I have a chance to buy a one owner 97 LC 40th Aniversary edition.

Very clean, 53k from new, rear diff lock etc etc.

Questions (I have a few, sorry )

* Largest wheel tire /combo for 50% on road/50% off road use

* What are popular/best liked suspension components

* Anyone here with a TRD S/C for the 4.5L ?
(I SC'd my 99 4Runner with some success but fuel mods drove me nuts)

* Any other performance mods that people have/are effective, cat back ?
air intake etc ???

* What is correct model designation ... FJ ???

Sorry for all rookie questions, I have had 4, 4Runners but never owned
an LC. I drove a 96 and was shocked at how flat the performance was with
the 4.0L hence the questions about the TRD SC.

Anything I should look out for ? I know the owner and he bought it new. All the same, I will run a title search just in case.

Many thanks in advance

David (extreme LC rookie )

 

you can run 305's w/ a mild lift and easily 315's w/5". you can use the stock 16x8 toyota wheels for both.

if you want 2-3", then OME is good. 5" or 6", then go with slee springs.

also, go to http://www.sleeoffroad.com and look around. make sure to read THIS article to answer most of your Q's

1. it doesn't have a rear locker... it has FRONT AND REAR lockerS with emphasis on the plurality!

2. it's an FZJ-80 with a 4.0L. your best bet for finding a SC for one is on ih8mud.com forum or on ebay.

3. going up ANY in tire size will decrease performance on an already slow rig. you'll want to regear soon after going w/ bigger meats. plan on 4.56's at the least.

4. it's HEAVY, so don't plan on it doing too well in soft turf or mud. they don't call them iron pigs for nothing! w/ gears and 315's and 5" of lift, plan on getting about 10MPG everywhere you go, so don't buy it for a daily driver / trail rig unless you want to really spend some money on fuel.

5. good choice in rigs for offroad. there's a HUGE aftermarket support for them - especially down under - that includes front and rear bumpers, lifts, performance upgrades, aux fuel tanks, etc....

 

Andy, sorry to correct you, it's a 4.5L straight six, instead of 4.0.

 

YUP... you're right. lol... don't know what i was thinking.... i guess that's the problem, i WASN'T thinking.

 

No need to regear for 285/75/16 (~33"), use OME for suspension, it has optional front/rear lockers only if it has a rotary switch to the left of the steering wheel on the dash, all FZJ80 had automatic center diff locks, go to ihmud.com forums for the 80 series for tons of info, go to sleeoffroad.com for products, tech, info.

***EDIT: The above link should read www.ih8mud.com (not ihmud)***

 

Wow,

Thanks all for great, quick info.

And it is a 4.5L

David

 

I'm currently running 295's stock and it does fine. Look into getting the CDL switch from Slee or CruiserDan so you can use the lockers in high range. I'm also running the S/C and it really helps! I've done all the fuel mods on the Taco but I haven't touched the LC. Mine seems to run on the rich side and doesn't have the surging or lean problems. I just need to confirm that with my wide band O2.

Yes it is heavy but living out here it does fine in the deep sand of the arroyos and I get a consistant 13-14mpg.

my .02

 

Some of the 4.5L have headgasket issues.....

 

Are you thinking about selling the 4th gen???
I love 80's

 

Good point, there is a section on the Slee page that shows pictures and descriptions of what to look for in the way of problems when buying a cruiser.

 

What price?? And is it locked front and rear?

 

Sounds like you have happened upon a nice unit. I'll be looking forward to seeing the pics.

Doug M.

 

the newbie guide at www.sleeoffroad.com will be some required reading before you make the plunge. Wait and get one with lockers. It doesn't impact the used vehicle price and its a few grand to add them later.

 

Romers here! Must be browsing while searching for a 4runner for daughterofromer

 

Yeah, I lurked for a year, but have been here a lot the last few days for the mission you described!