New 80 Owner! (sort of)

[RileyBarnes]

I recently bought a 97 land cruiser with a blown motor, it blew up going up a mountain with no oil in it at 326k miles so it needs a completely new bottom end. I'm in this cruiser for almost nothing and currently own a 07 FJ cruiser that's built out on 35s etc. that I'm considering selling to build out this cruiser into my new offroad/overland vehicle. Is there anyone out there that has owned both and can give me a pros and cons list of these land cruisers vs something like my FJ?
On the FJ I already get 10-13 mpg so mileage isn't a big deal to me. I'm considering LS swapping the LC If I go with it over the FJ so power shouldn't be an issue either (although sad it won't have a Toyota motor in it)
Also the reason I don't want to own both is it doesn't make much sense to own two gas drinking off roaders in my current position and I'd have to sell the FJ in order to build the LC the way I'd want to.

 

[Francis K]

Congrats....I guess??

No but really, me personally I would have a hard time justifying selling a fully capable somewhat modern vehicle to dump money into an old busted truck whose part support is dwindling just to do the same thing with it. However deep you think you're going to be getting into the 80 in your head....double that number. That and anything with a swapped motor is always going to have an issue while with the FJ you're going to avoid a massive amount of headache and money pits. Not to mention the resale value, or lack of resale value I should say, of a 300k mile old truck with a swapped engine vs your FJ.

But even with money not being an issue the FJ is much more feasible for a lot of different reasons.

Just my opinion, I know it's not what you want to hear but just being real about it.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Sell the cruiser to me and keep the fj.

 

[RileyBarnes]

Congrats....I guess??

No but really, me personally I would have a hard time justifying selling a fully capable somewhat modern vehicle to dump money into an old busted truck whose part support is dwindling just to do the same thing with it. However deep you think you're going to be getting into the 80 in your head....double that number. That and anything with a swapped motor is always going to have an issue while with the FJ you're going to avoid a massive amount of headache and money pits. Not to mention the resale value, or lack of resale value I should say, of a 300k mile old truck with a swapped engine vs your FJ.

But even with money not being an issue the FJ is much more feasible for a lot of different reasons.

Just my opinion, I know it's not what you want to hear but just being real about it.

I appreciate the honesty I need to hear it. Everything’s still up in the air so decisions have been made but I’m leaning towards keeping the FJ. I work at an off-road performance shop and I live for projects and building things and especially being in the industry I’m able to build these things for “cheap” if you can call it that lol.
My biggest reason for swapping would be the bigger size and solid axle.

 

[BILT4ME]

I appreciate the honesty I need to hear it. Everything’s still up in the air so decisions have been made but I’m leaning towards keeping the FJ. I work at an off-road performance shop and I live for projects and building things and especially being in the industry I’m able to build these things for “cheap” if you can call it that lol.
My biggest reason for swapping would be the bigger size and solid axle.

Buy it, rebuild it, sell it to an EauverLaunder for much profit.

 

[RileyBarnes]

Sell the cruiser to me and keep the fj.

Or…. Sell me a motor hahaha

 

[Francis K]

I appreciate the honesty I need to hear it. Everything’s still up in the air so decisions have been made but I’m leaning towards keeping the FJ. I work at an off-road performance shop and I live for projects and building things and especially being in the industry I’m able to build these things for “cheap” if you can call it that lol.
My biggest reason for swapping would be the bigger size and solid axle.

Well hell that kinda changes things!

But still if your end goal is just an overlander the sorted FJ makes a lot more sense than a busted 80. But if you're looking to take on a project that's different I guess...

 

[Marco Lau]

If you want to wheel it hard, do Holcomb creek, John Bull and most of SoCal type stuff, your 80 with a rear locker, 35s will do 99% of it. If you just overland, keep the FJ.

 

[cruzinfj1]

Ive had both, and would choose the 80 anyday over the FJ. I was in almost the same spot youre in now, with a semi-built FJ on 35s and got rid of it. I had a diamond housing, links, steering box, and coilovers on the shelf and was almost ready to start on a swap. Was looking for an 80 front end for the parts needed to put the Diamond together, and came across another 80- with a bad head gasket. Long story short, lotta barley pops staring at them both weighing options, the FJ was sent down the road and dont regret it a bit. One of the things I hated most about the FJ vs the 80 was visibility. Didnt like the small windows/blind spots.

If you hardly have anything in it to start, the $$ you collect for the FJ will get you a pretty good start on a well sorted 80.

 

[RileyBarnes]

If you want to wheel it hard, do Holcomb creek, John Bull and most of SoCal type stuff, your 80 with a rear locker, 35s will do 99% of it. If you just overland, keep the FJ.

That’s the thing. I’d like to wheel harder but IFS makes that a little scary and with the fj on 35s it’s scary to drive on the road without a sway bar so I’m kind of stuck with either dumping a lot more money into long travel etc or just build the 80 that’s ready for that kind of wheeling

 

[Marco Lau]

That’s the thing. I’d like to wheel harder but IFS makes that a little scary and with the fj on 35s it’s scary to drive on the road without a sway bar so I’m kind of stuck with either dumping a lot more money into long travel etc or just build the 80 that’s ready for that kind of wheeling

The good thing is, fitting 35s on the 80 can be done on a budget, with just a 2.5" lift. 37s will require a few more upgrades and trimming fenders. etc. to take advantage of.

Sell the FJ is my vote.

 

[RileyBarnes]

Ive had both, and would choose the 80 anyday over the FJ. I was in almost the same spot youre in now, with a semi-built FJ on 35s and got rid of it. I had a diamond housing, links, steering box, and coilovers on the shelf and was almost ready to start on a swap. Was looking for an 80 front end for the parts needed to put the Diamond together, and came across another 80- with a bad head gasket. Long story short, lotta barley pops staring at them both weighing options, the FJ was sent down the road and dont regret it a bit. One of the things I hated most about the FJ vs the 80 was visibility. Didnt like the small windows/blind spots.

If you hardly have anything in it to start, the $$ you collect for the FJ will get you a pretty good start on a well sorted 80.

This was exactly what I was looking for lol. I originally bought it to flip it but the more I worked on it the more it made sense to just keep it and build that out instead. I’m in the LC for 1k right now and could definitely get some decent money for the fj. I think you’ve twisted my arm lol

 

[cruzinfj1]

This was exactly what I was looking for lol. I originally bought it to flip it but the more I worked on it the more it made sense to just keep it and build that out instead. I’m in the LC for 1k right now and could definitely get some decent money for the fj. I think you’ve twisted my arm lol

Definitely start a thread here when you start, and take your time and do all the reading you can on here. Lots of great info. Im on my 3rd 80 series now, and still learn something new each build....

 

[Fj80oregon]

Or…. Sell me a motor hahaha

I got a 97 ready on my engine stand waiting to be rebuilt just for you! I had a nice fj on 35’s and sold it do to Not being able to load kids in and out easily and the visibility sucked. The 80 is a beast but sounds like you will be dumping allot of money into it. Not a huge deal if you know what you’re in for. Makes sense if you can wrench and how to ask for help when needed. Being into it for so cheep mine as well spend 15k and make it yours!!!

 

[OffRoadScott]

Sell the FJ use the funds to either rebuild the motor or better yet do an engine swap. LS motor swaps are very popular amongst the community. You'll have a motor that small brick and mortar autoparts stores will have parts vice the Land Cruiser motor. Smog might be an issue for you, if you know a wiring genius they could wire in the 2nd O2 sensors for you and assure you have the CA compliant cats.

I am seriously considering doing a LS swap due to parts availability on the open road, increased MPG. There are companies Stateside and in Australia that make swapping in an LS easier. Marks4WD in Australia makes adapters and some other misc parts for the swap. PSI Conversion makes wiring harnesses for the swap as well.

This thread is a great read to, V8 Swap

You gotta weigh the cost of rebuilding the stock motor over adding the LS. If you were to get the LS and able to get the second O2 sensors wired up the value of your 80 would double easy.

 

[RileyBarnes]

Definitely start a thread here when you start, and take your time and do all the reading you can on here. Lots of great info. Im on my 3rd 80 series now, and still learn something new each build....

Do you know how popular Toyota 4.7 swaps are? From the little research I’ve done I think it will bolt up to my existing trans

 

[RileyBarnes]

Sell the FJ use the funds to either rebuild the motor or better yet do an engine swap. LS motor swaps are very popular amongst the community. You'll have a motor that small brick and mortar autoparts stores will have parts vice the Land Cruiser motor. Smog might be an issue for you, if you know a wiring genius they could wire in the 2nd O2 sensors for you and assure you have the CA compliant cats.

I am seriously considering doing a LS swap due to parts availability on the open road, increased MPG. There are companies Stateside and in Australia that make swapping in an LS easier. Marks4WD in Australia makes adapters and some other misc parts for the swap. PSI Conversion makes wiring harnesses for the swap as well.

This thread is a great read to, V8 Swap

You gotta weigh the cost of rebuilding the stock motor over adding the LS. If you were to get the LS and able to get the second O2 sensors wired up the value of your 80 would double easy.

That’s the plan! Pretty much plan to sit on the LC until I sell the FJ so I can build it up the way I’d like to with an LS or possibly a Toyota 4.7 I haven’t really decided what motor but leaning more towards the LS since they’re so cheap to get, build and parts are just about everywhere. Smog might be a problem but I do plan to make it completely smog legal since California does like modern motors if you are engine swapping.

If I’m putting a new motor in this thing I want to do anything besides the 4.5 since parts are rare and the 0-60 is 12 business days lol. They’re great motors but I’d like something more efficient

 

[COYS]

I guess y’all don’t like working with actual numbers here. Lol

If you’re the kinda person that doesn’t co-sign the 80 as being the undisputed Toyota USDM , then moving from a newer and more modern 4r/fjc/gx platform to a 1/4 century old (vintage) truck makes no sense to me.

I understand the fjc holds value especially well since they had a one gen run so financially it makes even less sense as you’ll never recover the money dumped into a Frankenstein 80 with a GM . You’re essentially destroying your ability to sell into the 4th (watch out ) largest economy in the world going off T grid, too.

Placeholder here:

$40k fjc on 35s bird in hand

$5k busted 80
$25k Ls’ed
$15k overlanded
$5-$10k misc
=$60k frank 80 in the bush worth maybe 1/3 of it on a good day

For me, I’m 80 all day because you couldn’t pay me to drive anything but a full fat Land Cruiser. For someone who’s actually cool with owning an 4r/fjc/gx in the first place, it’s a money losing prop because the last of the best Toyota (3x FZJ80) was never a bury me with it vehicle in the first place.

I’d personally use the fjc funds to buy the cleanest 1997 factory locked I could find and build it up from there with OEM parts and if power is lacking, go with Joey’s turbo kit. Doing an 80 right is levels above any 4r/fjc/gx build, process and end result.

As they say, grass is greener.

My .5 . Gl!

 

[RileyBarnes]

I guess y’all don’t like working with actual numbers here. Lol

If you’re the kinda person that doesn’t co-sign the 80 as being the undisputed Toyota USDM , then moving from a newer and more modern 4r/fjc/gx platform to a 1/4 century old (vintage) truck makes no sense to me.

I understand the fjc holds value especially well since they had a one gen run so financially it makes even less sense as you’ll never recover the money dumped into a Frankenstein 80 with a GM . You’re essentially destroying your ability to sell into the 4th (watch out ) largest economy in the world going off T grid, too.

Placeholder here:

$40k fjc on 35s bird in hand

$5k busted 80
$25k Ls’ed
$15k overlanded
$5-$10k misc
=$60k frank 80 in the bush worth maybe 1/3 of it on a good day

For me, I’m 80 all day because you couldn’t pay me to drive anything but a full fat Land Cruiser. For someone who’s actually cool with owning an 4r/fjc/gx in the first place, it’s a money losing prop because the last of the best Toyota (3x FZJ80) was never a bury me with it vehicle in the first place.

As they say, grass is greener.

My .5 . Gl!

So even with purchase of my FJ I’m not even close to 40k into it. Like I said above I’m in the automotive industry and I do everything myself and get parts at a discount. I’m in this 80 for 1k and could LS it for probably around 6k with the connections I have an obviously swapping it at the shop I work at. I do everything that this 80 needs for a living so money really isn’t an issue.

Also this whole project is not “make a profit” or have the most expensive resale valued car motivated and my enjoyment of building and driving this thing is priceless even if I some how do end up in the hole with it I never expect what I put into it out of it unless it was a car I bought with the intentions to make money off of. The 80 fits more of my wants and needs as my off-road/ camping rig than the FJ does. Yes it’s more modern and it’s an awesome car but I don’t think I’d own another.

 

[cruzinfj1]

Do you know how popular Toyota 4.7 swaps are? From the little research I’ve done I think it will bolt up to my existing trans

Funny you say that as that’s actually what I’m starting to look into- I don’t know enough yet, and haven’t done one, but it’s definitely looking that’s the way I’m gonna go. I possibly have a line on a running/driving 4runner w/a rotted frame. The wiring is the part that has me most concerned vs an easy stand alone LS swap.