New addition to the FJ "family"...

[Mtbcoach]

I let out my latest secret during the BOD meeting/phone conference the other day. After the Meet and Greet in Feb, my lovely spouse started putting a bug in my ear about how much better she would feel if Mikaela was driving around in an 80 instead of the 40. Being a good husband and Dad, I began my quest for information and finding an appropriate 80, which included price, features and year.

Thanks to all the members here that provided sound advice during this quest. Using the Craigslist search engine from one of the ih8mud members, I began looking daily for something that fit our needs. Not being a big fan of buying things off Ebay, particularly vehicles, I seldom checked. But...one day, I decided to give it a look anyway and found an ad for a '97 FZJ80, 40th anniversary, in Sage Green with 148k but no lockers. Pics made it look nice, had a "buy it now" price of $7500. We all wanted to jump on it but Regina, being even a bigger "ebayaphobe", said no, lets watch it, thinking it would go for less than that. We all looked at each other with wonder, how she could think such a thing.

So, I waited for the end of auction to do anything, watched the one bidder who always bid $XX99, must have been automatic. So, I bid $XX12, just over his with 10 seconds left, yes, I sniped it away from someone. Oh well, sorry to whomever that was.

So, we had to drive to Thomasville GA to pick it up after the winning bid of $7812. Drove it around town down there, gave Greg a quick call for advice what to look for and gave the owner the cashier's check and away we drove. Made it home just fine, except for the CRAZY holiday traffic on I95. Got 15.5 mpg on the trip home, doing 70 in cruise most of the way, about the same as my FJC.

Enough words, now for the "good" pics...

Giving it a good bath...

All cleaned up and shiney...

Are these the stock alloys?...

 

[Mtbcoach]

And, now for the "bad" pics. Not that I'm complaining or disgruntled, just the flaws and what I would like to fix, repair, restore...

Fake woodgrain is fading/discoloring in spots, probably from sun damage...

Front seat wear spot...

Rear cargo area carpet rot...

Sill plate rotted away, hope I don't find any rust under there also...

Bumper nicks, and other misc scratches...

Dented side step, can you say "sliders"...

Missing "th Anniversary" sticker, broken antenna...

All in all, nothing too concerning at this point. Greg said he was going to come by and give it a "once over" but it drives well, some relatively minor cosmetic issues and in need of some modifications. Now, I just have to control myself and not throw a 6" Slee kit, 35's, new bumpers, sliders, plates, ARB's front and rear, re-gear with 4.88's. Somebody has to stop me, I may need an intervention...

 

[little_joe]

Jerry, nice score! And yes those are the stock alloys.

The carpet rot and the trim plate in the back are a bit concerning. Do you have any background on that? Have you pulled the carpet up yet to look at the cargo floor? (Man a few weeks ago I would have given you my cargo-area carpet, but I threw it out.)

That is nice mileage - the total miles and mpg on your trip - for that rig. Glad you had a safe, if hectic, trip.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Jerry, nice score! And yes those are the stock alloys.

The carpet rot and the trim plate in the back are a bit concerning. Do you have any background on that? Have you pulled the carpet up yet to look at the cargo floor? (Man a few weeks ago I would have given you my cargo-area carpet, but I threw it out.)

That is nice mileage - the total miles and mpg on your trip - for that rig. Glad you had a safe, if hectic, trip.

Thanks Joe. No, I haven't dug in there...yet. From cleaning it, it appears like that is where the dog laid. Though it was pretty clean (in general), after some digging/vacuuming in that area, the girls found plenty of what appeared to be dog hair. But, yes, it has me concerned also...

 

[diggity]

Very nice...and is it really necessary to have so many cruisers good job there Dad and congrats!

 

[Mtbcoach]

Very nice...and is it really necessary to have so many cruisers good job there Dad and congrats!

Thanks, but sorry to say that the 40 is on the "chopping block". Its not officially decided what I'm going to do with it but if I'm going to have peace in the home, I've got to open up a spot in the garage for the wife's car, soon...

Quick follow up with Joe's question...he inspired me to go out and pull up the carpet in the area in question. Nothing past the carpet. Underneath is still painted and solid. Again, my guess is that is where the dog "dug" hanging out...

 

[southerncruiser62]

Two cruisers at 16 seriously....hell I was doing good to have one $1K beater at that age. But then again I have had 36 (not all cruisers but pics coming at some point) since then, so who am I to talk....

Got their a bit late tonight so from what I can see he did well. Like Joe had mentioned I would like to see under the carpet but Jerry said he took a peek and said it was okay. There's a bit of "georgia mud" on the underside that needs to be cleaned otherwise I think he did pretty well as far as all around deal for the package.

 

[fourtrax]

nice score... she will like the 80's ride much better.

 

[Fort Knox]

Looks great Jerry! I'm sure Mikaela will enjoy it!

 

[ncduckman]

Very nice, and the BEST color too!

 

[jfz80]

Very nice, and the BEST color too!

i dont know who keeps spreading this ugly color.... i mean rumor. You sir have scored a very fine cruiser indeed, however that is the dreadful 6M1 green and not the supple sage

Is that rot on the top of the lift gate? you should check the weatherstrip and gasket around the rear door, the rear wing!!, and the side windows via a person inside looking and a person outside w/ a hose. Also a new lift gate from Irbis was like 400 bux last year (top only).

Congrats and im sure shell be happy, and safer. I got some various woodgrain pieces for her if she wants/likes the color. I believe its that color.... its not the blonde.

 

[lt1fire]

Congrats on the Buy Is it going to OBX???

 

[Mtbcoach]

Two cruisers at 16 seriously....hell I was doing good to have one $1K beater at that age. But then again I have had 36 (not all cruisers but pics coming at some point) since then, so who am I to talk....

Got their a bit late tonight so from what I can see he did well. Like Joe had mentioned I would like to see under the carpet but Jerry said he took a peek and said it was okay. There's a bit of "georgia mud" on the underside that needs to be cleaned otherwise I think he did pretty well as far as all around deal for the package.

Yeah, I've got to put a sprinkler underneath it so I can get rid of all the Georgia clay. Then, I can get a real good look at the undercarriage...

nice score... she will like the 80's ride much better.

You can say that again, its hard to get her out of the seat...

Looks great Jerry! I'm sure Mikaela will enjoy it!

Thanks, problem is I'm liking it also...

Very nice, and the BEST color too!

I like the Sage color also, don't know why so many seem to have a problem with this color...

i dont know who keeps spreading this ugly color.... i mean rumor. You sir have scored a very fine cruiser indeed, however that is the dreadful 6M1 green and not the supple sage

Is that rot on the top of the lift gate? you should check the weatherstrip and gasket around the rear door, the rear wing!!, and the side windows via a person inside looking and a person outside w/ a hose. Also a new lift gate from Irbis was like 400 bux last year (top only).

Congrats and im sure shell be happy, and safer. I got some various woodgrain pieces for her if she wants/likes the color. I believe its that color.... its not the blonde.

Will look into that and do some testing with the hose. And, we will see what we can do with the "phony burl wood in-lay"...

Congrats on the Buy Is it going to OBX???

Nope, she wouldn't let me take it, I already asked. I'll be stuck in the FJC, they are all staying home. It'll be just me and the pooch...

 

[ncduckman]

I like the Sage color also, don't know why so many seem to have a problem with this color...

I was a 6M1 hater too, until I bought one. The color has gown on me a lot. I like how it is many colors, depending on the light. The seller of that Cruiser, or at least one of his personalities, was recently banned from Mud for posting it repeatedly in the classifieds.

Anyhow, here is her ARB bull bar (in WV):

https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/278575-80-series-arb-front-bumper.html

or another (Norfolk, VA)

ARB BULL BAR 4 toyota LandCruiser

Robert

 

[southerncruiser62]

Now, I just have to control myself and not throw a 6" Slee kit, 35's, new bumpers, sliders, plates, ARB's front and rear, re-gear with 4.88's. Somebody has to stop me, I may need an intervention...

Guys you're not helping him....

 

[lt1fire]

Guys you're not helping him....

You're right Greg


I have an adjustable front panhard and new slee bushings if ya interested

oh wait that isn't helping either

 

[Mtbcoach]

I was a 6M1 hater too, until I bought one. The color has gown on me a lot. I like how it is many colors, depending on the light. The seller of that Cruiser, or at least one of his personalities, was recently banned from Mud for posting it repeatedly in the classifieds.

Anyhow, here is her ARB bull bar (in WV):

https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/278575-80-series-arb-front-bumper.html

or another (Norfolk, VA)

ARB BULL BAR 4 toyota LandCruiser

Robert

If it were the Slee bumper, I'd be sending PM's and/or emails...

You're right Greg


I have an adjustable front panhard and new slee bushings if ya interested

oh wait that isn't helping either

Guys you're not helping him....

Must find restraint...

 

[jfz80]

oh c'mon thats the 1400 dollar non winch variety bumper by ARB in the CL add

Roanokins sure are funny.