My "New" 1997 Land Cruiser

[unwiredadventures]

Since January I've been looking for a Land Cruiser FZJ80 for myself. Well, just a few weeks ago I bought this one:


It's in very good shape with 133,000 miles on it with factory diff lockers. It took so long because I could not find with with lockers and in the condition I wanted.

Within days of getting it I ordered:

OME J Springs and shocks
Metaltech Sliders
Toyo Tires
BajaRack

I installed my Kenwood D700 and RamMount laptop mount from my last truck into the LC. The D700 antenna is currently mounted to the rack.

Here it is on the trail in the Mojave Desert last weekend:




My last truck was an '05 Tundra. I really liked driving it off-road, until I drove the Land Cruiser. There is NO COMPARISON, the Land Cruiser is such a joy to drive on the trail. Old mining roads that would have been a jarring and somewhat difficult experience in the Tundra were comfortable and easy in the LC.

Laptop install running USGS TOPO! (TOPO! Explorer) with (GPS Tracking) for realtime navigation on the trail (more information on the laptop software setup: here):


My next batch of changes coming:
ARB Front Bumper
Rear bumper with tire and jerry can carrier.
Skid Plate
Built in Windows computer from MP3Car.com
HF Radio (as soon as I upgrade to a General License)

My preferred trips are those that are more than 2 days (3+ even better), with camping done each day at different locations.

[toms]

Hi Frank,
Your new vehicle looks good! Is it difficult to get after market parts?

I saw a 92 Land Cruiser for sale today with 175K miles. I noticed it had a solid axle up front. Didn't they go to IFS at some point. The sign said $4500 obo. It was a bit rough but some of it goes with new bumpers, etc. Since you have been shopping is this a good year and a good deal or something to be avoided?

[unwiredadventures]

Hi Frank,
Your new vehicle looks good! Is it difficult to get after market parts?

Not at all. Lots of parts are available. There are several shops on the West Cost that build for this Land Cruiser. The sliders were in stock in Oregon, the skid plates I want are available in Colorado. The suspension parts I purchased are manufactured in Australia. Most any type of aftermarket part or device is available for the older Land Cruiser. ARB has front bumpers, snorkels and lots of other goodies.

I saw a 92 Land Cruiser for sale today with 175K miles. I noticed it had a solid axle up front. Didn't they go to IFS at some point. The sign said $4500 obo. It was a bit rough but some of it goes with new bumpers, etc. Since you have been shopping is this a good year and a good deal or something to be avoided?

The last year for a solid axle Land Cruiser is 1997. I wanted one from that year since it would be newer. The 1995 through 1997 models had, better brakes, a more powerful engine and full floater rear diff (full floater started in 1993).

A good FAQ is here:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/1012335-post3.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Newbie guide to the "80" series:
http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[traveltoad]

Hi Frank,
Your new vehicle looks good! Is it difficult to get after market parts?

Tom, TLC is up here in the Valley. They have quite a few of these (similar year) in the parking lot for modifications.

[OLLIE]

Love the new ride... I love any of the FJ/FZJ series rigs.

[BlueFJ]

Nice acquisition!

[sdnative]

Very nice!!

I am looking for a 97 as well, but a very specific 97. I want a very late 97 (9/97 or 10/97) bare-bones "poverty-pack" model with no roof rack, no running boards, no flares, cloth interior, no 3rd row sets. Lockers mandatory and low mileage (<130k). I know this will be very difficult to find, and I may have to compromise one or more of the "requirements". I have been scouring the country (yes the entire USA) for about a month now. Still looking.

What type of use do you have planned for it? Primarily camping/ expedition? Any day trips? I am on the fence now, because I love to wheel, and if I had a rig that nice, I would always be afraid to scratch it or put a dent in it. Due to a newborn at home, I am not in a position to go on a multi-day camping trip, but would love to when he gets a little older.

Do you have Js on in those pics? Cant tell, but what size tires are those?

[toms]

Thanks for the links - very informative

[JohnGalt]

The motor was changed to the larger 212 hp version in 1993. I know because I bought one. It was not changed again until the newer model came out in 1998. I know because I currently have a 1996 with the same 212 hp motor.

The interior on the 93-97 will be very difficult to find in cloth. I don't know that I've ever seen one.

My 1996 has no roof rack (didn't like the factory rack on my 93), and has the front & rear factory lockers. Oh and it only has 124k miles. If only I could wrestle it away from being the kid shuttle mobile......One day.....One day.....

[sdnative]

The 1995 through 1997 models had, better brakes, a more powerful engine and full floater rear diff (full floater started in 1993).

Guys,

the 93-97 all had the same 1FZ-FE motor, same brakes, and the same ABS full floater axles. As far as I know, all 93+ rear disk axles are FF/ABS. SF/Non-ABS I believe are all drum brakes. The 95-97 motors had better intake systems (MAF vs. MAP?), but the engines are the same. Another difference is OBDII starting fully in 96 (95 was a transition year). In 95, they changed to a different tranny as well. They added airbags in 95.

So, if you plan on buying one, I would highly recommend reading the "buying an 80" link posted above. They are great vehicles, but you need to go into it with eyes open.