Looking into used FZJ-80 - thoughts on mileage?

[cbradley]

I am half seriously (pending funds) looking for a used 80 series. I know that when properly maintained, the engines are known to last for quite awhile. Most of the 80s I have found thus far have been 140k and 180k miles on the odometer. I have real reservations about buying a vehicle with that kind of mileage on it.

What are your thoughts? Would I be crazy to buy one with that kind of mileage? I am looking mostly at the 95-97 model years. Do you think these vehicles have another 100k in them? Are there 80s with less than 100k on them out there somewhere that I am not seeing?

Due to the more robust nature of the Land Cruiser, as well as its greater GVWR, I intend to make this my primary overlanding vehicle and using the 4Runner more for a DD and weekend jaunts.

Any advice would be welcomed.

 

[Pokey]

well- in a nutshell - its not so much the mileage as whats been done to the vehicle along the way up to 180k.

I was explaining to someone today that if you add up all the stuff that "should" be changed, rebuilt, attended to (due to normal life expectancy of the part) somewhere after crossing the 100k mile mark.....it would hit anywhere from $2-4k with ease on an 80 series:
-biggies like radiator
-fan clutch
-water pump
-alternator
-starter
-ac system
-full cooling system hoses
-02 sensors
-cats/exhaust system
-front and rear axle rebuild
-headgasket

NOW- if the previous owner- does this $2k-4k+ in premaintenance as things start to need looking after (after 100k up to 180k miles).....you are looking at roughly 4-6 years of service life and anywhere from $500-900 per year to keep a $50k vehicle running........and by 180k miles.........you will have redone all the major 150k life span items in the vehicle. At this point you should have all major systems up to snuff and the vehicle should be ready for its next 100-150k miles.

HOWEVER!- If you are buying a "used" high mileage cruiser---and have no idea what amount of the $2k-4k+ in repairs have been done..............you could be looking at an immediate hellish and expensive first 10k of miles when you purchase the rig...........as all the "original" systems start to break in the normal course of their 150k lifespan.

This is also basically if you plan to do alot of the work yourself. Send it to someone else--and $$$ can climb real fast.

SO when you see a high-mileage cruiser......and its cheap.......dont be fooled-- take the el-cheapo cost and add $4k+ onto the bottom line for starters if you hope for it to go another 100k miles UNLESS the previous owner hands you a stack of receipts for the aforementioned items.

Each PM item that has been done----is basically coming off of your bottom line of the purchase price+ that $4k in PM -upkeep-to get the next 100k miles out of it.

Most people fending off oodles of 200k problems due to lack of PM or None whatsoever, usually would in hindsight look for a well kept lower mileage version - pay a little more--and attend to PM stuff AHEAD OF THE CURVE.....instead of buying in WELL BEHIND THE CURVE. FWIW.

 

[Pokey]

ALSO- dont be discouraged. There are diamonds in the rough.......grocery grabbers that were religiously maintained by wealthy owners that feel Toyota only service is appropriate. Typically they dont account for the $4k in receipts over the past 40k miles........and dont realize that their higher mileage cruiser is actually close to ready to go the next 100k miles.

There are certain towns/ communities around the country that have a high BMW/Toyota/Mercedes per household content...............these are the ones to find the diamonds in the rough in. Mine was a lady who grabbed her kids at school everyday and put 5k miles per year from 70-120k........had a nice organized folder of toyota receipts for OEM everything totally well over $4k and was selling her scratched up / triple locked80 for just about the same as most other 180k miler ---no service history versions on craigslist. Deals are out there especially in this rising GAS PRICE economy!!! but make a list of all the things that need to happen........what they cost to make them happen........and check it off against what the SELLER has already made happen.

 

[haven]

And don't overlook the 1996-1997 Lexus LX450, which is a
re-branded version of the 80 series. Lexus owners are even
more likely to use the dealership for scheduled maintenance,
and less likely to use the vehicle off-road.

 

[ChuckB]

The who has the highest mileage on their 80 thread Hopefully this will give you some confidence. Gotta do the PM though.

 

[MoGas]

Don't let miles scare you off. It's all about the care during those miles.

My 80 has 226K, My wife's 62 is at 209K and our Hilux has 253K. None of them "show" their mileage. If you were to just go by what is on the odometer, you may miss out on a really well cared for vehicle. Our 80 and Hilux came with full compliments of paperwork, and I looked over the 62 pretty thoroughly prior to that purchase.

The key is to find someone local that really knows those vehicles and have them look it over with you if you aren't comfortable mechanically. Land Cruisers have their "tells" that an average buyer wouldn't know to look for, but an enthusiast should. Or ask if you can have it checked out by a mechanic on your own dime. If a seller ever balks at that request, walk away. Ask for documents, you may find something out that really makes a vehicle a great deal.


Good luck,
Dave

 

[cbradley]

Thanks for the great advice. I hadn't taken into account that kind of potential short term cost if it hasn't had the proper PM. I will adjust my sights accordingly. Thank you all for the valuable information. I will set out looking for that diamond in the rough. Perhaps the one good thing about the ailing economy and rising gas prices is that there should be a lot of people looking to get rid of their gas guzzling 80s. I need to find one of those ladies Pokey was talking about. Gorcery grabber, here I come!

I can't wait to post some pics when I finally get one.

 

[redthies]

Good luck in your search!

 

[Pokey]

- i have a line on a 93 fully locked one with 200k miles thats a bargain in northern Ca.

The other option i forgot to mention above is finding a high mileage version thats so bloody cheap......you can simply throw a pile of cash into refreshing everything needed no matter what the previous owner has done.

For a triple locked 80 that would have to be something in the low $3k range(a fairly tough find itself).......leaving you a spare $2.5k to immediately sink into refreshing the entire top end-cooling system-and most pm parts listed above. In this scenario- you would have less than $6.5k into a rig that is majorly refreshed/ with zero miles on all stock OEM parts and headgasket/head rebuild completed.

I spent about 8mo finding the correct diamond in the rough-----this option would allow you to drive it home in less than a month majorly refreshed for under $6.5k.

feel free to Pm me for details.