Taco Owner - LC Curious (1 Viewer)

[Azca]

I love my 80 and have been DD it. I will be looking at a replacement DD soon and agree that while I love her, DD is not really the thing to do with these beasts. (My DD needs have dropped significantly over the last 6 months, maybe driving her one to two times a week, excluding trips now.)

Let me clarify some of the above posts saying these are not cheap, that is a very polite way to say that these are DAMN expensive to maintain, especially if you don't wrench yourself, hence a very good reason not to be a DD.

If you want one, go for it, just know what you are getting into ahead of time. Me, for a DD, I love my son's 2002 Tacoma. Handles and drives far better on blacktop and does very well off road. I have threatened him as well, it can only be sold to me. That would become my DD if I had a choice.

 

[COYS]

I've owned the following Toyota SUVs to date:

-2003 4Runner Limited
-2007 GX470
-2015 Land Cruiser (the only one bought new and also the most modified)
-1997 Land Cruiser (it splits time with another car; not my dd, but I do put ~8-9K/yr miles on it)

2UZ-FE is definitely my favorite gas truck engine of all time (QRD). The 200 series was at SEMA with ICON, but it's probably my least favorite (relatively) simply based on the size and look. My current 80 is the only one I know I truly love because if I didn't, I would've kicked it to the curb a while ago had I remotely anticipated the journey I'd have to go on to get it to meet my level of auto OCD which won't be satiated until I dump an *additional* $12-15K into it.

Like you, prior to committing to the 80, I considered taking a shortcut by picking up another new 200.3 (because the latest 80s-derived aesthetic is bad a&&) or going more economical with either the TRD Pro 4R or Tacoma. I test drove them and while both are incredibly well made, the Tacoma had a really weird seating position and I just couldn't get over the made in USA feel of it all. The 4R felt nicer, it was made in Toyotaland, but I couldn't get over the lack of real heritage since its origins in North America go back to some car dealership dude who posited a recreational vehicle for US families.

"What do you drive?"

"A 4Runner."

"A LAND CRUISER."

"An old LAND CRUISER."

If I actually did the math, which I don't ever care to do, I'd probably be ahead time & money had I gone with either TRD Pro option. It's just super expensive (time+$) to research, source, and refresh the 80. With any new Toyota product, all I'd have to worry about is what mods I'm going to install.

At day's end, I deal with all the above because the 80 has nostalgic value to me. It's cool to own. It's timeless. I consider the '95-'97 MYs the greatest SUV made for the US market of all time. It's the oldest Land Cruiser one could realistically daily here. The only other truck I covet over my 80, aside from a 2020 G63 AMG and maybe a heavily modified 2020 LC, is a 2020 70 series.

Good luck, brotha! This forum is a really cool place to learn and spend some time wandering should you choose to invest in an 80. Yes, it's an investment unlike most mindless car purchases.

(Labor of love exhibit C: In this pic taken in front of Mt Rainier, I learned that my aftermarket glass (w/ Clearplex) wasn't properly installed per explicit FSM gasket/adhesive procedure because my carpets were soaked the next day when the inevitable Seattle weather turned inevitably gray and wet. Upon return to sunny Socal, I bought new OEM glass/gasket, took it to a windshield specialist who wins installation championships who then buttoned it up to my satisfaction. I spent another $400 to re-Clearplex it a week or so later --> OCD satiated)

P.S. Youtube vids like these are now entertaining to me

 

[Rusty Marlin]

When I was looking for mine...
I purposefully looked for an LX without lockers and low number of owners. The idea being that it would have been owned by peeps that hadn't taken it off road, or at least not hard core, and might have actually taken care of it.
I think I did pretty well with my Mean Green Bean.
Sold my Camry (sister in law needed it more than me) and DD the beast. Its a bit like wearing hiking boots every where, but that's the kind of guy I am anyway. I do 11-12K miles per year.

I'm gonna warn you, You need to plan ahead, no-one carries parts at walk-in stores. I'll take that back, I can get oil filters at the Yota shop and brake pads at Auto Zone... Those are the sum total of parts I've been able to source locally as a walk-in.
I plan large maintenance and build needs around long weekends and holidays, monitor the rest, order parts before they fail and do PM as needed.
Remember, the youngest of these beasties are old enough to vote; PM is a way of life with them. My suggestion is learn the rig inside and out, do weekly walk rounds (and crawl-unders) takes only a few minutes, looking for new leaks, loose or cracked wires, cracked hoses etc etc...

You mentioned the local 4x4 shop... I couldn't imagine relying on somebody else to wrench on my truck, that would mean driving it till it broke rather then PM as needed... shudder...

 

[Lumpskie]

Some people really appreciate modern conveniences and some don't. I don't and I drive my 80 20,000 miles a year... and love every minute of it. If there was a newer vehicle that could do what it does, I'd buy it. But there isn't. Have parts broken? Yes. Has my 80 taken me through terrain that should have broken it? Yes. For me, it comes down to that feeling I still get when I fire it up on the way to work in the morning.

 

[cbmontgo]

If you want an 80, just buy one and enjoy. Too much overthinking on this thread. Get the best one you can find and drive it. You’ll learn a few things along the way, just like anything else in life.

 

[Kicker13]

Tacomaworld is a dumpster fire, I know because I'm on there too. It's like the millennial hipster version of Pirate.

I own a '96 Land Cruiser and daily drive a 2020 Tacoma. Previously had a 2014 4Runner. I love my Land Cruiser as much as the next guy but would never consider it for daily driving. Newer cars are just way more comfortable, not to mention the safety of modern engineering. We may like to think our Cruisers are built like tanks but let's face it, safety wasn't a huge priority 25 years ago. Just look at pictures of roof/pillar damage in Land Cruisers involved in minor rollovers. They crumple like soda cans. I wouldn't want an 80 to be my everyday family hauler. Honestly I think a 5th gen 4Runner is more up your alley.

I've never been much of a safety nanny until I was in a pretty bad car accident last year. I probably could have died had I been driving a car from the 90s. Our 2014 4Runner was destroyed, but it did what it was designed to do in order to save a life.

Thanks for sharing your experience, brother and sorry that that happened; glad the outcome wasn't worse. Had you not been in that accident, how do you think you would compare an 80 vs a 4R?

 

[Railwelder93]

I’ll say this about it
I travel for work so I don’t really daily drive anything bc I’m only home about 10 days per month. But I have a 2018 4Runner and it’s the nicest thing I have ever bought, very comfortable, very practical, and very capable.

However.... I have found that I never walk out to my driveway and choose the 4Runner over the big junky, rattling, gas guzzling, bad ass 80 sitting next to it.

 

[Railwelder93]

So...IMO
Smart choice for DD that can wheel is the taco/4Runner bc it will be new, comfy,and not require much maintenance.

The fun choice for a DD that can wheel is the 80 bc IFS is for girls

 

[BILT4ME]

What does your wife want?

Go with that. Get an 80 when your kid turns 14 and us getting ready for a car. Teach them how to work on them with the 80.

Then give them the old 4Runner and you keep the 80.

 

[IslandCruiserTX]

I'm on Galveston Island, similar terrain (a few sets of railroad tracks are the thrill of my daily commute). Do it, stop thinking about it and just start searching. My 80 is my daily, BUT, I put a 3" lift on it and I pick my Momma up every Monday morning for a day of playing Mah Jong at Landry's with the old ladies and she threw a fit because it's too hard for her to get up into. So it's my daily every day except Mondays - and Sunday's afternoons because I usually take her for mariachi & margarita night on Sunday's also.
My daily commute is the same, 10-12 miles round trip depending on if I wanna see the beach or bay side of the island. Every single thing that I've had to do to mine so far I've found step-by-step instructions and sometimes videos here on this forum (except reupholstering the seats, bartered for that with my boat upholstery guy). wet floorboards, re-routing sunroof drains, knock sensor replacement, washer fluid issues, power seat drama (had to order the same part 4 times, but only because my husband was man-handling the frickin gear, the part came from someone here that made them), radio replacement, power steering pump, etc...
The window sticker was still in the glove box when I adopted her, she was BOI (bought on the island) so her entire 23 years has been in Texas at least (had her down in South Texas a while, and then around the San Antonio area), so she's lived in 90%+ humidity and salt water air her whole life. I own a surf shop here, and shove totes and boxes and clothing racks in and out of her daily - I dont' have any kids, but I don't think the back doors open up as wide as most trucks do, I always seem to need a little bit more room to shove a box through the door, don't know how easy it'll be getting a kid in and out of a car seat, but once you are inside there is SO MUCH ROOM, that's why I love it so much. It's like driving in a fishbowl, you can see out the windows in whatever direction you look at any time, my Monday car is an '18 Cadillac XT5, I can see NOTHING when I am driving, I hate it. Before I lifted my '80 my Mom loved to drive it for that exact reason, you are aware of everything going on around you.
I have never felt more safe in a vehicle than I have the LC. I've smashed a 400lb wild hog at 5am on the highway, had a head on collision with a kid in a Kia in the "South Texas Christmas Eve blizzard of 2004", destroyed a Mercedes C300 that was drunk and plowed through a stop sign. Very minimal damage to me and my property each time. (I'm a great driver - I've had one ticket in my life, speeding at 16) And actually....every wreck I've ever been involved in was in this car. I only adopted it as MINE in 2015 - but it's been in my family since 2002 ish.
I can throw my stand up paddle board and paddle on the roof, pull our 21ft shallow water bay boat to any boat ramp, haul loads of rocks in the utility trailer or throw my heels on and go for dinner - she's pretty universal.
I am very UN-80 Series-esque and caught a lot of crap when I first popped in here with questions, I like big wheels but hate big tires, I love my step bars because I actually use them - I don't need clearance for anything except flood water when it rains the tide is high and the island floods, I don't drive for long distances the island is only like 27 miles long - one dude told me I "wasn't even using it right". But after I got through all that introductory BS, and folks accepted that I was going to do what I wanted to do it - but that I wanted to do it RIGHT and would appreciate their expertise, everyone was pretty helpful.
I bought a Scout last summer - talk about exhausting, loved the hell out of it, but I didn't have the time that was needed to pour into it. So far, knock on wood, everything that I've done with this vehicle has taken me less than a day. (with the exception of the power seat gear, which took all of a month, but after each attempt, I was able to put the seat back in and use the vehicle while waiting for the part to come in.....again.)

Do it. Get it because you want it, and it will make you happy climbing into it every day. If you decide in a year or 18 months that you don't want to deal with it anymore for some reason, you'll have no problem getting rid of it.

 

[maxamillion2345]

For your needs I’d buy a runner but if not then buy a 100 or 200 series cruiser if you like a little extra room and added expense.

Fwiw I own two 80s and a 4runner and owned an 07 Tacoma.

 

[OREGON85]

Good to know, thanks. Fuel consumption isn't necessarily a concern as my Taco averages around 16mpg in the city and my commute is only 12 miles round trip.

The second half of your message is why I want one!

I've gotten as low as 9.5 with the boat and as high as 15 without. Most tanks are 12-13.

My commute is similar and I bike. I figure my combined MPG with the bike and the 80 isn't too bad. Before I lived close enough to bike I had a spare compact car for DD duties.

 

[KC masterpiece]

I was in a similar situation to yours last year and replaced my 08 FJ Cruiser with a 97 FZJ80.

So far I could not be happier even though my cost of maitnence and fuel consumption are both higher. In my situation I wanted 4 doors and a solid axle. The 80 was one of the only choices if I wanted to stay in the Toyota family and have a somewhat modern vehicle.

Coming from the same engine it will definitely be slower than your Taco, but I think they are more fun to drive. As long as you are comfortable sitting in the right hand lane sipping coffee at 55mph.

I have done all my own wrenching with the exception of a transmission swap (dont let that deter you failure is very rare) and overall it's a much easier vehicle to work on than the FJ was. The 80 is a much stouter vehicle. It feels like your driving an elephant vs a goat.

The 80 is currently my DD but I will be getting a beater truck before next winter. Mostly to allow me more flexibility to work on bigger mods and maitnence that may require extended downtime. It's no fun finishing up an axle rebuild late on a Sunday so you can get to work the next morning.

 

[jcardona1]

Thanks for sharing your experience, brother and sorry that that happened; glad the outcome wasn't worse. Had you not been in that accident, how do you think you would compare an 80 vs a 4R?

I always tend to have the unpopular opinion on this site so with that said, I think the 5th gen 4Runners are great vehicles. BUT...they are no FJ80. Everything from the frame down on the 80 is overbuilt and built to last. They inspire confidence when you're offroad. While the 4Runner is still a body-on-frame truck they're just not built the same I feel. I never got the same feeling of ruggedness from the 4Runner that I do with the 80.

The fit and finish and materials of the interior are so much nicer on the 80, even when compared to new 4Runners and Tacoma. After all the Land Cruiser has always been Toyota's flagship. I'm still amazed how cheap and brittle the interior feels on my $50k 2020 Tacoma Pro compared to my old POS from the 90s. The 80 series Land Cruiser was truly ahead of its time. New cars and trucks from today just feel like disposable trinkets.

But that's where priorities come in. For everyday life I think there are much more sensible choices than an 80 that are more comfortable and easier to deal with. Not to mention the 4Runner having about 28 cup holders, Land Cruiser has maybe 1 if you combine them all. Owning an 80 is a labor of love. As you've read, these rigs will take work. The drivetrain will most likely be trouble free but plastics, rubber, seals, electronics, switches, sensors, leaks etc will need to be addressed if you want to keep the truck in good condition. It's easy to ignore these little things but then it become like any other POS car from the 90s. These little things can be expensive and time consuming.

First maybe your rear power door lock stops working. Eh no big deal, just do it by hand like my granddaddy did. Then the other door. Now the rear hatch. Okay now you you've thrown the P0401 check engine code. I have to take apart the whole intake manifold? I'm hearing a clicking noise in my axle. Why is there grease and oil all over my wheels? WTF, why are my floor mats SOAKED, I didn't leave the windows open did I? Why is my defroster not working? I need to change the o2 sensors but the damn thing is seized on there. Why are my legs so hot while driving? Okay why the f&#k is my rear windshield washer leaking water when I use the front? None of my interior lights work. PHH...what? God dammit P0401 is back, I thought I fixed it. Guys I went to pump gas because I was on E and all the gas started pouring out of my filler, what gives? And last but not least...I think my head gasket is blown.

It all comes down to what your goals and priorities are. Some guys love being in the garage all night and weekends. Some just want a newer truck without all the required maintenance and trouble shooting of older trucks

 

[COYS]

First maybe your rear power door lock stops working.

My rear pass door lock stopped working just this am while loading some groceries at Whole Foods so promptly searched here to find the part #s for qty 2 OEM lock actuators. Discovered I could pick up an Aisin set for cheaper than OEM at rockauto that I've never bought from before. I then wondered how much the fronts would cost only to find out they're NLA which is happening more often as the car ages.

I just had to laugh because delights like these await and I can only call them that because owning my 80 is a lol (labor of love).

 

[tacocat]

What Cardona said. It's a bit like being the captain of the Millennium Falcon.

I forgot to add, yes there is the cost of maintenance, but unlike newer cars, you don't have a $300 -$400 a month car payment on top of all that, so it's actually quite reasonable. The maintenance free portion of these rigs' lives was enjoyed and paid for by the people who swallowed the $50,000 price tag over 20 years ago and those who purchased from them second hand.

 

[bhsdriller]

Am I the only one that doesn't think the cost of maintenance is very high?

Yeah if you go crazy and base line everything but meh

 

[OGBeno]

OP:

Read this.

Should I buy an 80, costs of ownership?

There have been a few recent threads where questions have come up looking for cheap stuff or easy answers. In response to that I would like to offer some observations. The 80 Series Land Cruiser was, at the time, Toyota's Flagship vehicle in the United States. When new the 80 sold from the...

forum.ih8mud.com

Everyone else: read it again.

 

[maxamillion2345]

Am I the only one that doesn't think the cost of maintenance is very high?

Yeah if you go crazy and base line everything but meh

Compared to my 97 3rd gen runner... yeah.

I just drive that thing, it just works, and keeps working. I hardly take care of it.

Both my 92 and 97 80 series have far more annoying little problems with similar mileage.

My 92 3FE s*** the oil galley plug out the head, killed the bearings... cummins swap so whatever. Then theres plenty of annoying small things.

My 97 head gasket popped turned into engine swap because of reallllllly scumbag things the PO did but if the HG wasnt such an issue in the first place... but then theres door locks and window motors and window runs and belt moulding and sunroof leaks and power seat gears, and on and on with nonsene.

The 4runner I got for cheap and the engine came in pieces. Cheap and easy to rebuild, needed a new head but hey... been really trouble free since.

I mean clearly I have these Cruisers for a reason but... I also DD that 4runner for a reason — I don’t have to mess with it. Its cheap, decent mileage, reliable, small, simple.

 

[Tachycardic]

I'm considering DDing my 80. I only live 10 miles from work and involves mostly highway driving. I'm averaging 14.8mpg. Mixed driving in Las Vegas yields about 13.5mpg. If I were in traffic every day (think Boston/NYC area/DC), I would not DD an 80.

I briefly considered a 3rd gen 4Runner (my dad had one and we loved it), but I often go camping with 7 pax and need a 3rd row. I think the 80 series just looks better than a 100 or 200. Similar to Rusty (post #23), I looked for a non-locked stock LC. The one I got was a southwest (mostly) vehicle and relegated to Home Depot/ IKEA/mall duty. I'll add a rear locker when I feel I need it. Other than baselining, the truck, er wagon, is like a blank slate ready for me to put my own touches on it and I don't have to worry about someone else's potential hack job. I recommend you do the same.