Forgot about the higher insurance due to the smaller group of rigs sold overall, used parts are harder to come by.

It sounds like you have weighed the pros and cons of keeping both, and you have been looking for something larger for a while now.

I Would think you should be able to get about $4500-5k for your rig, which will help with the ARB's, bumpers, gears, etc. It is unfortunate that we can't ever get more than 50% out of what we put into them.

You are also right about being able to take it anywhere you would have taken teh '89 and places that you may not have. A couple of years back I ran into a group of LC's on Fordyce creek trail, they ran the entire trail in Luxo-utes. That was the first and only time I have scene LC's out on thetrail. With as heavy as they are they actually performed very well. In the end it will be a better choice for what you like to do.

Here's some pics. The first thing I did was remove the running boards, the Toyota bug deflector and the hub caps. I also took out the 3rd row seats, since I won't be using those. She has a long way to go. Kind of plane jane now, but man...she is one nice rig. I don't regret the purchase one single bit. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Of course, I haven't fill the tank up yet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Beaut looking rig there. I'm just curious about something though.... i noticed the SRS airbag badge on the dash. I know all newer vehicles have airbags... but how do they react to offroading? Wouldn't they go off if you clip a tree or something? Just been wondering about that for a while. I've had an airbag go off on me before and it's not nice.

Way nice rig Brian. What a platform. I couldn't afford one of those when I started my 4Runner. Lift, Bull-Bar, Snorkle, etc. They just look bad-a$$ when seen on the trails! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Very nice looking Cruiser Brian! I think that this one was worth the wait.

After a couple of trips doing the type of wheeling you do, I guarantee you that you won't be driving the 89 anymore so just get some money out of it and put it in to the Cruiser. Your plans sound good, there are a ton of next expedition products you can buy (or copy and make yourself) for these vehicles. I still miss mine...

After studying the location of the impact sensors on our Tacoma, I'd say the front of the car has to be crushed in at least a foot before the airbags will go off.


Brian, just out of curiosity, why remove the hubcaps?

Don't know about Brian, but I think it makes the wheels "look" quite a bit more aggressive.

Thanks! Ya, I'm pretty anxious to sell off the truck, so I can free up some funds, the space in my garage and get started on this project. Never thought I'd say that, but after driving this, the truck is just doesn't do it for me anymore. Although I'd still rather have the truck for serious trails, since it's smaller and still well built...as Harry pointed out, for what I do now, the LC will serve us much better. It will still be very off road capable, but has so many advantages over my truck, including power, comfort, handling, cavernous room for gear and camping and the ability to haul more than 1 passenger.

The paint on the hubcaps has worn off and I was going to repaint them when I get a chance. I actually will eventually get black wheels and slightly taller 285/75R-16 (33"x11") MTRs to replace these. But ya, I also kind of like the look without the caps.

Regarding the Airbag sensor, from what I understand, on the Land Cruiser 80s, the sensor is located near the center console and is basically a G sensor. For the airbag to go off, the vehicle has to be traveling at a certain speed and has to experience a very specific type of G-force that can only result from a forward motion coming to an absolute split second stop. And that only results from the front end basically hitting an inmovable object, such as a concrete wall at moderate speed or another vehicle head on, or something like that.

I think there's little risk of an airbag going off when you don't want it to on the LC. Toyota did not put front end or bumper sensors on the LC.

Normal off roading and even things like roll overs, normal frontal impacts, side impacts or impacts from the rear will not cause the airbag to go off. Losing control on a downhill trail and running straight into a huge tree at 40 mph...will probably set off the airbag and save my life in the process.

Dang that is one clean Cruiser! Nice score! But it is missing the rotary dial to the left of the steering column. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

Yeah after driving the LC getting back into a single-cab truck is almost impossible. Big pimpin' in the LC. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

My wife wants me to keep the running boards on, told her I would but they need to be Slee slider steps. That went over well. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

We're buying a house soon w/ a 2-car garage and I am aching to work on mine more!

I'm not sure if I should be ashamed of you or proud of you... I think I just need a moment.























beautiful looking rig. But I'll be very disappointed if you stop at 285's. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />