You really can’t go wrong with a Land Cruiser, and this 1997 triple-locked collector’s edition is a lovely example. I read somewhere that the Land Cruiser sets the benchmark by which all other 4WD vehicles are judged, and there’s no denying the Cruiser’s revered reputation for everyday bomb-proof reliability. Whether it’s destined for the school run or overlanding in Africa, this is a vehicle you can depend on. If you’re in the market for an unmodified FZJ80, then look away now. But if you’re on the hunt for a highly modified expedition-ready Land Cruiser, read on.
From the Seller:
“I swore I’d never sell this 80, as it’s the cleanest I’ve seen and has been lovingly built. However, fate tossed a new project my way, so it’s regrettably up for sale. I found this FZJ80 in Baton Rouge via a dealer who had picked it up as a trade. It was previously owned by a dentist’s wife and garaged its whole life. I paid decent money for it and then began the process of buying parts and upgrading.
My body shop redid the flares as they had minor parking scuffs while also repairing the tailgate and upper door due to minor dents. It has never had any paintwork or any major accidents. The previous owner hit a sign and scuffed the front bumper, and I was hit lightly in the rear bumper this February; the Hi-Lift jack just touched the door. The hood has an STI scoop and Range Rover vents that were sized to allow a top-mounted Mishimoto intercooler (the vents in conjunction with the scoop reduce engine temperature dramatically in Texas summers; Scangauge showed a 12- to15-degree difference). The bodywork was done by Master Autobody, one of the best shops in Houston and the go-to for hard-to-match paints.
Duggy’s Garage, our local shop for all things Toyota, carried out servicing and installed parts. This included a head gasket completed in March this year at 214,000 miles (it has now done approximately 217,000 miles). I’ve always had an all-in approach; this meant taking no shortcuts and included replacing the wiring harnesses with original or OEM and a comprehensive five-figure rebuild (documented in the specifications below).
I do not need to sell the vehicle and have already acquired the new project, but realize that once I start the latest build, the Land Cruiser won’t get the attention and love it deserves. I barely used the vehicle last year, except [to run] some light fire roads in Big Bend, which means the paint and underside are pristine. Furthermore, the paint was recently ceramic coated (April 2021), and the 4×4 Labs rear bumper was re-powder-coated last month (comes with a spare basket/gas can rack to swap in/out). The front driveshaft was just installed (Slee Offroad double cardan), and a rear OEM is en route. Otherwise, the only known issue is an intermittent CEL—the code shows an O2 sensor. Will likely replace both in the next week or two pending my travel to ensure it’s resolved for the next owner.”
Specifications
Exterior/Suspension:
New 315/75R17 Toyo RT tires on Stealth Custom Series lightweight (23-pound) 5-spoke rims (plus full-size spare)
White Knuckle off-road slider with mild turn-up and filler plate
ARB front bumper and Smittybilt Gen 3 12,000-pound winch with synthetic line (new blue Amsteel 02/2021)
Trail Taylor steering stab and radiator guard
Slee AC evap skid plate
Slee rear locker guard
Trail Tailor transfer skid plate
Old Man Emu medium front/heavy rear 2.5-inch lift with 10-millimeter packers in the rear
Old Man Emu shocks
Slee SS brake lines
ARB alloy full-length roof rack
ARB aluminum case 2.5- x 2.5-meter awning (used twice)
Trax sand boards and flotation plate for Hi-Lift jack on roof
Professionally installed STI hood scoop and Range Rover side vents
Baja Designs LP6 lights
Rigid Industries driving lights
Massive Metalworks hood brackets with Baja Design S2 Pro ditch light
4×4 Labs rear bumper with spare tire carrier and ladder; also comes with repainted gas can/cooler basket
Baja Designs Squadron Pro lights
Hi-Lift jack on swingout
All new door seals, window runs, and slides – including rear hatch
Safari snorkel (professionally installed)
Fender flares repainted with new gimps
Depo blacked-out headlights, Depo clear side markers, and LED taillights
Delta VS rear panhard bracket
LCP front swaybar disconnects
Shaky mirror fix
EBC slotted/drilled rotors front and rear with Hawk pads
Old Man Emu steering stabilizer
CLD button, 7 pin mod
Sway bar bushings
New windshield washer pump
New windshield washer motor and blades all the way around
Mechanical/running gear:
Rebuilt front axle—seals, bearings, and everything needed
Full fluid change 02/2021
All U-joints replaced 05/2021
Head gasket redone plus full new OEM wiring harness, hoses, belts, and fluids
New radiator
Tundra 150-amp alternator with Photoman brackets
PHH and bypass of removed rear heater
New Denso starter
New fuel and water pumps/thermos and filter
New dist seal, timing chain, and guides/tensioner, etc.
New injectors, plugs, wires, etc.
New brake booster (OEM) and cylinders
New power steering pump and all lines
Slee dual battery tray (dual AGM batteries with Blue Sea AGM and Bussman circuit protection)
New air intake tube and MAF sensor
GM VC120 charcoal canister
Dual Hella Red horns
Burrito basket and SS tongs
Fan and new clutch hub
Interior:
New LCH front seat covers installed with new OEM seat bottom foam
FatMat and acoustic foam installed up to front seats and in all doors/hatch
Carpet professionally cleaned while out, and always covered with new Inno-hex mats
Kenwood 6.1-inch head unit with 5-channel amp under driver’s seat, and Infinity 6.5-inch speaker in all doors
JL sub on LCP rear bracket
4×4 Labs rear driver’s side basket, Rago off-road side window, MOLLE panel, and Delta brackets hold a shelf/attic
Adventure Ready rear inner tailgate cover/cutting board
S-Tech six-light switch panel installed with Wits’ End ashtray mount
Wits’ End cubby hole mount with tiltmeter
Craft Customs redone steering wheel (thicker than OEM with extra high-density foam)
Craft custom redone shifter knob and center console lid
Redline custom transfer case knob
1500-watt inverter under passenger seat (rear heater deleted)
Rear second-row seats are out of the truck typically but in very good condition; recently treated with Leatherique and stored in a climate-controlled unit.
LED Dome lights
Lexus LS400 sunshades, wired for radar detector
This 1997 Toyota FZJ80 Land Cruiser is listed for $42,500 and is currently located in Houston, Texas. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
Our No Compromise Clause: We carefully screen all contributors to make sure they are independent and impartial. We never have and never will accept advertorial, and we do not allow advertising to influence our product or destination reviews.
