Greetings all!
I have been reading the forum here for awhile now. Learning about the different models and modifications. There is quite a wealth of information here! I have longed for a LC for years in vain. However, I recently got the wife to sign of on getting a FJ80 or above. She didn't go for the 60/62... Those of you who are married can surely feel my pain So FJ80 it is!
After a few days of searching, I found a Craigslist ad here in Dallas for the 1997 40th anniversary edition LC. Reading several forum posts, it appeared that 97 was a good model year for the FZJ80. However, I do have a few questions. Being I complete green horn, I am reaching out to the wisdom of the forum members here.
The LC would be used about 70% around town and highway and about 30% off-roading. To clarify, the off-roading would not be rock crawling or mud boggin, but more the area of trails and elements involved with backpacking and hiking (as that is what we enjoy doing most).
Alright, now for the questions. As the LC would be used to get us to trails around the country, are there modifications that can be made to make it more fuel efficient? There is an inherent irony in asking to make an SUV more fuel efficient, kind of like asking if you can make water less wet...
What modifications would you suggest for the use described above?
Are there any mechanical elements that are issues with the FZJ90s? All vehicles break down. Just wondering if there are some things that are continually problems for the line.
Finally, what do you think of this deal? He is asking $6,500 for the ride. The Craigslist post can be seen here: 97 Land Cruiser Collectors Ed.
More photos are here.
Here is some additional information from email conversation:
why selling? My wife finally got the minivan she wanted.
ever wrecked or painted on? No wrecks or repainting that I've found. Small scratches and a couple of small dents.
i understand appearance not perfect, and 14 years old, but any major fading, oxidation, etc.? Only issue on the body is a couple of rust spots on the leading edge on the hood and the bottom of the running boards.
everything work well and as it should? The antenna doesn't go up (it's motor is running, but the plastic runner is broken, a $38 part on ebay)
drives, shifts smoothly? Drives great and Shifts smoothly
what service or maintenance will it need soon? last timing belt change? It's a steel timing chain that doesn't need to be changed. I had all the fluids changed last summer.
any fluid leaks and how bad? It does have an oil leak. It loses about 1 quart every 1200 miles at highway speeds. (My wife likes to drive it at 80-90 mph.) Much less around town. It's a rear oil seal leak. It doesn't drip on the driveway. For the last 2 years, it has been much less expensive to add a quart of oil every month or two, than to pay to get the leak fixed. This was not our primary car.
smells, rips, cracks, fades or stains inside? Nothing out of the ordinary. The seats have some cracks but they haven't torn. The dash is not cracked. The carpets are in great shape for the age. The driver's mat does have a wear spot where the driver's heel rests.
I'll be looking at the vehicle and test driving it tomorrow. I'll post more information after. Thanks in advance for any and all comments, ideas, and suggestions. I appreciate it. have a good one!
I have been reading the forum here for awhile now. Learning about the different models and modifications. There is quite a wealth of information here! I have longed for a LC for years in vain. However, I recently got the wife to sign of on getting a FJ80 or above. She didn't go for the 60/62... Those of you who are married can surely feel my pain So FJ80 it is!
After a few days of searching, I found a Craigslist ad here in Dallas for the 1997 40th anniversary edition LC. Reading several forum posts, it appeared that 97 was a good model year for the FZJ80. However, I do have a few questions. Being I complete green horn, I am reaching out to the wisdom of the forum members here.
The LC would be used about 70% around town and highway and about 30% off-roading. To clarify, the off-roading would not be rock crawling or mud boggin, but more the area of trails and elements involved with backpacking and hiking (as that is what we enjoy doing most).
Alright, now for the questions. As the LC would be used to get us to trails around the country, are there modifications that can be made to make it more fuel efficient? There is an inherent irony in asking to make an SUV more fuel efficient, kind of like asking if you can make water less wet...
What modifications would you suggest for the use described above?
Are there any mechanical elements that are issues with the FZJ90s? All vehicles break down. Just wondering if there are some things that are continually problems for the line.
Finally, what do you think of this deal? He is asking $6,500 for the ride. The Craigslist post can be seen here: 97 Land Cruiser Collectors Ed.
More photos are here.
Here is some additional information from email conversation:
why selling? My wife finally got the minivan she wanted.
ever wrecked or painted on? No wrecks or repainting that I've found. Small scratches and a couple of small dents.
i understand appearance not perfect, and 14 years old, but any major fading, oxidation, etc.? Only issue on the body is a couple of rust spots on the leading edge on the hood and the bottom of the running boards.
everything work well and as it should? The antenna doesn't go up (it's motor is running, but the plastic runner is broken, a $38 part on ebay)
drives, shifts smoothly? Drives great and Shifts smoothly
what service or maintenance will it need soon? last timing belt change? It's a steel timing chain that doesn't need to be changed. I had all the fluids changed last summer.
any fluid leaks and how bad? It does have an oil leak. It loses about 1 quart every 1200 miles at highway speeds. (My wife likes to drive it at 80-90 mph.) Much less around town. It's a rear oil seal leak. It doesn't drip on the driveway. For the last 2 years, it has been much less expensive to add a quart of oil every month or two, than to pay to get the leak fixed. This was not our primary car.
smells, rips, cracks, fades or stains inside? Nothing out of the ordinary. The seats have some cracks but they haven't torn. The dash is not cracked. The carpets are in great shape for the age. The driver's mat does have a wear spot where the driver's heel rests.
I'll be looking at the vehicle and test driving it tomorrow. I'll post more information after. Thanks in advance for any and all comments, ideas, and suggestions. I appreciate it. have a good one!