How capable is a 60 or 80?

[sprocket3]

I think you will be very happy with it. I have had ZERO repairs done on my 2000 100 series that is now a 10 year old SUV. My 80 had not given me any trouble either, though the prior owner did a lot of the typical stuff for me. Head gasket seems to be the main problem with the 80s.

Watch the for sale section on ih8mud.com as you can get some great trucks on there at times and peple don't get much out of mods and repairs when they sell.

The comfort level of the 80 is worth anything small advantage you might give up over the Jeep I would think. You can just drive them all day and not feel beat up. Even on very rough rock roads they just ride so nice with the OME springs.

Hope that helps.

 

[redthies]

I'm going to direct you to the f/s page here. Looks like Mr. 24hrs has put his 80 up for sale. It is WELL worth a look if that is the route you will take! And hey, he has a TJ in his past ... you never know!

 

[a.mus.ed]

^x2

You will very likely spend $15k getting a stock truck set up. Conversely, you will almost certainly not have a truck that is that well set up after spending those $15k.

 

[DaveInDenver]

The 80 would be my first choice, except that I'm not particularly fond of their styling.

You know, I'm not a huge fan of the 80 series in stock trim. They don't look quite right, too bloated or something on too small of a tire. But with a bit of lift, less plastic trim, proper tires and the right bumpers and what-not, I think they look much better. And when you factor in the way they perform, I could overlook a little oddness in their appearance. I'm not going out on a limb when I say they are probably the best performing stock Cruiser we ever got here.

And 24HOURS' 80 is $15K and worth every penny. It's a turn key truck, if that's the way you roll.

 

[luk4mud]

Just saw 24 Hours' rig. Amazing. Unless I can sell my TJ first (I want to sell it, no I don't yes I do, no I don't ...) that 80 is out of my price range right now.

 

[timbercruiser]

Still kinda new to wheelin my 80, but it goes a lot of places and does it in comfort. It makes selling my FJ 40 a little less bitter.

 

[SLOwag]

I have a buddy who just bought an 80 and is building it. I think I'll wrench with him awhile, take a trip or two and see what I think.

That's some of the best advice you could have given yourself.

 

[luk4mud]

What makes the 95- 97 years more desireable than the 93- 94? I understand the engine chnage after 92, just wondering what else changed after 94?

 

[luk4mud]

That's some of the best advice you could have given yourself.

Thanks, I think I will keep researching and oggling all of yours for awhile more to make sure that's what I really want to do. I have a vary capable trail rig now, so it's not like I'm missing out on the fun. It's getting to the trail that is gettting harder and harder for me.

 

[ChuckB]

What makes the 95- 97 years more desireable than the 93- 94? I understand the engine chnage after 92, just wondering what else changed after 94?

I think what most people claim is the switch to OBDII (easier to supercharge) and more airbags. If you really want to get in the weeds I believe the transmission was different from 95+ also. HTH.

 

[a.mus.ed]

the transmission did change. some argue that the pre-95 tranny is better, and some argue that OBDII isn't desirable, either, because the emissions testing can't tell if your cats are emptied, for instance. i'm not one of those people, just saying.

if you do want OBDII, the land cruisers weren't fully compliant until 96. some 95s came with OBDII, but not all, so check the sticker under the hood of any you check out.

you could argue that 95 is the best year because some are OBDII compliant, which means you can use a scan gauge/tune your super charger easier, but emissions doesn't plug in to your system because the 95s aren't listed as OBDII compliant. at least thats how it goes here in AZ.

 

[ChuckB]

the transmission did change. some argue that the pre-95 tranny is better, and some argue that OBDII isn't desirable, either, because the emissions testing can't tell if your cats are emptied, for instance. i'm not one of those people, just saying.

if you do want OBDII, the land cruisers weren't fully compliant until 96. some 95s came with OBDII, but not all, so check the sticker under the hood of any you check out.

you could argue that 95 is the best year because some are OBDII compliant, which means you can use a scan gauge/tune your super charger easier, but emissions doesn't plug in to your system because the 95s aren't listed as OBDII compliant. at least thats how it goes here in AZ.

Thanks for clarifying I'm still an 80 lurker :snorkel:

 

[mickey_rubicon]

I have both a 93 and a 96. My 93 is lifted on 33s and except for two or three spots it did fine on the Rubicon driven by Rubicon first timer. I have 246 thousand miles on my 93 and it runs fine. My 96 is bone stock and I will be making an expedition rig out of it. As far as limits of capabilty, people are now running some big lifts and big tires on 80s with all sorts of modifications from mild to wild. Overall I think its the best platform for almost any purpose. I still have a truggy for extreme trails but I think I am going to move to having 3 80's in different stages of build. I am sorry if I sound biased. I have been using mine on the trails since 2000 and have been a very happy 80 series owner. Some of my other vehicles over the years included a built 86 Range Rover, and also a 78 FJ40 and a 2004 Tacoma TRD 4x4.

 

[t0mills]

I had a FJ80 for a while. It was a 1991, with 212,000 miles on it, and I only paid $500 for it from a local guy. He was tired of it being underpowered, and using too much gas (3FE...lol)


So...... I turned it into a wheeling rig.


Welded up the diffs, installed Warn Premium Lockout Hubs on the front, cut the fenders out, threw on some boggers, and proceeded to dominate every 4 & 5 diamond trail at Hot Springs OHV Park.
I also spent a lot of time wheeling in Disney, since it was so close to me.


Nothing EVER broke, and it impressed every person that saw it. It wasn't until I filled the motor full of mud that it got retired.... Stupid move on my part, fell in a mud hole that swallowed 49" tires earlier that day....

After that, it just sat... for over a year. Motor was completely full of mud, opened up the drain plug on the oil pan and nothing came out. I had to stick a screwdriver in the hole to break up all of the mud.

I actually ended up taking an old oil filter, drilling a hole through the end of it, and welding an air fitting in place. I put the filter on the motor, and connected 100psi of air to it, and that blew some of the mud out of the pan.

After that, I filled the motor with diesel fuel (instead of oil), and it fired right up. Sure it rattled like a diesel, but it ran good enough to move it around. Even drove right up a dead tree.

I sold it soon after that, to the guy that helped me get it running again, for more than I paid for it to begin with.


I don't think you can go wrong with an 80....

Even got a fresh paint job (spray can...)!!!

 

[DBS311]

I prefer the '95 and up just because of the dash.............