mudgudgeon
Resident galah
Definitely.
There things that are only clear through experience though
Should I buy an 80, costs of ownership? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cruiserdan
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There things that are only clear through experience though
Trial and error, hopefully not too much error. Lots of research helps as well.
- Thread starter
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Three decades of first-hand experience has taught me that proper preemptive maintenence is the key to an open-ended lifespan. The 80 is a very stoic vehicle. It will not complain or otherwise warn you that it is hurting until it is in a great deal of pain.
That cry for help may come too late to save the patient.
The 80s' main weakness is that it has a hard time telling you when it is hurting.
On the other hand, it takes a helluva lot more than any other vehicle can cope with before they cry for help.
That cry for help may come too late to save the patient.
The 80s' main weakness is that it has a hard time telling you when it is hurting.
On the other hand, it takes a helluva lot more than any other vehicle can cope with before they cry for help.
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You can find various-year FSMs free on this forum, but it's awfully handy to have the physical manuals in front of you. Bishko Automotive Literature.
I find OTRAMM and TexasKnowHow videos extremely helpful.
Also the FSM.
A hard copy of the FSM (and EWD) is the only version that you can count on for 100% signal strength no matter where you are on the trail of life.
Hear-hear!
Hey Dan - pardon the departure, but this hit me, and I thank you. I lost my dad last year to cancer. He was only 67, but lived a lot of life. He was explicitly open & heart on the sleeve, happily cruising along no matter how he felt - whether during treatment, or any time in his life. He always passed that positivity to others, without fail. Your sentiment here reminded me greatly of his last couple years, in particular.
It feels "cool" to think of him as having the build quality & lust for life as any LC, which I think he certainly did.
He drove a 94 pickup until the end of time, and saw me wrench on my 80 quite a bit. He was always clearly impressed with the 80.
I've got a 170k engine torn down in the machine shop now; can't BELIEVE the condition it's in. Other than the HG, which was was well its way out, this didn't need to be taken apart. But--better to know for sure, right?
The most reliable vehicle ever sold in NA. For which reason they're often totally neglected, which eventually (it takes a while) leads to trouble.
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1FZ?
Yup.
Mr. Lawrence
SILVER Star
OK then,
As an original owner of a 94, this truck has been absolutely trouble free for 30 years.
For 121k miles it has only received basic maintenance of fluids, brakes, shocks, tires etc. and 1 front axle service since new.
Totally stock and never driven hard.
Stored in my building’s heated garage, it does lead a cushy life.
Looks and drives same as it did when I picked it up from the dealership in June 1994.
Truly an amazing and trouble free truck.
My cost of ownership has been the lowest of any vehicle I have ever owned. Well, except for my monthly garage rent.
^^ Truth.
Yeah, sure is. That's another reason I love the 80 series. Putting money into fixing things tends to make me view those expenditures as an investment, rather than an expense.
I hated totaling it to confirm what I already knew, but the truck that was purchased for $7200 in 2009 gave us over 50,000 miles of service over 14 years, then resulted in a nearly $14,000 payout after I wrecked it last fall. That's a pretty good return on the investment made in it.
When I first purchased my 80 nine years ago, I made a spreadsheet for all maintenance and total costs. I quit tallying the $ before I had the new engine installed, so my costs haven't gone up much 
The amount I've learned from this forum and DIY wrenching has been invaluable. The main reason I chose a new 1FZ was because the knowledge I've gained here and the chance for a 300k mile life.
If anyone is looking to get in the game, don't hesitate. Learn how to wrench and drive the best vehicle made in the early 90's.
The amount I've learned from this forum and DIY wrenching has been invaluable. The main reason I chose a new 1FZ was because the knowledge I've gained here and the chance for a 300k mile life.
If anyone is looking to get in the game, don't hesitate. Learn how to wrench and drive the best vehicle made in the early 90's.
Bludozer
SILVER Star
I'd give it even more credit than that personally, but if these trucks speak to you the ownership experience is a pleasure IMO.
