80 series as good as they say and what to lookout for

Hey Davoe,
You can't go wrong with a good 80. I have had my '93 since '96 and it has never missed a beat. Only criticism is that it is heavy on fuel but I live with that cos it's perfect in every other way. I lov my Toy. Manual gearboxes are also a bit sus but I bought an auto for ease of winching my 4 ton boat out of the water without relying on the handbrake.
You will enjoy i am sure.

Davoe, check for chassis cracking around the front of the steering box and the panhard rod mount near the steering box.
other than that top truck glad i'm back in one.
In case you didn't see the followup from yesterday my dual cab 80 was privately owned all its life not a mines truck.
Regards
tour Boy

I have a '91 model 80 Series Diesel and love it.

Gearbox can be a bit notchy, but you can drive around that. Economy is fine with mine. On a trip to Cameron Corner my mate was filling his petrol model with $90 worth and mine was costing $60 for the same distance, so I was happy with that.

Mine is non-turbo, so it does not get anywhere in a hurry, but it lumbers along to my satisfaction. Given I can only do 100 kph anyway it does not matter. It has taught me patience : )

Headlights on my model are almost worthless, but I stuck some driving lights on and they do the job. I may end up putting in a Pirahna loom for the headlights at some later stage and fitting it out with some Hella inserts. Cracks around the chassis has already been covered, and worth a look before you shell out your "hard earned...".

I service mine every 5000km, it now has 250,000km, blows no smoke (except in the Alpine regions - my diesel hates altitude), and just keeps going. At about 230,000km I had to get a new power steering pump installed, but apart from that I have not had a moments trouble with it at all. I expect to to be going strong at 500,000km if I take care of it.

Oh, and it does get offroad, mainly long distance touring. I do not take it "rock hopping" though.

I think there is very litle difference between the size of the 80 and 100 series. Reason I say this is that I installed a set of those Red Desert drawers, which were designed for a 100 series. They went straight in, apart from me having to just trim off the sides of the plywood top about 1/2" both sides to get a snug fit. It fitted the same bolt holes etc that are in the 100 series.

Hope it is a good one - it will serve you well. Can't see me geting rid of mine.

Jack

Gday Davoe
My 92 GXL diesel has been in the family since new.
273800 km now with no dramas. Put a new clutch in it at 270 000 not worn out only the damper bushes gone causing rattleing. I tried an after market Daiken brand with no success so I put a genuine Toyota clutch in, No dramas now.
I just put a Denco turbo on last week and what a difference.
I use it as my work vehicle (mechanical repairs) and club trips every month. Love it and highly recommend them.
Electric mirrors are fragile so check they aren't wobbling around when you drive and the centre diff lock switch on the transfer case can play up causing the light on the dash not to operate. These aren't cheap at just over 100 bucks. Hang on yours is standard part time 4wd so won't have that switch. 94 model should have disc rear end so watch the hand brake as they aren't much chop. Its common for them to leak a power steering pump but a seal kit through them will get you buy. About 65 bucks from Toyota. Radiators can start to leak around 250 000 k's.
Usual wear and tear but I suppose.
Sounds like your mind is made up so enjoy.

Dont these jiggers run a Hilux front axle which has been of concern. Also Toyota
dropped the turbo model real quick as they ran bearings, OK if you pick up on it before they get too bad.

I have 96 STD with most of the gear and can't fault it.
Have looked at upgrading several times but just can't bring myself to do it.
Only complaint I have is the fact that there's no tacho but an aftermarket job fixes that

Davoe, have a look at a 80 series diff then compare with your 75-78 which I believe is heavier.
Many rarely use the front diff even in the big round OZ trek so I guess most may not have trouble with them.
Seems to me that the manufacturers of both cars & 4wds are boosting engine torque enormously with new models but without always giving a commensurate increase in
component size.
eg My 91 Triton has a 9" rear & 8" front for , by 2004 standards, a low powered motor. (dont tell me about the gearboxes!) Compare that with the bigger motors with say 400nm of torque. Also the suspension which looks similar to later trucks with about 2300kgs compared with 1550 kgs must need greater care in the rough.