High mileage and trips

[MOAK]

Ok then, our 80 is currently in near perfect mechanical condition. The head was off at 300,000 miles for valve stem seals and an inside look at things. It leaks just under a quart of oil every 6,000 miles, not enough to worry about between changes. It needs a new rear driveshaft as the splines are worn & noisy. The heater and coolant hoses all look good, inside & out, with over 100,000 miles on them, but I’ll be replacing them soon in preparation for our trip this summer. All fluids are changed out well before they should be, the trans gets a brand new gallon of fluid once a year. So, for you folks that are world travelers. Am I crazy to think that a 14,000 mile round trip up into Canada & Alaska all will be fine with 356,000 miles on the clock? Friends & in-laws think we’re nuts. What say you? ( 356 is always a great conversation starter ) Thanks!

 

[plh]

That is putting a lot of faith in it. Might be fine, or you might be stranded waiting for parts, kinda like any vehicle, but the potential for some weird failure goes up with age and mileage. nearly 30 year old vehicles that are not super common should be a hoot to fix in the middle of nowhere Canada. I was going to say high mileage, but 356 is probably closer to average for the age. (14.2k per year is national average currently)

 

[2025 deleted member]

If the cooling system is redone and all regular maintenance is done I’d say go for it- but I ain’t a world traveler so take it with a grain of salt. I’d replace the battery- starter- alternator if they have any age on them..

 

[tacollie]

As long as it's well maintained you'll probably be fine. Preventative maintenance is only as good as the quality of work. As long as you trust your mechanic you should be good. I don't know what route or tube of year you're planning on going. If it's summer I would make sure the AC is in good working order.

 

[texasnielsen]

My public thoughts are about this. You mention the “go” stuff; what is the condition of the “stop” stuff? Recent brake job? What condition are the brake lines, master cylinder, etc.? Water pump, alternator age, etc.?
You know your vehicle better thank anyone else. Assuming this is a family trip? What’s your level of comfort as the captain of this ship and the condition of your vessel. Milage alone isn’t always the best measure of life left. That’s why “hours” are used in aviation and the maritime industries.
Safe travel and best wishes on your journey. Having driven the Alacan and other related roadways 6 times RT it’s an adventure whether it’s a brand new vehicle (2nd time I drove it was in a new 1982 Toyota P.U.) or something that’s been around the wo

 

[alanymarce]

That's not a high mileage for an 80 series, really.

We used a LC in Tanzania which had 530,000 km on it: the speedometer was not working and we asked how long ago it had failed - the answer was "No idea, it wasn't working when we got it 6 years ago".

We met a traveller in Argentina whose LC had over a million km on it.

However.... expect to have to fix stuff, and be prepared for failures. Our 80 series, in two years of ownership with 325,000 km on it at the end of this period, had the following failures, despite rigorous maintenance:

- miscellaneous electrical problems during a week's travel, finally resolved by a great specialist in Victoria Falls, however during the week we were stuck several times and needed "first aid" fixes.
- A/C fan motor wore out - replaced after a couple of months wait for a new one from Dubai - we spent the time travelling with no A/C, which was OK but not as comfortable as preferred in Southern Africa.
- Radiator exploded - we found the only replacement available (new or used) in the country and replaced it - rented a Ranger for a week while this was being done.
- Front differential failed - fixed in Kampala, which took a week, during which we rented another 80 series. The failure was in Murchison Falls and to get to Kampala we disconnected the front prop shaft and the hubs, which meant that the hub seals were not fully protected (despite temporary covers). As a precaution we replaced the seals, but.... the new seals which we could find were not OEM and one seized after only about 500 km, shearing the hub. So we needed a new hub and this time found OEM seals and replaced both.

My point here is not that you should not make the trip, we were happy with our vehicle and had great travels in it, however you should expect to have to fix things, which may mean a long wait, and you should always have a Plan B (and a Plan C).

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

FWIW, I have a '96 4Runner with 370k on the clock, original motor and tranny. We took it on the BajaXL in' 21, and will be taking it again in '23. Seattle to the tip of Baja and back. Doing maintanence stuff and planning on a new steering rack, that's the last part of the suspension that hasn't been updated. Actually feel more confident in it than taking our '22 Bronco. If something does happen, the Mexican mechanics can fix it, not so with the Bronco (but oh boy, would it be oh so much more comfortable...)

 

[calicamper]

Ok then, our 80 is currently in near perfect mechanical condition. The head was off at 300,000 miles for valve stem seals and an inside look at things. It leaks just under a quart of oil every 6,000 miles, not enough to worry about between changes. It needs a new rear driveshaft as the splines are worn & noisy. The heater and coolant hoses all look good, inside & out, with over 100,000 miles on them, but I’ll be replacing them soon in preparation for our trip this summer. All fluids are changed out well before they should be, the trans gets a brand new gallon of fluid once a year. So, for you folks that are world travelers. Am I crazy to think that a 14,000 mile round trip up into Canada & Alaska all will be fine with 356,000 miles on the clock? Friends & in-laws think we’re nuts. What say you? ( 356 is always a great conversation starter ) Thanks!

My 80 was barely even beyond new when I had it. Did a few trips but after a couple of long trips, it was relegated to local stuff only mainly due to lousy mileage and range which really sucked on a couple of trips out west.

As for mileage vs reliability? All my buddies with the well respected high mile Toyotas in amazing condition single owner well cared for.. Lost major bearings in the 300-350,000 range with little warning. Same for the GM and Fords in my Family that were 300+.

If it were me? Nah far better vehicles with superior range, easier parts availability and road comfort than the old J80. Even in 2010 I had trouble finding parts for some ABS issues my 94 was having.

 

[GTI-88]

To me, it all depends on if you are up for adventure and have the flexibility to absorb it when it comes to you, including time and money.

Are you OK with your trip taking a hit to the clock and wallet if you have something go down and have to stay in a hotel for 5 days while it is fixed? Or longer?

If it were me, and I had the time and money flexibility to throw caution to the wind, I would do it absolutely.

 

[MOAK]

My 80 was barely even beyond new when I had it. Did a few trips but after a couple of long trips, it was relegated to local stuff only mainly due to lousy mileage and range which really sucked on a couple of trips out west.

As for mileage vs reliability? All my buddies with the well respected high mile Toyotas in amazing condition single owner well cared for.. Lost major bearings in the 300-350,000 range with little warning. Same for the GM and Fords in my Family that were 300+.

If it were me? Nah far better vehicles with superior range, easier parts availability and road comfort than the old J80. Even in 2010 I had trouble finding parts for some ABS issues my 94 was having.

Are you talking wheel bearings? If so, the front axle was rebuilt at 300 and the rear wheel bearings torn down and inspected at 292. Main bearings in the engine? Different story, but, ya, it’s the FZJ80 1/2 million miler- easy. Range? Ya, 12 mpg. Ya get used to it. Also have an LRA 24 gallon aux and another 5 gal Jerry can. Crazy am I? Maybe. Another in our small band has a 94 80 with an LS1 transplant & Chevy trans. The other? A three year old Chevy Colorado with the diesel. Guess which truck I’m concerned about the most.

 

[calicamper]

Are you talking wheel bearings? If so, the front axle was rebuilt at 300 and the rear wheel bearings torn down and inspected at 292. Main bearings in the engine? Different story, but, ya, it’s the FZJ80 1/2 million miler- easy. Range? Ya, 12 mpg. Ya get used to it. Also have an LRA 24 gallon aux and another 5 gal Jerry can. Crazy am I? Maybe. Another in our small band has a 94 80 with an LS1 transplant & Chevy trans. The other? A three year old Chevy Colorado with the diesel. Guess which truck I’m concerned about the most.

Main bearings in the go device.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

If you know the general maintenance schedule and are aware of the original parts (all the rubber) under the hood that should be addressed before your trip, replace them and gofor it.
If YOU have confidence in the vehicle that's all that matters.
Life is an adventure.

 

[vintageracer]

Drive On!

Hell ain't half full.

 

[Kayak Taco]

It comes down to your faith in the maintenance that has been done and your ability to deal with the unknown. If you're very familiar with the vehicle, confident in the work that has been done, and flexible enough to adapt if something goes sideways, go for it. Definitely address anything that you know needs done (like the driveshaft), and replace any fluids or wear parts that need it. Give it a thorough once over, then hit the road.

 

[Ozarker]

Well, I have seen much of the world, stayed at Holiday Inn, so here's my 2 cents;

Tell those folks that you aren't concerned until you hit half a million miles and if anything does go wrong, you're in North America, cell towers, tow trucks and mechanics as well as parts stores all over the place. Check fuel, tires, air pressure, cleared for take off!