new guy, just bought a 94 land cruiser

[DirtScaresMe]

184K miles, got it for $3,200. Dropping about $1K in repairs (valve cover gasket, brakes), $1K in tires.

Hoping to have a decent enough LC in good shape as a second family car that can handle Anza Borrego and other dirtish activities. Just thought I'd say hello!

I'm in Golden Hill, near downtown San Diego.

 

[FJRanger]

Welcome Sounds like a decent purchase, post up some pics when you can.

 

[Brentbba]

I'm somewhat biased having owned a '94 for 21 years - great truck and a mud welcome. 184,000 miles is a nice low mileage. Lockers? Plans for any mods? Mud will get you addicted quickly. If you haven't already, check out the FAQ threads in the 80's section. The worldwide accumulation of everything 80. The mods in that section have done a great job of compiling the best of the best advice on mods, maintenance, repairs, aftermarket products, etc.

In addition to this official SoCal TLCA club section you may want to visit the SoCal 80's and San Diego section. Two more nice local 'clubs'.

 

[DirtScaresMe]

Welcome Sounds like a decent purchase, post up some pics when you can.

Will do. It's on day three of me putting more cash into my mechanic's kid's college fund, but he's a great guy and has been taking care of my vehicles for a decade so I'm happy to do it.

I'm somewhat biased having owned a '94 for 21 years - great truck and a mud welcome. 184,000 miles is a nice low mileage. Lockers? Plans for any mods? Mud will get you addicted quickly. If you haven't already, check out the FAQ threads in the 80's section. The worldwide accumulation of everything 80. The mods in that section have done a great job of compiling the best of the best advice on mods, maintenance, repairs, aftermarket products, etc.

In addition to this official SoCal TLCA club section you may want to visit the SoCal 80's and San Diego section. Two more nice local 'clubs'.

I'm 99% sure it doesn't have differential lockers. Honestly I was an inch away from buying a Wrangler, and my friend told me to eject and just buy a clean title land cruiser. I did a few days of research, found a cheap one, and here I am. I don't think I'll be doing anything more than dirt roads with it. The kind of stuff that's beyond a passenger car, but not "challenging" to any degree.

Mod wise I think I'm looking at an ARB front bumper, LED light rack (down in the bumper/grill somehow), high lift jack, and maybe a cargo basket up top.

Once I get it registered and having something I can call my own, I put some pictures up and start pimping my dope ride.

 

[Brentbba]

Look forward to the pics and progress reports! BTW - SD Trux (John) up in La Jolla is one of the best cruiser shops around.

 

[DirtScaresMe]

Look forward to the pics and progress reports! BTW - SD Trux (John) up in La Jolla is one of the best cruiser shops around.

Curiously, what lines should I draw between my regular mechanic and a dedicated operation like sd trux? Like what kinds of things should I use sd trux for? I'm thinking big jobs like head gaskets?

 

[Brentbba]

Your preference really. If you've got a trusted mechanic, use them. John did my head gasket and I got a truck back that ran as well as the day I drove it off the dealers lot! He and his guys do Toyota and they know Toyota. OEM all the way an doing it like Mr. Yoda designed and built it.