New here, howdy!

[rusty_tlc]

Just posting to say hi and introduce myself. Locrwln pointed me to htis site and after looking around I think it has a lot to offer. I have already seen one trip I want to take.

A little background:

I finished up building my FJ40 this fall, it is oriented more toward a trail rig. Lockers, dual t-case, SOA etc. All I need to do is learn how to drive it :) . I know I will have a blast learning the more technical style required.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/Rusty_clt/build/Dscn1613.jpg

On to the next project.

The time has come to replace our aging GMC full size 4X4. This has been a great truck and served us well towing travel trailers for the last fourteen years, as well as being a decent off roader when we get to our destination. However, we are now empty nesters, the TT is history, and a lot of little things are going wrong with the Whale. The wheel base on this rig is has also limited what we could do in the past. (It's a long bed extended cab.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/rusty_tlc/DV%20Spring%2005/BAT.jpg

SO what to replace it with? We haven't tent camped in 20 years but are willing to give a trial. More likely we will wind up with a small tent trailer. We will typicaly spend a week in the spring down in Death Valley or in Eastern Nevada during the early summer. We usually get another week or so trip out to the Nor Cal/ So Ore coast around mid summer. At some point we really want to visit Moab, Canyonlands, And Arches parks. There are probably a dozen more trips like that we would be doing. I want something that will do well with a minimum of modification, basically bolt on stuff.

So we want something that will handle mild trails, tow a small trailer, and not kill the bank account. Toyota prefered. Gas milage would take a back seat to comfort.

We test drove the FJC, hated the visiability. Not only from a driving aspect but from a sight seeing aspect. This was a disappointment because I have been very impressed with their off road performance. We also found the seats to be very uncomfortable, my 30+YO FJ40 seats are better. We had a sit down in a double cab Tacoma, not as bad as the FJC but after the big cars we are use to kind of claustrophbic.

We considered the FJ60 series but wanted something a little newer looking, I think the 40 parked in front of the house is as much as my wife can handle in the junker car department.

We both like the 80 series LC's, but I'm leaning more toward the 100 series. IMHO for what we plan to do with this rig the IFS would be an asset. As I understand the 100's also have a little more HP for towing. Th efinal decision may come down to which rig we find first.

So that's where we are.

[pwc]

Nice looking FJ!! welcome!

[adventureduo]

Welcome to the board.

[Scott Brady]

Welcome :)

Have you checked out the new 4Runners yet? Great comfort, visibility and decent mileage (you can hit 20 with the V6).

The 100 and 80 will also make for great machines.

It also might be worth it to take the new JK Unlimited for a spin.

Looking forward to seeing you on the trail :safari-rig:

[rusty_tlc]

Welcome :)

Have you checked out the new 4Runners yet? Great comfort, visibility and decent mileage (you can hit 20 with the V6).

The 100 and 80 will also make for great machines.

It also might be worth it to take the new JK Unlimited for a spin.

Looking forward to seeing you on the trail :safari-rig:
We didn't look at the Forerunners, might be worth another trip to the stealership.

Wifey wants something less safari looking than the FJ40 so I'm guessing the Unlimited is out.

See you on the trail.

[ChuckB]

I personally haven't gotten too crazy with my 100 yet (had it for about 3 months now), but you should definitely check them out. There are several 100s running around that have been "slightly" modified :drool:

I'm sure Calimaridog will chime in on this thread as he has a 2000 100, as well as a few others.

Especially since you already have a 40, a 100 or 80 will most likely suit your needs nicely.

If you haven't already done so checkout http://www.forum.ih8mud.com for hours of reading pleasure!!!! :coffee:

[KMR]

I believe that Rusty refers to himself as a "post pimp" over on mud, yep, just checked, over 5,000 posts!

Hey Rusty, since I beat you here by a day, Welcome!

Oh, my vote is for a 60, but I am a bit biased. :smiley_drive: (I like these smilies)

[rusty_tlc]

I believe that Rusty refers to himself as a "post pimp" over on mud, yep, just checked, over 5,000 posts!

Hey Rusty, since I beat you here by a day, Welcome!

Oh, my vote is for a 60, but I am a bit biased. :smiley_drive: (I like these smilies)
So your one of Seans 3fe buds huh? I won't hold that against you. :rolleyes:

I think the 60's are off the short list. Mrs. Rusty is very firm about not buying anythin not built in this decade.


If it were up to me I would have bought Seans 55 last summer. He has hinted he would be "very soft" on the price for the right buyer.

[KMR]

If it were up to me I would have bought Seans 55 last summer. He has hinted he would be "very soft" on the price for the right buyer.


Still for sale...................:smiley_drive:

[rusty_tlc]

Still for sale...................:smiley_drive:
Not anymore. he sold it 12/22.

It is no accident that I picked the screen name rusty_tlc, the 40 has skin cancer pretty bad. I hide most of it with bondo and krylon, given what I built it to do there isn't much point in investing in body work.

Buying another rust bucket is out of the question. Much as I would have liked to have Seans 55.

If anybody is interested, here is the LC in question (http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=95306)

[locrwln]

Hey Dan,

Good to see you over here. Lots of good trips planned/taken and loads of information. Don't worry guys, he has some idea on the 80/100's, there are one of each in the club, so lots of temptation.

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

Hey Dan,

Good to see you over here. Lots of good trips planned/taken and loads of information. Don't worry guys, he has some idea on the 80/100's, there are one of each in the club, so lots of temptation.

Jack
Hi Jack,
Souinds like we are well on the way to planning some great trips for the club this year as well. Looks like it's going to be a dry winter so maybe there won't be much of a mud season this spring, I hope.
After looking at the trip reports on this site for Death Valley I'm Jonesing to get back down there.

[locrwln]

Hi Jack,
Souinds like we are well on the way to planning some great trips for the club this year as well. Looks like it's going to be a dry winter so maybe there won't be much of a mud season this spring, I hope.
After looking at the trip reports on this site for Death Valley I'm Jonesing to get back down there.

That makes two of us. Hopefully the trips talked about can become a reality.

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

That makes two of us. Hopefully the trips talked about can become a reality.

Jack
I have a good feeling about the posibility of some of these trips happening.

[DaktariEd]

Welcome to ExPo!
Great FJ40 you have there!
:victory:
Maybe we'll see you over here at the Fall Trophy!

:sombrero:

[rusty_tlc]

Stupid nOOb question,Fall Trophy?

[Desertdude]

Welcome- love that 40... :punk03:


Expeditions West Trophy Event (http://www.expeditiontrophy.com/about.html)

The website soon for an update? ...the DVD will be coming out in FEB

[rusty_tlc]

Welcome- love that 40... :punk03:


Expeditions West Trophy Event (http://www.expeditiontrophy.com/about.html)

The website soon for an update? ...the DVD will be coming out in FEB
Thanks it's been an adventure in itself.

[Desertdude]

Thanks it's been an adventure in itself.


I know just what you mean right here (http://homepage.mac.com/desertdude/78FJ40Landcruiser/Menu92.html)

[rusty_tlc]

I know just what you mean right here (http://homepage.mac.com/desertdude/78FJ40Landcruiser/Menu92.html)
Sweet looking 40. Mine is not as pretty in person as it looks in the pic I posted, I did the paint job with Krylon in my Garage. I didn't even wash it first. :rolleyes:
The SOA and drive train stuff were tough enough for me.

[zimm]

go back to TUT you mud freak. :insert missing flipoff smiley here:

[rusty_tlc]

go back to TUT you mud freak. :insert missing flipoff smiley here:
:insert missing flipoff smiley here:X2
TUT sees all.

Not to worry I checked the inanities at the door. ;)

[rusty_tlc]

Just looking at craigslist
93 LC (http://reno.craigslist.org/car/262261171.html) Yikes 273 miles blown head gasket and bald tires. But only $4K.
'00 LC (http://reno.craigslist.org/car/262579281.html) $22K, I'm not sure if thats a good deal with 98K miles.
92 LC (http://reno.craigslist.org/car/261558404.html) 175Kmiles for $5K. Thats more like it.
95 LC (http://reno.craigslist.org/car/260672049.html) 116K Miles $8.6K

[locrwln]

I would pass on the 92. The 3fe is a great motor, but underpowered and manages worst gas mileage than the 93's and up. Also, I know it's a toyota, but the other high mileage one would scare me. Most of the talk on Mud is that the 4.5l motor is a 300k motor, so you may or may not get that much more out of it.

Also something I was going to mention in the other thread, you should sit in and drive both. The 80 can get short on leg room unless you move the seat mounts, not sure but I think the 100's have more leg room.

Saw a 100 at the Carson City Toyota lot the other day, it was brown, more like mine than Dan's.

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

I would pass on the 92. The 3fe is a great motor, but underpowered and manages worst gas mileage than the 93's and up. Also, I know it's a toyota, but the other high mileage one would scare me. Most of the talk on Mud is that the 4.5l motor is a 300k motor, so you may or may not get that much more out of it.

Also something I was going to mention in the other thread, you should sit in and drive both. The 80 can get short on leg room unless you move the seat mounts, not sure but I think the 100's have more leg room.

Saw a 100 at the Carson City Toyota lot the other day, it was brown, more like mine than Dan's.

Jack
What were they asking for the one in CC?
I'll probably take the 100 on that lot on S Virginia for a spin eventually. It has been sitting there for six months or so, I'm guesing they will be willing to go down on the asking price. It has 185K miles, they are asking $17.9K Dan thinks $12K is more reasonable.
Dan mentioned an 80 on a lot in Fallon, if we get a wild hair we may take a drive out there.

[locrwln]

Don't know the price or year, I can try and check tomorrow on lunch or something. It was kind of a corner of the eye thing when I saw it. I'll let you know.

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

One in Modesto. (http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/262825966.html) '00 with 85K for $19.7K if I got seriouse I could probably get one of the NorCal guys to check it out for me.

[locrwln]

Dan,

I took a look at the 100 in CC today and it's actually an LX 470 and the same color as mine. It's a 2001 and just turned 100k miles. Very clean and has a rear seat, roof mounted TV screen, so some kind of entertainment system. I didn't have too much time to look at it real close. Air adjustable suspension and looks very clean on the inside with heated leather seats. The guy told me that it was listed at 29k, but they were open to offers. He said that it was basically listed a full retail, so there definitely seemed to be some wiggle room. HTH.

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks Jack, that sounds pretty fancy for a trail rig.

Dan thought he was pointing me to a 100 here in town, turns out it was at Martins not the consignment lot.

The good news is I check their lot while I was there and found a '00 with 134K, cloth interior, locker, single owner, dark gray, third row seat, $16K. I'm not crazy about dark colors they tend to show the Nevada dirt more than light colors but it's not a show stopper.

I have a problem with commitment when it comes to car purchases, it may take me a long time to buy a rig.

[ChuckB]

FYI, that seems like a lot for an 01 with 100K. I paid less than $22K for a '00 with 78K, granted it didn't have a tv screen :(

[locrwln]

Thanks Jack, that sounds pretty fancy for a trail rig.

Dan thought he was pointing me to a 100 here in town, turns out it was at Martins not the consignment lot.

The good news is I check their lot while I was there and found a '00 with 134K, cloth interior, locker, single owner, dark gray, third row seat, $16K. I'm not crazy about dark colors they tend to show the Nevada dirt more than light colors but it's not a show stopper.

I have a problem with commitment when it comes to car purchases, it may take me a long time to buy a rig.

Nothing wrong with that and while it was nice, it was the right:shakin: color. I too think the price was way high, but you never know in this market how cheap you can get a gas guzzling SUV.

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

Nothing wrong with that and while it was nice, it was the right:shakin: color. I too think the price was way high, but you never know in this market how cheap you can get a gas guzzling SUV.

Jack
True that. After I identify a few canidates I can watch them to see how long they are on the market.

My 40 was in the Nickle for over two months, I got it for well under the asking price. That was before they started getting popular again.

[locrwln]

True that. After I identify a few canidates I can watch them to see how long they are on the market.

My 40 was in the Nickle for over two months, I got it for well under the asking price. That was before they started getting popular again.


Patience when buying a car is always a gooood thing.

Apparently, alchemists have figured out how to turn Japenese metal and rust into gold.:hehe: Because 40's prices have gotten crazy.

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

We took a closer look at the 98 on the consignment lot today. I't pretty clean, the usual carpet stains, parking lot dings etc. The engine was dry except for a littl seepage around the valve cover on the PS. Brand new bootsd on the CV's kind of made me think for a minute. Mostly dry underneth except for right under the transmission. I'll crawl under it next time to see if it is just the pan gasket or what. I was wrong about the color it's light grey/silver. It does have the factory locker.

[rusty_tlc]

I think we will do this. :princess: is in love with the rig.

[Willman]

Nice rig!!!

Welcome to the ExPo!!

:jump:

[locrwln]

I think we will do this. :princess: is in love with the rig.

So it's looking like the '98 is a go? Very cool. Can't wait to see it up close.

Careful, Joanne won't want to go anywhere in the 40 after she gets spoiled by the 100.:peepwall:

Jack

[rusty_tlc]

So it's looking like the '98 is a go? Very cool. Can't wait to see it up close.

Careful, Joanne won't want to go anywhere in the 40 after she gets spoiled by the 100.:peepwall:

Jack
I don't know about that, the 40 with the bikini top on a summer day is a lot of fun.

I should know on the 98 by the end of the day.

[rusty_tlc]

:jump:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/rusty_tlc/100_pics/Dscn1937.jpg

:exclaim: :hehe: :exclaim: :victory:



They need a new emotiocon for how I feel.

[Skillet]

Cool beans! Nice rig.

Now:

*Lift
*Bumper(s)
*RoofRack
*Drawer System
*Dual Batteries
*Etc
*Etc
*$
*$
*$

[rusty_tlc]

Cool beans! Nice rig.

Now:

*Lift
*Bumper(s)
*RoofRack
*Drawer System
*Dual Batteries
*Etc
*Etc
*$
*$
*$
My goal is to spend as little time and money on this rig as possiable. I already have way to much $$ and time invested in my 40.

It looks like an ARB front locker may be the first mod. I believe the common wisdom is that the front diff is the weakest element in the drive train.
After that probably;
-Lift
-Tires, it will be due by then anyway.
-CB/shortwave radios.
-I'll probably build my own drawers. I'm working on that for the 40 already since there are no commercial systems available for it. It shouldn't be hard to modify the dimensions for the 100. The tough part is sourcing decent hardware.
-no roof rack in the plans

[rusty_tlc]

We did a nice little ride Sunday.
Reno to Fallon, out on some dirt roads around Grimes point looking for Rnyolite. Back through Silver Springs, up Six Mile Canyon to VIrginia City, Lousetown road to Cartwright, back down Giger Grade to Reno.
A little bit of almost every type of paved road you might encounter from Interstate to rural two lane blacktop. Just a tiny bit of washboard gravel and old mining roads/ fence line roads.
A pretty good shakedown run to get familiar with how the rig rides.

Edit: I forgot to mention, we loved it!!!!