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ZPDFJ

ZPDFJ

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Nov 29, 2006
Threads
103
Messages
953
Location
San Diego CA
Hello...Im a soon to be newbie. I am in the process of selling my FJC right now, have a buyer, we are waiting on the pink slip to finalize the deal. I should have my $$ in about 2 weeks and I am looking to track down my 80 right now. I found one in San Diego and I am wondering if there is any one who wouldnt mind having a peek at one it w/ me. I took it for a spin but want someone to look at the engine bay and hear it too. I dont know what a normal sound for this engine is and I see some dirty goop in the bay and dont know if it is a concern, the engine seems to kinda whistle a little but im not sure if its the normal sound of an 80.... Maybe someone here is skilled enough to tell me if this LC is not showing any major red flags... I took a pic w/ my cell phone of the goop in the engine w/ my cell phone, sorry for the quality. I will drive out this weekend to have another look, but would love it if someone could come along. I would be glad to buy you lunch and a 6 pack or something;p. Here is the pic...Its just right of center along the seal of the block? Is that any concern?

275750182.jpg
 
Welcome to Socal80's section. Well it's hard to tell in that pic whats going on exactly. I would have to see it in person. Doesnt look out of the ordinary though. Where are you from exactly? There are many members here.. hopefully someone will chime in and take a minute to go look at a 80 with you. Good luck on your purchase.
 
It looks like a valve cover leak. It's common and not a big deal. It looks worse than it actually is (makes more of a mess in the engine bay than anything else.) But I'm no expert.

As to the whistling, there could be numerous sources. Many will say that a whistling, high pitched whine is normal. I have one that seems to be coming from near my fuel pump. It increases in volume as I press on the gas pedal and is more prominent at higher speeds.

I also have another whine/whistling coming from somewhere near my air intake. Both have a supercharger like whine. I've driven a few 80's and for the most part, the whistling/whine was present to some degree.

Good luck.
 
yup, seems like valve cover gasket. No biggie, but be sure to point it out! :D

now. look real carefully for a similar (but coolant) leak at the interface between head and block (one floor lower). Any crusties there is not good...
 
well

Thanks for the feedback. If it is a valve cover gasket is that a major undertaking ? I am going back tomorrow with my good camera and I will post some pics, or find someone who wants to tag along for a peek. I am located in San Diego near the airport BTW. If anyone is up for a cruise let me know. I am available by cell at (858) 337-5338...

I dont know how much it would cost in labor to have lockers installed so I am really trying to find one with lockers and this one does have them. I know the lockers and compressor are around 1800 in parts alone, sheesh!:bounce:Well lets see if they will take a deposit if you all give it the thumbs up...
 
Millennium Cars

2730 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
866-483-9123



They have a built 80, 1996 with 140k. White with lockers. Asking $9.6k. Check Autotrader, that's where I found the ad. I'd jump on the deal (if I were you) if the truck turned out to be in good shape.
 
I'm not affiliated with Millennium Cars, but if that 80 is in good shape, you're looking at saving maybe $2k for ARB lockers, $800 for the front bumper, $800 for the winch, $2k for the lift and tires. And don't forget about time and labor.

Basically you're buying the car for $4k-$5k.

You're still in good shape after PM's and even a PM'd head gasket.
 
mkfour said:


They have a built 80, 1996 with 140k. White with lockers. Asking $9.6k. Check Autotrader, that's where I found the ad. I'd jump on the deal (if I were you) if the truck turned out to be in good shape.
Click to expand...

Interesting rig. OEM steel wheels, no cladding, TRD decal and the rear flare looks odd. I dig it! Looks like what Boston Mangler is trying to do to his rig. Wonder what the story is behind this rig.
 
something off about the rear bumper too, seen from the front side... or maybe an aftermarket?
sliders too?

(better be sure this is not a gray market import of some sort...)
 
mkfour said:
Click to expand...
That looks very similar to the rig I saw heading down the I15 a few weeks back. Even has the "TRD" sticker.
 
e9999 said:
something off about the rear bumper too, seen from the front side...
Click to expand...

You could say there is definately something "off" about it :D

276077927.jpg


Here is a pic of the rear control arm brackets, shaved off nicely, all underneath there were dents and scratches in the skid plate gas tank and muffler, this thing has been well wheeled. I car faxed it and it came up clear ,it has lived most of it's life in Texas and New Mexico...The price listed now is in the high 8s, but i would rather pay more for something that had less miles, thats just me though. Also I noticed a 4x4labs sticker on it and a TLCA sticker inside on the dash:cool:

276077953.jpg


Here is a better pic of the other one I showed you with the grease in the engine and a shot of the dirty greasy front axle as well, I suppose that is a sign the front will have to be re packed and serviced? The rest pf the block and engine are very clean.
276077933.jpg


276077948.jpg
 
I'm not sure on its off road history, but it's definitely seem some use. But that's alright in my book, especially if you're considering making it into an off road rig (which it's already setup for).

Are you looking for a poser 80 that's never seen dirt? Why would you even look at an 80 with that gear and not expect some trail rash.

In regards to the rear bumper, I can see two scenarios. One, that the previous owner sold it before a trade in or that the rear bumper was damaged and just pulled off. In both cases a stock bumper can be bought for cheap or even attained for free from a fellow mudder, or you can go the stout protection route.

Looking at the rig, I would not say that it's been abused off road. But I can only tell so much from photos.
 
I'd help you out, but I am an 80 newbie myself.

When I bought mine, I took it into the dealer to get a pre-purchase inspection. If you get serious about it, and you can't find anyone, I would recommend this.

Call John at SDTrux www.sdtrux.com

He is a business, so there would be a charge, but he knows a ton about 80s.

No affiliation other that he is my mechanic.

Good luck.
 
mkfour said:
Are you looking for a poser 80 that's never seen dirt?
Click to expand...

Yes exactly!!

:flipoff2:

Dont let my personal journey for "my" perfect LC bother you, this is a new idea for me and I am still trying to figure this all out. I was curious about the rig, and since I was heading to PB I thought I would have a look. It was cool to see a lifted outfitted one and get an idea of what I might be driving in the future. My personal preference is to find an LC or LX that has hardly been used offroad. I will be using mine for DD, it will be my only vehichle. You are right with all those mods of course its going to be wheeled, I did expect that I just was stating my observations after crawling under the thing. My biggest turn off for that rig was the miles I would like to get closer to 100,000. For someone that was lookingf or a second offroad car I think it would be great. I think you could even enjoy it as a DD, just not exactly what I want, to each his own, right?:cheers:
 
I understand that you're looking for a pristine rig, and you can find one if you hold out long enough.

But perfect ten+ year old rigs will become harder to find the longer you wait.

I held out for over two years.
 
mkfour said:
Bluetribal just recently scored on a used Hanna rear bumper in San Diego. I wonder if this could have been from the 80 in question.
Click to expand...

Nope, my NEW HANNA came off of a black one with chrome handles and mirrors that is now in the Fresno area.
 
a little more about myself

Im Zach, and I am a serious toyotaholic. I seriously do need prefessional help. I have changed vehicles about 3 times in the last 4 years, all toyotas. I think I keep getting closer to what i want as I go, now im hoping this is the pinnacle and the end of buying modifying and selling and loosing money of course, cars are not investments, financially speaking. So my last spin was I got rid of my tacoma to buy an FJC, which I do enjoy. Now I feel that I kinda fell for the hype. Dont get me wrong I love all toyotas but my personal opinion is that they are not so different than the Tacoma or other IFS rigs. Back to the point, I am waiting for my FJC to be gone then I will pick up an 80. I have a buyer for the FJC we are just waiting for the pink to come and it will be a done deal (bout 2 weeks or less).

So my plan was to find the right LC and take it to a mechanic for a once over and then up to man-a-fre and get some basics: lift, gears and sliders and some tires of course. I got an idea lately that maybe I can save myself a drive and get the work done down here, like SDTrux? I really was eyeing the 5" OME lift that man-a-fre has. I dont know if I can get it installed somewhere other than MAF though? So the lift, 4:56 gears, sliders, and 35" tires. Eventually the bumpers too. Not forgetting to mention any PM needed. I am hoping to figure out how to make the back comfortable to sleep in, then I might actually get my girl to come with me when I go camping. I know im rambing on like a chatty scatterbrained newbie but I am just a little excited about all this. And if I rattle off all this crap to my GF or co-workers they just start zoning out and getting bored....:)
 
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