Spicer is total garbage. I had a rear driver shaft rebuild using their U-Joints and didn't even get 6 months out of them. I just replaced it with a stock drive shaft.
If I was to start all over again, I would...
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Spicer is total garbage. I had a rear driver shaft rebuild using their U-Joints and didn't even get 6 months out of them. I just replaced it with a stock drive shaft.
Interesting. A 4 door 70 series is about the only vehicle that draws my eye away from the 80. Leaf springs are a slight drawback, but this is good feedback to hear.
Very good thread and lots of good opinions. Sounds like a lot of guys feel they went overboard on builds and finding out they really didnt need it for their intended purposes.
It helps lots for me since I'm shopping but for AZ and what I THINK I need is something that will occasionally do some nasty's but I dont seek it out like I did in my jeep. I'm over that. I am a explorer and NEED to get to a destination for some of my driving. Other types of riding are and neat spot on a river that very few can get to due to the uphill rock ledge that acts as a filter to keep the lesser rigs out. My (well setup) jeep makes quick work of it and if the LC couldnt do it I'd be very upset (selling the jeep). Obstacle filters make up a good amount of where I go so thinking 35's 4 inch slee, bumpers, gears (5.29), sliders, belly skid, winch, are what I need.
It helps lots for me since I'm shopping but for AZ and what I THINK I need is something that will occasionally do some nasty's but I dont seek it out like I did in my jeep. I'm over that. I am a explorer and NEED to get to a destination for some of my driving. Other types of riding are and neat spot on a river that very few can get to due to the uphill rock ledge that acts as a filter to keep the lesser rigs out. My (well setup) jeep makes quick work of it and if the LC couldnt do it I'd be very upset (selling the jeep). Obstacle filters make up a good amount of where I go so thinking 35's 4 inch slee, bumpers, gears (5.29), sliders, belly skid, winch, are what I need.
I would have bought a truck already built for 1/4 cost.
Its probably what I will do but there is some major satisfaction building your own rig. For some it's absolutely as fun as the places it brings you. Having done it myself I get that. If you have the $$ why not??
I think I've posted in this thread before, but it's been a long time. Since then we wrecked one 80, bought another, and I'm working on a 60.
We got our first Cruiser in 2006. It was 10 years old and a used car. A cool used car, but that's how we saw it. 10 years later and it's the only vehicle I've kept for more than a couple of years. I've owned more than 30 vehicles in my life... Kind of a hobby I guess.
We put more than 120,000 miles on it in that time. Abusive miles filled with French fries, sand, mud, oil changes when we got around to it, and teen drivers.
Now these vehicles are 20+ years old. My first car I owned was a 1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 with 86,000 miles on it, purchased in 1987 for $400. I drove that thing like a red headed step child. It died, abandoned, due to my teenage abuse.
These Cruisers are now classics. We have an unobtainable parts list that is growing. We have rust that is growing. If I had to do it all over again I'd find a different vehicle to put 20,000 miles a year on and treat this one like a restoration project instead of a step child.
This year I'm going to see what I can do about that. Oh, it will still get driven and wheeled, it's not going to be a garage Queen, but I think it's time to convert it from being the family's primary vehicle to the secondary.
We got our first Cruiser in 2006. It was 10 years old and a used car. A cool used car, but that's how we saw it. 10 years later and it's the only vehicle I've kept for more than a couple of years. I've owned more than 30 vehicles in my life... Kind of a hobby I guess.
We put more than 120,000 miles on it in that time. Abusive miles filled with French fries, sand, mud, oil changes when we got around to it, and teen drivers.
Now these vehicles are 20+ years old. My first car I owned was a 1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 with 86,000 miles on it, purchased in 1987 for $400. I drove that thing like a red headed step child. It died, abandoned, due to my teenage abuse.
These Cruisers are now classics. We have an unobtainable parts list that is growing. We have rust that is growing. If I had to do it all over again I'd find a different vehicle to put 20,000 miles a year on and treat this one like a restoration project instead of a step child.
This year I'm going to see what I can do about that. Oh, it will still get driven and wheeled, it's not going to be a garage Queen, but I think it's time to convert it from being the family's primary vehicle to the secondary.
what is unobtainable on them now? I heard this about the 60 series but don't recall anyone saying things on the 80's are not being made.
LINUS
Waiting for the Great Pumpkin
I think you must be my parallel universe twin or something. All of this sounds almost exactly like me
I would have done the 5 Speed and 1HD-FT conversion years ago. Getting over 20 MPG may never pay for the conversion, but it is great to know that I can drive eight hours in a day and still not have to consider getting fuel...yes, I have two tanks, and theoretically can go over 750 miles before refueling, but have not tried that yet.
lcgeek
Glad to meet you!
I would never have called auto trader in 1999 to verbally place this for sale ad: (found this the other day cleaning some old files)
For sale - 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser, 28,000 miles, 40th anniversary, dual lockers, mint condition. $36,000
For sale - 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser, 28,000 miles, 40th anniversary, dual lockers, mint condition. $36,000
94 which I bought from a city fella in 2000. Would have sold it when the first motor split (Toyota agreed it was aa bad casting, but refused to warrant because over 60000 miles). Should have sold it when the used motor which replaced #1 went T.U. On Scipio hill en route to Overland Expo last year.
Otherwise, put a 2" OME lift and ARB bull bar on it right after I bought it. Lots of size able ungulates hereabouts who have a fine disregard for a) their own safety and b)MY safety, so have never regretted either mod. Took off the running boards, installed sliders. 33" tires. Stock wheels.
I've spent a fair amount of money trying to address the mushy brakes which became an issue after the installation of the reman last fall.
WILL sell it next time it goofs off. Spousal unit has lost her sense of humor.
Otherwise, put a 2" OME lift and ARB bull bar on it right after I bought it. Lots of size able ungulates hereabouts who have a fine disregard for a) their own safety and b)MY safety, so have never regretted either mod. Took off the running boards, installed sliders. 33" tires. Stock wheels.
I've spent a fair amount of money trying to address the mushy brakes which became an issue after the installation of the reman last fall.
WILL sell it next time it goofs off. Spousal unit has lost her sense of humor.
Not sure i would do anything different which is pretty good given that i never really had any plans to start with. It took me a year to pull the trigger on an ARB front end. It took alot less to make my mind up about the 4x4Labs rear bumper. I was sick of hearing the spare scrape along the rocks when wheeling. Im glad i waited to paint it. The green was hideous and I was planning on painting it myself before i left socal but we all know how that would have turned out. As it happens @Mdej3 did a fantastic paint job. My future plans will continue to roll out at a slow pace so i am confident i am making the right decisions. I was planning on a 2" lift when i was in socal but now i might hold off on that until the backend of the year. I want to do some more wheeling here before i decide what works. A new Prinsu roof rack in next on my list...
Wow, had no idea. So owning an 80 is or will be more of a PITA going forward. I've been shopping for one while waiting for my jeep to sell and now may rethink this.
Meh, resourcefulness is the muther of ingenuity. We will all be driving chevy v8 land cruisers soon enough.
WATCH THE WEIGHT OF EVERY ACCESSORY/ADD ON.
-May be I wouldn't Rhinoline the whole floorboard and add dynamat on top, kind of overdoing it dont you guys think?
( that made may floorboard rise somewhat plus the husky mats make the driving foot uncomfortable.
-Don't like the plastic on the Husky liners.
-I regretted making 4 holes on the back of the floorboard to attach my Outback Extreme air compressor.
-I regreat not expending more to buy Harrop/lockers insted of ARB lockers front and rear
-My Hanna cargo carriers are overbuilt, I like them, but they weight too much.
-I have 864 OME springs in the back, maybe change them for 863 + air bags
-I should have bought a roof rack insted of Load bars for my RTT.
-May be I wouldn't Rhinoline the whole floorboard and add dynamat on top, kind of overdoing it dont you guys think?
( that made may floorboard rise somewhat plus the husky mats make the driving foot uncomfortable.
-Don't like the plastic on the Husky liners.
-I regretted making 4 holes on the back of the floorboard to attach my Outback Extreme air compressor.
-I regreat not expending more to buy Harrop/lockers insted of ARB lockers front and rear
-My Hanna cargo carriers are overbuilt, I like them, but they weight too much.
-I have 864 OME springs in the back, maybe change them for 863 + air bags
-I should have bought a roof rack insted of Load bars for my RTT.
@Peluo - We hate it when that happens!WATCH THE WEIGHT OF EVERY ACCESSORY/ADD ON.
-May be I wouldn't Rhinoline the whole floorboard and add dynamat on top, kind of overdoing it dont you guys think?
( that made may floorboard rise somewhat plus the husky mats make the driving foot uncomfortable.
-Don't like the plastic on the Husky liners.
-I regretted making 4 holes on the back of the floorboard to attach my Outback Extreme air compressor.
-I regret not expending more to buy Harrop/lockers instead of ARB lockers front and rear
-My Hanna cargo carriers are overbuilt, I like them, but they weight too much.
-I have 864 OME springs in the back, maybe change them for 863 + air bags
-I should have bought a roof rack insted of Load bars for my RTT.
We have a "shop 'n swap" program for recovering air locker owners. Pull your air lockers with carriers and swap them with another 80 owner and install the Harrops. We will give you a discount and work with your installer to make this happen
Shoot me a PM - I am not kidding.....
I would of bought a "side by side" buggy, nice haulers w/quarters, and a nice pull vehicle. Probably a newer F350 SD Diesel Crew Cab, I LOVED my 03 Powerstroke! (After I had the 6.0 bullet proofed)
Lots of good stuff here. I have a couple of questions...
1) Lots of people say they would have put 37s on their rig right out of the gate. I am curious what you guys are using your LCfor that you want such big tires, and how much lift do you need to accommodate them?
2) Several people have said they would not buy the EMS exahaust. What would you buy instead?
3) What are sliders?
1) Lots of people say they would have put 37s on their rig right out of the gate. I am curious what you guys are using your LCfor that you want such big tires, and how much lift do you need to accommodate them?
2) Several people have said they would not buy the EMS exahaust. What would you buy instead?
3) What are sliders?
