1993 Landcruiser 80 expedition build (UK) with pics

[MikesVX80]

Evening all, thought I would introduce myself on here; my name is Mike, and I've just purchased myself an 80-Series Landcruiser as a base for an expedition vehicle.

As a bit of background, I've always been a Land Rover man to be honest, or more specifically a Range Rover man; a couple of V8 Classics was where it all began. First up was a 1991 3.9 V8 Vogue SE:


This was followed by another 3.9 V9 Vogue SE, this time a late model softdash with EAS air suspension and running on LPG:



After doing plenty of greenlaning in the UK, I decided I needed to do something a little further afield, so picked up a rare G4 Challenge Range Rover Sport, which I then drove to Morocco for a 3,000 miles expedition across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert - an epic adventure, and to be fair to the car it did everything asked of it very well indeed!





But now, it's time for a bigger adventure, and a more suitable vehicle to take us on it...:ylsmoke:

 

[MikesVX80]

So, after my Morocco adventure in the G4 RRS with my brother, the missus and I have decided we want to do an adventure together, but something even further afield. As an introduction to adventure travel for my better half, not to mention a shakedown for the new vehicle, we plan another Morocco trip next year, and then the year after we hope to do a circumnavigation all being well.

Anyway, I digress; a suitable vehicle for such an adventure was required and it came down to two options for me; a Landcruiser (80 or 100), or a Defender 110. Being a LR man, the Defender was my initial choice, but at 6' tall (with long legs and broad shoulders) I find them so uncomfortable to drive, the idea of driving any significant distance in one put me right off.

Which brings me to my recent purchase, a 1993 Landcruiser 80-Series, a 12-valve 4.2TD manual VX. To be honest, I couldn't decided between an 80 or 100, but I was struggling to find a decent 100 Series manual anywhere, and the 80 seems to be THE expedition vehicle of choice for many. Finding this car in the right spec with one lady owner for the last 21 years was just too good an opportunity to pass up, so here she is:






So far, all that's changed from standard is the addition of BFG A/T tyres, in a slightly larger than standard 285/75/16 fitment. I've also got a set of brand new Toyota roof bars (x3) to mount my Maggiolina Safari rooftent on, and so far that's it.

Spec for the rest of the vehicle is still TBC, for now I intend on driving it through this winter and iron out all the minor issues like slow electric windows, etc. But feel free to pop back and add comments/advice as and when!

Thanks for looking

 

[GREENI]

 

[MikesVX80]

Bored already?!

 

[redthies]

Welcome to ExPo Mike. Beautiful 80 you found! The one lady owner is a huge bonus, especially with the manual trans turbo diesel. I love my 100 series more than I did my 80, but if my 80 had been like yours, I doubt I ever would have looked for anything else. I look forward to seeing your pics from the next Morroco trip.

 

[CYK]

My 2013 Range Rover sport supercharged couldn't make it past 3k miles since new before a failure occurred!

Love the 80. Enjoy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[johanso]

Looks like a really nice example! There aren't many out there that hasn't ridiculously high mileage these days. These engines sounds amazing with a free flowing exhaust so that would be a must do for me :ylsmoke:

 

[Warrenpfo]

Hey Mike, nice 80.

Pop over and say hello on the landcruiser forum. Lots of very knowledgable people who have done some great things to there cruisers and could advise you no end.

http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/forum.php

 

[Scarab]

Hi Mike,

Really looking forward to following the build. I'm off to Morocco myself next year and really looking forward to it.
Alex

 

[MikesVX80]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I'm making a list of things to do, first draft being as follows:

- 2" lift using Ironman suspension kit, I've read it's more compliant than the OME kit and also quite a bit more cost effective
- Snorkel (any suggestions?)
- Leisure battery, split charge system and 240V power inverters
- Start designing the layout of a storage system
- Fit roof bars (already purchased) and roof tent (from previous vehicles)

Will keep updating this thread as I go along!

 

[redthies]

OME has various different spring rates available so unless they are crazily priced in the UK I'd give them a look. I have them in my 100, and ran them in my 80 and Jeep Rubicon as well. Great product! There are apparently a few offshore options for snorkels these days, but they are not nearly as UV stable as the Safari Snorkel. I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for" and "nobody ever regretted buying quality". This is especially true when it comes to modifying a vehicle to take you into seriously remote places!

 

[MikesVX80]

Thanks redthies; OME does seem to be very popular, particularly in the US, but I think the Ironman kit is more cost effective and I know it is used by several UK-based expedition company leaders, with good reports.

The other thing I want to resolve ASAP is front and rear recovery points; I have seen some recovery points that bolt onto the front chassis rails, but they are way overpriced for a bit of bent metal! Has anyone got any reasonably priced options? If not, i'll make some up myself!

 

[Summit Cruisers Jr]

I love my Ironman lift. I have never had an OME so I can't make a comparison. Originally I had the Nitro gas shocks, but then ended up with some Foam Cells hoping to stiffen up the body when I put my roof rack and roof top tent on. I too have wondered about front recovery points. I've seen those bent ones from Duiser, but for $90 it seems unreasonably priced. Too bad the Ironman bull bar didn't come with any built in. As for snorkels, the debate can go on and on about Safari vs eBay. I have had an eBay snorkel on for about a year now with no signs of age. I planned to coat it with bedliner to match my flares when I got it, but bolted it up instead. Something I may do this summer, but I planned to do it regardless if I had purchased a Safari one or not. I think more than $100 for a snorkel is ridiculous.

 

[MikesVX80]

I love my Ironman lift. I have never had an OME so I can't make a comparison. Originally I had the Nitro gas shocks, but then ended up with some Foam Cells hoping to stiffen up the body when I put my roof rack and roof top tent on. I too have wondered about front recovery points. I've seen those bent ones from Duiser, but for $90 it seems unreasonably priced. Too bad the Ironman bull bar didn't come with any built in. As for snorkels, the debate can go on and on about Safari vs eBay. I have had an eBay snorkel on for about a year now with no signs of age. I planned to coat it with bedliner to match my flares when I got it, but bolted it up instead. Something I may do this summer, but I planned to do it regardless if I had purchased a Safari one or not. I think more than $100 for a snorkel is ridiculous.

Hi there, some interesting points! Did the foam shocks make any difference over the gas ones in terms of ride comfort or handling? I was told the only difference was longevity (foam ones would last longer). I've been quoted £45/each for gas shocks or £75/each for foam, so it's an extra £120 (+ 20% VAT!) for the foam shocks!

I think I'll go for the eBay snorkel, it's £70 (vs. £170 for Safari) and is made from the same material (LDPE) if the eBay ad is to be believed!

P.S. Love you build thread by the way, such a thorough job! What's this bedliner stuff you mention and where do you get it from?

 

[Summit Cruisers Jr]

Hi there, some interesting points! Did the foam shocks make any difference over the gas ones in terms of ride comfort or handling? I was told the only difference was longevity (foam ones would last longer). I've been quoted £45/each for gas shocks or £75/each for foam, so it's an extra £120 (+ 20% VAT!) for the foam shocks!

I think I'll go for the eBay snorkel, it's £70 (vs. £170 for Safari) and is made from the same material (LDPE) if the eBay ad is to be believed!

P.S. Love you build thread by the way, such a thorough job! What's this bedliner stuff you mention and where do you get it from?

Thanks. The bed liner I mentioned is by Rustoleum. I have it on my flares, rear bumper wings, rear cross member, receiver, rocker panels, and low portion of the door jambs.
http://www.zoro.com/i/G0418196/?utm...cyJYI4ro1BaCoeUAv28ym18BkwAP95lJPHhoCrofw_wcB

We buy it by the gallon and spray it on with a hopper gun. The spray cans are okay, but they have more texture which dirt clings to.
I think you would be fine with the Nitro Gas shocks. I think the foam are a little more rigid. The Nitro gas rode a little fluffier. The foam cells are bigger shocks, and are designed to perform better when driving on rough roads for extended periods of time. Even after driving all day on mountain passes, the Nitro Gas shocks never felt like they lost any of their performance. The new Foam Cell Pro shocks look really cool and interesting. I have no idea what they cost, but they have threaded height adjustments to level out the suspension. That would be nice to have when the rear is loaded with the tent, gear, and bikes because it sags a little bit, but rides pretty smooth.