What to know about a 97 LC???

[Schattenjager]

Well, I have a chance to trade rigs - I love the Tacoma - it is super easy on gas, very comfortable, new, etc. etc.

What I don't love as much is IFS and no easy way to carry a RTT on the truck as it sits.

So anyway this LC is loaded - TRD Supercharger,Warn M12000, Interior Winch Controls, ARB Front Bumper, IPF 900 Aux. Lights, ARB Air Compressor, ARB Air Lockers (Front & Rear), 4.88 Ring & Pinion, Transfer Case Skid Plate, 5" Slee & Old Man Emu Lift, custom Rear Bumper w/ Tire Carrier & Jerry can Holder, Auxiliary Fuel Tank, Outback Roller Drawers, ORS Sliders, 5x 315 x 75 x 16 Goodyear MTR's

He is asking $24K which is a lot of $ for the year, but the mods make it more reasonable. He may want to trade for the Tacoma, if not I have had about a dozen offers to buy it while running around Denver that I feel like it would go easily.

Is this a smart idea? The legend of the LC is an axiom, what I need to know is there anything screwy about the year? I am not excited about a supercharger in an expedition type rig due to all of the inherent issues that can come up - made by Toyota or not.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Pskhaat]

I can't speak much to price, but the only thing that is a PITA on these 80s is the head gasket and a small heater hose. If both check out I don't think you can go wrong at all, if they don't check out, then factor their repair price as a discount.

As for your supercharger, if you don't want it, I would consider buying it from you.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

The 97 is the last of the 80 series if I remember correctly. I have a friend who has a 97 and it runs and drives great on and off road. I'd say have a good look at the mechanicals, and if everything is a green light, go ahead on it. Personally I like IFS, but the Tacoma is a little small for what you probably want it for - expedition travel.

Good luck.

:arabia:

 

[Jacket]

I love Cruisers, but I think I'd have a hard time dropping $24k on a 10 year old truck. I agree that the mods are nice, and that supercharger would be a nice balance for those 35's, but....

I've actually worked out a similar scenario in my head (sell the Taco for an 80 and a 40), although I'm pretty unlikely to do it. If it were me, I'd look for one with a low miles as possible for around $8000 (a nice mall-crawler), and then use the extra money to build the rig exactly as you want it. You've got Slee in your backyard, so you've got that going for you too. They could do all that work with your specific guidance, and you'd know all the ins and outs of that truck because you did it all.

Just my opinion though......

Have you seen this - pretty nice summary of the 80 series:

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

 

[bigreen505]

Just to be clear, it sounds like you are talking about Daryl's cruiser (Sgt. Grunt), for sale on Slee, right? Clearly Daryl can tell you more about the truck than we can. My thought is that is a super expedition rig, but premium fuel at 15 mpg is too expensive as a daily driver.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I love Cruisers, but I think I'd have a hard time dropping $24k on a 10 year old truck.

Cruiser or not, eh? I paid $5,000 for my Hilux when it was 10 years old and had 120,000 miles on it. And I thought that was a lot of money.

 

[blupaddler]

If it's Daryl's truck...Do it.



The head gasket and hose were mentioned, and have probably been remedied.









However, all you need is a shell for the RTT for your Taco. Or a custom rack like TacoDoc. Although not very easy methods.

 

[kcowyo]

I am not excited about a supercharger in an expedition type rig due to all of the inherent issues that can come up - made by Toyota or not.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Appreciate this - 98,000 trouble free miles with my TRD Supercharger. And I don't pose, I roll. Regularly....with a load....all over the western US.

Paying for premium fuel isn't fun but all grades are so overpriced now anyway, it all hurts. I enjoy the additional HP more than the saved pennies per gallon.

Now ask yourself, why would someone want to trade a 10 year old 80, even loaded to the gills, for a new Tacoma? And trading vehicles so you can more easily add a RTT? Seriously? You can make that work with what you have.

IFS vs. 11mpg.....:cow:

 

[blupaddler]

11mpg.....:cow:

gee thanks KC...had to go and spoil the party.























But in all reality, as KC posted...yes, 11 mpg. Not a good DD.

 

[Jacket]

Cruiser or not, eh? I paid $5,000 for my Hilux when it was 10 years old and had 120,000 miles on it. And I thought that was a lot of money.

And I sold my 92 4Runner with 135K miles for $6200. For some reason, people out there think Toyotas will last forever

 

[kcowyo]

gee thanks KC...had to go and spoil the party.

Considering the extra gear and tire size, I thought I was giving it the benefit of the doubt at 11mpg..... eepwall:

In fairness, I would love a tricked out 80 myself.

 

[Schattenjager]

yeah - the mpg is not thrilling at all - but the Taco is worth quite a bit more - and it has a strong market. I can use the difference and buy that GS1150 I want so bad!

I have had several mod'ed cars in the past - one 750 HP Buick Grand National and an older Turbo Porsche that was in the 10's down the quarter. Mods other than the ones I have done always raise questions for me - no matter who owns it or what shop performed the work. That makes selling a custom rig catchy, esp when you want top dollar to "recover" what you put in it. I know too well that just happens once in a blue moon. I lost almost $10K on the Buick and it took 2 years to sell. The markets are worse now too.

So I guess this is why I posted the question - the Tacoma is perfect! Good MPG, little bigger than the previous model so it is uber comfortable, dependable, lots of factory warranty left, and it also has a bunch of cool mods that are working very well. I just get bored with cars pretty quick and like to trade around. But I sure do not want to find myself in a poor position for my efforts. I have put about 20K miles on the Tacoma in the last six months and it has never protested. I just did the 30K service at the dealer and the tech made a note that he wanted to meet me - it one of the cleanest and best maintained 05's he had seen. That certainly made me feel good!

Anyway - this is all about want and nothing whatsoever to do with need.

:rappel:

 

[kcowyo]

....but premium fuel at 15 mpg is too expensive as a daily driver.

Pardon me Schattenjager, I gotta bust this cheapskates chops a little...

Putting aside the purposed benefits of running premium fuel through your system, let me break the numbers down for you.

Take a 24 gallon tank like mine. The low fuel light comes on with 5 gallons to go. The majority of my fill ups are right at 19 gallons. 19, multiplied by the extra .20 for premium over 85/87 octane = $3.80 more per fill up. I fill up an average of twice a month, so 3.80 multiplied by 24 = 91.20

$91.20 over an entire year for fuel, to get an additional 90HP (more like 75) on demand 24/7. That's only a quarter a day Bill. I know even a frugal dude like you must have a change jar on his dresser or kitchen counter, full of quarters. Oh and by running premium regularly, I was seeing an average of 1-2mpg better than other T100's (prior to the FWC).

So stop the 'premium is too much' insanity. Compared to a lot of other 4wd farkle, it's relatively inexpensive and running premium can actually benefit your engine and mpg results.

 

[Schattenjager]

So, kcowyo, what are you REALLY saying? Just kidding. The MPG is kind of important, but not a deal breaker. Esp if I can get the GS! :wings:

 

[kcowyo]

What I'm saying is, if aliens landed here in a spaceship and said they'd be taking me into outer space for 50 years, but I had to leave all my possessions here on earth, I would call Bill Green and ask him to hold onto my money for two reasons -

1. Because he's a really honest guy with probably more integrity than me
2. Because I bet he still has the first dollar he ever made as a paperboy, stuffed under his mattress