Hey guys what do you think? Its got FR and RR locking diffs. Im pretty sure this year has a FSA as well as rear of course. And the land cruiser lift should work on it right? It's a toyota with only 100K miles so its get PLENTY of years left on her...

Any reason not to go for it?

cheers

-Jimmy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

not bad. nice looking rig and the best color for them in my opinion.

you're correct in that pretty much anything "aftermerket" for the fj or fzj-80 will bolt up on it. one of the few things that i don't like about the LX-450's is the CD changer in the center console. i hate those things. other than that, it's a sweet ride. just be prepared for about 15-16 on the highway and about 14 around town and less than that after you lift it.

the sweet thing about the 80-series fj/fzj/lx's is that you can run 285's and 305's with minimal lift and 315's with just a couple inches. however, the OME lifts are $$$$$$ for them. you also have to adjust the caster on the front when you lift it.

one thing to look for is weeping front axle at the knuckles. that rebuild on the front axle (at 100k-120k) is about $2000 from the dealer. you can do it yourself for about 1/4th that, but it takes some serious time and decent wrenching ability.

lastly, it's a nice LX, but w/ the gas prices like they are and the newer body style already aged quite a bit, i'd think the value should be about $10k if the front axle service hasn't been performed and about $11-11.5k if it has and was done by toyota.

 

That LX only has a V6 on it. It's a heavy vehicle and I wonder if that engine can push that weight around...

 

Its an in-line 6 and has plenty of torque to push that beast around. not a hot rod by any means, but like my 3.slow it will get you there sooner or later.

I ran the VIN through lexus and yes it does have the locking diffs, console mounted 6 disc, power tilt and slide sunroof, and had all services done by a dealer 7500, 30k and 70k all done at dealer. last entry 7-13-02.

looks nice

 

it's heavy and slow, but tons of torque.

they don't call them "iron pigs" for nothing.

 

'Iron Pigs'...I like that one!

And true, like my 3.slow it'll get you there, but not quickly. I just hate being the last one to get to the trail here in Colorado because I'm doing 35 up steeeeeep grades and all the other 3rd gens are doing 50. Time to get out and push.

 

naaah, just time to REGEAR

 

My 80 felt quite a bit quicker than my 2nd gen 4r. The inline 6 has great torque. The dealer never does the birfield/front axle job as preventative maintenance, so you can be sure you will still need to do it. I highly recommend you do it yourself, as there are horror stories of dealerships screwing it up, since they do them so rarely, plus you'll save a lot of money. It's not too complicated, you need just a few specialized tools, but it is messy and time consuming, took me most of two days to complete, and ~$400 in parts (including bearings). There are really good "how-to" posts and links on www.ih8mud.com . A 2.5 inch lift is $775, and a 6" lift which requires new control arms, etc. is $2295 from Slee Off Road (they have a good newbie guide on their website too). But you can fit 285/75/16 (33") w/out any lift...

 

Well I just bought her for 12K. I checked KBB and it was $12,200 without the rear/front differential lockers as an option for private party, and $14,500 from a dealership without lockers once again.

I hope it was a good decision... we will find out soon enough..

Im just going to go with the 2.5 inch lift, and as long as Camber and toe in is good caster shouldnt affect tire wear to much right?

Exciting..

 

poor caster will make it drive like piss.

i don't know if you need shims for only 2.5", but if they're recommended, then definitely do it.

CONGRATS!

 

Really?! you know the caster is out on my 4runner as well, but the guy said since the camber and toe in is okay it will not give you any tire wear issues.

He said because it is a 3 inch lift on the front caster cant be fixed unless you get a caster kit for it. He said with a 2 inch lift its no problem but at 3 inches its a no go.

 

with an IFS, you don't correct caster.

with a coil-sprung SFA, you need to correct caster as you lift cause the axle rotates as you go higher, casuing the caster to be off.

when the caster is off, the tires won't wear poorly, but it will feel "loose" on the road and can sometimes have a "death wobble" where it won't drive in a straight line for anything...

 

It should be corrected with the lift, it does not appear to be too difficult, just need to find a shop that will press in/out the bushings. Tutorials on Slee's website, if you buy from him, you also get his custom milled bushing press tool.

 

GREAT! thanks for all the good advice man, Im going to start searching for this how to for the front axle I have a local mechanic that does all my 4runner work and I think I'll be able to hand this off to him as well. I just want to find a good post that details this "weeping front axle" what it is, symptoms how I know its time to do it, and pretty much a "how to" so my mechanic will have a good walk through.

thanks again

 

Go to ih8mud 80 series forum and do a search on birf repack or birfield repack, and you will have more info than you can digest

 

Nice new ride, I like it. I think you got a better deal than this one I was looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
I spoke with the seller (small dealer) and he was looking to get $21-23 due to the miles and the SC. I explained that with gas prices and the fact that it needs premium combined with low MPG he'll never get more than $18 for it. He wasn't happy that I gave him a reality dose.

 

holy cripes.. thats a ridiculous find though.

he wont get that much, but whoever does get it at the right price will be a lucky lucky owner of a sweet truck

 

I know, I've thought about going down & looking at it but my wife would kill me if I came home with it.

 

Very nice rig. Will be a fun one with stock front and rear lockers.

 

OMG haha I called that guy he is about 100 miles from me I spoke with him I was going to offer 21K but it was out of my budget and I wouldnt have the nutz to take her off road shes far to pretty and new you know?