Diesel 80 Wagon versus Dodge Cummins Camper?

[Stone]

Thanks for that. Actually, I'm pretty sure the colour is stock. The floor inside is the same colour. I'd prefer having chrome wheels to the black aftermarket ones that someone put on, though, but they're good wheels and do the job...

Cheers!

Really? You think Toyota would have painted the grill and the "TOYOTA" lettering that same blue colour from the factory? Also the bumpers are painted to match...shouldn't they be black with a little bit of chrome? The wheels look fine...the truck just needs a mild lift and 33" tires.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

1HZs have been shown to be a bit more reliable due to the NA thing, but also because of the BEB issue with some of the 1HDTs,

I'm not saying by much, but that is a difference.

 

[Stone]

I see...

 

[roscoFJ73]

Well, it's full-time AWD is what I meant. I know that some people put in kits to turn it into selectable 4WD (like my BJ60 had).
!

In Australia "poverty packs" are all part time,meaning you have to get out and lock the hubs and select 2wd/4wd with a lever.
I think you must have "the keeping heads just above water" model

 

[rstl99]

Really? You think Toyota would have painted the grill and the "TOYOTA" lettering that same blue colour from the factory? Also the bumpers are painted to match...shouldn't they be black with a little bit of chrome? The wheels look fine...the truck just needs a mild lift and 33" tires.

You're probably quite right. Actually, I painted the TOYOTA lettering white so people know what it is coming at them. The bumpers, mirrors and grille may well indeed have been painted to match the truck color, but I can assure you it's this color on the floorboards. Outside has probably been repainted at some point I would venture.

I think you're right: a mild lift would do it well. But my use is pretty well 100% on-road (some marginal, but still roads). No appetite for rock-crawling here, so it serves me well as-is.

 

[rstl99]

In Australia "poverty packs" are all part time,meaning you have to get out and lock the hubs and select 2wd/4wd with a lever.
I think you must have "the keeping heads just above water" model

Good one! I suppose I have the "minimum wage" model. Power door locks but manual windows, vinyl floors, limited instrumentation (I added a tiny-tach and an engine watchdog - engine temperature gauge/alarm - from Oz). Oil pressure gauge is on my todo list.
I kind of like the no-fuss aspect of it. Not sure what its intended customer-base was in Europe (it came from Belgium originally), possibly farmers?

 

[Stone]

You're probably quite right. Actually, I painted the TOYOTA lettering white so people know what it is coming at them. The bumpers, mirrors and grille may well indeed have been painted to match the truck color, but I can assure you it's this color on the floorboards. Outside has probably been repainted at some point I would venture.

I think you're right: a mild lift would do it well. But my use is pretty well 100% on-road (some marginal, but still roads). No appetite for rock-crawling here, so it serves me well as-is.

You're probably right.

 

[Volcano cruiser]

80 with a trailer. There are lots of options in this regard. They range from build your own to pop pre made with everything in between. I´d keep they 80 for versatility that it gives you with fuel and terrain coverage. In terms of service in Canada you know the deal better than I and in the US. Let me know as I haven´t moved my diesel back yet.
Good luck,

 

[roscoFJ73]

Good one! I suppose I have the "minimum wage" model. Power door locks but manual windows, vinyl floors, limited instrumentation (I added a tiny-tach and an engine watchdog - engine temperature gauge/alarm - from Oz). Oil pressure gauge is on my todo list.
I kind of like the no-fuss aspect of it. Not sure what its intended customer-base was in Europe (it came from Belgium originally), possibly farmers?

I dont think we get anything like that.
One of the complaints here is that there has been a big gap between base models and the top shelf.

Maybe it was a Govt or embassy vehicle.

 

[slammed41]

rstl99,

i've owned a '93 cummins club cab 4x4...even the same colour scheme as the one in your photo. i know many people say that it's the cummins that makes the truck and that the dodge aspect of it is poor. i agree to a point, but i feel that all of the american made, full size trucks have their weaknesses. certainly, the transmissions of that era were not up to the task of backing a 6BT and the front springs eventually bowed to the mass of the engine. however, having a dana 60 front and a 70 rear sure is comforting, and as far as comparing springs...toyota's leaf packs were notoriously poor.

also, my fuel economy was better than the estimates you mentioned. even with a club cab, 4x4 and a slushbox tranny, i averaged over 20 mpg on the highway. even after "bombing" the 6BT and doubling the horsepower, i still averaged 17 mpg...loaded or otherwise...and there is nothing like the feeling of a cummins on steroids...pulled like a runaway freight train!

still, unless you need the capacity of a full size pickup and the stump-pulling torque of the cummins, i would advise against it for your stated purposes. compared to an 80 series, the turning radius is poor, the handling less forgiving, the interior appointments lacking and the coolness factor lacking.

find a lightweight camper and enjoy!

 

[Dougal]

What are you saying...that the 1HZ is more reliable than the 1HDT because it's naturally aspirated? Or that a turboed 1HZ is more reliable than a 1HD-T? Either way, I don't buy it...

Probably referring to the BEB problem in the HD-T which doesn't happen in the non turbo HZ.
I've heard rumours that turbo'd HZ's have the same issue. Afterall it's the same bottom end........

 

[rstl99]

80 with a trailer. There are lots of options in this regard. They range from build your own to pop pre made with everything in between. I´d keep they 80 for versatility that it gives you with fuel and terrain coverage. In terms of service in Canada you know the deal better than I and in the US. Let me know as I haven´t moved my diesel back yet.
Good luck,

Thanks for that! Indeed, the 80 is very versatile and if nothing else, considering this other vehicle option has made me remember what a special vehicle I have, worth keeping and using. And the trailer option indeed makes the most sense, so I'll look again at some researches I had done in this area last year.

I dont think we get anything like that.
One of the complaints here is that there has been a big gap between base models and the top shelf.

Maybe it was a Govt or embassy vehicle.

You're probably right, possibly government vehicle at some time. In Belgium anyway, where it originated. Then it got sold to someone in the UK, who sold it to the guy who brought it back to Canada with him and sold it to me. I always found it odd that someone in the UK would have bought a LHD, but perhaps UK only got the high-end configurations of TLC's and no 1HZ.

 

[rstl99]

rstl99,

i've owned a '93 cummins club cab 4x4...even the same colour scheme as the one in your photo...
also, my fuel economy was better than the estimates you mentioned. even with a club cab, 4x4 and a slushbox tranny, i averaged over 20 mpg on the highway. even after "bombing" the 6BT and doubling the horsepower, i still averaged 17 mpg...loaded or otherwise...and there is nothing like the feeling of a cummins on steroids...pulled like a runaway freight train!

still, unless you need the capacity of a full size pickup and the stump-pulling torque of the cummins, i would advise against it for your stated purposes. compared to an 80 series, the turning radius is poor, the handling less forgiving, the interior appointments lacking and the coolness factor lacking.

find a lightweight camper and enjoy!

Thanks that is very useful to know. Always good to hear from someone who's driven both, and can compare objectively. Thanks for the informed advice. 80 and camper route it is!
Also, the 1HZ in my 80 may not have the same degree of long-life usually expected of a Cummins, but my truck has half the mileage and wear of this Dodge I was considering, and that's worth something too.
"Cummins on steroids", yes I can imagine that was quite the ride, in a Detroit-big-iron kind of way!

 

[roscoFJ73]

I always found it odd that someone in the UK would have bought a LHD, but perhaps UK only got the high-end configurations of TLC's and no 1HZ.

You maybe correct. The 1HZ is not a big seller internationally,it tends to be heavily concentrated in a small number of countries and mainly in the 7* series

 

[rstl99]

You maybe correct. The 1HZ is not a big seller internationally,it tends to be heavily concentrated in a small number of countries and mainly in the 7* series

Shortly after acquiring the 80, I ordered a copy of the book which compiles reviews of 80 series TLCs (Brookland publisher?), and the vast majority of the 80's in there were the more luxuriousy appointed models with the turbo diesel engine and automatic transmission (either from UK or Oz magazine reviews). I think the only one in there with a 1HZ was a 7* series as you indicated. Here in Canada, a fair number of those 7* LC's with 1HZ were/are purchased for use underground in mines, and are not legal to be driven on the road.

 

[96r50]

I'm obviously biased, but I'd keep the 80 for sure. I don't know how things work for Dodge owners, but owning an LC gets you a free ticket into a worldwide group of helpful people who are more than willing to help out a fellow cruiserhead with parts, advice, an extra set of hands, or a couch to crash on, usually at the drop of a hat. So not only do you own one of the most reliable vehicles in the world; you also have access to a massive network of support should you need it. Last summer I drove out to BC and back in my 80 and while I never needed it, I was fairly certain that I was only an internet connection and a few phone calls away from help. (I actually regret not contacting some of the clubs in advance, as local knowledge of the area is almost always better than guidebooks etc.)

Speaking of helpful people and such, you should come to the next TNTLC meeting on May 11th. I know I'd like to see your truck up close and check out the "poverty pack"! That book of yours sounds really cool too.

 

[rstl99]

Hi Adam, thanks for that. Very good point, Cruiser heads seem to be some of the most helpful vehicle owners out there! Indeed, I'll be sure to check with folks here before heading out into unfamiliar territories.

I'll have to make it out to one of the club meetings one of these days.

The book is Toyota Land Cruiser 1988-1997, Brooklands books
ISBN 1 85520 3995
I'm pretty sure I got it on Amazon.

Cheers!
--Robert

 

[jamie_scotland]

It does seem a bit strange to import it to the uk where diesel 80's are relatively common and cheap.

All diesel 80's officially sold here were HD-T's, even the lower spec ones with cloth seats and no AC. It might have come from some humanitarian agency/charity who seem to able to order oddly specced vehicles direct from Toyota. Though most of these are white/beige.

My 80 has the 1HD-T, flat white paint, 5 speed, cloth, no AC but still has heated seats and a sunroof...

Jamie

 

[ToyRoverlander]

My 80 has the 1HD-T, flat white paint, 5 speed, cloth, no AC but still has heated seats and a sunroof...

Jamie

Looking at your location it's no surprise that it doesn't have leather (very cold in winter) and AC... It also explains why it has heated seats... Still a mystery to me why it has a sunroof though..




(sorry, couldn't help myself.... please ignore)

 

[rstl99]

Vehicle selection criteria

I decided that I need a more logical approach to choosing between various options for a "travel/expedition" vehicle (ie. 4x4, 4x4 with trailer, pickup, pickup with camper, etc.).

A few years ago, I had drawn up a list of what I felt were MY personal selection criteria, and used it (in a spreadsheet with weighted criteria) to rank vehicles I had either owned or was contemplating, to help me figure out the one best suited to my needs. At that time, the diesel Land-Cruiser wagon came out on top. Sounds like it's time for me to revise the criteria and weightings (with age, one's priorities evolve; for example, there are no longer 2 teenagers in the equation), and compare different solutions available to me (I had not previously considered the truck/camper approach).

The insights I obtained in this forum about pros and cons of 80/trailer vs truck-camper will allow me to consider and weigh those (and other?) options, and make me more confident in my decision to either stick with my current vehicle and evolve it, or consider something altogether different.

As you can see from this list, I've gone through a few vehicles already, but "grass is always greener"...

Previously owned: 68 LR IIA; 83 TLC BJ60 diesel; 73 VW Bus; 73 MB 406D Camper; 87 LR 110 diesel; 82 TLC BJ60 diesel
Now own: 92 TLC HZJ80 diesel

Cheers!!

Choosing the ultimate travel/expedition vehicle

Requirements/Factors - [M]andatory or [D]esirable:
1- Simple, strong, dependable design [M]
1a- Rust resistant, repairable body [M]
2- User-maintainable; well documented; internet support groups [M]
3- Readily-available parts, reasonably priced [M]
3a- Serviceable in remote garages [D]
4- Roomy enough for 2 adults and 2 teenagers [M]
5- Diesel engine [D]
5a- Fuel economy (20-25 mpg average) [M]
6- 4/5 speed synchromesh transmission [M]
7- Able to cruise comfortably (3000 rpm) at 55-60 mph [M]
8- Allows 5-6 hour per day comfortable highway driving (noise, seat, steering, suspension) [M]
9- Able to drive off-road [D]
10- Safe and secure (full frame, good brakes, locks) [M]
11- Large carrying capacity (for extended trips) [M]
12- Internal sleeping capability [D]
12a- Can pull tent trailer [M]
13- Portable refrigerator and stove [D]
14- Drinking water storage [D]
15- Good visibility (front, side, rear windows) [M]
16- Good ventilation [M]
16a- Air conditioning [D]
17- Dual-battery (isolated) [D]
18- Comprehensive instrumentation [M]
19- Reasonable purchase price [M]
20- Cost of ownership [M]
21- Good used specimens in Canada [D]
22- Longevity (Forever Vehicle) [M]
23- "Cool"ness factor [D]
23a- Pleasure factor (to drive, own, maintain) [M]
23b- Personal affinity with marque/lineage [D]
24- Versatility [M]
25- Fit in garage [D]
26- Value for money [M]