Second hand 80 series!!! Should I buy????

[Paddyinoz2006]

Hi guys I am looking at buying a seond hand 80 series landcruiser. Was just wondering if you guys could shed any light on the fuel consumption of the 4500cc model. I have looked at one that is around the 19k mark and was wondering if this would be a good buy. Any advise about the pro's and cons of this vechile in your opinion would be much appreciated.
The vehicle was immaculate in side and out and felt nice to drive. Had few extras and lift job done but maybe you could advise me on other makes models around at that price that would warrent me to have a look at.
Was also wondering what your guys opinion on getting a gas conversion to a cruiser like the one i have mentioned and what sort of money would i expect to pay for it and where do I get it done. I am new to the touring scene so any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Argle]

Tell em theyre dreamin, they might that for a diesel but petrol 80's are worth much less.

Cheers and beers
Scott

[Big_Kev]

THEY DRINK LIKE A VIKING ON SHORE LEAVE.
AND I AGREE IT SOUNDS TOO MUCH.
ANY MORE DETAILS.

[Paddyinoz2006]

just came across a 4.2 diesel 100 series that has less k's just over 200k looks immaculate from the photos and only askin in round the 19k mark for her. She might be worth a call ,but i recon u guys are spot on, i suspected it was over priced for a petrol fourby and the are alcholics so i think i will stay away. Must admit i was tempted. thanks for that.

[_Dan_]

More like 2 vikings on shore leave

And yes that one sounds dear.

I have the 4.5 100 series.

Cheers

Dan

[Noelm]

the 4.5 uses approx 17 litres per 100k'S a tad more if "pushed" a diesel will use about 10 to 11 regardless of towing, coasting or taking it easy. and 19 grand is a lot for an 80 unless it is in pristine condition, with extremely low k's

[Noelm]

OH and if you are thinking of "touring" off road, forget the petrol all together, as some outback locations will only have diesel pumps (not all mind you but enough to make it interesting)

[Mr__Bean]

OH and if you are thinking of "touring" off road, forget the petrol all together, as some outback locations will only have diesel pumps (not all mind you but enough to make it interesting)

Reminds of of the day I tried to buy petrol when out near the Ord River Dam in the north of WA, the fuel outlet was also the pub so in I went to ask about buying petrol.

I nearly fell over when they said they only sold diesel during the day and sold the petrol during the night.

WTF??????

The guy then explained that due to the heat the bowser couldn't suck the petrol from the underground tank during the day as it would evaporated in the line under the vacuum.

We ended up continuing on hoping we would make it to the next station on what we had, and thankfully we did make it as we had a plane to catch.

- Darren

[Noelm]

yep, thats what happens "out west" my mate was "way out" and called into a sort of shed/garage and asked for diesel, the guy asked "did you order it?" no was the reply, 'hhmm sorry then, only have orders" seems what the go is, you ring a few days before you get there and the the delivery truck leaves the required amount of "44's" to cover the orders, and if you did not order, you did not get fuel! and you can only get multiple quantities of 44 gallons (200 litres approx) and you pump by hand and have to leave your keys with a guy in a shipping container type of shed with bars on a little cutout, when you pay him, you get your keys back, eneded up getting a bit from a 'used" drum that still had some left in it, and with the reserve tank in the landcruiser and the jerry cans carried, made it to the next shed/garage that had a few emergency 44's

[Brett1907]

Noelm, my old man did a full around Aus trip abaout two years ago. He travelled for about 2-3 years in a td 100 series. Said next time it will be PETROL. He has had diesels since I can remember, but it is cheaper on total ownership now to buy petrol. (even with consumption & cost of petrol!)

I asked him if I would be restricted to where I can go with my petrol hilux, his answer was...

No more than if you had a diesel. Just plan your routes with that in mind. This doesn't mean you can't go certain places, you just have to plan your fuel stops accordingly. Which you should do with a diesel vehicle anyway.

He also has done the Variety Bash a multiple time, taking an AP5 Valiant to places most 4WD's couldn't make it. As long as he had sufficient fuel capacity for the planned drives there was no problem. The only people who had trouble was those who didn't prepare properly.

Oh yeh, 19k is overpriced. Unless it is one of the last years production and is in top condition. There are a few companies out there who will do an LPG conversion (keep your main tank as having both will increase your travel capacity), the problem is there is a huge wait to get it fitted. About six months is what I heard recently, just the fall out from an ill concieved and thought out policy.

Brett

[REEDA]

I have had a factory turbo 80 series for 10 years...excellent truck...on and off road. I use 11-12 litres / 100. If I am towing my 17ft van it goes up to about 14L / 100km. Recommend you go for a post 95 model, early turbo 80's had problems with main bearings on crank. Don't touch the petrol unless your name is mobil!!

[Paddyinoz2006]

Thanks a million guys. Lot of people know there stuff on this site, I am a total amature when it comes to touring australia and ausfish is really a great place to learn new things and get tips. I am orignally from ireland and I cant wait to travel your guys great country.
Have decided to go against the petrol cruiser. td cruiser is the go i recon. Hoping not to go over the 20k bracket so if u guys hear of any good landcruisers around let me know. Also would like to have a look at some duel cab diesel hiluxes but i recon they are as rare as rocking horse poo!!!! Gonna give the auctions a shot. Anyoone have any experience of buying at the auctions and in their opinion whats the pro's and cons.

[Brett1907]

You need to know exactly what you are looking at when going to the auctions. Look around car yards and throught the classifieds to research possible problems with the eraof car you are looking for.

Remember, if it looks too good to be true it probably is!!!

Didn't mean to put dieselsdown before. There is nothing wrong with them and you will get further per tank, if that is your preference thats great.

Good luck, if I hear of any will PM you.

Brett

[Paddyinoz2006]

thanks a million brett!!!!

[Noelm]

hey brett, i agree with you, planning is paramount to making trips anywhere, BUT, sh!t happens and you can get caught out, and the old AP5 Valiant going places where a 4X4 would not is also ppossible, way back in about 1975 we did a trip halfway up the cape in a 63 EJ Holden Ute, what a trip, we broke a windscreen about 1 hour from civilisation, and I hitch hiked (not recomended these days I guess) with a truckie and got a second hand screen from a wreckers, and then got a lift back with a guy on a motor bike, Jesus you have not lived till you are on the back of a bike with a Windscreen under your arm going at light speed, sh!t i thought I would take off like a plane, the guy slowed down a bit after the bike started to get unstable. We changed the screen on the side of the road our selves, the bloody thing leaked like a seive from then on.