Early 80 series gotchas a this age?

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Yeah, unfortunately, that rust is what happens to rigs up here. The salt brine on the roads in the winters just eats metal. Yes, stuff like bolts breaks and is frustrating, even the '13 200 I had was bad with this. My '16 200 is better, but not perfect (grrr KDSS shutter valve screws grrrrr). Heck, I recently had a seized rusted bolt on my wife's '18 Honda skid plate when changing the oil and had to drill it out. I've got welders, oxy/actylene torches, drills, taps, a drill sharpener, and have recently considered one of those induction heating tools (and would have one if they weren't so expensive). Just the price we have to pay to play up here.
 
It's really hard to know what is fair these days with land cruiser prices so inflated across the board. I don't really know if this is reasonable money for a project anymore. It feels like a lot, but when I search for 80's I'm seeing prices all over the place (and inevitably high). The 100 series lacks the "old school" look that my son is interested in.
 
CharlieS said:
It's really hard to know what is fair these days with land cruiser prices so inflated across the board. I don't really know if this is reasonable money for a project anymore. It feels like a lot, but when I search for 80's I'm seeing prices all over the place. The 100 series lacks the "old school" look that my son is interested in.
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91-92 wont have the Head Gasket problems most 93+ plagued with due to lack of cooling maintenance. The 3-FE is a old school tractor push rod engine and with proper maintenance, it should last 400k upward miles without having a rebuild. But there are some OE parts that has been discontinued, but sourcing used parts are not impossible. I think it will be a great platform for your son given not much electronics to tamper with and things are easily accessible, easy to wrench on and learn. It will be a great reliable rig for him once the baselining is brought up to speed. i paid $6k on mine 4 yrs ago with 1 owner and Ca/Az rig with zero rust, 200k miles and have since easily put in upwards of 15k on top of that. But at the end of the day, it is well worth it.
 
From my passive looking and based on what others have expressed on 'mud, prices regardless of condition are going up.
I personally like the 3fe powered 80s as they are much more utilitarian.
If you can get this for $2k or $2500 it wouldn't be terrible....
 
CharlieS said:
Please point me to those $500 and $1000 land cruisers. I can't seem to find them anywhere. :)
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I'm probably out of the loop and behind the times. :meh:

I keep hearing that prices are going up, but $4500 for a "ran when parked" vehicle that's been sitting for years??? Wow.

How much should I list my nothing special but clean and running 91 with 300K miles for?
 
CJF said:
How much should I list my nothing special but clean and running 91 with 300K miles for?
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Based solely on what I see on Craigslist, anything from $8k - $15k. I wouldn't be at all shocked if someone paid you $10k.
 
Marco Lau said:
91-92 wont have the Head Gasket problems most 93+ plagued with due to lack of cooling maintenance. The 3-FE is a old school tractor push rod engine and with proper maintenance, it should last 400k upward miles without having a rebuild. But there are some OE parts that has been discontinued, but sourcing used parts are not impossible. I think it will be a great platform for your son given not much electronics to tamper with and things are easily accessible, easy to wrench on and learn. It will be a great reliable rig for him once the baselining is brought up to speed. i paid $6k on mine 4 yrs ago with 1 owner and Ca/Az rig with zero rust, 200k miles and have since easily put in upwards of 15k on top of that. But at the end of the day, it is well worth it.
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He's got good points here.

Also, the 91-92 version is the version easiest to do an engine swap because it doesn't have as many electronics in it. Just a future "what-if" scenario.
 
1991, 224k engine ran like a top, transmission has shifting issues 2-3 gear, body has rust spots that would require hood, hatch, and maybe a door. Not a bad vehicle for an offroad project, but not worth $4500.
 
Tighten the kick down cable, make sure tranny oil is topped off. Worst come to worst, replace the Valve Body or upgrade with the shift kit. It literally transforms the rig to a very drivable rig. With the VB upgrade, regear, desmog, timing advanced and running in tip top shape can now run circles around when it was bone stock when I first got it on 33s. Now i am on 37s and it pulls on my brothers Jeep on steep climbs and he has a 3.6L V6 280hp and can't sustain higher rpms or his motor will overheat...true story.
 
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