High Milage 80 Series buyer concerns

[peteinpeb]

It really depends on the seller.

If he knows his stuff & can tell you about front axle seals & that they ride on the inner driveline, not the birf, what the "tuna can" is, what vendor he favored for his real Toyota branded parts, etc - then yeah, I wouldn't have an issue.

In fact I did just that on my 40th - It has 360K miles on it, but also came with a receipt from Slee for doing the HG 30K ago. The guy was the 2nd owner & was honest that that was the biggest thing he'd cut a check for, but he didn't look puzzled when I asked about the last axle service, or that he re-routed the hoses to bypass the rear heater. Totally rust free as well.

So while some sketchy ones you can't trust the seller are only worth 3K & you expect to do some work, plenty of higher miled ones are worth twice that - I DD the 360K one & have left my black 80 sittting for about a week now (ran it the other day parked just to keep loosened up) - but even @ 360K it drives as nice as my ~140K one.

That's what I am talking about. The maintenance on theses vehicles is crucial to longevity and when you ask about those big ticket items and the owner looks at you like, uhhh yeah that was done, but can't point to the differential, I get worried. It's not the end all because these trucks can be very reliable, but it can be the difference between $1,000 in PM or $8,000 in repairs.

 

[dogfishlake]

I believe that if you are looking for a cruiser in nice condition, appearance wise, especially a 40th, then a major concern is quality of the exterior. You said it was a really nice 80 so I assume there is no rust, paint is excellent, finish on original wheels is nice, no large dings/scratches. These kind of repairs are very expensive to deal with and unless it's a pure wheeling rig where the cometics might not matter to you, it really becomes the main priority. Taking it to a mechanic is a good idea, or at least just do a serious crawl around.
If there isn't birf soup, no clicking on turns, and the fluid levels are acceptable/greasing obvious, the driveline is probably fine. The hg is a bit of a crap shoot, but if the cooling system looks reasonably well maintained, you are probably fine, just make cooling system pm first priority.

I am seeing more 80's than ever up for sale and they seem to be starting to split between the majority of trucks that need lots of repairs and are otherwise on their march to the salvage yard for parts, and the few that are well kept and have had lots of repairs/maintenance/quality upgrades.

80's with nice original paint/trim and nice interiors (leathers not such a big deal due to replacement offerings) are the ones that will always hold and appreciate their value. Trim parts from Mr T are almost gone and top shelf paint job costs with full trim strip off, complete straighten, base/clear, cut/polish, all farmed out to a pro, are hitting nearly the cost of an ls swap, so it has to be considered.

So, to summarize my rant: if you find a nice looking 40th for low $$, buy it.

 

[super40]

ha ha. i bought a 80 series 2 yrs ago 160,000 on the clock. it needed nothing. i spent 4000 in the 1st month. fluids, hoses, belts, breaks, ps cooler leaking. saggy suspension, tires. etc. you can save 90% of the maintenance/ repair cost and do it your self. these things are fairly simple to work on.

 

[Atwalz]

I bought a 1994 FZJ80 and refreshing everything I can do. So far I spent about 6 grand on it. I did all the work. Its still not done yet. Pending work is interior, exterior paint, suspension lift, driveshafts, possible tranny rebuild and maybe transfer case too. I replaced all fluid, filters, hoses, reseal oil pans, rebuild top, new gaskets, tires, steering rods, new cats, O2 sensors, new battery, belts, etc. Its got 329K on the odo. Its getting exhaust done today from local muffler shop.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I bought a 1994 FZJ80 and refreshing everything I can do. So far I spent about 6 grand on it. I did all the work. Its still not done yet. Pending work is interior, exterior paint, suspension lift, driveshafts, possible tranny rebuild and maybe transfer case too. I replaced all fluid, filters, hoses, reseal oil pans, rebuild top, new gaskets, tires, steering rods, new cats, O2 sensors, new battery, belts, etc. Its got 329K on the odo. Its getting exhaust done today from local muffler shop.

How did you get to $6k. Surely not in maintenance if you are doing it yourself.

 

[LS1FJ40]

To the OP: It's worth what you think it's worth and are willing to pay for it. That's the bottom line. I've never regretted a single Land Cruiser I've purchased (19 and counting), only the ones I've sold.

I've looked at $1000 Land Cruisers that I wouldn't take away for free. I've looked at pristine Land Cruisers that I thought were overpriced but sold the next day.

You know 80s well enough. If t runs and drives well and you have the money, buy it. Simple.

These posts are typically "Help me justify" posts. 10 years from now are you going to regret spending an extra 2 grand on a vehicle you are still driving and enjoying the s*** out of? I wouldn't.

 

[Atwalz]

How did you get to $6k. Surely not in maintenance if you are doing it yourself.

My current spreadsheet tally is hitting slightly below six grand. Items replaced include new tires, new HPS radiator and heater hoses, new high pressure power steering hose, all calipers, new pads, head gasket, new water pump, new head bolts, new exhaust valves, rebuild steering knuckles, snorkle kits, alignment, both side view mirrors, hood supports shocks, tail gate support shocks, coolant, fuel filter, grease, motor oil, diff fluids, PS fluid, oil filter, tranny fluid, tranny filter gasket, FPIG, new battery, Trail gear HD steering kit, Alternator Brushes, new thermostat, full head gasket kit, fan clutch, Misc gasket from dealer, wire heat shield, magnaflow cats, valve shims, LED dash lights, AC compressor, CDL switch and new exhaust. I am surprised that all these small things add upto $6K. That's excluding tools and labor I spent on it. There are some upgrades as part of build as well. Mostly it is all maintenance.

 

[LS1FJ40]

My current spreadsheet tally is hitting slightly below six grand. Items replaced include new tires, new HPS radiator and heater hoses, new high pressure power steering hose, all calipers, new pads, head gasket, new water pump, new head bolts, new exhaust valves, rebuild steering knuckles, snorkle kits, alignment, both side view mirrors, hood supports shocks, tail gate support shocks, coolant, fuel filter, grease, motor oil, diff fluids, PS fluid, oil filter, tranny fluid, tranny filter gasket, FPIG, new battery, Trail gear HD steering kit, Alternator Brushes, new thermostat, full head gasket kit, fan clutch, Misc gasket from dealer, wire heat shield, magnaflow cats, valve shims, LED dash lights, AC compressor, CDL switch and new exhaust. I am surprised that all these small things add upto $6K. That's excluding tools and labor I spent on it. There are some upgrades as part of build as well. Mostly it is all maintenance.

Tires probably swallowed $1000+ of that.

I guess I just look at "maintenance" a little bit differently. When I bought my 93 it was really rough. But driveable. I put new tires, new suspension, new flooring, new batteries and dual battery system. I don't really consider any of that "maintenance" because it was safe and driveable as it was.

The maintenance I did (or have purchased parts for) totals about $700. I drove it across country, 2016 miles, after topping off the diffs, knuckles, and engine oil. I just ordered new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. So add another $160 or so. I would not hesitate to drive it anywhere.

If all of that was truly needed then I hope you didn't pay much for it.

 

[baldilocks]

I have owned an 80 series before, so I know what I am getting into.

Then get into it and report back with lots of cruiser p0rn.

 

[ChadHahn]

I understand how people like to have "documentation" on everything, but what about guys like me that do all our own work?

I keep a notebook in the TLC and when I do something, I write down the date, mileage and what I did. The tire place puts their receipt into a folder so receipts for work done go in that.

I know he doesn't do the work himself, he takes it to a local small mechanic.

Did you get the name of the mechanic? Can you ask him what work has been done?

Chad