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The dealership uses a company called Dent Wizzard, locally, and they swear by it, also they have a company who does airbrush paint work to color match stone chips.
I will see what the cost and time to repair is.
I've been reading the messages this whole week from the beginning and would like to say that I learned quite a bit from all of you. I recently purchased a '98 Cruiser with 44k miles on it. It's a two tone white with all the options.
I just added the full Alpine navigation and video system similar to nota4re. It's funny that he owned the same year as mine. I also bypassed the security system to allow video to be played while I'm driving. The video is sent to the rear screen for the 2nd and 3rd bench (the kids). The video can also be sent to the front screen for the wife as well. My bypass was done via a switch that I mounted inside the center console. I have to hit the brake and switch it on/off 2x. I found out that the laws are very strict concerning displaying video while driving. In fact, the Alpine rep informed me that they were warned to make the bypass much more difficult to enable.
Anyway, I'm still debating on whether or not to use the TLC as a daily driver. I'm just a bit concerned about the gas consumption. Premium fuel is still not cheap. I was considering garaging it just for the weekend adventures.
The only thing that was missing from the car was the Owner's manual. Can anyone tell me when the next big service is? I'm assuming it's around 60k. What services need to be performed?
Don't know where you live, but I'm near Orange County, CA. If you are in that area, let me know and I will give you a number to call.
Good Luck
Phil
There's nothing really in particular to watch for on these rigs. No inherent flaws like the EFI relay on the early 80 series. Just look over the basics and budget some money for maintenance and part replacement.
Some folks say the fj62 is the last of the real Cruisers . I disagree.
I truly appreciate any time taken to provide a response...
Randy
You can also consider the '93/'94 model years, but they have some differences with '95-'97 80 series rigs. Most rigs in the USA have leather and ABS. If no ABS, then rear drum brakes/SF rear end. With ABS you get 4 wheel disc brakes and a full floating rearend. The major offroad option is the differential lockers. I would find a rig with these. '97 has available auto climate control is that appeals to you.
Join the 80 series mailing list, but be prepared for some ribbing as a Disco driver .
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/80scool
Thanks for the info. I think I follow you. Having the ability to manually lock and unlock the diffs (I'm assuming front, center and rear) allows the driver to take the system out of defaulted locked diff mode even in low range? This I'm guessing is done under strick protocol based on certain circumstances. I'm currious, how do the newer LR Discos compare to the LC 80's build...i.e. axle size, frame size and thickness, overall strength and size of parts used...
Once again, thanks for the time and help.
Randy
I've not gone through a Disco, especially a late model variety. Rovers are not known for stout transmission or axles, but perhaps that was recently changed. Toyota axles rarely break. Birfields (cv joints in front axle) were a weak spot in older rigs when running 35" tires and a locker up front, but the 80 series birfields are much larger.
On another related note - does anybody out there have the problem of rusting rear wheel covers. The alloy rims on the 99 LC don't obscure the rusty wheel covers. Is this typical?
1. outside temperature display
2. auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror
with compass
If not offered on the '98 can these be added?
I guess the $94 question is, could I expect a 97 to still be running great after 3 to 4 years when I get any loan paid off? What are the things that typically fail on these trucks?
Thanks in advance for replies.
What's the best oil to use for each oil change?
What's the best fuel to run, we have used 87 octane in our other 2 suv's?
We live in West Covina, CA anybody know of a good mechanic in this area or within 25 miles of here that you use and trust?
Anybody know of a place where I can get a Borla Cat-back exhaust installed inexpensively?
Is the Borla worth the cost or is just a nice shiny exhaust?
If you can answer all or any of these questions please do. Only driven the beast 1 day and felt like I was riding in the "lap of luxury". It was reading these boards which convinced me on buying the Landcruiser.
Thanks for your help!
for a '97 TLC ( $30K ). If you spend $31-32K you can get a 98 TLC with around 40K miles. I would rather go for a 98 TLC than a 97 TLC if I were spending that kind of money.
i have been reading your very helpful message board for sometime now; however, this is only the first time i will fully participate. anyway, i am a proud owner of a 1997 TLC. just today, i was cruising up the 'Grapevine' on I-5 (road conditions: 5% or more uphill grade, near 100degree temp) at 70mph, with A/C on low when suddenly i noticed the temperature gauge go all the way up to the 'red' portion. this prompted me to immediately pull over to the side and let the vehicle cool down for 30 mins. after the rest period, i proceeded (with A/C turned off) the rest of the way with no problems.
in retrospect, about a month ago i brought the vehicle to a mechanic for a major tune-up which included a coolant flush/replacement. what i noticed in today's incident after looking under the hood is that the color of the radiator coolant is reddish. this struck me as odd as i am familiar with the 'greenish' and 'orangy' variety, but the not 'reddish'. i can not remember what color the radiator coolant was in my vehicle before i brought it in to the mechanic. is this 'reddish' type of coolant in your vehicles? could this coolant be what's causing the temp to go all the way to the red? i don't think i was taxing the engine that much as the vehicle had only 2 passengers and 2 suitcases. i have never had this type of temp trouble before having the coolant replaced. your input is greatly appreciated!
97TLC4dave
Was the vehicle actually overheating?
Thermostat is easy to check to see if it's working by putting it on the stove and see if it opens in boiling water. Check to see if the water pump shaft is wobbly. Check for a clogged radiator by looking for cool spots on the rad or no pressure in the return hose. Check the hoses, too.
I love mine. More than a shiny exhaust tip it is a sweet sounding beauty that actually makes the V8 sound like a V8 - a very refined one at that. Not so much louder, but deeper. As for power, it helps only at the highest RPM's (like for passing). If you like to spend time in the 4000+ side of the tach, you will be happy with the Borla.
As for the install, I did it myself. Took about an hour and did not need to jack the car. I'm not a mechanic and only needed a basic set of socket and open end wrenches. If you prefer, any muffler shop could install it easily and will probably charge you for 1 hour labor.
HiC
Has anyone done it?
http://www.geocities.com/~jjjoutside/chevmenu.html
HiC
Any advise is greatly appreciated.
-Max
can anyone recommend a mechanic that specializes in LCs in the LA area.
thanks in advance
http://www.tlc4x4.com/2000/home.htm
Thanks, Mark