Hello Everybody!
I am ecstatic to join the forum as a new 80 series owner. in 2006 I purchased a 2002 4runner, sport in stellar blue pearl and feel in love with Toyota trucks, at the time I loved Land Cruisers, but they were more truck and more money than I needed or had, so I built my 4runner and loved it until 2016 when I found out it had blown its second main seal, and with nearly 200k miles on the clock it was time to say good bye to it.
I missed it immediately, but bought a nice new Subaru and the gas mileage almost made me forget about Toyota trucks...almost. I had looked for 80 series cruisers for a project car for many years but never really found the right truck. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I could never shake the 80 series bug, It just always seemed to be MY truck, but I just couldn't find one! It was just something I did every morning, scoured the internet for a Land Cruiser that fit the bill.
I had the idea, that , if a brand new 4runner cost 37k, how far could that get me on an LC build and would it be worth it? I always thought it was, but spending that kind of money on a car that was 20 years old seemed like fun but not all that practical, I kind of stalled out, because it seemed like all the available 80 series trucks were either overrun, rusted out, or super expensive. It seemed like there were companies out there just stalking the listings and buying up every good one that was for sale. So I thought I had made up my mind to just save up enough for a down payment on a new 4runner and be smart replacing the truck I had lovingly driven for 12 years... it was only when I had finally given up that i found the listing for a 96 LX450 in my hometown.
It seemed way too good to be true, it was owned by the original owner, it had 96 thousand miles on it, he had every service record from the vehicle from its life. It was the family's vacation and foul weather car. It was perfect. Then it was mine. I haven't felt more at home in a vehicle since getting rid of my beloved 4runner. I'm living my automotive dream and I am embarking on a journey, not to make it a rock crawler, or a hard off roader, only to improve the vehicle, and make it a bulletproof everyday driver.
Since Ive purchased the vehicle, I have added OME shocks to replace the 21 year old ones that were on it mainly just to get ahead of the fact that they were most likely getting worn out.
The Current Repair list to catch it up is as follows, so excited to begin!
Birfield rebuild
rebuild the seized parking brake
TJM springs/OME stabilizer
Pesky Heater Hose and other difficult to reach coolant hoses
Thanks for reading my long winded story, I am so happy to have this outlet to share my excitement with a bunch of like minded gear heads! I apologize if this was posted in the wrong area, its maybe not technically tech, although I do plan to add more tech as my conservative build continues.
Thanks Again,
Donny
I am ecstatic to join the forum as a new 80 series owner. in 2006 I purchased a 2002 4runner, sport in stellar blue pearl and feel in love with Toyota trucks, at the time I loved Land Cruisers, but they were more truck and more money than I needed or had, so I built my 4runner and loved it until 2016 when I found out it had blown its second main seal, and with nearly 200k miles on the clock it was time to say good bye to it.
I missed it immediately, but bought a nice new Subaru and the gas mileage almost made me forget about Toyota trucks...almost. I had looked for 80 series cruisers for a project car for many years but never really found the right truck. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I could never shake the 80 series bug, It just always seemed to be MY truck, but I just couldn't find one! It was just something I did every morning, scoured the internet for a Land Cruiser that fit the bill.
I had the idea, that , if a brand new 4runner cost 37k, how far could that get me on an LC build and would it be worth it? I always thought it was, but spending that kind of money on a car that was 20 years old seemed like fun but not all that practical, I kind of stalled out, because it seemed like all the available 80 series trucks were either overrun, rusted out, or super expensive. It seemed like there were companies out there just stalking the listings and buying up every good one that was for sale. So I thought I had made up my mind to just save up enough for a down payment on a new 4runner and be smart replacing the truck I had lovingly driven for 12 years... it was only when I had finally given up that i found the listing for a 96 LX450 in my hometown.
It seemed way too good to be true, it was owned by the original owner, it had 96 thousand miles on it, he had every service record from the vehicle from its life. It was the family's vacation and foul weather car. It was perfect. Then it was mine. I haven't felt more at home in a vehicle since getting rid of my beloved 4runner. I'm living my automotive dream and I am embarking on a journey, not to make it a rock crawler, or a hard off roader, only to improve the vehicle, and make it a bulletproof everyday driver.
Since Ive purchased the vehicle, I have added OME shocks to replace the 21 year old ones that were on it mainly just to get ahead of the fact that they were most likely getting worn out.
The Current Repair list to catch it up is as follows, so excited to begin!
Birfield rebuild
rebuild the seized parking brake
TJM springs/OME stabilizer
Pesky Heater Hose and other difficult to reach coolant hoses
Thanks for reading my long winded story, I am so happy to have this outlet to share my excitement with a bunch of like minded gear heads! I apologize if this was posted in the wrong area, its maybe not technically tech, although I do plan to add more tech as my conservative build continues.
Thanks Again,
Donny
