First Weekend of FJ80 Ownership Impressions

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 11/15/2016 at 13:18 • Filed to: None

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Right, so I picked up my Land Cruiser on Saturday, meaning I’ve had three full days to kinda settle in to it. I honestly can’t think of a bad thing to say about it yet, though I’m yet to go to the gas station.

The first thing I noticed is how smooth it is. I mean it’s a big Toyota inline 6, so I’m not shocked, but it’s really the whole drivetrain that’s smooth. Coming from a 2001 diesel F-250 I might be grading pretty softly on that, but it feels like an expensive mechanical watch. Everything in the engine and drivetrain is clearly well screwed together.

The ride is fine. It’s a little harsh over big bumps, but it doesn’t squeak or rattle. For a 20 year old vehicle with 173k on it, it’s obscenely tight. It’s more than good enough for me.

Power, eh, it has some. The FZJ80 has all of 215hp to move its 5000lbs, so it’s more Camry than Supra between the lights. But it has no trouble passing, and the engine is quiet and unobtrusive.

It’s not big by modern standards. I parked next to a 2010-ish Explorer yesterday and they’re the same size. Sitting on its own though, it looks imposing and burly with its fat tires and fender flares in a way that newer SUVs don’t. I don’t think I’ll get tired of looking at it.

I love the interior. It’s nicely laid out and everything feels high quality, considering it’s age. Biggest knock on it is that the seat doesn’t move back nearly far enough for me, so I ordered a pair of rail extensions that will hopefully be in this week. It’s driveable, but I wouldn’t want to take a road trip in it yet.

Really, the only other things it needs right now are new tires and maybe a new radio/speakers. Besides that, I love it just how it is. Doesn’t mean it won’t get some modifications soon though.

All in all, I actually like it even better now than I did Saturday. That’s about the best thing I can say about it.

OPPOsaurus WRX > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 13:26

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please do an FJ60 headlight conversion

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 13:27

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I have never actually met a person from Rhode Island. You are the closest thing I have to evidence that people from there do exist.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 11/15/2016 at 13:40

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In terms of population we’re actually 43rd, so it’s more likely you’d meet one of us than somebody from Montana, Vermont, Delaware, either Dakota, Alaska, or Wyoming.

There may be one other RI Opponaut too, I think Pixel is from here.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > OPPOsaurus WRX 11/15/2016 at 13:41

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Oh my god that looks great. Also, are those Chevy rally wheels? That whole rig looks awesome.

OPPOsaurus WRX > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 14:23

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it does look awesome. I had just remembered seeing the conversion and this is just the first GIS picture I could find

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 11/15/2016 at 14:39

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Having never been to Rhode Island, I struggle to comprehend that it is actually a state. My county is more than three times the size of RI, and it is not even a particularly big county for New Mexico.

j250ex > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 15:58

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You’ve been driving 3 days and haven’t been to the gas station yet? Considered yourself lucky! Congratulations on the new ride. Looks great!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > j250ex 11/15/2016 at 16:19

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The mileage sucks (I stopped on my way home, 13mpg basically all city, which is its rating) but at least the tank is decent size. I like it a lot, for as little driving as I do the mileage won’t be an issue.

HammerheadFistpunch > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 20:49

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The fun part of owning a cruiser is slowly finding all the the things that add up to that feeling of solidity, but it does spoil you when expect other cars of its age to feel the same.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HammerheadFistpunch 11/15/2016 at 20:57

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It’s funny, I spend all day driving a vehicle that’s 11 years newer and the Cruiser legit makes it feel like junk. Not even just in terms of build quality, which is outstanding, but the materials are so much better than I’d expect from a 90s product and the drive is thoroughly modern.

It makes me happy though, I was getting sick of my DD being kinda junky (my F250 was crazy rusty) and thought I’d have to go a lot newer than that truck to get a modern feel. But I got what I wanted by going even older.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 21:07

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Very clean! Not even rust underneath the rear wiper! The only thing that was never good was the wheels. One of our customers has a ridiculously clean 40th Anniversary Edition that makes me jealous.

Nibby > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 21:08

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congrats and welcome to the toyota 4wd experience

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 11/15/2016 at 21:12

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It’s crazy how rust free it is, especially given that it’s in New England. The wheels though, not in great shape...I might hit them with some plastidip or something.

I like the two tone 40th interior. I might do something a little like that, since the seating surfaces in mine are pretty worn...maybe go with a different color in alcantara.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 21:16

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I <3 Land Cruisers. Always have been my love among cars.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 11/15/2016 at 21:18

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I didn’t know I wanted/could afford one until like two weeks ago. I was looking at early 2000s Isuzu Troopers, which are fine, but then this one popped up right next door and in my price range. Now I’m obsessed with the damn thing.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/15/2016 at 21:20

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Yeah my dad has his ‘75 FJ and because of their shop there are always cool FJ40s, 45s, 60s, 80s, 100s, and 200s sitting around. My dad has now even seen 2(!!!) FJ25s!

HammerheadFistpunch > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/16/2016 at 11:14

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let me know what you do with the wheels, I’m mulling options on mine.

HammerheadFistpunch > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/16/2016 at 11:15

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Would you like to know what the highway mileage will be? (hint: it rhymes with “mert teen”)

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > HammerheadFistpunch 11/16/2016 at 11:54

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I once almost bought an 89 F350 with a 460 and an automatic...returning 8mpg was one of the reasons. Anything in the teens and I’m comfortable with it, I only drive 15 miles a day or so.

RPM esq. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/16/2016 at 16:28

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Stop telling people how little you paid for it, because I want to sell mine and you’re dragging the market down.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RPM esq. 11/16/2016 at 17:45

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I meant to say I paid $34,000 for it. Missed a zero. *wink wink*

RPM esq. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/17/2016 at 01:01

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Sounds like a very fair price. Mine isn’t quite as clean so I’ll settle for a nice round $30,000. *wink*

The Sky King > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 11/17/2016 at 12:08

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I did my wheels in white. Lovely retro feel. It doesnt hold up, even though i did like 10 coats, so I’m powdercoating them eventually

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > The Sky King 11/17/2016 at 13:11

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That would actually be kinda cool, but I’d imagine a nightmare to keep clean. I’m thinking silver, but maybe I’ll do the centercaps the color of the lower body on mine.