Landcruiser 80 Series - Should I Avoid '90-94 Models?
 

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy an 80 series landcruiser for a UK-South Africa trip later this year. Having done lots of research I've read quite a bit of bad press about the 12 valve 1HD-T engines manufactured pre-Sep 2004. The problem is with the crank/bearings (i.e. http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/80bigend.htm).

The trouble is that the 1995-1997 models, with the 24 valve 1HD-FT engines, are somewhat more expensive than I was planning to pay.

Does anyone know if I really should avoid risking these 90-94 models and pay the extra, or am I worrying unneccesarily . . . Any advice or information would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Andrew

Andrew,

I guess you are worried unnecessarily. Buying a 10 or 12 year old vehicle for overlanding still requires a thorough maintenance job, such as an engine overhaul. Changing the big end bearings is at most a half day job and the parts are about EUR 100 (if bought in Holland). It will also tell you a great deal how the engine had been maintained befor the purchase.

I forgot to add: the early 1HD-T engines had minimal control electronics.The newer the 1HD-FT model, the more sensors and circuits it has.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

[This message has been edited by Roman (edited 26 April 2005).]

Hey thanks for the advice Roman.

I'm getting a few quotes together to see how much this work will cost me in London. Will follow up if anything of interest comes out of it,

Cheers,

Andrew

Andrew,

If you go to a Toyota dealer, it will cost you quite a lot. Other mechanics in London will charge you between £40 & £50 per hour. For comparison, in Holland hourly rates are ca EUR 30 and you will find that availability of Landcruiser parts and expertise is much greater than in the UK.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Andrew,

Land Cruiser 80 Series trucks are known for reliability, and I personally wouldn't have a problem with the 90 -94 models. Unfortunately, those of us in the US are unable to get 'em, but we can still dream.

You might check out IH8MUDdotcom's forum section. There is an international cruiser tech area that has some amazing folks. As a whole, the amount of technical expertise on the site is amazing.

I personally have a 1992 FJ80 with just a tad under 200,000 miles on the original 3FE gasoline engine, and original drivetrain. My wife and I try to do a couple of weeks a year in Baja, Mexico, and I wouldn't hesitate to take the truck to Africa for a trip.

-H-

Yup you are right about the cost Roman - getting the engine overhauled in the UK (Midlands or London area) is going to be pricey. Still ringing around but it looks like it will cost at least £1500 for a full overhaul (parts/labour). Hopefuly I can get the engine out myself and save some money. It does sound significantly cheaper over in Holland!

The recommended IH8MUDdotcom website is great, loads of interesting stuff in the forums, thanks for the recommendation!

Cheers,

Andrew

Andrew,

To get local expertise and join the UK LC bunch, check this URL: http://www.landcruisers.info/lists/Default.html

The best contact in Holland: http://www.all-american.nl/

When removing the engine, make sure you get the biggest engine hoist available (not Clarks!). The reason is not the weight but reach. You just won't be able to move the engine close enough to the bellhousing without removing a larg part of bodywork in front of the crossmember. I've just reinstalled my engine and discovered it the hard way :-)

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

[This message has been edited by Roman (edited 29 April 2005).]

You could of course go for the last of the previous models with the n/a diesel engine and leaf springs. I bought one, 1990 model, 2 months ago after years of landrover ownership and drove it 6000miles to russia and back and it is the puppies. very simple very tough. don't worry if it can't get over an obstacle, it will just go through it! rust and availability are the main problems I think but mileages of 500,000 or more seem to be the norm rather than the exception. They are also vastly cheaper to buy than the newer models or a decent landy, then you could spend the rest of your budget on fitting out or suspension mods like OME. Just my humble of course!

1990 landcruiser
landrover 101 ambie
ford escort, morris minor traveller!!

[This message has been edited by moggy 1968 (edited 05 June 2005).]