need clean donor truck (80 series)

[LandCruiser]

My venerable FZJ80 has been on its last legs for a few years now.

299xxx miles, busted radiator on its third rebuild, leaky head gasket, wonky PS pump, AT woes, broken rear locker and drowned rear diff on its second or third rebuild.

The OME lift, wheels and tires, ARB bumpers, rock rails, sliders, are all in much better shape and I'm thinking about transferring all the expensive stuff to a new vehicle that is much less dead and keep the old girl around for spare parts and body panels.

I have decided to start my quest with LX450s in Alabama and Florida, since they have much lest rust cancer than those in Colorado--also the Lexuses seem cleaner than the LC's for some reason.

Prices still kinda bug me. Craptastic ones run 7-8k, a "low mileage" pristine 124k 95 (but I think the SN is actually from a 96 to make things potentially concerning) runs for 13k...

Can't believe the prices have held on for so long.

 

[10ga]

They are starting to make the change to collector cars. I've had 6 FJ and FZJ80's over the years and prices have gone crazy in the last few years. I bought a 97 in 2005 with 105,000 miles, lockers, one owner, perfect condition, I think I gave $12,000 for it. Today one like that would bring $16,000 - $18,000. I started the search for the one I have now about 4 months ago and I kept looking until I found a deal. I bought a 93 with 170,000 miles and lockers for $1500. The passenger side axle needed rebuilding so I did both sides, changed the belts, hoses ( including PHH ), radiator, rotors, brakes, distributor O ring, oil pump cover O ring, and some other things. The front seats were shot and the seat position motors were mostly shot. I found all 3 rows with gray leather and the fronts are manual and the leather is in great shape on all three rows............paid $175 for all. I'm building this one for the trails so I still have a lot of money to spend but I've decided to make it a budget build and take my time finding parts. Hoping to get this one done for less than $10,000. Keep an eye on craigslist, you'll find one.