly, you name it - bring it all.
A little background - I've been happy owning a 100 series for a couple of years. Solid vehicle in MOST regards. I've had the pleasure to explore numerous places and the adventure spirit continues to burn within. I really enjoyed building that truck to the point where I'm now mostly just enjoying driving it more than building it and running maintenance on the "old lady". Something about driving a cruiser - YESS! Feel awesome.
Anyway, the 80 has always intrigued me and I figured it's only prudent that I search for and own one. Many debates on this forum on 80 vs 100 vs etc. Personally, it has a special place in my heart, from it's looks, to how it drives. I don't expect it to be a 100 and I don't even like to compare it (in negativity) to the 100. YES, they will have differences. But, they both have their own benefits in their own very special way which I wont get into because that might derail my build thread.
So anyway, after 2 years of searching, I landed an opportunity. An LX450. Named her "Berky" partly because of where she was from (Berkeley, CA) and simply because she demands a portion of the paycheck deposited in her (just like Berkshire Hathaway the investment firm). But, forget the money - it more so an investment too into my love for adventure and the many more trails out there that await.
She was bone stock (and I mean bone stock - no upgrades at all), factory front and rear lockers (something I was very keen on having), no challenging off-road experience with a scratch-free belly. The underside was actually full of webs and leaves. Previous owner pretty much wanted to clear out some 'old unused stuff' at their place and the truck just couldn't make the cut and had to find a new home. Oh well, one man's poison is another man's meat. '97 LX450 190K miles, only 10K miles put on it in the last 10 years. AC was disfunctional, No rust except on the 3rd row seats which were probably out in the elements, no HG leaks, few recently done maintenance - radiator and distributor cap, new air filter.
Most 80s I'd seen in this shape were demanding more $$$$, so to pay less than half of what I considered to be the market value (and trending upwards) was a no-brainer. "Whats the worst that could happen?" I asked. Resell at fair market value?
Well, after a few more questions back and forth, we made the deal happen and the truck found a new home in sunny San Diego from the bay area. She made her way down the coast on a hot summers day.
Running boards removed
The herd together with my collie doing what he does best - herding
I've been fortunate enough to learn loads from this community and I figured, sharing my own build experience would hopefully generate something positive that would perhaps help others make decisions on their own builds. Not to mention, I would also keep learning from what others have to preach - the good, the bad, the ugly, you name it - bring it all.
A little background - I've been happy owning a 100 series for a couple of years. Solid vehicle in MOST regards. I've had the pleasure to explore numerous places and the adventure spirit continues to burn within. I really enjoyed building that truck to the point where I'm now mostly just enjoying driving it more than building it and running maintenance on the "old lady". Something about driving a cruiser - YESS! Feel awesome.
Anyway, the 80 has always intrigued me and I figured it's only prudent that I search for and own one. Many debates on this forum on 80 vs 100 vs etc. Personally, it has a special place in my heart, from it's looks, to how it drives. I don't expect it to be a 100 and I don't even like to compare it (in negativity) to the 100. YES, they will have differences. But, they both have their own benefits in their own very special way which I wont get into because that might derail my build thread.
So anyway, after 2 years of searching, I landed an opportunity. An LX450. Named her "Berky" partly because of where she was from (Berkeley, CA) and simply because she demands a portion of the paycheck deposited in her (just like Berkshire Hathaway the investment firm). But, forget the money - it more so an investment too into my love for adventure and the many more trails out there that await.
She was bone stock (and I mean bone stock - no upgrades at all), factory front and rear lockers (something I was very keen on having), no challenging off-road experience with a scratch-free belly. The underside was actually full of webs and leaves. Previous owner pretty much wanted to clear out some 'old unused stuff' at their place and the truck just couldn't make the cut and had to find a new home. Oh well, one man's poison is another man's meat. '97 LX450 190K miles, only 10K miles put on it in the last 10 years. AC was disfunctional, No rust except on the 3rd row seats which were probably out in the elements, no HG leaks, few recently done maintenance - radiator and distributor cap, new air filter.
Most 80s I'd seen in this shape were demanding more $$$$, so to pay less than half of what I considered to be the market value (and trending upwards) was a no-brainer. "Whats the worst that could happen?" I asked. Resell at fair market value?
Well, after a few more questions back and forth, we made the deal happen and the truck found a new home in sunny San Diego from the bay area. She made her way down the coast on a hot summers day.
Running boards removed
The herd together with my collie doing what he does best - herding
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