What TLC 80 to buy???

[keller]

I am currently a jeep tj guy who has a growing family and i am planning on selling my wrangler in a few weeks and then picking up a TLC 80 series for family wheeling...

I want one with leather, 3rd row, etc. and I plan on immediately throwing on 2" old man emu, largest tires, racks, bumpers, and winch.

It will also be my daily driver and i typically like to do moderate to hard trails.

What would be the best choice? 93-95? 97 up? i will probably try to spend under $15k

anything make one better then the others? lockers, engine, body, power, features?

the 93-95 looks to have a better body for wheeling.

thank you all very much,

keller in Reno

 

[landtank]

I'd start in the FAQ section to get the basic understanding of these trucks and then come back here with a question that you didn't understand.

We've covered this a million times and the FAQ is really the best place to start.

Welcome aboard

 

[firetruck41]

93 and up get you all the good stuff (avoid the handful of 93s with rear drum brakes to make sure you get ABS, full floater, etc.) Only major changes are 95 and up are OBD 1.5 or 2 and have dual airbags and updated dash. You should be able to get any year 80 series LC or LX for 15k or less.

 

[smittycrusher]

I have an unlocked 93' and a locked 97 lx (hence my sig). I am partial to the locked 97 for many obvious reasons (newer, nicer leather, lockers, lower miles, color, climate control, etc.) They both have low miles (93k for 93' & 88K for 97'). I will never be able to go back to unlocked after experiencing locked. I would also avoid 93's due to the pricy ECU that seems to fail frequently. Mine just went out and even with Dan's discount it is a $1200 part. This seems to be the only year affected by this particular ECU (maybe some very early 94's, I don't remember). I found a good number of locked ones when I was looking for my second one (in SoCal). Most owners had no clue what the switch was for so there was no upcharge for it. You can't go wrong but I would recommend a 94-97 locked Cruiser or LX.
Smit

 

[mickey_rubicon]

1997 was a good year

If I save up enough lunch money I will be looking for a 1997 anniversary edition landcruiser. It seems to be the choice of many, and I like to follow trends. My 93 took care of me well, but a 97 year LC would make for a good younger brother(sister?).

 

[keller]

Thanks.

I think the 95-97 is the ticket from all that i have heard and read so far.