Hello (1 Viewer)

[Torch Engineering]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. I have been lurking around this site for about a month now trying to absorb as much info as I can.

Currently I am in the market for an FJ80. Right now I have a Jeep JK Unlimited Rubicon. I have always wanted a jeep and I love it. The thing is an absolute beast and has easily handled anything I have tried.

The picture is a few years old now but as you can see I have a small gaggle of rug rats, a 100lb lab (not shown), and a beautiful wife (again not shown). One of the best part about this crew is that we all love to off-road, camp, and explore. I consider myself one lucky dude. I installed a third row in the JK and built a little platform for the dog to sit in the middle seat with his paws on the center console. The setup works and we have done some awesome trips together. So far I haven't figured out how to stop these little dudes from growing. As a result it's getting a little tight in JK. Also with the soft top and half doors, long stretches on the highway is starting to get old. On my own I could run around with the top down and the uppers off all day but with family it's just too loud. Conversations are near impossible to hold, on the other hand you can't hear the kids fighting. Trips that require more than an hour on the highway gets hard to do. But all we want to do is go farther. I am really looking forward to getting up into the Sequoia National Forest area and beyond, that's 5hrs minimum on the highway though.

So because of those reasons its time to say good bye to my beloved baby, and look for something that can hold us in comfort to and from the trail. But still be able to hit some gnarly stuff. I am a big fan of technical driving and rock crawling as well as the scenic drives. I am pretty much set on the FJ80 or more specifically the FZJ80, with factory lockers. From what I have read it will hold my large family in comfort to and from the trail but at the same time be able to handle pretty much anything that I throw at it.

I know by posting on this forum I am only gonna get "once you go cruiser, you won't go back" kinda answers. So I am not necessarily looking for advice on what to get. Although if any of you have some insights, I would be most grateful. Especially if you are in the same boat as I am, having at least one too many children to fit in most off-road trucks.

One thing that would super awesome would be if any you guys are in the San Diego/ Escondido area and would want to show off your truck. I haven't had a chance to get an up close look at one yet, and see how well we would fit or how it drives. Right now I am going off what I have read would be the right truck for us.

That's all I have for now.

Thanks!
Bryant

 

[retrofive]

Sounds good to me!

I think the 80 will accommodate your family nicely and your needs.

Just be prepared to spend some money on PM. As you know these trucks are all coming upon being 20yr old trucks. Hoses get brittle, seals stop sealing, etc.

 

[GW Nugget]

Welcome, get the cleanest non rusted rig you can find with documentation. Rigs under 180K are getting harder to find.

 

[Brentbba]

Hi Bryant,

If you haven't already found it the FAQ section here in the 80's section will give you more info than you can digest about these trucks. In the west region clubhouse section, there are 'club' sections for SoCal80's, San Diego, ,etc. that will give you a little more local flavor. Keep an eye out on the classified section here also for trucks. If you find something that isn't local to you, but up here in the LA area, AZ, etc. post up in a local section and you might find a mudder willing to do an inspection for you before making a trip yourself.

Be patient in your search as most 80's will not have factory lockers. If you find an otherwise pristine 80, aftermarket ARB lockers are a good alternative.

I've owned my '94 80 since she was new and the wife knows I'm to be cremated in it when I die!

Here's a diesel 5-spd in SD now.

Sweet Proffets diesel for sale

 

[cahill]

Maybe look up and see if there is an 80 club in the SD area to check out a few of the members landcruisers. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the switch. I've not driven a jeep much but the little I did, I was wishing I was in my LC the whole time. I am sure part of that is just familiarity with the vehicle. With 4 kids, the LC may still be a little tight when bringing a dog and gear for camping. You might need to tow the gear or put some on top.

 

[Torch Engineering]

Thanks guys recommendations. I will hit up the group section to see if I can get in touch some of the local mudders.

As for the space for camping gear and the like. It's even worse in the jeep. All I have is a little rack over the tire so I came up with this solution.

I built it from the ground up. Frame and all. It was a fun project.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[OGBeno]

Hi Bryant,

If you haven't already found it the FAQ section here in the 80's section will give you more info than you can digest about these trucks. In the west region clubhouse section, there are 'club' sections for SoCal80's, San Diego, ,etc. that will give you a little more local flavor. Keep an eye out on the classified section here also for trucks. If you find something that isn't local to you, but up here in the LA area, AZ, etc. post up in a local section and you might find a mudder willing to do an inspection for you before making a trip yourself.

Be patient in your search as most 80's will not have factory lockers. If you find an otherwise pristine 80, aftermarket ARB lockers are a good alternative.

I've owned my '94 80 since she was new and the wife knows I'm to be cremated in it when I die!

Here's a diesel 5-spd in SD now.

Sweet Proffets diesel for sale

^^^^ Pass.

 

[Brentbba]

^^^^ Pass.

You'd know to pass on the diesel Beno. FJRanger's turned out sweet tho!

 

[OGBeno]

I know when to pass and when not to pass.

This is a pass situation.

Transparency is not a bad thing but hard to find.

 

[surfpig]

^^^^ Pass.

Big time.

 

[beachcomberspi]

Welcome!!

Good luck with it! I take seven from Austin to Colorado each summer and it works nicely.

 

[zona]

Hahaha, I know where you're at, comfort and space are a premium with a family, I've designed my '93 from the interior out so as to fit babies, kids, dogs, mother-in-law, etc.(e.g. pac-in-play, strollers, etc.).

If you're looking for rock crawling you're going to want your rig fully locked with 37's, I have 33's and don't do as much technical driving as the guys with 37's, I do more of the camping in remote areas a long way from home time stuff--the rig will take you where you need to be. My unlocked rig has taken me through some crazy stuff including some rock crawling, it's pretty unbelievable what the 80 can do.


Best of luck,

Zona

 

[Torch Engineering]

So I have 35s right now and it takes me pretty much everywhere. Should I think about 37s on the cruiser. Are 35s on a jk comparable with 37s on cruiser because of wheel base, departure angles and such. I was thinking about going with 35s right off the bat.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[retrofive]

So I have 35s right now and it takes me pretty much everywhere. Should I think about 37s on the cruiser. Are 35s on a jk comparable with 37s on cruiser because of wheel base, departure angles and such. I was thinking about going with 35s right off the bat.


Sent from my iPhone

35 will do 98% of the time.
You will find some debate here about that. I run 35's and have not re geared and have close to zero complaints @ 1200' and where I wheel. That being said I want to re gear to 4.88's. And want to go to 37's for fun (this is my play truck)

 

[beachcomberspi]

I like my 35's. 37's become more complicated with angles and tendency to break Birfs and rubbing etc. are you going to go really extreme? If not an Aussie in the rear and 35's allow ridiculous things for my 80. This link may be helpful

Slee - Lift Size vs Tire Size - Slee (Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser)

 

[Torch Engineering]

Thanks everyone for the welcome! And thanks for the good info. Beachcomber thanks for the link, I am going to check that out now. I am not planning on going really extreme. I would fall into the 98% of the time category. Plus I am not initially planning on doing major mods to the cruiser like regearing and correcting angles and stuff.

I have been watching Craigslist for a while now, so far nothing has peaked my interest. This one has however, For Sale: - 96 FZJ80 160K Factory Locked Oregon PNW albeit it's a little far away.