Hey guys, I picked up this truck last fall in anticipation of a nasty Colorado winter; I have a RWD car that I didn't want to drive in the snow nor leave at the airport for extended periods, so I found this beast. I always wanted an 80 series, and finding an LX instead of a Land Cruiser didn't matter to me!
However, now we're building up our 200 and it's a way more modern family rig to run 3 young boys + the wife around in, so the LX has to go.
It's a '97, the lockers work and engage, and I put a bunch of maintenance into it when I got it:
- Put Mobil1 Synthetic in it the first day I owned it
- Had a great local Toyota shop (A&H Auto Care in Englewood) install a brand-new manifold-back exhaust including a brand-new catalytic converter ($1k total or so, have receipts)
- Installed American Racing Outlaw II 6x139.7/6x5.5 17x8, 4.5" backspacing, 17" alloy wheels and terrific 315/70/17 34" Goodyear Duratracs ($$$) that are phenomenal both on and off the road and in the snow
- Brand new windshield installed by Safelite Auto Glass with the proper bronze tint that matches the rest of the glass
- Replaced the rear knock sensor and repairing the harness so it would resolve a CEL it had when I got it as well as pass emissions (passed with flying colors)
- Repaired the oil level sensor harness connection - works perfectly now
- Repaired the oil pressure gauge sender harness and it's now functional (although reads low, which is common these trucks)
- Replaced the Heater Control Valve (HCV) as the truck had no heat when I got it - heat blows perfectly and the AC works great as well!
- Replaced the driver's side headlight
- Replaced the passenger side tail light
- Replaced both front turn signal lights
- Installed new Pioneer speakers in all 4 doors - radio sounds great and the antenna is also functional
- Installed new windshield wipers
- Installed LED dome lights, turn signals, and LED-friendly turn signal relay - FAR brighter both inside and out
- New battery 4/17
The previous owner drove the truck as their daily driver and replaced the head gasket right before I bought it. The truck runs and drives great and shows no signs of any HG leaks, but I don't have any records for the HG replacement.
The only light on on the dash is the ABS light; ABS is currently disabled. As it stops fine as-is in truth I haven't gotten around to diagnosing why.
Everything else works - heat, AC, radio, the power antenna, power seat controls, keyless entry, the lockers - yes, they do engage - and it's ready to roll. This is a perfect starting point for a 4x4 rig, but it can also be DD'd as that's all I have done with it.
The frame is very clean and I don't see any actual rust, maybe the tiniest vestiges of surface rust (see below); I believe the truck has been in CO its whole life.
Other things to know: it has 277k miles, some mild body damage on the right-rear corner, the front bumper isn't pretty either, the driver's seat and steering wheel are worn like all these trucks are at this age, there's a bit of noise from the birfs when turning while cold, like all these trucks some oil hits the ground, and if you're going to off-road this beast, you should throw a lift on it.
Overall this is a solid starting point for any Mudder looking to build a rig, but if we're being real you're also going to put some incremental work into it before you go thrash it.
Extras that come with the truck:
- The 5 OEM 16" wheels with tires mounted on them - the tires are in very good shape and you could run either set.
- Roof rack: I have a steel roof rack to send with the truck as well.
- Knock sensors: two brand-new OEM in the box knock sensors. These things are too damn expensive!
Clean CO title in hand.
Edit 5/30: Dropped to $5,900 for Mud - probably making it the least-expensive F&R locked truck on here. Come get it.
Feel free to call or text at 303.668.5708, or PM for any questions and setting up a time to come get it.
However, now we're building up our 200 and it's a way more modern family rig to run 3 young boys + the wife around in, so the LX has to go.
It's a '97, the lockers work and engage, and I put a bunch of maintenance into it when I got it:
- Put Mobil1 Synthetic in it the first day I owned it
- Had a great local Toyota shop (A&H Auto Care in Englewood) install a brand-new manifold-back exhaust including a brand-new catalytic converter ($1k total or so, have receipts)
- Installed American Racing Outlaw II 6x139.7/6x5.5 17x8, 4.5" backspacing, 17" alloy wheels and terrific 315/70/17 34" Goodyear Duratracs ($$$) that are phenomenal both on and off the road and in the snow
- Brand new windshield installed by Safelite Auto Glass with the proper bronze tint that matches the rest of the glass
- Replaced the rear knock sensor and repairing the harness so it would resolve a CEL it had when I got it as well as pass emissions (passed with flying colors)
- Repaired the oil level sensor harness connection - works perfectly now
- Repaired the oil pressure gauge sender harness and it's now functional (although reads low, which is common these trucks)
- Replaced the Heater Control Valve (HCV) as the truck had no heat when I got it - heat blows perfectly and the AC works great as well!
- Replaced the driver's side headlight
- Replaced the passenger side tail light
- Replaced both front turn signal lights
- Installed new Pioneer speakers in all 4 doors - radio sounds great and the antenna is also functional
- Installed new windshield wipers
- Installed LED dome lights, turn signals, and LED-friendly turn signal relay - FAR brighter both inside and out
- New battery 4/17
The previous owner drove the truck as their daily driver and replaced the head gasket right before I bought it. The truck runs and drives great and shows no signs of any HG leaks, but I don't have any records for the HG replacement.
The only light on on the dash is the ABS light; ABS is currently disabled. As it stops fine as-is in truth I haven't gotten around to diagnosing why.
Everything else works - heat, AC, radio, the power antenna, power seat controls, keyless entry, the lockers - yes, they do engage - and it's ready to roll. This is a perfect starting point for a 4x4 rig, but it can also be DD'd as that's all I have done with it.
The frame is very clean and I don't see any actual rust, maybe the tiniest vestiges of surface rust (see below); I believe the truck has been in CO its whole life.
Other things to know: it has 277k miles, some mild body damage on the right-rear corner, the front bumper isn't pretty either, the driver's seat and steering wheel are worn like all these trucks are at this age, there's a bit of noise from the birfs when turning while cold, like all these trucks some oil hits the ground, and if you're going to off-road this beast, you should throw a lift on it.
Overall this is a solid starting point for any Mudder looking to build a rig, but if we're being real you're also going to put some incremental work into it before you go thrash it.
Extras that come with the truck:
- The 5 OEM 16" wheels with tires mounted on them - the tires are in very good shape and you could run either set.
- Roof rack: I have a steel roof rack to send with the truck as well.
- Knock sensors: two brand-new OEM in the box knock sensors. These things are too damn expensive!
Clean CO title in hand.
Edit 5/30: Dropped to $5,900 for Mud - probably making it the least-expensive F&R locked truck on here. Come get it.
Feel free to call or text at 303.668.5708, or PM for any questions and setting up a time to come get it.
Last edited:
