Newb Intro...FJ Cruiser Convert

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

fjc8871

fjc8871

Joined
May 4, 2010
Threads
45
Messages
841
Location
La Mirada, CA
Hello So Cal folks! I have been lurking for two months and wanted to introduce myself. I currently have a 2007 FJ that I am parting out and returning to stock for sale or other. I am hoping to join the ranks here with an 80 series. I posted an add in mud classifieds hoping to find one. I have been on craigslist and autotrader as well. Looking for a mild to full build, locked 93 - 97 LC or LX450. There are lots out of state but it's kind of scary as I have never purchased out of state before. I am hoping one of you has and can provide some details or tips. I worry about emissions and actual condition of the 80. Our family of 3 boys have outgrown or beloved FJ which is why I am looking to move on to an 80.

Here is a pic of the FJ. Wish I could keep her but just not in a position to have both.

DSC_0394-1.jpg


Hope to meet up and join you on some runs!
Thanks for looking, Bruno
 
Last edited:
Welcome! :flipoff2:

Just be diligent and patient on your search for an 80. The right one will eventually come along. It was a daily quest for me that took 3 months and I had to drive 500 miles to pick her up. Regarding out of state purchase and emissions, I believe all OBDII are california legal, maybe someone else will chime in and confirm.
Good luck!!!
 
Welcome! :flipoff2:

The right one will come along with patience. If you find one out of state you want it wouldn't hurt to ask a local Cruiser club in that state to check it out for you. All of the club members I have met are always willing to help and go above and beyond what you would expect.
 
VCCruzr said:
Welcome! :flipoff2:

Just be diligent and patient on your search for an 80. The right one will eventually come along. It was a daily quest for me that took 3 months and I had to drive 500 miles to pick her up. Regarding out of state purchase and emissions, I believe all OBDII are california legal, maybe someone else will chime in and confirm.
Good luck!!!
Click to expand...

x2 on what the other guys said. Diligence and patience is the key. I just got mine from out of state a couple weeks ago. Passed emissions first try.

Also, if you don't have AAA, it may be worth getting just to avoid the DMV. I made an appointment to register at the DMV office, and the soonest availability they had was 4 weeks out. Then I remembered about AAA, and that took about 30 minutes on my lunch break with no appointment. And the people were friendly and competent.
 
If you have the time wait for the perfect one if you don't have the time don't get hung up on lockers. You can still wheel the snot out of it without lockers.

And if you find one out of state just pester the owner for additional photos scans of records. If they are not willing to do this for you then they are probably hiding something.
 
Welcome! :flipoff2:

More of the same regarding getting a good 80.

Perhaps car-car could confirm but I recall a $300 fee to transfer out of state vehicle to Ca. Been quite a few years since I did though.
 
Slomo said:
Welcome! :flipoff2:

More of the same regarding getting a good 80.

Perhaps car-car could confirm but I recall a $300 fee to transfer out of state vehicle to Ca. Been quite a few years since I did though.
Click to expand...

No, I didn't have a transfer fee. It was pretty simple. Smogged it, and then took the title and emissions test results to get it registered (again, skip the DMV hassle and go to AAA). Had to pay the regular registration fees and sales tax on the purchase price stated on the title from the PO.
 
Thanks all. I have been looking for about 2 months for the right one to come along. I was interested in the one that car-car picked up but was too late. Concerned about out of state because I can't see, touch or smell what I am buying. I wanted something mild to full build but know would be happy to get a clean lifted and amybe RB front. I can add the sliders then work on the rest.

There is one in Burnsville Minnesota (anyone know someone in that area that can take a peak at the rig?) and another close to Colorado Springs that have caught my attention. I received a pm from a Nor Cal member and his rig is clean! He is not sure he is selling though. Oh and TRD SC 97 80 in Vacaville.

raYGunn said:
FJC to 80 is a good move, I did it... the only regret I have is I ever had the FJC.
Click to expand...

Whats up raYGunn! I saw your LX at the SD meet. It's sweet! Some other SocalFJ members have moved to the 80 and I think it would be a great move for me.

Again, thanks all for your advise.
 
Welcome!! Check this one out in SD. 1993 toyota landcruiser No affiliation. A buddy of mine went to look at it and said it was in decent condition. Lockers weren't engaging/disengaging properly and the dash had a crack in it. It had a few leaks here and there but had some nice armor to go with it. My buddy passed on it due to finding a slightly cleaner lower mileage one. If your handy with a wrench, it might be for you. Good luck with your search and be patient. It'll pay off.
 
fjc8871 said:
There is one in Burnsville MinnesotaQUOTE]

I would be very cautious about getting any vehicle from Minnesota. Do to the severe cold weather they salt the roads and have some serious problems with rust on older cars. I have a brother who lives there and has always had problems keeping the rust off.

Not saying it's not worth a look just be aware that this could be a potential issue.
Click to expand...
 
Dan2722 said:
fjc8871 said:
There is one in Burnsville MinnesotaQUOTE]

I would be very cautious about getting any vehicle from Minnesota. Do to the severe cold weather they salt the roads and have some serious problems with rust on older cars. I have a brother who lives there and has always had problems keeping the rust off.

Not saying it's not worth a look just be aware that this could be a potential issue.
Click to expand...

I agree, I limited my search to inherently drier areas (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Colorado). When I had my 40, and read all the joys of dealing with rust from the guys in the East and NE, it made me happy my 40 had been from Texas, and I took that into account to avoid the Rust Belt areas when looking for my 80.
Click to expand...
 
I found mine on the Classifieds here on Mud and flew to Sacramento to look at it and drove it back. It took me months to decide but when the right one showed up I jumped on it.
 
raYGunn said:
I found mine on the Classifieds here on Mud and flew to Sacramento to look at it and drove it back. It took me months to decide but when the right one showed up I jumped on it.
Click to expand...

I remember seeing that one you got. Great rig. I would have jumped all over it too, but I had to sell my 40 first. But I am stoked on mine, so it all worked out.

Key is being patient and diligent, as stated earlier.
 
I found two in Nor Cal that I am seriously looking into. One is in excellent condition the other is has a super charger in it. There is in Colorado that is dipped in Slee armor but the interior is not that clean. The front seats have covers because the leather is pretty bad. How much to rewrap the leather or new (used) seats in better condition?

FJ is going back to stock starting tonight and should be sold by the weekend I hope :) I will use my cousins 4Runner while I seach for my 80. :popcorn:
 
Board member here makes awesome leather replacments for the 80's. IIRC around $500 for the two front seats and sells fronts and middle as a package for $750ish. Install is on your own. Ballpark of $400 for a shop to install. Don't recall if that's just the two fronts or the middle as well. Outside the install headaches of the leather replacment, product alone is about the same as good quality sheepskin. I've looked at both as my DS seat after 16 years and 205K miles is showing how tired it's getting. One leather area split and one section of stiching is shot. Search in the 80's section and I think he's posted in the vendor section to for leather replacment.

edit - Member here is AATLAS1X (Shane) and the link is here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-storefront/214149-new-leather-kits-80-series-land-cruiser.html

Threads I've read and seen have all been very impressed with the product quality. OEM color match or something unique have all been done. Self install is a challenge tho!
 
Brentbba said:
Board member here makes awesome leather replacments for the 80's. IIRC around $500 for the two front seats and sells fronts and middle as a package for $750ish. Install is on your own. Ballpark of $400 for a shop to install. Don't recall if that's just the two fronts or the middle as well. Outside the install headaches of the leather replacment, product alone is about the same as good quality sheepskin. I've looked at both as my DS seat after 16 years and 205K miles is showing how tired it's getting. One leather area split and one section of stiching is shot. Search in the 80's section and I think he's posted in the vendor section to for leather replacment.

edit - Member here is AATLAS1X (Shane) and the link is here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-storefront/214149-new-leather-kits-80-series-land-cruiser.html

Threads I've read and seen have all been very impressed with the product quality. OEM color match or something unique have all been done. Self install is a challenge tho!
Click to expand...

Awesome thanks you!!
 
Welcome!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom