Got a new Toy.....ota

[lil'_big_truck]

hey all,

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I just picked up a 97 FJ-80 Land Cruiser for a steal . It's got locking front and rear diffs, leather interior, power everything, 3rd row fold up seats, and a few minor problems (blown speaker, small gas tank leak, electrical sensor fault on the center diff). I'm thinking of turning it into and expedition-esk type of vehicle. I want to take off the running boards, give it a 2" suspension lift, front bumpe with winch, and pretty much leave it at that. I wanted to know what you all though of it and wanted you all to weigh in on a tough decision.... I now have 3 vehicles. the 97 ranger, 97 LC, and my 76 baja. I'm trying to figure out which vehicle to keep as my daily driver between the ranger and the LC. I love my ranger but the LC has all the bells and whistles and everything still works on it. But it only gets ~13mpg So what do you guys think I should do? flip the LC and keep the ranger, or sell the ranger to fund the LC progect/daily driver. Opinions are appreciated. Thanks all

I want to make it into something like this

 

[Mark_88]

Well, although the YotaTo looks like a very nice truck...I'd have to go with the flip...gas mileage alone would nail it for me...

Is that an EPA number or something you've discovered through driving? I'd check the air filter to make sure it is new in the case of the latter...they are good trucks from what I've heard but haven't read anything about them...very reliable also...

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Flip the yota and use money on ranger.

 

[4.0B2]

If you want expo... that yota will be nice.

why only 13 mpgs though??

 

[lil'_big_truck]

the EPA estimate is 13-15. I'll have to average it once i fill it up. I'm hoping it will get closer to 15. some guys have reported 17. If it get up there, it will be on par with my ranger which gets 17-18.

 

[4.0B2]

I just didn't know what was Normal... I'm sure there are ways to get a little more out of them.. Gear properly, how you drive, etc..

 

[lil'_big_truck]

that's what i figure. I also figure taking the running boards off will save some weight so that'll help. no matter what, I'm not pressed for time with this decision I just can't stop thinking about it. haha

 

[wildbill23c]

Nice score, and nice future plans. You'll love that ARB front bumper, had one on my Grand Cherokee, I used it as a push bumper around the property, and the shop for moving dead vehicles around with.

Don't expect spectacular fuel economy out of those Land Cruisers they never were known for fuel economy, but they'll go pretty much anywhere. Only wish I could find one for a descent price they're pretty expensive here in Idaho, along with Jeeps.

 

[straycat]

I have some friends who have had them or still own the old FJ's and they really like them. They will run and go on forever. Just maintain it and it will last. The gas mileage is a bit lower then what my friends said they are getting. They told me more like 18-20 mpg on the highway. Adding a real large roof rack will cause a drop in gas mileage, but the right size one will not hurt it much. Lifting it a bunch and huge taller tires will drop it even more of course.

 

[ab_slack]

I've always tended to have a couple vehicles and swap back and forth depending on how I feel on a given day. The change keeps driving either from getting too stale and by using both regularly the miles don't go up so fast on one and they both get workouts cause one thing for sure, at least in this areas, cars sitting don't do well. It also means I can deal with a problem one and still get out for parts using the other.

There is a cost keeping both. Registration and insurance. Registration around here isn't so much. There was a point when I was really hurting for funds so gave away my 89 BII for a song cause the insurance was costing me way too much. At least according to the costs listed for that vehicle on my auto insurance bill. Once I got rid of it, the insurance company raised the rate on the one remaining vehicle I had such that the actual savings was like $20 per month. For $20 per month I would have held on to it.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

ab_slack, It'd be nice to keep both but I currently live in the city and have one car in my garage, one in the driveway (which I share with 3 roommates) and one in the street. I just don't have the space.

Stray Cat, I'm hoping it'll do better than the EPA guesstimae of 13-15. I'll see how it does the next time that I fill up. if it gets near that 18mpg point, then it's equal with my ranger. Again, I'm not in a rush to make a decision, I just can't stop tossing ideas around in my head. haha

Thanks all for your opinions thus far

 

[ridgerunner]

The LC will be a toy right? Build it up and don't worry about MPG. If it's a DD then get rid of it. If I wanted a 4X4 luxury toy like your LC then I'd get rid of the beatle bug...it's not like your in the south west...dude you are in OH.