Good/bad what to look out for in an 80 series.

[Highluxx]

I joined the site a little while ago. Im a Toyota guy. Have Tacoma,2 4runners , and a Trekker.

I realized quickly this appears to be a heavy LC site. I thought...oh thise big tankers...lol. I cant stop thinking about one now. I seem to gravitate towards the 80 series.

Im a contractor who has been hurt pretty bad at work. I own a Tile and Hardwood floor business for 22 years. The Doctor says Im donr with flooring for good. So..I have to get rid of my Work van...2006 Ford E350 extended cargo. Doubled as large parts hauler and tow rig.

Well...Im not keeping th van just to tow once in a blue moon.
I was thinking a Sequoia (sp) But like I said I keep thinking LC now.

Let me know a little about 80 series. Is it the turd year? like a 2cd gen 3.0 4runner? Can I tow a car on a trailer with one?

Things to look for prior to purchase? Better model to get? Best options?


Thanks in advance. I have time to look around. I doubt I will wheel it. The older I get...the more I enjoy comfort...lol.

 

[94SRUNNER]

Welcome!

Take a look at the FAQ section. But take a look at the link below to start.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=1012335&postcount=3

 

[gtfour43]

If you want more comfort and will be towing a lot you should look at a 100.

My old 100

 

[Corbet]

For towing a car trailer I would look at a 100. I've flat towed my 40 with my 80 in stock form. Sucked. I've trailered my 60 with my 80 built. That sucked way more.

80's are underpowered. So towing is a drag. I'm probably more jaded based on where I live, but they are not power houses. That said I love mine and don't plan to trade out anytime soon. I tow a camper regularly and plan on forced induction at some point to ease the suffering in the mountains.

There are no turd years on reliability. I prefer 96-97's for OBDII and airbags. Everyone has there opinion.

If you can refrain from building what ever you choose that will help with towing greatly of course.

 

[scrowley]

X3 on the 100. The 80 is not a tow rig. People can say they do good or ok, but comparable to what??

 

[Stevesnj]

Supercharge an 80 and it will be a great tow rig but not in stock form.

 

[Corbet]

Supercharge an 80 and it will be a great tow rig but not in stock form.

Adequate maybe, great I disagree. It still has a fairly short wheelbase, average brakes, short mirrors, etc.. So great compared to what? His current E350 van no.

When I worked in the car business I towed car trailers a lot with 3/4 and 1 ton diesels. They are great tow rigs.

 

[Highluxx]

Adequate maybe, great I disagree. It still has a fairly short wheelbase, average brakes, short mirrors, etc.. So great compared to what? His current E350 van no.

When I worked in the car business I towed car trailers a lot with 3/4 and 1 ton diesels. They are great tow rigs.

The 100's are way more $$ right? 98 to? 4.7 v8?

Very rarely tow...but I want the option of going and picking up a Toyota if needed. (You know like a $500 87 4runner for parts)

I tried to show pictures to the wife and she immediatly started squawking. "I love my 4runner" "Why do we need another car?"
"Which one are you getting rid of?"

solid front axle right? or ifs? I keep thinking of dual lockers...comfy seats.. Maybe I should just get a new Tundra.
I would rather not have a payment though. I could. Have none now...

Now funny thing is...I showed her the Lexus's that cross over to an 80....450 right? She actually stopped whining and was looking at them. How gold diggy of her...lol. Ill check some100's out on ebay real quick.

 

[chairborne]

The 100's are way more $$ right? 98 to? 4.7 v8? Very rarely tow...but I want the option of going and picking up a Toyota if needed. (You know like a $500 87 4runner for parts) I tried to show pictures to the wife and she immediatly started squawking. "I love my 4runner" "Why do we need another car?" "Which one are you getting rid of?" solid front axle right? or ifs? I keep thinking of dual lockers...comfy seats.. Maybe I should just get a new Tundra. I would rather not have a payment though. I could. Have none now... Now funny thing is...I showed her the Lexus's that cross over to an 80....450 right? She actually stopped whining and was looking at them. How gold diggy of her...lol. Ill check some100's out on ebay real quick.

The LX450 is mechanically the same as the FZJ80, and was available with front and rear factory lockers (is a solid front axle). The LX470 was the 100 series equivalent, so IFS front and no front and rear locker option (afaik).

 

[Corbet]

The 100's are way more $$ right? 98 to? 4.7 v8?

Very rarely tow...but I want the option of going and picking up a Toyota if needed. (You know like a $500 87 4runner for parts)

100 Series 1998-2007 http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbieUZJ100.htm

If you rarely tow then you could survive with the 80 especially if your near or at sea level. (you can update your location in User CP and is helpful for folks replying to threads) Factory rating is 5000lbs with a trailer brake. People often exceed that as it was rated at 7000 in other markets. The 100 offhand is probably rated at something like 7000-7700? Somewhat of a guess.

Basically the 100 is a better street/HWY machine in most every way. The 80 is a better trail rig. Both are super comfortable and build quality is excellent. The 100 has a bad transmission year 2001 from memory. Both will go most anywhere they will fit size wise.

An early 100 can be had pretty cheap. Finding a nice 80 at this point can be a challenge. If your not going to wheel it get a 100.

 

[Highluxx]

Im liking the 80 still. I highly doubt I'd ever put a blower on one...lol.
(Did my whole supercharged 2004 Mach1 thing already)

Heaviest thing I would ever tow would be a 4runner or pickup.

I added location to profile. The lockers would be a must....just cause...lol.

Ill see if I cant find one locally to drive. I saw on in a local Salvage yard recently. Was a shame. I have to drag a willing freind to the yards nowdays to carry stuff so I cant go as often as Id like.

 

[thespecialone]

If you want more comfort and will be towing a lot you should look at a 100.

My old 100

Yes but if you want an iconic LC then the 80 is a better bet. The 100 and 200's just don't have that aura about them nor do they look as cool. As childish as that last part sounds, the 80 series is just so bad ass. However I do agree the roominess, power and larger size are nice with the 100 series, they just leave me "ehh"

The 1st gen Sequoia is a great value right now, nice '03-05 models can be readily found for 9k-15k (whereas the price for a similar year 100 series LC will be 4k and up from those prices I mentioned). In my case, I wanted out of a car payment otherwise I would've done a 1st gen Sequoia no question.

 

[Madness]

I like towing with the 80. I have a 2,000lb race car with very light 800lb dual axle trailer. I would not want to tow much more than that though.

I have 4.88 gears with 33' tires so the truck has more pulling power than stock. I have towed with 33's and stock 4:10 gears and even that was not too bad. The wheel base and overall weight seems to be the limiting factor IMHO.

 

[gtfour43]

Yes but if you want an iconic LC then the 80 is a better bet. The 100 and 200's just don't have that aura about them nor do they look as cool. As childish as that last part sounds, the 80 series is just so bad ass. However I do agree the roominess, power and larger size are nice with the 100 series, they just leave me "ehh".

I've had both. Sold the 100 and got my 80 back. The 80 had double the mileage on it but i felt it was the one i wanted.

 

[Highluxx]

I got something cooking on one right now. Cross your fingers.

 

[FZJohnny]

I just picked up an fzj80 about a month ago and love the $&@? out of it. Been drooling over an 80 for years. Been wheelin a samurai for the last 8-10 years and it just got too small for the fam. So far the comfy leather seats and interior of the 80 is night and day to a suzuki samurai. I was all over craigslist for about a year before I found mine. Truly hope u find the one ur lookin for!

 

[M32H32is]

Love my 80, but towing blows. If you want/need to tow, gassers blow in general. Towing with diesel = bliss!

 

[Highluxx]

Crap. I missed it. Was a 95 with 150k. Beautiful. Blown head gasket. Body was straight. Interior great. Was really really pretty truck. I bet I could of put a $1000 in it and flipped it for $5000.

$750

UGGGHHH, I feel like Charlie Brown when Lucy pulls the football away.

 

[DSRTRDR]

if you want to flip, what are you asking us for just go ahead and flip them

 

[Highluxx]

if you want to flip, what are you asking us for just go ahead and flip them

It was hypothetical. Always works on wife for justification of purchase...but then I never sell them. You really came up with a conclusion there didnt ya sherlock? You gonna pull of my mask and reveal me to scooby and the gang next? Relax.