80 series landcruiser

Have a go at trying to get to places the 80 can't go. I'm sure your partner will tell you to turn around and go back before the car is at it's limits. Especially if you haven't done any 4wding before. You might want to take a spare set of reg grundies if you really want to get serious cause the truck will get you there if you have the ability as a driver.
At 230000km if it is well maintained, you should have the "old girl" for many a good year yet.
Plenty of gear available to kit out an 80 so the world is your oyster in this dept.

Go and see what it can do and I'm sure you will be impressed.
Trevor.

Replace the clutch, radiator, water pump and keep a watch on the gearbox. Have the bearings done.
Then it will be as bullet proof as you can get.

In my opinion...its the best cruiser built. Do it up to suit ur needs and enjoy it as it should be enjoyed.
Ange

Your 80 series is more bullet proof than a new 100 series.With each new model that comes out,real 4wd features are being lost to comfort on road ie they are all getting softer(and I own a 100 series).The only reason I got a 100 over an 80 was I wanted a later model,even though I new it wasnt as tough(did get a 105 series though).
Your auto petrol will be worth nothing(hurts but true) so save loosing all your money trading up,build up a great vehicle that you already know.

You've owned it since new so you know its history.
80's are great.
Heaps of set up options for them.
Parts everywhere.
Anyone can repair them if needed.
There is no better alternative for what you want to do.

My 97 80 series petrol has done 180000km and had not been used as a car - only towing & 4wding. The last trip was The Anne Beadell & Connie Sue Highways towing a camper trailer & the Simpson desert (No trailer of course).
Bullet proof is the word often used to describe an 80 & my experience agrees.

As far as fuel range is concerned replace the 50 litre second fuel tank with an after market long range tank. This fits in the spaces of the sub tank & the anchor (spare tyre underneath).
In 2003 I bought my 190 litre tank from 4WD Systems in Adelaide who couriered to east coast NSW. It paid for it self in the first trip of 28000 km as I was able to do the complete Gibb River Road and all the side trips you can do in two weeks while towing a Kimberley Kamper with fuel to spare and avoiding the now $2.00? litre petrol at Mt Elizabeth station.

The 285 litre total capacity gives you at least 1500 km range in good going so most of your wish list of trips can be done without jerrycans.

Keep the old girl and call her "The Pheonix" (risen from the ashes).

See you when the mud dries!

Lindsay & The (Polar) Bear

Ive owned a 94 petrol auto for 5 or so years now, and had it kitted it out like you want to do.....it has been a reliable bus, and the market is so ful of them due to petrol costs, ive been hard pressed to get more than 6 trade in for her... Times have changed, ..lol....anyway, i thoroughly recommend you keep it, with the following things maintained.
With the milage yours has up on it, have all the hoses changed on the motor....there is a real small one off the back of the head that is so hard to do, it usually bursts first, and your motor cooks....have it changed now.
Put an air locker in the front diff with new c/v joints and 100 series pads...fixes a weakness in the driveline, and will get you an onboard compresser aswell as 100% more traction in the rough stuff....in all reality, it makes that much difference, i doubt you will need a winch.
Next...OME suspension...big improvement if you dont already have...get 851/864 coils to carry the weight of the long range automotive 170 litre tank under the back, and the kaymar rear bar.
Ok, enough of that...a bit of devils advocate....you will be spending 10k on the accessories....have a look in the 4 sales section at the 97 40th annaversary cruiser there...turbo diesel auto with everything on it already.....that car will have ABS and airbags, not to mention alot better econmy, a better motor for touring in the outback...but it will cost you 15 extra....thats alot of fuel in your tank.
Andrew

Hi Lindona

Bit hard to see from your post what your basic drivers are.

While the 80 series was one of the best series of vehicles going, the
equivalent GU (4800 petrol auto) is its match and you can buy new ones today.

Begining with a vehicle thats is less complex if anything, significantly faster
,stronger in its drivetrain and 10 years younger is probably the best
thing you can do for reliability.

While fuel costs aren't really very significant in a new car purchase
if this is a concern , then gassing it solves that, near big cities
and a couple of jerries is the compromize for the odd big trip.

To improve it and or the 80 series, both have wide range of acessories
like a front locker diff which is number one if cost is no concern.

A cheaper and often better item is a set of light snow chains for those
sometimes slippery outback roads.

I presume you already have the usual basic gear, so beyond this
keep two sets of wheels, one with a little more agression like Cooper stc
and a set of road wheels around town.
This will save at least a litre on fuel and be better to drive with overall.

I have a bit of the same issue, only having brought new cars for a long time,
each one getting more capable. I am determined not to go backwards
with my next one, and I see nothing around to switch to from my current
4800 patrol, fortunately it is only 4 years old, but I'm getting worried that there
may never be another series like the 80 or the GU, so I may have to take my own advice in a year or so.

Robin Miller