- Thread starter
- #321
Should I buy an 80, costs of ownership? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cruiserdan
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Better than Anus. Onur, we need to drink more beers and wheel some. When the Avocado rises again we can do an 80 run.
How did you know what CDan called me during my training days?
Anytime Dan-- I'm up for it once my FJ60 project is complete.
- Thread starter
- #324
A rasin and an avacado on the trail togther. I love it...
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
This seems to be a choice more people are looking at. No matter if you rebuild the OEM drive line or go with a diesel or V8 swap a total investment of $30K-$35K will net you a nice Land Cruiser. That same $35K will get you that Taco but not much more. If you compare the LC to a newer vehicle in size and power you will most likely be paying $45K and up for American steel that is not as capable. Nothing out there I like that will match a 60 or 80 series with good power. I am sure there are some that will not agree, I may be bias
When Yemenis (or the ones I know) buy Land Cruisers. There is no comparing or considering anything else. If one needs a ride. A LC is just it. An example. A close friend in Yemen lives in a broke down 2 bed house with his parents. Almost no furnishing. But he has a kick ass 80 right out side.
I have a us spec 80 and love it while yes it is expensive I have been able to do enough work on my own to be worth it. Thanks to this site and my brother and his mentor(now mine too I guess).
But my new question is I have the opportunity to go to Germany and come home in a few years with a diesel 80. Other than the difference in fuel and oil price what's the cost difference between a gas and diesel powered 80? I would assume they would be very similar. Parts availabley could be an issue.
I would love any other thoughts on a diesel 80 as well.
Mat
But my new question is I have the opportunity to go to Germany and come home in a few years with a diesel 80. Other than the difference in fuel and oil price what's the cost difference between a gas and diesel powered 80? I would assume they would be very similar. Parts availabley could be an issue.
I would love any other thoughts on a diesel 80 as well.
Mat
I'm no expert, but my understanding of Toyota diesels living in the US is that parts are hard to find and cost a digit or two when you do find them. Assuming both drivetrains are probably in the same ballpark in terms of reliability and regular maintenance, the diesel will cost you a lot more.
Also not an expert here, but I'm in agreement. This assumes original equipment. The diesel may have an edge in longevity, but comes up short in power and drive ability, and way short on cost of ownership. It's probably not the same math on the 100's, with the motor choices and the solid axle variety being available, but if we're only talking about cost of ownership here in the U.S.A., gasser still wins.
how do prices compare for similar parts, assuming you can get your hands on what you need?
They are reasonable IMO by Toyota standards.
They will be viewed as expensive by 99% of people on MUD though.
You guy's are the experts. In my experience, from a build able block to a screw in accessory, diesels cost more.
NOW you tell me...
Anything has got to be cheaper to maintain than a 2001 allroad.
Hello all,
amazing stuff and a lot of love on this forum. I am looking into getting into this stuff also and I am infected by this Land Cruise virus. I am planning for a road trip in Russia , approximately 15000 km (10 000 miles) and will need something reliable. My budget is 15 000 $.
Once in a while there are amazing 80's in classifieds in this price range, mostly pretty well maintained and turn key ready for adventure.
I would like to get your opinion on this 80 which to me seems pretty good but would like to get your expert view on it.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1997-80-series-in-tucson.857611/
Good think is that the engine was rebuilt but still I think that it would need investment of at least 3000 $ (rebuilt the axle, new secondary battery etc). It has 240k miles and I am just little bit worried to put my fate into car with such high miles , on the other hand it look very clean and probably was not abused a lot.
Thanks,
Jorge
amazing stuff and a lot of love on this forum. I am looking into getting into this stuff also and I am infected by this Land Cruise virus. I am planning for a road trip in Russia , approximately 15000 km (10 000 miles) and will need something reliable. My budget is 15 000 $.
Once in a while there are amazing 80's in classifieds in this price range, mostly pretty well maintained and turn key ready for adventure.
I would like to get your opinion on this 80 which to me seems pretty good but would like to get your expert view on it.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1997-80-series-in-tucson.857611/
Good think is that the engine was rebuilt but still I think that it would need investment of at least 3000 $ (rebuilt the axle, new secondary battery etc). It has 240k miles and I am just little bit worried to put my fate into car with such high miles , on the other hand it look very clean and probably was not abused a lot.
Thanks,
Jorge
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2015
- Threads
- 25
- Messages
- 238
- Location
- Valley of the Dirt People, So Cal
- Website
- forum.ih8mud.com
A couple years ago I sold my Jeep Scrambler and bought bone stock 80. Despite $25k in a build, my 80 was more capable right out of the box. Sure, the thing was head turner and attention getter, driving it 100 miles was like 300 in my 80.
Now I've got about $6k in upgrades and it's reliable as hell, and no less cost to repair and maintain. I've hunted all over Africa in them, and there is a reason they are coveted there. I wish we had the bare bones models (metal dash, all vinyl interior, diesel etc) but I love mine and have no plans to ever part with it.
Now I've got about $6k in upgrades and it's reliable as hell, and no less cost to repair and maintain. I've hunted all over Africa in them, and there is a reason they are coveted there. I wish we had the bare bones models (metal dash, all vinyl interior, diesel etc) but I love mine and have no plans to ever part with it.
August 2016 bump for all of the newbies since 2015 of last year.
Haven't really dumped much into mine in the last 3-4 yrs. Still haven't installed my knuckle kit I bought a few years back either. Expect to replace tires, and perhaps shocks next year and also replace AC compressor as I have a leak somewhere. Truck keeps ticking, but that is Toyota quality, stuff just keeps working despite our best intentions to fiddle.
In 2001 I bought a green 1995 FZJ 80 for my wife. "Big Green" We loved it. It was the first really nice vehicle either of us had owned. It had 73k on the ticker. We loved it. It was such a tank! Not fast but it seemed right. It just felt like the perfect mix. We replaced the rear seal in it and as I began to research more I found that it was going to be expensive to maintain (at least at that point in my life) and it was going to be expensive to drive to her new job in the city. By then it had 135k on it. My son came home in it after he was born. We opted to trade it towards a Volvo XC. Turned out to be a horrible decision. I've owned 3 of 2 series Volvos.I have owned a few euro vehicles and if you want maintenance cost that's what you need to buy. At least on the newer ones. I would have taken that LC back in a second on maintenance cost alone!
At any rate, we ended up with a Honda Accord which I still have today.
I'm doing better now. I have some extra money available to me and I started looking into a toy vehicle again. Something my family could go on some adventures in. Something I could never sell because of the memories I had in it. I looked at a surplus refurbished Hummer, an Audi TT stage 2 which the family wouldn't fit in anyways, some jeeps, several Bronco's.... I couldn't come to a decision to spend the money. I've worked hard since the first Cruiser and I've held money close because I wanted to be ahead. A toy vehicle just seemed a stupid waste of money. Then one of my guys was thinking about a 4runner and came across a 1992 LC. It had been well cared for by a gent who restores cars.... He still answers my questions. He's a wizard and like everyone on the forum his appreciation for the brand keeps helping the newer guys like me.
I researched a little and asked questions but barring any major issues I was buying that truck. It took all of 10 seconds to decide. All of the memories of my 1995 came back and what amazing vehicles they are... I sent a deposit without even test driving it. It came with an OME lift on it and new 33's and whole lot of mechanical fixes complete. I just recalled the love, the appreciation for the attributes that I appreciate in both material things and human beings: reliability, strength and durability on the tough stuff. The LC has it all.
Since September I've got Slee bumpers on it, stereo work, winch etc. The cooling system will be replaced soon. I'm going to rebuild the doors and coat the undercarriage. The birfs rebuilt.... My wife and son love it too.
I've raised the idea of a trip through Michigan and around Lake Superior and back home and doing the back roads the whole way. And they are interested. I'm looking so forward to that.
I'll type all day about this but it comes down to this: I believe I have the best off road capable vehicle known to mankind and I have a family that will join me in it for many adventures. I really don't care, within reason, what it costs. I can't wait to have it done this spring and then just go have fun in the outdoors. I have no plan to sell this truck, ever.
I appreciate the kindness the forum has shown me. I'm having a great time being back in the LC world.
At any rate, we ended up with a Honda Accord which I still have today.
I'm doing better now. I have some extra money available to me and I started looking into a toy vehicle again. Something my family could go on some adventures in. Something I could never sell because of the memories I had in it. I looked at a surplus refurbished Hummer, an Audi TT stage 2 which the family wouldn't fit in anyways, some jeeps, several Bronco's.... I couldn't come to a decision to spend the money. I've worked hard since the first Cruiser and I've held money close because I wanted to be ahead. A toy vehicle just seemed a stupid waste of money. Then one of my guys was thinking about a 4runner and came across a 1992 LC. It had been well cared for by a gent who restores cars.... He still answers my questions. He's a wizard and like everyone on the forum his appreciation for the brand keeps helping the newer guys like me.
I researched a little and asked questions but barring any major issues I was buying that truck. It took all of 10 seconds to decide. All of the memories of my 1995 came back and what amazing vehicles they are... I sent a deposit without even test driving it. It came with an OME lift on it and new 33's and whole lot of mechanical fixes complete. I just recalled the love, the appreciation for the attributes that I appreciate in both material things and human beings: reliability, strength and durability on the tough stuff. The LC has it all.
Since September I've got Slee bumpers on it, stereo work, winch etc. The cooling system will be replaced soon. I'm going to rebuild the doors and coat the undercarriage. The birfs rebuilt.... My wife and son love it too.
I've raised the idea of a trip through Michigan and around Lake Superior and back home and doing the back roads the whole way. And they are interested. I'm looking so forward to that.
I'll type all day about this but it comes down to this: I believe I have the best off road capable vehicle known to mankind and I have a family that will join me in it for many adventures. I really don't care, within reason, what it costs. I can't wait to have it done this spring and then just go have fun in the outdoors. I have no plan to sell this truck, ever.
I appreciate the kindness the forum has shown me. I'm having a great time being back in the LC world.
Last edited:
