Well, I guess I am going to have a taste of my own medicine here when I say "why bother". It would be better to have it plated off, but in my mind, having it all there for the next guy that might have to deal with tighter emissions standards seem like good hedge to me. I kinda think the government is going to put the 80 out of business before the 80 is anywhere close to going out of business. Damn good car.I already did that. But I wanted to get rid of the pipe too. But I'm not pulling the head just for that. I could cap the pipe I guess but i figured I would wait and see if the hg ever goes and do it then.
Whatever route you choose will be fine. You are a good steward for an 80.
On a more morbid note, I started thinking about who to will my 80 to if I die, which could happen sooner rather than the later that I would prefer. I had a little scare last year and that got me to thinking about how I was really just a steward of this car for as long as I can be, but the truck will probably outlast me if it keeps going the way that it has been. That's not to say that I am gonna croak anytime soon, but if you look at the stats, 20 years would be a good run.
Who do you leave your Land Cruiser to? Family? They don't get it, it would just be money to them. Friends? Maybe. I have one friend that lives in the mountains, likes cars and has the means to keep the 80 well fed. Maybe donate it to a trail group?