Trade for decent 80 series?

[cshontz]

I'm ready for a change, and am interested in an 80 series Land Cruiser. One that is in decent condition and well-suited for overland travel. The only hitch is, I'm not positioned to shop aggressively right now. I just wanted to post here just in case you guys have any advice for a first-time owner, or any leads that I'd be stupid to pass up.

Basically, I have this...

And I want to even-trade, or sort-of-even-trade for this...

I know that Land Cruisers are generally more valuable than Cherokees, and I don't have my finger on any triggers. I just want to get my foot in the door with a Toyota, so I'm putting a feeler out there. What should I look for? Best years? Where should I look? (I'm in SE PA)

 

[JohnnyS]

I'd suggest selling the Jeep and taking your time finding an 80 (from the West, or a salt free area) to buy.
Hopefully the Jeep isn't your DD or the plan wouldn't work so well.
Unless you can find an 80/LX450 at a dealership...
Best of luck & good idea swapping to an 80!!

 

[phsycle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[enzo]

Isn't the 80 you have posted for sale? I was on Autotrader the other day and I'm pretty sure that's the one I saw.

 

[redthies]

You have a nice looking Cherokee. You MIGHT find someone drunk enough to trade for a bone stock high mileage 80, but I don't think you'll get one like the one you posted a pic of. Anyone who has put that much into their 80 is likely in for the long haul. As for years, 93 and newer got the 4.5 motor and rear discs, 95 and newer got the better (in my mind) dash. Lockers came in 93 or 94. Go to ih8mud and check out the 80 series section newbie guide. Slee has a link to their "what to look for in an 80" write up. Best of luck in your search! You'll be very happy you made the switch.

 

[cshontz]

Isn't the 80 you have posted for sale? I was on Autotrader the other day and I'm pretty sure that's the one I saw.

Yeah, I tried to contact the seller. No response. Furthermore, I'm sure it'll be gone by the time I sold my Cherokee. I also might want to carry over some parts, but I have a cast on my arm and can't turn wrenches. It might not be the best time for this pursuit, but one can dream.

You have a nice looking Cherokee. You MIGHT find someone drunk enough to trade for a bone stock high mileage 80, but I don't think you'll get one like the one you posted a pic of. Anyone who has put that much into their 80 is likely in for the long haul. As for years, 93 and newer got the 4.5 motor and rear discs, 95 and newer got the better (in my mind) dash. Lockers came in 93 or 94. Go to ih8mud and check out the 80 series section newbie guide. Slee has a link to their "what to look for in an 80" write up. Best of luck in your search! You'll be very happy you made the switch.

Great info, thanks! Yeah, it's daft of me to expect to pull this off with a trade. Lockers only came in 93 or 94? I will check out those resources you listed.

 

[cc93cruiser]

lockers 93-97

 

[2 E L O]

I'm not sure how much your Cherokee is worth but an 80 series like you desire is probably anywhere in the $8,000-15,000 range depending on mileage, mods, condition, lockers, etc...

 

[kletzenklueffer]

Just to be clear, lockers were optional from 93-97. If you're looking for one with them, there is a twist knob to the left of the steering wheel. Be sure it has them and that they work. Not that there's a problem with them, but make sure they engage when test driving

 

[enzo]

I've always wanted one of these. I want an 80 series so bad I might just sell my 09 Tacoma DCSB TRD with plenty of ARB goodies for one. I have 3 cars so this won't be my daily.

 

[Rallyroo]

Just to be clear, lockers were optional from 93-97. If you're looking for one with them, there is a twist knob to the left of the steering wheel. Be sure it has them and that they work. Not that there's a problem with them, but make sure they engage when test driving

Of that range of years just 7% of them came with the optional lockers.

 

[kletzenklueffer]

I've always wanted one of these. I want an 80 series so bad I might just sell my 09 Tacoma DCSB TRD with plenty of ARB goodies for one. I have 3 cars so this won't be my daily.

After I bought mine last year, I was going through some files on my PC and found where I'd started a "pro's/con's" excel spreadsheet in 2008weighing the FJ80 vs the 97 4Runner. I ended up buying the 4Runner at the time and it's been great, but I came back to the FJ80 after all was said and done.

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

I'll trade you my 80 :sombrero:

Seriously though be patient and you may come across a deal like I did. I got a stock FZJ80 I purchased for $300 (thats right, three bills)! Needed a new rear end but I've got less than $1,000 into her so far. Its a 94, not locked. If I were you I'd keep the jeep for a little longer, its a clean one!

 

[fullybalanced]

I'll trade you my 80 :sombrero:

Seriously though be patient and you may come across a deal like I did. I got a stock FZJ80 I purchased for $300 (thats right, three bills)! Needed a new rear end but I've got less than $1,000 into her so far. Its a 94, not locked. If I were you I'd keep the jeep for a little longer, its a clean one!

SON OF A .... man you stole that one! Even if it has 250K on the clock, if you got even a few oil change records, that's worth it!

 

[Mountainhound]

I'll trade you my 80 :sombrero:

Seriously though be patient and you may come across a deal like I did. I got a stock FZJ80 I purchased for $300 (thats right, three bills)! Needed a new rear end but I've got less than $1,000 into her so far. Its a 94, not locked. If I were you I'd keep the jeep for a little longer, its a clean one!

I hate you. No wait












yea I hate you. :wings: