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"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 11/10/2016 at 18:53 • Filed to: None

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As any good hitchhiker knows, 42 is the ultimate answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. It is also how many vehicles I’ve owned in my life now that I’ve bought this 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser.

I’ve been looking for an SUV for a few weeks. I was actually looking at Isuzu Troopers (and dreaming of a Vehicross) when I started seeing FJ80 Land Cruisers and LX450s in my price range...at the top of it, mind, but in there.

I decided I loved the look of the things, and that’s where I set my sights. I checked Craigslist obsessively, with a price limit of $5000, the results trickled in. Not only that, but the closest one I found anywhere was an LX450 in Milton MA...about 60 miles.

But then yesterday, this showed up right in my backyard over in East Greenwich...literally the next town over from Warwick. It looked clean in pictures, description was short on details, but it was priced right at $3400.

Fun fact: Later that same day I sold my truck for $3500. Go figure, right?

Anyway, I just got over there today to check it out. Shockingly, it is 99.99% rust free. The frame is still painted black rather than a fine coating of surface rust. I found a single spot where the paint is bubbling, and another spot where it looked like it was hit and rusted where the paint scraped off.

It’s done 173k miles, started easy and ran like a top. Leather, power everything (although both front seats have issues moving backwards), and my favorite bit that I don’t need at all:

That little knob to the left of the column, which controls the electric front and rear lockers. I can also apparently install a switch for a center diff lock (which it activates automatically in 4 low).

Second favorite feature:

Mmm, tailgate goodness.

It needs a few things, but nothing unusual for a 20 year old vehicle. Some electronic gremlins, a code that might be o2 sensors, and the inside is pretty dirty. And two front tires, it needs those.

Hopefully I’ll get to grab it this weekend, and I’ll report back with more pictures.

TheHondaBro > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:00

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I’ve recently had a want for a Lexus LX450. Nice buy!

HammerheadFistpunch > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:00

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You got a 174k 97 with diff locks for $3500? You got a helluva deal.

LongbowMkII > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:00

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Good buy.

HammerheadFistpunch > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:01

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Re: the seats

http://www.gamiviti.com/seatparts/

Nothing > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:03

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Holy crap, that’s a smoking deal. If I found something similar here, I’d ask for forgiveness instead or permission and have it parked in the driveway already! Congrats!

RallyWrench > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:06

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That’s a score, great choice. FJ80s under 200k go for double that here.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheHondaBro 11/10/2016 at 19:10

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I considered the Lexus, if I didn’t get this one I’d probably have headed to Milton for that other one. I mean in 97 they were basically the same except for the suspension, so they’re both good choices.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HammerheadFistpunch 11/10/2016 at 19:11

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Given the other stuff I’ve seen, it seems to be a really good price even with the stuff it needs. It runs and drives great though, so no issue there. Thanks for the info on the seats too, I’ll have to check it out.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Nothing 11/10/2016 at 19:14

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I’m pretty stoked. The wife is totally on board too...she didn’t exactly love my truck, and this is a lot better for our 10 month old to ride in.

vicali > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:14

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Score! Nice work..

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RallyWrench 11/10/2016 at 19:15

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6-8 seems to be the going rate in New England for a good one here, so my money seems to be pretty safe.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 19:34

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What does the little red button do?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 11/10/2016 at 19:40

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Hopefully not a self destruct button.

HammerheadFistpunch > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/10/2016 at 22:45

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What electrical gremlins/codes. Some common codes are more problematic than others

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HammerheadFistpunch 11/11/2016 at 04:38

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The only code is (if I remember correctly) p0420, catalyst efficiency below threshold. A quick Google search shows it can be o2 sensors, bad gas, or some other things. I cleared it and ran the truck for a little bit and it didn’t come back, so that’s encouraging.

Besides that, the seats are the main thing and I guess that’s a common issue. I’ve already ordered the parts it needs for that. Oh, and the front speakers might not be working...big deal.

RPM esq. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/16/2016 at 16:26

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Where I live it would have been a good deal at twice the price.