First foray into 80-series land - first time buyer (of any used car!) - help welcome

[LINUS]

Good call waiting 'till you get out here to buy a West Coast 80.
Toyotas don't seem to like salt, even more than some other brands IMO.

Bringing a salty & rusted 80 out here & trying to sell it even at a small loss isn't real practical, not to people who want an 80 specifically. Out here we all know we can find rust-free & not fight every last bolt on simple jobs.

And just my $.02 - aside from a recently sold 450 (Tom's) - I'd prefer a Landcruiser over a 450 for:

-Center console bin instead of a speaker
-No body cladding & 80,000 extra holes in panels
-Manual climate control over auto version

Certain specific 450's would tempt me, but it's gotta be a stellar example.

Welcome to the West!

 

[TossYoda]

Love seeing everyone so EXTRA helpful today...wonder what gives?

a gigantic mystery, one would think they were giving away free 80's that had just been manufactured across the vast Pacific ocean, somewhat embarrassing to watch the plumage displays

 

[TomOsborne]

I chose the stupidest avatar

 

[Rigidarm]

We have a 93 LC and a 2010 4RUNNER and as for comfort, solid feel, space for stuff, smoothness in all conditions, it’s the LC by far that we like (I like it to maybe a border line mental issue) and that’s qualified because I’ve owned two early 70’s Broncos, an 85 Bronco, a 2001 Toyota Tundra (still have it), a 2010 4RUNNER (still have it too) and my favorite ‘93 LC which I’ll never sell. Also a pilot and I’m clearly into outside. Get a west coast rust free LC. I’ve had mine for 24 years here in NorCal. Nice STOL.

 

[retrofive]

Load up your plane, fly west and buy an 80.

 

[OGBeno]

I chose the stupidest avatar

 

[Lumpskie]

View attachment 1612971

View attachment 1612977

Is that a super cub?

 

[TossYoda]

Is that a super cub?

no tundra tires? no vortex generators? no leading edge slats? no 180 hp 5 minute power?

 

[ThomasMore66]

Sub’d. I want to see where this goes.

 

[missbarilov]

no tundra tires? no vortex generators? no leading edge slats? no 180 hp 5 minute power?

It's not a super cub! One day! It's a 1961 Piper Colt that had it's 108 stock replaced with a 160hp engine (to 975lb total weight) so it climbs like it's scared of the ground
It does indeed have VGs (my most recent addition), but had to be converted from the stock nose-dragger to the tailwheel you see here. It's also got extended wing tips (2 feet on each side), reinforced landing gear, and a mod for the two tanks to communicate.

Next step is the tundra tires, although to be honest with you, those big balloon tires that you see are more for show unless you live in Alaska - the tread wears through if you're landing on pavement in like, 3 months. I'm likely going going to with 850 x 6's

 

[Lumpskie]

You should make a small build thread for it. I'm a pilot and have always been interested in tail draggers but, as you can see, don't really know much about them.

 

[TossYoda]

It's not a super cub! One day! It's a 1961 Piper Colt that had it's 108 stock replaced with a 160hp engine (to 975lb total weight) so it climbs like it's scared of the ground
It does indeed have VGs (my most recent addition), but had to be converted from the stock nose-dragger to the tailwheel you see here. It's also got extended wing tips (2 feet on each side), reinforced landing gear, and a mod for the two tanks to communicate.

Next step is the tundra tires, although to be honest with you, those big balloon tires that you see are more for show unless you live in Alaska - the tread wears through if you're landing on pavement in like, 3 months. I'm likely going going to with 850 x 6's

very cool
low and slow and ability to drop in anywhere is the coolest of cool IMHO
the je ne sais quoi of STOL and an 80 are somehow closely related

 

[clx16]

Welcome @missbarilov to a community of OCD people. From what you've written, you found the right group and have your eyes on the right vehicle. I may be biased, but I am not new to OCD, working on cars or using the internet and pretty happy about this community(and my 80). I think you will find this is a good fit for you.

 

[ScottMac]

I was going to suggest that you buy a slightly wrecked but drivable east coast rust bucket for cheap cheap and drive it to California as a parts car to use on your West Coast rig. You'll want one with nice working sun visors, working power antenna and strong door lock and window motors.

But now that I see that nice plane ... put all your junk in a shipping container, buy some goggles for the dog and barnstorm your way to California.

 

[PabloVTA]

or pick one up half way out here....
For Sale - '97 LX450 *Modded & Baselined* Rust Free

 

[missbarilov]

Sorry for the ignorant post (again) but I am now in Wichita, Kansas! A friend of mine here is selling this guy. Any idea of whether this is worth looking at (and potentially strapping on the back of the uhaul)?

 

[scottryana]

You're going to get a lot of mixed information about 70's series Land Cruisers. A lot of people like them, they are cool, but they are also forbidden fruit which I think makes them seem sweeter than they actually are. I would not want one as my only vehicle since parts and service are going to be a little more difficult than Land Cruisers already are. Me personally I would look at 100 series so 1998-2006, or an 80 series 1995-1997, and then after you have gotten your feet wet with Cruisers maybe consider a 70 series at that point.

Sorry for the ignorant post (again) but I am now in Wichita, Kansas! A friend of mine here is selling this guy. Any idea of whether this is worth looking at (and potentially strapping on the back of the uhaul)?

 

[missbarilov]

You're going to get a lot of mixed information about 70's series Land Cruisers. A lot of people like them, they are cool, but they are also forbidden fruit which I think makes them seem sweeter than they actually are. I would not want one as my only vehicle since parts and service are going to be a little more difficult than Land Cruisers already are. Me personally I would look at 100 series so 1998-2006, or an 80 series 1995-1997, and then after you have gotten your feet wet with Cruisers maybe consider a 70 series at that point.

Perfect, thanks!

 

[Lumpskie]

Sorry for the ignorant post (again) but I am now in Wichita, Kansas! A friend of mine here is selling this guy. Any idea of whether this is worth looking at (and potentially strapping on the back of the uhaul)?

I believe that rig has the non-direct injected diesel engine. My impression is that they are really reliable but don't make much power... a little less than 100 hp and not much torque either. I think they are neat rigs. Post over in the diesel section and I bet you'll get way more information.

 

[LS1FJ40]

Sorry for the ignorant post (again) but I am now in Wichita, Kansas! A friend of mine here is selling this guy. Any idea of whether this is worth looking at (and potentially strapping on the back of the uhaul)?

I believe that rig has the non-direct injected diesel engine. My impression is that they are really reliable but don't make much power... a little less than 100 hp and not much torque either. I think they are neat rigs. Post over in the diesel section and I bet you'll get way more information.

I had a LJ71 (little brother of the LJ78). They are considered “light duty” rigs compared to other 70 Series. It rode well and was fun. But the 2LTE is considered the least desirable engine in a Land Cruiser. They are known to blow up.

I think 70s are cool and make sense since they were made for so many years and parts availability is not an issue. However, you may have to wait for parts because many won’t be stocked in the US since they were never sold here.

My two cents: if it is your only vehicle, no way. If it is a second vehicle, sure. If having it down for a week while you wait on a $25 part to come in, no.