Land Cruiser/ Discovery/ Montero meet up

OneTime

Adventurer
I have owned my 80 for just over two years now. I must say it has been a love hate realationship. I have a 92 with the wonderful 3FE. Which has more than one occasion left me yearing for more power. For the last year I have considered selling the 80 and going back to a Mits Montero. Especially with the price of gas this last summer. I wanted the better MPG and better on road handling of the Montero.

M 80 had never been my DD. But two weeks ago it became my DD with the unexpected death of my Focus. My desire for a more fuel efficeint vehicle intensefied. I began looking again at Monteros. I owned a 95 years ago before I had ever heard of the term Expedition Vehicle or Overland Travel. I got to tell you the Montero is a fine vehicle. Great 4WD system and factory rear locker.

So I went to look at one last week. I met the guy in a parking lot where he had parked the vehicle to show buyers over weekend. When I arrived the Montero was there. I pulled up in the 80 and he arrived in a Disco II. I thought that was cool. All three together. I should have took and pic but the seller would have looked at me weird. It was apparent his truck never saw dirt.

I drove the Monty and was immediatley shocked at how much it felt like a car compared to driving the tank 80.

Long story short, I decided to stay with the ol girl 80. The Monty is a much better truck for my needs right. But it had no soul. Despite the terrible MPG, poor power, I feel sort of attched to the LC. Today I spent hours on her doing my first tune up. I had zero wrenching skills when I bought her. But Im learning. I wouldnt have been able to do what I did on the Monty. I have really considered the Montero hard for a year. Kinda the grass is greener thing I guess.

After working on my truck today, I discovered a little bit more just what an amazing vehicle I own. She may not go 85 down the freeway and get 20 MPG. But she's a Crusier!!!
 

Pskhaat

2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
Them FJ80s are really hard to beat, they're quite easy to `wrench-on.' I'm personally glad you kept it. Take a few $ and get it really well cleaned (logically, not literally) and worn parts replaced and I think you should do okay in comparison to the price of another vehicle.
 

Grease Cruiser

Adventurer
roscoFJ73 said:
She would do 75mph and get 20 mpg with a 1HZ diesel conversion.
Even better with a turbp;)

Yep..... a 1HDT is nice too. I'm thoroughly enjoying my 1HDT/5 speed 80 conversion here in the States. ;)
 

Grease Cruiser

Adventurer
OneTime said:
What does a desiel conversion cost? 10 grand? That will save me money on fuel.

Probably a little more than $10K but it all depends on which diesel and which vehicle. It also depends on if you do it or if you have to pay to have it done. $10K is a good start though.

You won't be saving much money with todays diesel prices. Running bio-fuels would help a lot if you make it yourself or have a cheap source.

With my HDJ80, I'm getting about 23-24 mpg which is about 50% (maybe a little more) better than the factory 80 series. Where I am, diesel fuel is almost 50% more than regular unleaded....so it evens out really.

We do a lot of diesel conversions and what I tell people is:
You have to really want a diesel to do a diesel conversion. Don't do it just for fuel savings alone. It will take you a very long time to pay it off in fuel savings. I personally really like diesels and am willing to do the conversions but that's just me.

Hijack over.
 

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