In search of 80 to purchase - Help me fine one!

[Pskhaat]

I would not shy too far away from a 91/92 with higher mileage. Those 3F-E engines are run-forever tractors and are IMO very good and very reasonable. You can generally build a 91/92 with all the options you want for less than a comparably equiped 93+ and have $ left over for tires & lift if you are so inclined.

The 91/92 has a commercial bus tranny in it (read strong & reliable). It also has a few more benefits such as less prone to head gasket problems and no hard-to-get heater hoses that are prone to fail on 93+ also. Plus 15" wheels are easier on the wallet for tires. The drawback is that you're giving up upwards of 50hp in the engine. Fuel mileage is about the same in each. You're also giving up the option for factory axle differential lockers if that's important to you; if it is, it's clearly easy to add (just not from the factory).

If I were on a budget for an 80 series I would very much be considering 91-92 Cruisers.

 

[Tools R Us]

If your looking at 3F powered units, this one maybe a good deal if you can do the work?

http://tinyurl.com/7qjr6

Or;

http://tinyurl.com/cxt2a

 

[xrock]

I'm talking to someone in San Diego about a 1994 80 with:


New tires Pirelli Scorpions, with lifetime alignment at Evans tires. Runs great, 4WD, Automatic, seats 8, back benches are removable and can fold up and out of the way, lots of power. New tires Power: window, steering, brakes, door-locks, mirrors and sunroof, AC, Tilt, Tow package, Anti lock brakes, Front bumper guard with fog lights, Buryl wood trim, - Alloy Wheels, AM/FM CD-cassette, w/4 new speakers. Missing ash tray, and cigarette lighter, some oxidation on the paint on the rear of the hood. This has been a non smoking SUV, Smells clean, interior is great condition. The body is in great condition. Accident free for the 4 years I have owned it, and I dont see any signs of a body / frame issue. Call or Email if you have any questions. I can email high resolution pictures on request. Thanks! JT3DJ81W8R0065972
Driver Air Bag; Air Conditioning; Alloy Wheels; AM/FM Radio; Cruise Control; Compact Disc Player; Rear Window Defroster; Power Door Locks; Power Mirrors; Power Windows; Power Steering; Sunroof/Moonroof; Tinted Glass; Tilt Wheel;

Very decent price- we might be going to pick it up this Friday.
Link to pic: http://images.autotrader.com/images...5148.193292778.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

 

[CodyRx7]

Hi again guys..

I went down with the intention of seeing the 91 with 33's in person, but got a call back from an internet guy for a small dealership that they had 2 locations with 3 LX450's available.

I figured it might be out of my price range, but after seeing a few Cruisers with cloth and no power, I wanted to at least know what it was like to sit in a fully loaded truck.

They had green...too dark. Gold, too expensive because only 80k or so miles, and then a Silver. I really liked the silver since I haven't seen any other Silvers on my searches the past few weeks.

I talked the guy down to 11,8 and had them swap the little wheel centercaps from a better rig, remove the towing setup from the Green LX to install on the Silver, and throw in an extra key cut to match the VIN and an extra remote so I have a pair of keys and remotes.

Quite clean, wonderful ride. Where am I supposed to put my big drink cups?!?!?! Those "cupholders" are a joke!

 

[xrock]

Nice snag! I'm picking my new 80 up on Friday.

Too small of cupholders?? Try driving my 72 FJ40 with bench seats!!

 

[Tools R Us]

Lockers?

 

[CodyRx7]

Negative on the lockers. I was content enough with all the other toys the LX had that I figure I can always do a swap or go aftermarket if I need them.

Now, a question about the lockers my LX has:

I'm sure in regular hi gearing I have 1 active wheel per axle. When I switch to neutral, throw it in low, the ABS light and the LOCKED lights come on showing a picture of the front wheels, center (as a dot) and then the rear wheels.

Now, does that engage just a center diff lock? There is no specific center diff lock switch on this LX like I have seen on the earlier LC 80s.

Here's a pic:

 

[Pskhaat]

The wiring and functionality is there, you need to just source a switch for the CDL. A number of LC vendors should have these available.

 

[CodyRx7]

So what IS locking when I put it in low and all those lights come on?...or, is it just the lights?

 

[Pskhaat]

Nope the shifting into Low signals the CDL to lock just as if you pushed the button. When in low, CDL is locked for you. There is a ``Pin 7'' modification where you can disable this automatic locking and have it done at your request at the button.

 

[CodyRx7]

Ok, so in low I get the center diff locked.

The 7 pin mod.....does that make it so you can lock the center diff in HIGH, or just so you can disable the CDL in low?

 

[Pskhaat]

You can lock it in high or low, at your option. Putting it into low does not automatically lock it.