Anybody got anything against landcruisers?

[castleman123]

I found for sale a few landcruisers, nearby where I live, and they are around $5000. I like them. But I know almost nothin about them.I have been thinkin about buying another XJ, but maybe this landcruiser might be a better deal. I think that they were both 1974's. and im trying to find the paper again. so when i find it, i will give some more info about it. Also they are both running.

 

[OT]

I like them, but I don't know them as well as others.
On this board, I'll obviously tell you to get an XJ.
On another, I would probably tell you XJ.

 

[BrettM]

there have been many different landcruisers over the years, what is it? I really like the FJ40s with a good drivetrain swapped in and the wheelbase stretched a bit...

 

[castleman123]

lol, yeah, xj's seem to be a good deal all around, i dont know so much about them mechanically, but i have done alot of research about them on the computer, and just from drivin mine around them seem to be a very good 4x4.

 

[castleman123]

dang i cant find the paper i was lookin at, i used it earlier to call a guy about 1984 jeep truck that he had for sale for $1500. and now i cant find the paper again.

 

[STEELFISH]

The motors are not so hot, kind of under powered if I remember correctly, also some wierd things with the springs if I remember. oh yeah and the birfield axle joints not so hot, But I do like them, however I recommend the XJ

 

[castleman123]

yeah i probably will wind up just gettin another xj, but heres some more info about this land cruiser, V8 4WD, ps, stereo, tint, model FJ55, hella lamps roof rack $4,900 obo. And the other one is a 74 also, with webber carb, rancho rs 5000 shocks, flowmaster exhaust 31 thornbirds, 2 inch lift $5,400. sound like good deals? other than me actually taking a look at them, which i have yet to do.

 

[BrettM]

oh yeah and the birfield axle joints not so hot

BS

I would put them in my MJ in a second if they had a driver's side drop front and centered rear. Birfs, especially FJ80 birfs, are pretty strong and now Bobby Long is making 4340/300m birfs for those too.

 

[OT]

Check this out.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searc...l=CHER&start_year=1981&end_year=2006&x=51&y=6
This is just in OKC.

 

[castleman123]

ok, thanks, i will look at that

 

[castleman123]

i couldnt get that link to work....

 

[castleman123]

Also what about parts, i bet they are not to common, and cost alot, but u could probably use parts from other stuff

 

[OT]

Basically, it was an Autotarder.com search result for all cherokees in OKC.

 

[castleman123]

oh ok, i guess its a no go then one the landcruisers, lol, dedicated xj fans here, uahahaha

 

[BrettM]

start poking around here: http://www.tlca.org/
and here: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11

seems like most landcruiser guys are running mostly parts from other makes, like SBCs.

 

[castleman123]

alright ill check those links out

 

[castleman123]

i like the fj40's and not the 55's anyways, and the 2 that were for sale were 55's. so looks like another xj so far.

 

[old_man]

A buddy of mine has an FJ40 and it is built like a tank. Built really well. The 6banger is a Chevy clone if I remember right. Not overly powerful but good for a lot of miles. All in all a pretty sound vehicle. Everything seems to be a bit heavier duty than it really has to be. Not a bad thing.

 

[riverfever]

I have been researching the earlier Cruisers as well. I like the 55 b/c of the gear it could store but the 40 is probably really fun to drive w/o the top or doors. The guys that have chimed in so far are very reputable on here. I love my XJ but had never seen a 55 until I started looking into moving to Colorado. While checking out towns there I saw quite a few nice ones and got intrigued. Check out the sites that Brett suggested. I found ih8mud.com to be really educational.

I have heard that the 55's are harder to get body parts for but I have no experience. They commonly have rust. I've read a few threads that detailed the restoration process and the 55's, when done correctly, required some very impressive fabrication. I'm sure any restoration is nuts so...please don't take what I'm saying to be totally precise. I wouldn't have a clue about the performance of either off road...hell I don't even know what my mild XJ can do. The 55 would get me to the rivers and fishing holes I want to get at and be able to carry a butt load of gear for camping, etc. But...I question whether or not I could keep either older vehicles alive/reliable enough to get me to where I gotta go. Good luck. Either would be way fun.

 

[bajacalal]

A pretty good friend of mine had one, mostly stock, an FJ40 actually. Tough little rig. Some things I remember are:

Everything was bolt on/bolt off. Doors, body stuff, etc. XJs are a lot like this too, but it was almost stupid easy to wrench on.

The motor, stock, apparently it like a verbatim copy of a Chevy straight 6, there are a few differences, so parts swapping isin't an option. Good luck finding parts. A lot of people throw v8s in them, I'd prefer a straight +6
3 6, I like the configuration (would a trailblazer one fit???). Also, its real low compression or something designed to run on third-world gasoline. Not speedy nor efficient.

Has a 4 on the floor tranny, low geared. Not really a good thing since the motor had LOW (think older diesels) redline. I read some article, apparently a 5 spd from some toyota sedan bolts on.

On the hand, its guaranteed to get a lot of WTF looks especially if most people on a trail are familiar only w/ jeeps or fullsize.