New to Land Cruisers

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Joined
Jul 11, 2006
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4
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Location
Eastern CO
Website
autos.groups.yahoo.com
I need to buy a Land Cruiser in the next couple of months to take to Alaska.
I'm looking for a 1980 through about a 1995 model. Can you tell me the pros or cons of any of those years? What to look for or what to stay away from?
Can you point me in the right direction for some more information?

Thanks, Glenn
 
Since this is in the 80-Series section, I direct you to the following link.

http://sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

I personally recommend the 93-97 FZJ80, More power, available selectable factory lockers, comfortable, reliable (although the 3FE in the 91-92 80's is considered even more reliable).

There you have it.
 
Read the FAQ sticky at the top of the page. Then if you have any questions feel free to ask. :D Welcome!
 
Dont be scared to look at the 1996 and 1997 Lexus LX450 because those years are the exact model as the cruiser.
 
Capocaccia said:
Dont be scared to look at the 1996 and 1997 Lexus LX450 because those years are the exact model as the cruiser.

Yeah, and the LX front seats are SOOO comfy for long trips. Plan on suspension upgrades immediately - the LX springs are wimpy soft. And the tires have to go....

John Davies
Spokane WA
96 LX450
 
John E Davies said:
Yeah, and the LX front seats are SOOO comfy for long trips. Plan on suspension upgrades immediately - the LX springs are wimpy soft. And the tires have to go....

John Davies
Spokane WA
96 LX450

Agreed. Off road you will be bouncin all around with the soft LX springs. Ive experienced it before and its not much fun. But the tires have to go for any LC or LX450 because Michelin LTX M/S just cant do the job off road.
 
An '80-89 FJ60/FJ62 LC is very rust prone. Going to Alaska I wouldn't get one; positive note is the 2F is very simple to work on; however approaching 25 years old meaning parts are harder to come by in your local area.

I owned an '84 FJ60 and it was slow, got horrible gas mileage (11-13mpg) and 10 in town, and is bouncy with the leaf springs (2.5" lift). It was a sweet truck, looked awesome, I liked the 4spd, it wheeled well, and was very nostalgic and turned more heads with lots of thumbs up. I can throw sheets of plywood in the back and haul tons of gear. Major drawback for me was that going uphill at altitude the truck could only manage about 30MPH with 4 people/ski gear... and it can't tow much at all. Lots of interior engine noise with an engine that didn't rev past 3K RPM very well. This is a low revving torquey tractor motor developed in the 50's.

After purchasing my '96 LX450 (FZJ80) I'll never look back. A very nice ride with the coil springs, quiet interior, way more power than my FJ60 (still kind of slow though), great EFI 4.5i engine, 5,000lb towing potential, seats 7 (5 adults, 2 kids/small people), power everything, factory elockers, comfortable seats, cheaper to install a lift kit on. My only complaint is fuel economy. 14.5mpg highway going 70-75mph+ with 33" tires. Once I put a lift on it and some armour I'm sure it will go down to 13mpgish. I really like the truck though. A lot! Get a '93-97 for sure.
 
If you're talking expedition and reliability and cost, I would get a FJ60; otherwise, get an 80.
 

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