I know what you mean. I highly doubt that I'll invest the time and energy for a major swap like a 3.4 or 2.7. If I do anything I'll probably just do a regular EB rebuild. Although the motor burns a little bit of oil (probably more leaking than burning from my botched timing chain job many years ago) it runs very strong for such a high mileage motor.

As you very well know I go back and forth between keeping my truck or buying an FZJ80 like a ping pong ball. I'm having a hard time bring myself to spend a ton of money for a new vehicle, when my truck still serves a purpose and I can save that money for other stuff.

An FZJ80 is still possibly in my future, but I don't know if now is the time. Especially when I have other things that are taking priority at the moment, like my job status, where we're going to live, etc. Being married kind of changes priorities too. Can't just go out and buy whatever I want, whenever I want, like the "good 'ol days". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

I go back and forth about vehicles all the time as well. I can tell you right now though that if you test drive an 80 you will want one, it will be FAR more comfortable on your trips and since you have a commuter car the mileage hit won't hurt so bad.


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An FZJ80 is still possibly in my future, but I don't know if now is the time. Especially when I have other things that are taking priority at the moment, like my job status, where we're going to live, etc. Being married kind of changes priorities too. Can't just go out and buy whatever I want, whenever I want, like the "good 'ol days". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]

Priorities, shmiorities. This is the reason I am still single and own four vehicles. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Ya, I'm now down to 3 vehicles, and I barely have places to park them.

I know I'd love a Cruiser and I still look to see if there's any good deals out there. I'm actually relieved when there's not, because I know I'd go right out and buy it if there was.

I just really shouldn't spend the money right now, plus I know I'd want to spend thousands more on tires, bumpers, winch, sliders, etc.

Must.....just.....wait.....a.....little.....longer......

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I don't know how hard it is to get Canadian trucks registered down there but I test drove a Prado and that is a nice rig. Still small and nimble but damn when you look underneath you think you are driving a 2ton truck with the size of the drivetrain components.

With the turbo diesel it is the perfect SUV, plenty of room, good power, good milage (same as the GF's mazda 3 sport), and deffinately a solid performer offroad. If I had the cash I would have one right now with the factory locker and you don't really need much else. I'd say it was the coolest truck I have seen to date and it was still all stock.

If you can import these from Canada then I would save for that.

I think the bottom line is that any foreign Toyota including just about any 70 series or 4 door Hilux that is registered in the U.S. is a grey market vehicle, which means that it's not all on the up and up. The owner, unless he's also a foreigner, had to pull some kind of shanagin to get it registered. Some states are very lax and do no checks on vehicles and will you to register and title just about anything and that at least get's you a U.S. title, which you can then transfer to another state a little easier. But I'm not sure how they get by emissions testing and especially states that have safety inspections. And especially, how the heck do you insure one?

The gist of the Federal import laws is that vehicles have to be 100% DOT complient (which very few foreign Toyotas are) and even if they are, you need a special letter from the manufacture, which just isn't going to happen.

Canada allows vehicles from foreign countries to be easily imported and registered that are more than 15 years old, which is why you have these Canadian dealers that have sprung up and and are selling right hand drive Japanese home market low mileage vehicles from 1991 and older.

Still, to be honest, I'd probably gladly own a grey market vehicle if I had the cash, since I want one soooo bad. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A turbo diesel cruiser would the rig. I'm also torn on vehicle mods vs a new rig. My extra cab 94 has been a great truck to me, but my kids are now too big for the cab, and the 3.0 really isn't enough power to pull my boat. I'm debating about a ram 2500 crew cab w/ cummins td, the 99-02's can be had for ~$17k, but payments suck. A cruiser would be a better offroading rig, more comfortable ride, but wouldn't hold as much gear, and mileage stinks.

Can relate on effects of marriage on hobbies. Kids take an even bigger bite out of spare time and $.

If teh FJ80 is a bit pricey for you right now, how about the FJ60, it isn't as luxurious as the 80, but it is still has a larger engine than your '89. It also doesn't take more than a helper spring to fit 33's under it. I would think for your excursions the larger vehicle would make your trips more pleasant. I have seen them here in CA for as low as $2500, I have also seen early 90's FJ80's for around $5k as well.

The 60s are great rigs, but I look at them more as pigs...very reliable, sturdy and well build pigs, but still pigs. And gas mileage is just as bad or worse than the 80s with less power. I think a diesel 60 would a total blast, but good luck finding one.

If I got a rig that big, I'd want the ammenties, power, nicer ride, etc that a post '93 80 provides. Also, I don't think gas prices will ever be what they were a few years ago, so that's a consideration to make when investing a ton of money into a rig. Especially one to be used on long trips.

If I upgrade, I think I want to do it right and that would mean a '93-'97 FZJ80 with factory lockers.

But at the moment, my current rig is working out and serving its purpose. That may change going forward and/or if I run across a smoke'n deal on an 80. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And I expect as gas prices break new records, 80s will come down further in price.

Most 60's i see up here ARE turbo diesel's.. i rarely see gas ones....

That's a Canadian model called the BJ-60, IIRC.

I think the 60 is a HUGE step back from an 80. I agree with all of Brian's comments there. A 62 is a nice vehicle, but even then, not nearly in the same class as the 80.