'91 Landcruiser, Worth checking out or run away?

[NotAMog]

While going out to vote this evening I saw a very clean looking '91 Landcruiser for sale. It's an automatic with badges on the back indicating that it has full time 4wd. It odometer read approximately 150,000 miles. Is this something worth checking out or should it be avoided? The seller is asking $5000 for it.

[raYGunn]

I think this was the first year for the 80 so that's pretty good for mileage. They made a lot of improvements over the next 7 years though... you won't see one with factory lockers until 93 for example.

[sdnative]

Even if it is very clean, $5k for a 91 is too much, IMO. Figure $3-3.5k if no major issues.

If you are in the market for an 80, I would be looking for a 93-97 with lockers. Better brakes, more power, full-floating axles, etc, etc..

[cruiserlarry]

Even if it is very clean, $5k for a 91 is too much, IMO. Figure $3-3.5k if no major issues.

If you are in the market for an 80, I would be looking for a 93-97 with lockers. Better brakes, more power, full-floating axles, etc, etc..

x2, Bruce.

The '91 and '92 were dogs - new body style, but old running gear. The real changes didn't come until '93 - bigger, more powerful, more efficient engine, better transmission, full floating axles with front/rear elec lockers available, wider flares, front/rear disc brakes, 16" wheels w/ 32" tires (275/70R16), better A/C system, and on and on. '93-97.5 were full time 4wd - 91, 92 were usually part-time with locking hubs.

Even the '93+ are going for pretty reasonable prices, so if your in the market, get a newer model. (95 had addtl engine improvements, interior upgrades, air bags, etc. FYI).

[NotAMog]

Thanks for the feedback. I wasn't in the market for a Landcruiser but that one happened to catch my eye and I recalled that someone in Overland Journal had a diesel conversion kit for Landcruisers. It sounds like a later one would be a better choice and a diesel conversion is more of a project than I want to take on right now.

[cruiserlarry]

Thanks for the feedback. I wasn't in the market for a Landcruiser but that one happened to catch my eye and I recalled that someone in Overland Journal had a diesel conversion kit for Landcruisers. It sounds like a later one would be a better choice and a diesel conversion is more of a project than I want to take on right now.

The diesel conversion is not an inexpensive project - usually uses an International 4 cyl turbo diesel similar to the Frito Lay delivery trucks, and requires changing fuel tank, fuel lines, radiator, electrical, etc...as well as getting a Bureau of Automotive Repair exemption Order so you can register in CA....basically, the conversion is more expensive than the vehicle, so you'd really want to keep it to do it...

[raYGunn]

This sounds like the Kraft Foods axle swap I have been reading about.

[sdnative]

Here's one already done:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-traile ... in-tx.html

[raYGunn]

Too bad it's a 91.

[emblu.denslob]

hey guys - I'm the owner of the rig that's posted on MUD - the reason that Proffitt's put the 4bt in the '91 is because it's the easiest year (80 series) to swap. They built it specifically for one of the worker's wives. It was built and geared for city use - but believe me - this thing is a beast off the road.