If I was to start all over again, I would...

[math]

So??? And the next time, the time after that, and the time after the time after the time after that it will ALSO be corrosion/water infiltration related. And each time I "fix" something, I break off a fixture/bolt/ piece of s*** piece of 20 year old age and sun hardened plastic, so now I drive a s*** mobile.

Yesterday, it started malfunctioning in another new and exciting fashion. An itinerant shudder under accel, and a P0420 code, accompanied by reduced power. And the forum is packed full of people chunking down thousands for attempted fixes for this very thing that don't work.

Doesn't sound like fun to me.

Electrical issues can be frustrating, but getting irritated isn't going to help - only calm, clear thinking will. You can drive with PO420 and, in fact, we did so on our Prius (of all things) for quite some time. When we break something off that's plastic, we seldom fix it - half the time it's not necessary and served largely to make Americans want to buy it. There are many 80's out there which have been more egregiously abused than yours, for example, in Africa - and they still run fine. Frustration is understandable for sure, and we're new mechanics, and often frustrated, probably by things that more experienced mechanics wouldn't even bat an eye over. But when you get to that point, it's often best to realize that your anger and frustration toward the truck aren't getting you anywhere and to call it a day. Your 80 will be fine. It's not a s*** mobile. You'll get it figured out.

 

[Howard705]

How about a 40? instead of a Jeep??

I've learned a ton on Marjan, but if I did it all over again, I'd buy a flat fender Jeep.

I wouldn't restore it, or mod it; rather, I'd set it up to be as stock as practical.

The electrical/electronics on the Series 80 are just not worth the ass-pain. And I really don't need the highway capabilities of a Series 80, either. I live in freaking Germany, and drove it on the autobahn for the first time yesterday, just to say I did.

What I really want is a well-supported off-road capable vehicle where I can fix everything that's broken myself without being a f*cking witch-doctor. And frankly, Series 80s are an electrical/electronic nightmare waiting to happen.

 

[120mm]

Electrical issues can be frustrating, but getting irritated isn't going to help - only calm, clear thinking will. You can drive with PO420 and, in fact, we did so on our Prius (of all things) for quite some time. When we break something off that's plastic, we seldom fix it - half the time it's not necessary and served largely to make Americans want to buy it. There are many 80's out there which have been more egregiously abused than yours, for example, in Africa - and they still run fine. Frustration is understandable for sure, and we're new mechanics, and often frustrated, probably by things that more experienced mechanics wouldn't even bat an eye over. But when you get to that point, it's often best to realize that your anger and frustration toward the truck aren't getting you anywhere and to call it a day. Your 80 will be fine. It's not a s*** mobile. You'll get it figured out.

I have "figured it out."

I've done the math and ownership is not worth it. I can't afford to install those gold plated Toyota parts and aftermarket parts either aren't there, or are too crappy to consider.

But I am stuck with this piece of blue garbage, and hope it lasts until I rotate home so I can part it out. Or set it on fire. Whichever mood strikes me at the moment.

 

[120mm]

How about a 40? instead of a Jeep??

I could have what. 5? 10? Jeeps for a price of a 40? And Jeeps are supported.

I want a "forever car", like my 67 Mustang. I can fix the living s*** out of that, and not only will parts be affordable until the end of cars, but it is simple to fix and drive.

The Series 80 is nearing extinction. Parts will dry up and they will be a megabuck interest car in a very few years.

 

[dogfishlake]

The capability (and technology )of a 67 Mustang is closer to a model T than a Cruiser. Don't get me wrong, I'd take both. Way apples to oranges though. I also disagree on the 80's extinction; it sets a high (or highest) standard in capability for its era. That is what brings a car to classic/collectible status. The 80 has it. I understand it might not be for you, but it is for many.

 

[bicycleagent003]

Why is there a guy complaining about owning an 80 on this board? Am I missing something? Just sell it and be done with it and Mud. Coming on Mud and complaining about an 80 seems a little like going to a dog show and saying you don't like dogs. ???

 

[NickPsy]

Looking back, I wish I would have bought a rust free Cruiser vrs dealing with effects that the tin worm causes on the underbelly of my truck. Everything is just a bit more complicated as a result....

 

[ChaseTruck]

Why is there a guy complaining about owning an 80 on this board? Am I missing something?

Yes, you are - not everyone who owns an '80 is also a Landcruiser enthusiast.

 

[Heckraiser]

Just chiming in with some more thoughts. Not necessarily a regret, but just a comment.

I sold my last 62 about 6 months ago and I am already jonesing hard for another 60. The reason I sold my 62 is because I felt it was too pristine to actually use (or god forbid, drive in winter), while my LX with 310k miles, salvage title and mild rust is nicely seasoned like a cast-iron skillet. That's why I still don't regret selling the 62. But man, the 60 mojo is strong and I might end up doing something stupid with my money one of these days.

 

[rc51kid]

I think i would grab a engine hoist and pull the perfectly working good motor on my 80 as PM. Sounds crazy? Its not. Think about all the s*** we replace on these motors piece at a time. Then there are the things we want to replace and cant like the rear main seal and arch seal.

I would pull the motor and replace every gasket including head gasket. If the bore looked like mine does after 222,XXX (great) i would leave that alone but maybe new rings? Dont know if that is needed, maybe role in new bearings. Basically a light rebuild with all new gaskets. Then put it in with all new coolant system, motor mounts, alternator brushes, starter rebuilt, power steering pump rebuilt, throttle body cleaned, new vacuum lines, fuel filter,blue printed fuel injector, oil pump seal, belts and so on. Basically all the PM crap we do little at a time in the truck plus a head gasket and the rear main. Just knock it out all at once with the motor out.

I would do the same thing with the suspension and brakes. just do it all at once, birfields, calipers, disks, shocks, springs , tire rods and so on.

Why bother doing it little at a time.

 

[70Cruza]

I've owned 3 Landcruisers total now. I Still have 2.

A 94 FZJ80 & a 1970 FJ40.

I'm a fiend for searching & looking at Landcruisers, online & on the street, like I'm sure many of us are.

My suggestion would be to be very patient on the front end while in the searching /shopping phase.

My 1st FJ40 was very nice, V8 converted & clean & nice. I paid 7800$ white one.

I was daily driving it with no hardtop & it was a little cold in the mornings, & drank a lot of gas. I got interested in the 80 series, & put my beloved 40 for sale/trade. Within a few weeks someone contacted me & was interested. We met up & drove each others rigs. I was instantly hooked. I wanted his rig. He however did not want mine, due to the V8 & he was using primarily as a hunting rig. This guy (Victor) was a mechanic & seemed like a straight shooter. During our conversation he stated that he valued his FZJ80 at 6k.

I continued to try & sell or trade my FJ40 for 10k or a clean FZJ80 for about 10 months. I was scouring the net the entire time looking for that perfect 80. Finally I did get the 40 sold.

I had not found anything I liked more than Victors 80 so I called him & offered 7k.

I've owned her about 4 years and replaced the brake booster, the alternator, & had a hard to trace headlight wiring issue that ended up being a failed factory splice just inside the firewall. She's locked x3 got 256,000+ on thE original head gasket, & runs very very good. Needless to say the P.O took good care of her, & set her up nice.

Last year I bought another 1970 FJ40 after shopping for about 8 months. I paid 8700.

So I don't have too many regrets on my path so far. Regretted & misses my 40, so I bought another one.

These are the rigs I ended up with being patient & finding the right one for me.

Hope this helps.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I have "figured it out."

I've done the math and ownership is not worth it. I can't afford to install those gold plated Toyota parts and aftermarket parts either aren't there, or are too crappy to consider.

But I am stuck with this piece of blue garbage, and hope it lasts until I rotate home so I can part it out. Or set it on fire. Whichever mood strikes me at the moment.

I could have what. 5? 10? Jeeps for a price of a 40? And Jeeps are supported.

I want a "forever car", like my 67 Mustang. I can fix the living s*** out of that, and not only will parts be affordable until the end of cars, but it is simple to fix and drive.

The Series 80 is nearing extinction. Parts will dry up and they will be a megabuck interest car in a very few years.

Damn. Somebody is having a case of the Mondays...

Sell your 80 and buy a Jeep. Quit whining already!

 

[FiftyTwoEighty]

i don’t think I would do anything else different with my 80. I bought my 80 after coming from Grand Cherokee, Range Rover, and a 100 Series. My 80 started as my daily driver and evolved into an expo rig for my wife, our dogs, and now our baby daughter. We have four other cars to drive, and the miles on the 80 are nearly all “fun” miles. Today we are at 224,000 miles, with the last 100,000+ miles under my ownerhsip.

I built my 80 from my experiences exploring much of Moab, Rockies, and Sierra over the last 25 plus years. 100,000+ miles later, I have no regrets. I knew exactly how I wanted to build my 80, from the mistakes I made with my Jeep and Range Rover.

Every couple years or so, I get an itch for adding dual gas tanks, then I talk myself out of carrying the extra weight all the time. My jerry cans seem to get the job done.

My favorite mod is easily the supercharger. Without the supercharger, life sucked at altitude. I should’ve done that immediately.

 

[Iceaxe]

I can't really complain despite some near-miss catastrophes. I've loved my rig like no other vehicle I've owned. I have to say I've often thought of getting a 40 too....

 

[ericbirk]

I could have what. 5? 10? Jeeps for a price of a 40? And Jeeps are supported.

I want a "forever car", like my 67 Mustang. I can fix the living s*** out of that, and not only will parts be affordable until the end of cars, but it is simple to fix and drive.

The Series 80 is nearing extinction. Parts will dry up and they will be a megabuck interest car in a very few years.

Rant time,
You are most certainly a Jeep guy...

Oh wait that probably won't help either. I went on a trip with a bunch of Jeep guys this summer. There were XJ's, YJ's, TJ'S, and new JK's, oh and my 80 and an FJ Cruiser. After the weekend was over there were only 2 vehicles that didn't have some mechanical issues. Can you take a guess at which ones those were? I will give you a hint, the manufacturer had the word Toy in it...

If maintenance work causes you to loose your sh*t, then you best be on your way because ANYTHING at 20 years old will have some niggles.

So now what would I do differently on my 80 the second time around. I would find a better way to hide the money spent from my wife.

 

[SammyT96LX450]

If I would do it all over again....I would have bought an 80 much sooner. I guess better late than never

 

[aae42]

only difference i would have made is i would have paid like 2-3k less for my rig than i did... i felt pretty well informed about the issues before i purchased, but now, after a year, and having driven a poorly maintained 80, i would know EXACTLY what to look and listen for on a test drive...

 

[VidereStudios]

@GW Nugget, thanks for starting such a great thread. I am a 100 series guy, but am on the verge of buying my first 80. This thread was eye-opening and a great read.

I am going start a copycat version of this thread in the 100 series forum so that noobs to that series of Land Cruisers can have a comparable compendium of wisdom to draw upon.

 

[06Yoda]

@GW Nugget

@GW Nugget, thanks for starting such a great thread. I am a 100 series guy, but am on the verge of buying my first 80. This thread was eye-opening and a great read.
QUOTE]
I also would like to extend another thanks for creating this thread. I originally had an idea of how I wanted to build my 80 but I think I may hold off for awhile at least and see how things play out.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

If I was to start all over again, I would still do the same. I got my 96FZJ80 back in 2004 with 99k miles for $12k cash. It was unlocked, rust free, and very clean. I started with baseline maintenance, then new 33" tires, then 2.5 OEM lift, then ShortBus front bumper, then sliders, then transfer case skid plate, and that's it.

As the 80 becomes more of a fun off-road vehicle at 234k miles, I'm thinking of a lokka or aussie rear locker. The most expensive repair was replacing the radiator after I switched from Prestone green to Toyota red coolant and not everything was flushed right. A few other repairs to a couple of fuel injectors, drivers window, fusible link, front wheel bearing, and rear brake caliper and that's it.

My son is now enjoying it too as he goes offroad and camping with his friends.