Landcruiser has been sold.
Toyota Landcruiser 1993 80 Series
1FZ-FE Gasoline Engine 6 Cylinder 4.5L
Registered until June 2023 California USA (Planned Non-Operation)
231,933 miles (when add posted)
VIN: JT3DJ81W8P0035545
12-14 miles per gallon
Automatic transmission
Factory centre locks
Left-hand drive
Power operated Sunroof
Air conditioning
Mechanically sound
Never been in an accident
Clean title
Location: Central America - Panama and Costa Rica
USD $24,500 OBO
Sadly, the time has come for us to end our Pan American trip and rehome our Landcruiser. We purchased this car in February 2021 and re-modelled it appropriately in preparation for living and travel purposes. This vehicle has been our full-time home for nearly 1.5 years and has taken us exploring many different terrains throughout the United States, Mexico and Central America. Although it breaks our hearts to part with this vehicle, we know the next owners will have as many great adventures as we have.
We built this Landcruiser to suit an outdoor Overlanding and surfing lifestyle. With a full equipt kitchen, rooftop tent, awning and 4x4 capabilities, it's been the ultimate rig to explore hidden coastlines and access all tourist activities and attractions.
At the end of this post, you can preview the following smaller images in full size and 33 image gallery. Also, a walk-around video tour on Youtube.
This car is in excellent mechanical condition and runs like a beast. There is no rust on the vehicle frame, and the engine is leak-free. We bought this particular vehicle for its reputation as one of the most trusted and reliable Overlanding vehicles. With its solid front axle, the Landcruiser is known for its durability and strength to concur any sand, rocky mountain or river crossing. She's never let us down or left us stranded. An older Toyota engine without complicated computers makes it mechanically friendly across South and Central American countries.
We are the third registered owner of this vehicle. The previous owner purchased the Landcruiser from the auction and owned it for approximately a year before selling it to us. He replaced the power steering pump, radiator and hoses, new cylinder head gaskets set and spark plugs. Done at 211, 896 miles with Japanese Auto Parts, San Diego, California.
Since purchasing the Landcruiser, we gave it the TLC required to prevent any mechanical problems on the road. These engines are known to last up to 500,000 miles with correct maintenance. We have a comprehensive list of paperwork for mechanic receipts and repairs from the previous owner and ourselves.
This vehicle would suit a solo traveller, a couple, or friends chasing the same outdoor lifestyle. It can be used for full-time adventure living (like ours), your everyday reliable vehicle and/or recreational trips. We could imagine a US citizen flying to Panama and having an epic adventure driving back home with their new vehicle. Or an international traveller wishing to explore the beauty of Central and South America.
My partner is a German architect and project manager and works with materials for durability and longevity. The Landcruiser was our fourth vehicle conversion for full-time living, and we used the experience and expertise from previous builds and applied it to this car. The layout is functional and versatile, and our electrical system is friendly to any new off-grid explorer. Everything was planned for functionality and convivence with a fresh and modern design.
We removed the row of passenger seats to build a wooden platform. This can be an additional seat with the cooler moved into the back if needed. Although there is no seat belt buckle (just the belt over the shoulder), driving around Central America with one or two passengers has been no problem. If desired, you could install a seat buckle. Underneath this wooden platform is storage which can be accessed from both doors.
The higher wooden platform was intended to be a second bedding option and house our surfboards. We can travel with five short surfboards (max.6.2") inside the vehicle packed to the right, still allowing plenty of room on the left to lift open the cooler. When our car is fully packed, it looks like we are just on a weekend trip because every item has its designated living space. The entire wooden construction could also be re-installed into another vehicle with ease. This is possible if the owner removes the build and installs passenger seats later.
The Landcruiser is nearly thirty years old and has some cosmetic flaws. There are minor cracks on the front dashboard, a missing speaker cover, and the original leather seats are torn. The driver seat motor does not work, so you must manually adjust the seat to your desired driving position. Since our ownership, the power steering pump leaks a tiny amount of power steering fluid (1 teaspoon a month); other than that, the engine is leak free. All of the above do not alter the mechanical function of the car however are the only faults I can comment on.
The original paint job was green and peeling due to sun exposure and old age. Due to its terrible condition, we painted the outside ourselves as we have done on the previous vehicle builds.
The second bed inside the vehicle is convenient for stealth camping, hosting a friend, or using the mattress in a tent. The rooftop tent can fit all our bedding inside, such as a pillow, sheets and blankets. It has been perfect to be elevated away from insects, on uneven ground, and high for airflow. With the canvas doors, we can control the temperature for colder climates and open them for hotter weather. We have a rechargeable fan for extra hot or humid nights. The tent pops up in thirty seconds and comes down in under two minutes, making it very convenient when moving around daily. Due to the constant sun and weather exposure, the fabric has faded. We regularly maintain the tent to keep its waterproofing barrier and prevent moisture build-up. Most importantly, the tent has no leaks or rips and can withstand heavy winds and rain with no problem. Another great thing about the Roofnest tent is that it can also be used as a storage box if needed.
Our water capacity is 14 gallons which can last up to a week for cooking, drinking water and showers. The cooler can stay cold for three to four days in hot temperatures with ice. We chose against solar panels and electrical fridges for the knowledge of previous off-grid builds. Firstly, we constantly search for shade under trees to park for our tent and living. Secondly, the food in Central America is very economical and delicious. We decided to save a few thousand dollars on an electrical set-up and spend it supporting the local communities and avoiding chasing the sun when the rainy season approaches.
Mechanical upgrades:
Rebuild transmission, torque converter, valve body and throttle cable. Done at 215,859 miles with Leon's Transmission, Los Angeles, California.
Rebuild front knuckle axle seal, replace front brake rotors, replace fusible link. Done at 215, 827miles with K&H Landcruiser specialists, Los Angeles, California.
Air conditioning conversion R12 to 134A. Done at 221, 821 miles with K&H Landcruiser specialists, Los Angeles, California.
Old Man Emu 2" medium nitro shock, medium duty 50mm Old Man Emu springs, steering stabilizer, LT 285/75r16 BF Goodrich KO2 All-Terrain (5) tires. Oil and filter change. Tighten E- brake. Done at 220, 526 miles with FIT Garage, Bend, Oregon
New duralast Starting Battery April 2022
Oil change Synthetic 15W/40 Synthetic oil at 225,746 miles
New brakepads front and back with brake fluid flush 229,584 miles
New starter motor at 230,426 miles
Conversion:
Roofnest Sparrow tent 85"L x 50"W
Telescoping ladder
Front Runner Outfitters awning 2.5m x 2m
Front Runner Outfitters roof racks (3)
14 Gallon water capacity (2 x 7-gallon REI containers with tap)
Seaflow water pump psi 45
9lbs gas bottle
12ft gas connecter line
Coleman double burner stove
Fully equipped kitchen including pots, pans, plates and utensils etc.
Cast iron pans (2)
REI stainless steel foldable table
Arctic 45L cooler
REI lightweight foldable hiking chairs (2)
Auxillary 100Ah 12V Battery
Seaflow 6 fuse panel
Pure sine inverter 300W (charge laptops, camera, phone, coffee grinder, toothbrush and razor)
45L storage box
Victron energy smart battery isolator (attached to the alternator)
Moen brushed nickel bidet handheld shower 6ft hose
3 LED lights 12v (2 at tailgate and 1 above cooler)
Finished Birch Plywood used for Carpentry
Slide-out heavy-duty draws 4ft (2)
Stainless steel handles for draws with locks
IKEA dual access plastic containers
7" mattress inside Roofnest tent (replaced September 2022)
4 "canvas-covered mattress (3 pieces inside car)
Fire extinguisher mounted under passenger seat
Machine spray-painted BEHR premium plus exterior primer and paint (sandy clay)
Plastic tarp 3m x 4m
4x4 Equipment:
VIAIR air compressor for tires
ARB tire deflator kit
Traction pads (2)
ARB heavy-duty tow strap
Foldable military shovel
Wrench kit
Tool bag
Jumper cables
Mechanical oils and additional camping supplies, ie ropes.
We will be travelling in Panama October and may be flexible to the selling location. Please feel free to ask for any more information, pictures or questions. Only serious inquiries and all low-ball offers will be ignored. We can ship the vehicle at the buyer's expense. You can contact us on:
Email: submarinewithwheels@gmail.com
Instagram #submarinewithwheels
Please allow a few days response time as we may be without reception or internet while travelling.
Photo gallery below:
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