Landcruiser questions

[RandyDaytona]

Anyone have one?

I have no plans to get rid of the 4Runner, but my wife has kind of 'taken it over' and has been none too happy at the small amount of scratches I've put on "Frank" when I take him out in the woods.

So I have been given the OK to explore a used vehicle for my weekend uses - some offroading, hunting, fishing, etc. I've always preferred the older 4Runners, but I like the older LCs, too (not REALLY old, just 1990's). Plus they seem to have more room as far as camping in them and whatnot.

Anyway, my questions:

First and foremost, are there any years/generations of LC to stay away from? I haven't found anything on the net that was so critical as to paint a certain model as a lemon or anything like that, nor did I expect to, but was curious if anyone considered a certain year to be worse (or better) than another.

Second, how many miles is too many for a used LC? I've looked at a couple in the 160-180K range and didn't think twice, but I've seen some out there for sale that were well over 200K. Is that pushing it? The prices were right, of course, but even a LC has an end to its life.

I'm aware that gas mileage kinda sucks on these, but I have another vehicle as a daily driver and would be using this mainly as a weekend/camping/hunting &b fishing/offroad/Home Depot-run/escape-in-case-of-zombie-attack vehicle. So I'm not all that worried about the economy (I had a Tundra before, so I don't think the price to fill up is going to shock me too much).

I tried asking this on the ToyotaNation LC forum, but got 88 views and zero replies(?), so I thought I'd ask my T4R brethren. Thanks for any pointers or advice you can give.


Ron

 

[Thai]

I would hit TLC80 as late as possible and as few miles as possible. So, that would mean around 1996-1997.

 

[IanB]

I just got a '91 HDJ81 from Japan, so I know a bit about these trucks. It sounds like you're also interested in an 80 series, and I can tell you they are great trucks. You have a few options to consider:
'91-'93 = FJ80: smaller inline 6 engine, smaller front brakes, rear drums, 15" wheels, center diff lock button, older, likely higher mileage
or
'94-'97 = FZJ80: larger inline 6 engine, larger front brakes, rear disk brakes, 16" wheels, no center diff lock button (can be easily added though)
or
'96-'97 Lexus LX450: everything good about the FZJ80, different grille/corner lamps/wheels, etc

The gas engines have a reputation for blowing head gaskets, so either make sure it's been done, or budget for it. These trucks are maintenance high vehicles, so it helps if working on your truck is a hobby. If you look after them, really only rust can end it's life! Another big maintenance item is the front axle rebuild, I'm gearing up to do mine in the next while, it's apparently easy to do, but very time intensive, they say to budge 2 full days for your 1st crack at it.

They were available with front and rear e-lockers as well, about 7% of North American 80's came with this option (100% of Canadian LX450's came with them!). I'm not sure, but I think the FZJ80's got a different transmission as well, something for you to look into. The FJ80 brakes can easily be upgraded to FZJ spec on the front, the rear involves swapping from drums to disks, so more involved.

Other things to look for are the PHH (pesky heater hose) for the rear heater, as it corrodes and will dump all your coolant on the ground.

That's all I can think of right now, check out IH8MUD.com, and let me know if you have specific questions.

 

[RandyDaytona]

Awesome info - thanks guys!

I'll continue researching and see what I can find. Thanks again!


Ron

 

[ironhippy]

I have a 97 LX450, it's a great truck but has its drawbacks as Ian has pointed out.

The 100 series (98 - 2008 (?)) cruisers are not quite as rugged but have a V8 and are more comfortable on road, but they have IFS and not a solid front axle.

Any land cruiser that is in decent condition will be a great vehicle, but they all have their own character.

ih8mud.com is the resource you are looking for.

here is a couple of buying guides from slee offroad
Slee - 80 Series Land Cruiser Newbie Guide
Slee Off-Road 100 Series Newbie Guide

edit: In a different thread, Ian just pointed out what I miss most about the 4runner. The roll down rear window, that thing was great. It's not a deal breaker, but I really wish I still had it.

 

[85JTRunR]

Libya Attacks on U.S. Embassy.... Landcruiser??

I saw this photo on the internet and wondered if this was a Landcruiser?? Looks like one.... ??

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Check out Spectre, Man-a-Fre, and Slee. They are the experts and can tell u what to look for and avoid. Checking out a 97 myself and giving my 88 4RNR to my son when he graduates this year. Looking forward to some creature comforts!

 

[techno]

I saw this photo on the internet and wondered if this was a Landcruiser?? Looks like one.... ??

Yes, that is (was) a 100 series Cruiser. Had an ARB bumper too.

 

[ChaosStarter]

There are a lot of turbo kits for those older I-6 motors too. :banana:

 

[10ga]

I've owned several Cruisers over the years and they are all great. My least favorite was my 1991 FJ80. The 91 and 92 didn't have enough power for the weight. My favorite was my 1997 FJ80 with front and rear lockers. If I were buying one today, I would get a 99 100 series. You get the V-8 and you can get a rear locker with the 98 & 99. The only reason I wouldn't go with a 98 is because they didn't offer rear air as standard equipment.

Check out IH8MUD Forum you can get a lot of good information.

 

[LandCruiser]

In the US you have the 40s, 60s, and 80s.

The 40s are the Jeep style trucks made from the 60s into the early 80s. Later ones have the 4.2L 2F straight six engine. They vary from 3-5 speed trannies. Most have rusted to hell and immaculate examples run in the 20-40 grand range. Hellish examples will run you 5-10 grand.

The 60 series came out in the 80s. It's a station wagon based on the 40. Models thru 87 have round headlights, 4.2L carbureted 2F and 4 speed manual. Some have Aussie tranny retrofits with a 5 speed. Good examples will run you 10-15 grand. They're bulletproof, but parts are expensive and they tend to rust, expecially in the back. Later the 60 was updated to the 62 with a fuel injected 4L engine. All US examples have automatic trannies and all sorts of power goodies. They are similarly priced to the 60s, but since they're easier to drive and have ATs, most have astronomically high highway mileages.

In 1991 they came out with the 80 series station wagon with the old engine, I think they made it for 1-2 years before upgrading to the 4.5L that's in all subsequent 1990s cruisers. The 1997 40th anniversary edition (like I have) is the last of the live axle, straight 6, Land Cruisers sold in the US. Good 80s are actually pretty cheap in the tens to teens, but have high miles and some have been neglected. They're off road tanks, and rare moels have factory diff lockers. The LX450 Lexus is a great find, since it's unlikely anyone drove one of them off road, and underneath it's the same truck.

The 100 series that came out in 98 was an IFS truck with a V8 and the death of the "real" Land Cruiser in the US. Some markets got the 105 live-axle variants.

Sometimes diesels make their way south of Canadia. They are sluggish things and prone to sludging. Lots of torque, tho, if you don't mind traveling in a cloud of soot.

Gaskets, front axles, cooling systems and RUST are big PITAs that you will encoutner at some point. 40s and 60s will rust to hell in the right climate.

They also sold 55s in the 70s (the Iron Pig) but you're unlikely to find one that isn't a RHD import with a diesel, since most have rusted ages ago.

 

[IanB]

Sometimes diesels make their way south of Canadia. They are sluggish things and prone to sludging. Lots of torque, tho, if you don't mind traveling in a cloud of soot.

There were lots of different diesel models offered in other markets, you can't paint them all with the same brush. I had a '91 HDJ81 w/ 1HD-T turbo diesel, it wasn't fast as the truck was very heavy, but it was no slug, and it didn't smoke. With a bit of work the potential to make power far exceeds any of the gas engines short of adding a supercharger. I feel the turbo diesels were the best powertrain offered in these trucks from factory.

 

[LandCruiser]

Turbo diesels from other markets are rarer than hen's teeth. Most diesels running around are the old four cylinder Canadian 40s and 60s. You can also get diesel 55s imported from Latin America. There was a guy in Colorado that had a few Turbo Diesel 62s he imported from Australia, but there's usually a huge chunk of change involved in buying and importing what is getting to be close to a 20-30 year old truck with harder to find parts--especially when gas versions are much easier to find and cheaper.

Aside from factory lockers, I don't think that there's anything "better" about foreign market Cruisers. The diesel can be a blessing or a curse.

If you're insistent on importing, a 70 series Troopie would be your best bet.

 

[IanB]

Aside from factory lockers, I don't think that there's anything "better" about foreign market Cruisers. The diesel can be a blessing or a curse.

It's probabaly worth clarifying that I'm in Canada, so there's a fair number of diesel cruisers around here. As for foreign market cruisers being better, my '91 had the aforementioned 1HD-T, triple lockers, factory winch, headlight washers, dual batteries, center console fridge w/ icemaker, integrated foglights, 90,000kms when I bought it (56250 miles), full floating rear w/ disk brakes, none of which were offered in North American 80's of that year (3x lockers and FF rear were offered '93+). The diesel was a full on blessing in my experience, 16mpg + mixed driving, and wonderful noises/experience to drive. I'm currently looking for another to replace it.

 

[JohnsD90]

70's series trucks can now be imported here, that would be my choice if i had to get an LC.

 

[28.]

What's your budget? I will say I was in the hunt for an 80 myself but the more research I did the more I preferred the 100's.. Most folks will agree they're more reliable, comfortable, roomier, powerful, and even get you a gallon or 2 better MPGs.. The 80 has a well deserved cult following but if your budget allows try a used 100 before fully commiting to the 80.. And as I've said before, I've yet to see an 80 go where a 100 couldn't follow.. A good read from someone whose experienced both..

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