OverlandX
New member
THE TEASER:
THE MODS:
none at this time
THE STORY:
When we started OverlandX we knew one of the things we wanted to do was to have a vehicle that we could use for installation videos, product demos, a personal overlanding rig, as well as a new product testing platform. So the search began, and like many of you we went back and forth for quite a while on which vehicle to purchase. Do we buy a newer Tacoma, and get the reliability and performance of a modern machine, but lose the back of the vehicle to a pickup bed. Do we try and find an older Defender, and go through the hassles of sourcing parts for a rare vehicle, so that we can have one of the most iconic vehicles on the planet. Do we get a 100 Series Land Cruiser, and still have the Land Cruiser name without the problems of an 80 series, but then sacrifice some of the off-road capabilities. Or do we get an 80 Series, and deal with its quirks and upkeep in order to have one of the most capable overlanding vehicles ever to roll across the highways and byways of N.America.
Well after weighing all of the options, the decision became glaringly clear. The 80 Series was the way to go. For one, when you are a company that services and represents the overlanding community, you always need your best foot forward and for the overland community the 80 series is an icon, a legend, and a very eye catching piece of machinery when properly built. So the search started, and luckily enough for us after only about a month of searching we found a 80 within 2 hours of us, with locking diffs, leather seats, alloy wheels, and most of the other options available for a 96', all with only 171K on the clock. We quickly purchased the 80 and brought it home to rest. The previous owner was an outside sales women and was driving the 80 everyday as her daily vehicle. She had owned 3-4 cruisers before this one, but she needed to move to a smaller and more fuel efficient vehicle, since she spent the majority of her day driving. When we got the Cruiser home we did a quick once over to see what we had gotten ourselves into and found a head gasket leak, the A/C non functional, an exhaust leak, the check engine light on for a lean condition, the lockers not engaging, bald tires, as well as the general wear and tear expected of a 17 year old vehicle.
To start we had planned to just park the truck until the company was more established and we had some spare income to start working on the truck. While as life usually does, it pitched us a screaming curve ball and now just 2 months after starting the company we find ourselves getting ready to move it across the country and the 80 will be leading the charge. So unfortunately, it looks like the majority of the base lining and initial repairs will be done by the local Toyota dealer since we have to pack our house, the company, and move across the country in 3 weeks. We don't have the time-table to get as deep as we would like into the initial repairs. However, once we are moved and established we plan on backtracking and going through everything ourselves.
THE PICTURES:
AS PURCHASED:
THE MODS:
none at this time
THE STORY:
When we started OverlandX we knew one of the things we wanted to do was to have a vehicle that we could use for installation videos, product demos, a personal overlanding rig, as well as a new product testing platform. So the search began, and like many of you we went back and forth for quite a while on which vehicle to purchase. Do we buy a newer Tacoma, and get the reliability and performance of a modern machine, but lose the back of the vehicle to a pickup bed. Do we try and find an older Defender, and go through the hassles of sourcing parts for a rare vehicle, so that we can have one of the most iconic vehicles on the planet. Do we get a 100 Series Land Cruiser, and still have the Land Cruiser name without the problems of an 80 series, but then sacrifice some of the off-road capabilities. Or do we get an 80 Series, and deal with its quirks and upkeep in order to have one of the most capable overlanding vehicles ever to roll across the highways and byways of N.America.
Well after weighing all of the options, the decision became glaringly clear. The 80 Series was the way to go. For one, when you are a company that services and represents the overlanding community, you always need your best foot forward and for the overland community the 80 series is an icon, a legend, and a very eye catching piece of machinery when properly built. So the search started, and luckily enough for us after only about a month of searching we found a 80 within 2 hours of us, with locking diffs, leather seats, alloy wheels, and most of the other options available for a 96', all with only 171K on the clock. We quickly purchased the 80 and brought it home to rest. The previous owner was an outside sales women and was driving the 80 everyday as her daily vehicle. She had owned 3-4 cruisers before this one, but she needed to move to a smaller and more fuel efficient vehicle, since she spent the majority of her day driving. When we got the Cruiser home we did a quick once over to see what we had gotten ourselves into and found a head gasket leak, the A/C non functional, an exhaust leak, the check engine light on for a lean condition, the lockers not engaging, bald tires, as well as the general wear and tear expected of a 17 year old vehicle.
To start we had planned to just park the truck until the company was more established and we had some spare income to start working on the truck. While as life usually does, it pitched us a screaming curve ball and now just 2 months after starting the company we find ourselves getting ready to move it across the country and the 80 will be leading the charge. So unfortunately, it looks like the majority of the base lining and initial repairs will be done by the local Toyota dealer since we have to pack our house, the company, and move across the country in 3 weeks. We don't have the time-table to get as deep as we would like into the initial repairs. However, once we are moved and established we plan on backtracking and going through everything ourselves.
THE PICTURES:
AS PURCHASED:
