Cruiser which Cruiser?

Gazza,
Both are good vehicles, though make sure you get a live axle and a full size front diff.

Service history is a must for a diesel with regard to oil changes.

A mate had a 80 series and it was bullet proof. He has now upgraded to a 4.2 TDI Nissan.

Duck in coming.

lol

Cheers

Steve

I saw your previous post here and elsewhere and I was going to put my 2c in but held off as most of the feedback was good. All I would add is, How much time do you have?

I was in a similar position to you last year with a similar budget but I have a big boat to tow - what it came down to was what was available in the market at the time. Diesel 4L's Patrol or Toyota weren't exactly bashing down my door. Heaps and heaps of 3L's and petrols tho! I def' wanted a diesel so excluded the rest. My thinking was a diesel will tow more economically and for at least 500k and possibly +800k

Keep in mind a factory turbo 80 will come up but in how long and how far has it already gone? I would of loved to of got a turbo 80 but there was only 1 at the time and it had heaps of prob's and a ridiculously high price. I saw an admittably v.nice one recently on Lcool but I think it was at 400K and $28k, yes it had all the goodies and a reputable owner but in my mind 400k is 400K and all at a premium price.

In the end I settled for an '97 80 series pov' pack because for the $'s it was in the best nick. Yes it's NA so I do have to use the gearbox on hills and it's certainly no rocket even on the flat but it was $12k and had done 300k easy km's. It has live axles, coils, reliable and easy fix engine and tows 3.5T BUT best of all it left me with $16,000 for any unseen issues. Problem solved!

Let us know how you get on.

Best of luck,

Sam.

I have had a n/a diesel 80 (335K) and now have a n/a diesel 105 live axle(158K).

I would NOT consider towing even a box trailer in undulating terrain as the n/as don't have sufficient power to maintain a safe speed.

The last thing we need on our highways is a row of cars & trucks behind some clown who can't (or won't) travel at an appropriate speed - (Generally the speed limit)

Get a turbo diesel!!!

For your budget it will have to be an 80.

Peter

Being in WA, outright power is not as much an issue as it would be in NSW with the great divide between you and the great outdoors. Low 20's will get you a good turbo diesel 80, or a std diesel 105. The 105 is a safer car....better brakes, larger interior.It will also be easier to obtain, as most people who own a late 80 t/d want to keep them. I happen to know that guy with the 450k 80, and it clocked those kms on the hume highway between melb/syd/camberra, being his work car under lease, it has been looked after. He is replacing it with a T/D 100 Sahara.
The down side to a 1hz 105 is they have a prado gearbox in them...which plays up when you boost them and tow alot of weight. Thats why the best 105 is one with a 78 t/d donk and gearbox dropped in. All these cruisers are not effected by rust, so its mechanical condition you are looking at. The turbo 80 will return great fuel economy. To compare, 2 friends drove 1000kms together, the 1hz had a camper trailer, the turbo cruiser had a full van. They both used thesame amount of fuel. he turbo cruiser was out front and was constantly slowing to wait for the std 1hz.
They are so much better to drive. Mine has almost 300kms on it, which seems to be the normal kms these days...anyone with a low kms version will be asking a hefty price for it.
Andrew

Have a good look around at what's on the market.... and get as much vehicle as you can for your money! 80's...100's... great trucks! Be wary of service history with diesels, they are strong but need regular care to keep 'em that way. Stick with Toyota's 'cos obviously that's what you want, but don't disregard the Nissan TD6 (4.2L Turbo Diesel) if you can find one... they're getting rare. But only the 4.2L, personally, I wouldn't recommend the Nissan 3.0L, they have known issues and a search here on EO will give you all the background.

A mate here on the Gold Coast has an 80 series with rebuilt engine and turbo for sale, very nice unit, (thought about buying it myself TBH), wants about 15K for it I think... but a bit far for you to come and test drive it I guess....

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

Cheers

Brian