Land Cruiser HELP!!!!

[laurajgh]

Hello All!

OK! I am in serious need of some help... preferably practical help! I am looking to buy a Land Cruiser, BUT the problem is that i can't seem to find out any information on them. I don't know whether they all have permanent 4wheel drive and a diff lock, or what.

Here's my spec, so maybe you guys can point me in the right direction (baring in mind that this vehicle has to be available to me in the UK!)

::: I need it to be permanent 4 wheel drive
::: I need it to have a diff lock
::: I need it to be great off-road
::: Reliable, as it'll be driven round the desert! (the sahara)
::: It needs to be 4.2l diesel
::: It needs to be a LWB!

I think that's all the spec so far... If ya have any ideas!

 

[woody]

80-series....sounds like about the only option with a UK tie that meets those criteria. where's our resident diesel/european expert? lol

 

[Beowulf]

laurajgh,

>> I think that's all the spec so far... <<

Wouldn't you want to include A/C in that list?

We have several UK members on the list but you may be better served by asking on the 80sCool international list. It is on Yahoo Groups.

The 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser will very likely meet all of your criteria. It is also one of the most common vehicles in the middle eastern countries and the majority of Land Cruisers are built for that region. The 80 Series is LWB and was available with several diesel engines though I have no idea which engines were available in the UK. All US spec 80 series were equipped with a locking center differential. It sounds like you want the [optional in the US] Front & Rear locking differentials. I believe all VX spec (Amazon?) 80s for non-US markets were equipped with diff-locks.

If you need a newer vehicle (80 series production ended in most countries in 1997) you may want to consider the 100 or 105 series. I believe the 105 series were only built with the 1FZ-FE petrol engine. Others will have to help with the engines available with the 100 Series. The US did not get the 105 Series and only the petrol V8 in the 100 Series.

Good Luck!

-B-

 

[e9999]

and Welcome to the forum!
Eric

 

[laurajgh]

Thanks so much guys, i was beginning to think that there wasn't anyone out there that could help me...

as for A/C Beowulf, if it's there it's there, but having driven round the sahara 4times already in a Landrover without A/C i'm not particularly bothered! (although would save me opening the window and getting sand blasted!)

I hope to post more on here when i have found my vehicle... by the way, how do i tell if it's an 80 series?? (sorry for being so naive...) :whoops:

xx

 

[MoJ]

laurajgh -

Visit the "Reader's Rides" section on here. It's broken down by series.
And....welcome to the forum.

-Jason

 

[Kaderabek]

Here you go:

http://www.jmoffroad.dk/biler/86.htm

Enjoy.

TJK

 

[laurajgh]

Call me strange, but is there any chance of getting a bench type seat for the front of the 80 series? I'm in a bit of a dilemma.... definitely getting a roof tent, but until we have another kid i don't want my daughter to be in the back on her own!... any ideas? (i only know you can do it to Land Rover Defenders!)

 

[MrZumma]

Without disabling the airbags, I don't know if you would want to put a child in the front seat! Bench seat or otherwise...

 

[laurajgh]

I had full intentions of diabling the airbags. Don't want them going off when i take it off road!

 

[laurajgh]

ONLY ME!! (again!) Just wanted to know if i have this correct ... If the 80 series is made between 1989-1996 then all Land Cruisers built and released then must be the 80 series? (call me stupid if you must, but when people sell their land cruisers they say that "toyota landcruiser 4.2l diesel VX 1997" I mean how can you tel which series it is???

HHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP I think i'm going slightly mad!

 

[MoJ]

In the US everything 1991-1997 was an 80 series.

 

[laurajgh]

OKAY! Yet another weird question from the chick!

what is the difference between the GX, VX, LX and TX? (practically speaking!)

Oh and if any of you were perhaps wondering what the hell i'm gonna do to this Land Cruiser.... http://www.saharanexploration.co.uk (the proud owner!)

 

[concretejungle]

Oh and if any of you were perhaps wondering what the hell i'm gonna do to this Land Cruiser.... http://www.saharanexploration.co.uk (the proud owner!)[/QUOTE]

so do you mean the proud owner of a 80 to go on an expedition, or the owner of the expedition outfitter? Either way, need any drivers?? I'm still looking for that perfect job.

 

[Beowulf]

>> what is the difference between the GX, VX, LX and TX? (practically speaking!) <<

Trim levels and options with VX being the top of the line in most countries; again, I'm not up on the UK spec vehicles.

>> ... is there any chance of getting a bench type seat for the front of the 80 series? <<

Yes, you are strange. I don't think you will find a VX with a bench seat. Again, we are mostly from the "colonies" and the US selection of Land Cruisers was very limited compared to those available in the rest of the world.

>> I had full intentions of diabling the airbags. Don't want them going off when i take it off road! <<

If the vehicle you select has air bags then I wouldn't recommend disabling just because you are taking it off-road. The Toyota air bag design is very sophisticated and reliable. It is highly unlikely your air bags would deploy and if they did, you would be very glad they did. Search the archives here on IH8MUD if you want more information on the design of the SRS in the 80 Series.

-B-

 

[e9999]

did drive in a bare bone 100 series in Oz that had a bench seat up front IIRC, manual trans, cloth, and great manners in sand...
E

 

[Landpimp]

pretty sure the 105 has a dsl option.

for some info on spec levels try
http://ecom.toyota-gib.com
http://ecom.toyota-gib.com/Default.asp?WCI=VariantDetails&WCE=VID:40

in the UK there will also be the light duty 70 series, also the 90 series Prado(called the Colorado as well) the 80 and 100 series are often called the Amazon.

laurajgh,

If you need a newer vehicle (80 series production ended in most countries in 1997) you may want to consider the 100 or 105 series. I believe the 105 series were only built with the 1FZ-FE petrol engine. Others will have to help with the engines available with the 100 Series. The US did not get the 105 Series and only the petrol V8 in the 100 Series.

Good Luck!

-B-

 

[e9999]

anyway, Laura, good to see that you have come to your senses and giving up the Land Rover j..k for serious iron...

E

 

[laurajgh]

F.A.O Concrete Jungle:::: I'm not the proud owner of an 80 just yet, but am the proud owner of a Land Rover 127 ambulance that has done many a trip round the Sahara! Will soon be the proud owner of an 80 series to accompany the Land Rover on expeditions! .. Thanks for the offer of your services, but all our clients drive Defenders

 

[Jim_Phillips]

Laura

What you want is an 80 series VX.

UK specs are either GX or VX. VX has leather and diff locks front and rear- GX may or may not have diff locks (probably won't) both models have air con. Engine choice is 4.2 diesel or 4.5 petrol.