Okay, Just how reliable is a (now aging) 80 Series Cruiser?

[best4x4xfar]

Okay gang, here’s the deal. My wife is pregnant, and our lives are changing. I’m currently driving an early Land Rover Discovery as my everyday ride. Family friendly enough, certainly very capable (it's not stock, I can’t leave anything alone), but as you are well aware I am sure, it’s a POS when it comes to being reliable transportation. I love the truck otherwise, but with the baby on the way I need a reliable family friendly and very capable truck. I can’t see myself having the time to spend fixing it every other weekend, nor the extra money to be sinking into it constantly. Not to mention I am tired of the tension it creates between my wife and I.

I’ve always been a fan of the Land Cruiser, and strongly considered one three years ago when I bought my Discovery, but the Discovery had two things going for it at the time that the Land Cruiser didn’t. It was considerably cheaper (get what you pay for I guess), and I could get it with a manual transmission. This always has been very important to me, but I’ve come to the realization that there are no longer any good full time four wheel drive trucks out there available with a manual transmission, so I have reluctantly come the conclusion I’m going to have to learn to like driving an auto.

I’m considering a ’95 thru ’97 80 series as a replacement. Here is my hang up though. I know Toyota is known for its bulletproof reliability, but can I really count on this with a truck that is going to be between seven and ten years old, and with 100,000/140,000 or more miles on it? I want to think so. I need to buy something that is going to be relatively trouble free for the next 100,000 miles or so. I have a distinct want/need to drive something I am passionate about, but I have very few choices that meet my wants/needs. The Land Cruiser is definitely at the top, but I can’t suffer through constant outlays of money and/or time to repair my next vehicle, it could cause my divorce, and no truck is worth that to me. My budget isn’t the greatest either, since my wife drives a sports car that is anything but baby friendly, I have two vehicles I need to replace at once, all the while buying baby furniture, decorating the nursery, etc… Should I strike the 80 series Land Cruiser from my list due to its age? Thanks in advance everyone…

P.S. – You may notice I made a post looking for anyone in the San Antonio area of Texas that would be willing to look at a ’95 Cruiser for me. This is what I am considering at the moment…

 

[informationjunky]

we bought a 95 w/ 87K 4years ago. new shocks, set of belts, battery, and several sets of brake pads are the only parts that have needed replacing and we are now up to 150K

 

[landtank]

I think it's a good move but in reality s*** happens and anything can break. The biggest concern will be the previous owner and his attention the maintenance. At that mileage figure a front axle service. The closer to 100k the better. Most trucks seem to make it to that mark ignored with little problems but get it up around 140k and if ignored you probably will have issues with the axle.

My truck now has 150k on it and just did the axle for a second time. I'm figuring a PS birf next axle service.

When it came to LCs my wife hated them. I actually think she felt threatened by them. But this 80 has been an exceptional vehicle. I do a lot of pre-emptive service on it based on others experience here on the forum. Quite often I've gotten to a problem just before it was one.

 

[Doc]

When I first saw the tread title my initial response was to write "Well, it's certainly more reliable than a NEW Land Rover".... even before I read your post.

Anyway, Here's what you need to do to have a reliable Land Cruiser.

Step One: Buy one.
Step Two: um,..... drive it?

Seriously, get the maintenance up to par in the first year (front end overhaull, radiator flush, etc..) and you'll be good to go for easy 100-150K miles. No problem.

I'm facing my first baby this next year as well, and there's no other vehicle I'd trust my new 'family' too more than the Land Cruiser.

 

[Heffenoche]

That depends on how well the truck has been maintained. If the oil, AT fluid and coolant has been changed regularly and the enginehas not been overheated then there is a good chance you'll have a reliable truck. Remember that you'll be buying a truck that will most likely need to have the front birfields repacted (see related treads) and you should be good to go. There are things to look out for. Check out sleeoffroad.com for a lot of goo information.

 

[John E Davies]

Buying ANY vehicle that is 8 or more years old is a complete crap shoot. I bought a pristene '96 LX450 with 86,000 miles and ended up rebuilding the head 10K later. You simply have no way of guaranteeing what your experience will be like.

OTH, the Cruiser is perhaps the very best bet in a used vehicle because of its build quality. If this is going to be a critical daily driver, do your research very carefully and don't ever buy on impulse. If my LX goes down with a mechanical problem I plan to just rent a compact car for a few days at minimal cost and hassle.

Parts are pricey, but nowhere near as bad as Land Rover stuff. You can order OEM parts for 25% off from several sources discussed in this group. The dealers are often clueless about major Cruiser maintenance like axle service, so either check your tech out carefully or plan on buying the manuals and doing the work yourself.

I love my LX and plan on driving it until it won't go no more.... It is simply a fantastically good vehicle. If you want passion, the Cruiser or LX will definitely inspire that. Be sure to get locking diffs - they add very little to the vehicle cost but you will kick yourself repeatedly if you don't get them - there is no ETC on the Series 80 trucks. With lockers and appropriate tires these tanks will go just about anywhere.

Good luck to you and your growing family..

John

 

[Hltoppr]

193,000 miles on my 1992 FJ80, all original drivetrain. Runs like a top. Getting ready for another trip down Mexico way....

Bottom line, the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned have been my Land Cruisers!

-H-

 

[thorvald]

our daily driver is our 91 fj80 with 202,000 miles on it. have replaced radiator, thermostat, belts and power steering lines and pump in year and a half weve had it. was expecting to have to do certain things given its age and mileage though.

with the gas prices, we have been kicking around trading our nissan pickup in on some car with better gas. think were just going to sell it instead though, because if we were to have an accident theres nothing Id want my family in besides the landcruiser, be it the 60 or 80 (40's not on the road and not enough seats for 4 yet).

I dont believe you will regret it, as far as your wife goes, have her drive it. you probably wont be able to get it back from her

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Best:

I agree with the other posts -buying a vehicle in this age group does have some risks, but, IMHO, they are worth taking and you get great value for the money.

In my case, I traded in a brand new car (Saab) for a used LX450 - interesting - on my wife's request. We had owned a 60 and she was interested in getting back to something bigger and safer for our new kids (twins at the time and now one more). You really need to spend some time looking carefully and then be very realistic on repairs/PM you need to do immediately and over the first year or so.

When I bought my truck, I knew that it needed about C$3,000 is work (tires, replace brake components, change fluids, etc), which the price reflected and I was happy to do as I could use the components I wanted. Even with that, there was one C$1,000 repair I didn't expect. OEM parts are expensive, but they are great value (ie they really last) and C-Dan's discounts are a complete bonus.

I wheel almost exclusively with Land Rovers (which are fine), but I know all the horror stories of the guys in my group re expensive repairs on LR products (including a C$6,000 purchase followed by C$6,000 in unexpected repairs).

One final comment - I noticed the rig you are looking at in the other thread. If your wife is still up-in-the-air re getting a LC, you might want to be careful buying a lifted, etc truck (which can make loading a baby seat a PITA)! PS on the other truck, while he notes that bearings were done - no mention of a full front-end axle service - so plan for one of those.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[Andrewsreef]

Great trucks but as others have said nicely be careful of what you buy. Try to find a truck with some maintance records as the care history is very important. Look over the info on this site as to what to look for as problems (oil leaks and the like). Also, look here for info on what to look for.
http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

Good luck.

Andrew

 

[mabrodis]

you might want to be careful buying a lifted, etc truck (which can make loading a baby seat a PITA)!

Wow is that the truth! Lifting the carseat in there is not easy at all, there is no way my wife could have done it period. Now if I put my son's carseat (just a booster seat) in the middle seat it's a tough thing for me to get him in it while standing on the ground, so definetly keep that in mind. Once you get one, then you can slowly lift it, and she might not notice Or she'll think she's getting shorter..

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Now try it with 3 kids all in car seats

Cheers, Hugh

 

[ginericLC]

Mine are 91 at something around 220,000 I have an odometer discrepency in that one. My 94 is at 196,000 miles. I let my wife drive both and I have a 22 month old son who I feel safe putting in either of them. I think my LCs have about as good as chance of breaking something as about any other car. I take care of them and try to keep them in as good as condition as possible. The truth is that care can prevent a lot of things. Neglect can make a lot of bad things happen. And then the luck of the draw can also make bad things happen. I would also suggest you do a search on the headgaskets, I'm not saying that 95-97s have a problem always but you should be educated on the possible problems. Also, definitely plan on a front axle rebuild no matter what the mileage or year unless it has been done recently.

Later!

Eric V.

PS I prefer the 91 for loading my son. I have to lift him higher but the belts are easier to get at up high.

 

[John E Davies]

Best:
In my case, I traded in a brand new car (Saab) for a used LX450 - interesting - on my wife's request. Cheers, Hugh

That is a really curious coincidence. I sold a 2 year old Saab 95 Aero Wagon to buy a used LX. I loved the car dearly, but I just NEEDED a truck. Saab depreciation is the pits - a US$42K car went for US$25 with only 19,000 miles on the odometer. I am glad Toyotas hold their value better!

http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/Saab-01.jpg

John

 

[Oaxaca80]

Our 92 is a daily driver w/ almost 280K miles.

Did catchup maintanence when I got it at 160K miles. This unfortunately included the front diff as it had been neglected with a leaking seal.

I end up doing all my own maintenance as there are no Toy dealers anywhere near by.

Longest layup was waiting for a radiator.

But overall the "reliability to no easy parts access" ratio has good. I probably do have more onhand spares than most folks and don't leave town w/out the tools

I feel much safer and much more in control driving on the roads here than say in a suburban or something.

 

[Landpimp]

Connie(my GF who drives a cruiser with 240k on it) works at a car lot, her boss bought a 94 fj80 over a year ago(maybe 2) for his wife and him, they loved it. But a few months ago he came across a "deal" on a 99 Disco for 5K, with under 100k on it. He bought.........well its been in the shop almost the whole time, when it not in the shop its leaking oil on his new concrete driveway. The wife won't get near it and took a beater mini van to drive off the lot. Brian(her boss) wants to unload the Disco.....its a HUGE POS and wants the old Cruiser back.

I help Rob here find a 94 fjz80 last year, it was a freinds and he had bought it new, had just the bare maintence done for 250,000 miles..........AFIAK Rob hasn't had to do a thing to it.

my 80 has 200k
the 90 fj62 has 240k
the 88 fj62 has 340k

Get a Cruiser.......you will love it and after a Rover the minimal maintence it might need will be a joy in comparison. ANother guy I know with a 2001 Range Rover said it was costing him around $1500 a month in maintence.......and it only had 50,000 miles on it..........its was such a POS he traded it on a Ford!!!!!!!!!

 

[cruiserdan]

Original owner here.

Items replaced in 12 years and 124,000 miles (off the top 'o my mellon)

A couple front door speakers
3 or maybe 4 door courtisy switches (twice in the RR door for some reason)
Fan clutch
Radiator
Transmission shift solenoid.
RH headlamp assy (a rock)
Windshield (another rock)
A 16mm oil passage plug at the front of the block (a fluke that no one else has ever experienced but the time involved in the repair was lengthy)

Consumables:

A few sets of brake pads.
Oil & filter changes.
Gear box services
Tires.
A couple front axle services.
New bumpers.....
New springs........

and a few other bits.

I have never actually been stranded but I was glad to have some extra oil with me when that galley plug took off on me...

 

[Cards81fan]

A 16mm oil passage plug at the front of the block (a fluke that no one else has ever experienced but the time involved in the repair was lengthy)

Oh how can we ever forget...

Was that truly the only part that failed in that? And the only part you had to replace aside from any gaskets destroyed in the disassembly?

 

[Romer]

My wife use to make fun of me when I first started posting here. She use to joke about my "cruiser buddies", but then when I siezed my engine (my fault) and my cruiser buddies came out of the wood work to help me offering me free parts and labor and even the use of their garage, she started to change her opinion. Two months ago when I decided I wanted an 80/LX450 and people I had never met (except here) would go out of there way in different parts of the country to look rigs over, she started telling people one of the best things about cruisrs is the people who drive them and how they support each other. She was amazed at the deatiled inspection reports I received from my "Cruiser buddies". The reason I am telling you that is that any older vehicle has the opportunity to break down, but show me another group like cruiser oweners who will help you diagnose and fix your vehicle and others who give you a 25% discount on OEM parts (hows the plug C-Dan).

Go through some of the posts in the tech section. See the problems and how others helped. Then look at the post on how the cruiser held up in an accident

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=23652

There is also all the reliability data on Toyotas/Lexus to evaluate.

Starting tomorrow, start noticing the 80's and LX450's on the road. You can tell them because of the rear side windows (among other things). Start pointing them out to your wife and the condition they are in. After I bought my LX450 and noticed how many of these vehicles that were last made 7+ years ago are on the road and still look like they just came off the dealers lot. Part of that is those who buy these vehicles take care of them, the other is the reliability. Toyota/Lexus uses several more layers of paint at the factory. Thats why an 10 year old Cruiser can look like new.

I hope the above gives you some more things to think about. You see, owning a Cruiser isn't just owning another vehicle. There are a lot of other things that come with it.

These are reliable and AWESOME vehicles, I have a 28 year old Land Cruiser and a 7 Year old Lexus.

Good Luck!

 

[firetruck41]

Bought my 93 FZJ80 two years ago w/175k on it, nothing but maintenance (birf repack, fluid changes, spark plugs, brakes, etc.) now have 198k miles, runs awesome! Oh, I did have to change the plug wires due to it running rough, that's really the only "repair" other than routine maintenance. I would drive across the country tomorrow with it.