Cruiser which Cruiser?

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 16:07

ThreadID: 67782 Views:4186 Replies:5 FollowUps:6

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Gazza57

Hi All
I was on this forum yesterday asking about 80 series cruisers.
I am toatally confused now with different comments both on this site and another , so i was wondering if you can assist with some down to earth advice.
I am in the market to buy a cruiser ( i have previously owned 2 x 60 series when i was up in the Northwest and had a great spin)
I suppose at the end of the day it really comes down to me and choices but some good advice goes a long way.

Details:
we are a family of 4, two boys ( tall) 13 and 15
We live in the country 100 km from Perth and travel a lot of mileage especially during the foorty season.
We like camping etc and are planning a northwest trip within the next 12 months , also have a caravan( 1200kg agg) and will be utilising it

Question:
I have a budget of up to 20-25k ...what do you think i should be looking at? 60-80 or 100 series ?
I would prefer a diesel .

I know this is a fairly loaded question but any advice would be much appreciated
Model , year and what to look for( or not).

Thankyou in anticipation

Gazza

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Reply By: blue one - Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 16:44

Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 16:44

Gazza,
Both are good vehicles, though make sure you get a live axle and a full size front diff.

Service history is a must for a diesel with regard to oil changes.

A mate had a 80 series and it was bullet proof. He has now upgraded to a 4.2 TDI Nissan.

Duck in coming.

lol

Cheers

Steve

AnswerID: 359316

Follow Up By: Lotzi - Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 18:11

Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 18:11

lol ... lock an load ... this'll be good ..

FollowupID: 627292

Reply By: slammin - Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 21:49

Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 21:49

I saw your previous post here and elsewhere and I was going to put my 2c in but held off as most of the feedback was good. All I would add is, How much time do you have?

I was in a similar position to you last year with a similar budget but I have a big boat to tow - what it came down to was what was available in the market at the time. Diesel 4L's Patrol or Toyota weren't exactly bashing down my door. Heaps and heaps of 3L's and petrols tho! I def' wanted a diesel so excluded the rest. My thinking was a diesel will tow more economically and for at least 500k and possibly +800k

Keep in mind a factory turbo 80 will come up but in how long and how far has it already gone? I would of loved to of got a turbo 80 but there was only 1 at the time and it had heaps of prob's and a ridiculously high price. I saw an admittably v.nice one recently on Lcool but I think it was at 400K and $28k, yes it had all the goodies and a reputable owner but in my mind 400k is 400K and all at a premium price.

In the end I settled for an '97 80 series pov' pack because for the $'s it was in the best nick. Yes it's NA so I do have to use the gearbox on hills and it's certainly no rocket even on the flat but it was $12k and had done 300k easy km's. It has live axles, coils, reliable and easy fix engine and tows 3.5T BUT best of all it left me with $16,000 for any unseen issues. Problem solved!

Let us know how you get on.

Best of luck,

Sam.

AnswerID: 359328

Reply By: Horacehighroller - Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 22:46

Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 at 22:46

I have had a n/a diesel 80 (335K) and now have a n/a diesel 105 live axle(158K).

I would NOT consider towing even a box trailer in undulating terrain as the n/as don't have sufficient power to maintain a safe speed.

The last thing we need on our highways is a row of cars & trucks behind some clown who can't (or won't) travel at an appropriate speed - (Generally the speed limit)

Get a turbo diesel!!!

For your budget it will have to be an 80.

Peter

AnswerID: 359332

Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 11:56

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 11:56

To Horacehighroller.
There is a BIG difference between not being able to mantain speed limit in undulating terrain and simply driving slow.
There is NO SUCH thing as miantianing a safe speed, unless you are on a autobanh and doing 200.
ABSOLUTLY, that slower traffic should yeild from time to time to allow for faster traffic to pass,but from all those including myself, that are happy to tow with a N/A 1HZ, who you reffered to as clowns, GET STUFFED.

If you are sooo impatient that you can't wait for a safe place to overtake, then YOU should stay at home.
Shane

FollowupID: 627360

Follow Up By: Gazza57 - Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 12:09

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 12:09

Thanks Peter

Because i am a bit of a newbie what is N/A?
I am looking for a TD but trying to way up whether to get an auto etc and what year is going to be the best to suit my needs in either the 80 or 100

Cheers

Gazza

FollowupID: 627363

Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 12:38

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 12:38

N/A is Naturally aspirated, no turbo.
95 - 97 where the best T/D 80 series but are still dear to buy, if you can find one.
T/D 100 series didn't show until 99-00 and I think you will find out of you indicated price range, also have Independent front suspension
Auto or manual is purely personnel choice, There is a lot of arguments on what is best.
Shane

FollowupID: 627367

Follow Up By: Member - DOZER- Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 16:03

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 16:03

Vehicle: Toyota 80 Series LandCruiser GXL – HDJ80 – 1995 $23000.00 neg
Edit: Without the majority of options - $19k 'ish.
Colour: White Engine: 1HD-FT Transmission: A442F
Options:
Factory : Air Conditioning, ABS, Viscous centre diff, Automatic transmission, Cruise control, Rear heater

Added:
• TJM winch Bullbar, Kaymar dual wheel carrier; OME springs; Bilstein dampers; Safari snorkel; Safari Intercooler; 3” Beaudesert mandrel exhaust; Long Ranger 166 litre fuel tank; 2 degree castor bushes; steel roofrack (2200 x 1300); Dual battery; Multiple fused wiring outlets to console and cargo area; Replacement console/arm rest; Car alarm; EGT/ ATF temp/boost gauges; Cargo barrier; Sound deadening throughout body and doors (Dynamat and felt combo); Rear cargo drawers, shelves and fridge slide; Fold down tailgate swing out table; UHF radio IPF headlight replacement inserts, Pioneer stereo head unit and speakers, Centre diff lock switch.

Serviced every 5000km with Caltex CX-J and genuine filters. Transmission fully rebuilt at 380k km by Wholesale Transmissions in Melbourne. Valve body shift kit and Torque converter clutch lockup manual over-ride switch added.
Injector pump and injectors overhauled at 450k km (35k km ago) by Cooma Diesel Service. All wheel bearings and CV’s serviced at 480k km. Never been used on beaches, never been drowned or stopped in water.

Contact: Ian 0413803480

FollowupID: 627378

Reply By: Member - DOZER- Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 07:59

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 07:59

Being in WA, outright power is not as much an issue as it would be in NSW with the great divide between you and the great outdoors. Low 20's will get you a good turbo diesel 80, or a std diesel 105. The 105 is a safer car....better brakes, larger interior.It will also be easier to obtain, as most people who own a late 80 t/d want to keep them. I happen to know that guy with the 450k 80, and it clocked those kms on the hume highway between melb/syd/camberra, being his work car under lease, it has been looked after. He is replacing it with a T/D 100 Sahara.
The down side to a 1hz 105 is they have a prado gearbox in them...which plays up when you boost them and tow alot of weight. Thats why the best 105 is one with a 78 t/d donk and gearbox dropped in. All these cruisers are not effected by rust, so its mechanical condition you are looking at. The turbo 80 will return great fuel economy. To compare, 2 friends drove 1000kms together, the 1hz had a camper trailer, the turbo cruiser had a full van. They both used thesame amount of fuel. he turbo cruiser was out front and was constantly slowing to wait for the std 1hz.
They are so much better to drive. Mine has almost 300kms on it, which seems to be the normal kms these days...anyone with a low kms version will be asking a hefty price for it.
Andrew

AnswerID: 359345

Follow Up By: Member - Mudduck (NSW) - Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 09:50

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 09:50

Hi Gazza,

I have a 91 80 series dx with 1hz and aftermarket denco turbo, goes like a scalded cat. I put the turbo on at 350,000k and have had no problems at all. It now has 425,000k and going like a champ.

I also have a 4.2 GU Patrol factory turbo 142,000k also a weapon, both tow our trailers with ease, so whichever way you go make sure its got LIVE axles at both ends.

Cheers Steve VK2UD
Dents are like scratches but with better stories

Lifetime Member
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FollowupID: 627346

Reply By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 at 08:10

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 at 08:10

Have a good look around at what's on the market.... and get as much vehicle as you can for your money! 80's...100's... great trucks! Be wary of service history with diesels, they are strong but need regular care to keep 'em that way. Stick with Toyota's 'cos obviously that's what you want, but don't disregard the Nissan TD6 (4.2L Turbo Diesel) if you can find one... they're getting rare. But only the 4.2L, personally, I wouldn't recommend the Nissan 3.0L, they have known issues and a search here on EO will give you all the background.

A mate here on the Gold Coast has an 80 series with rebuilt engine and turbo for sale, very nice unit, (thought about buying it myself TBH), wants about 15K for it I think... but a bit far for you to come and test drive it I guess....

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

Cheers

Brian

AnswerID: 359452