Which diesel 80... buying advice

[shorty_f0rty]

Well..

I've been bitten and I'm now seriously looking around for the right diesel 80 to buy..

I want to use it for camping, touring, interstate travel and seeing as I will be keeping the 40, probably towing.. and of course.. some mild wheeling..

Having been stuck in the slow lane with the 40's 3b diesel for too long I'm keen to get something with a bit more poke on the hills and to make overtaking a non-issue.. therefore the hdj80's are at the top of my shopping list..

I understand early 80's have smaller brakes at the rear and big end issues.
I'm wondering if the part time kit for the GXL's are a viable option for post 94 80's?
I'm keen for a tailgate but have read they can be damaged easily by kneeling on them on earlier modules.. hence a DX might be worth considering as well..

So my questions are:
- as post 95 hdj80's are pretty rare, is it worth while going for a earlier model or are they more prone to big $$ repairs if they haven't been done already (eg, BEB's)
- is it worth getting a DX with part time 4wd over the GXL to save the expense of a part time kit thru the gxl? Is the driveline backlash that much to be concerned about?
- is a turbo'd 1HZ worth considering as an alternative to a 1hdt? or are they not even in the same ball park? (DI vs IDI?)
- there seems to be a big variation in $$'s.. some private sellers are asking 12k over redbook even tho there are SOME accessories (not what I would say 12k worth)..
- or should I just get a cheap 1hz dx and spend the extra money on accessories + turbo from the start?

so yeah.. a few questions.... if anyone could help out with a few it'd be tops..

[+dj_hansen+]

Come on man... search!

The early 1HDT models, whilst having their far share of problems, are still a better option over N/A. If your intending to tow, go the factory turbo any day of the week, bigger clutch, and more grunt for towing. Have a good look at the market and ask for service receipts/documentation to suggest regular oil changes/filters (genuine all the way) and that the BEB have been changed.

Finding a low KM one these days, hell even finding a low km HDFT these days is rare, but they are good for several hundred thousand if looked after properly! There appears to be more and more HDFT models sneaking into the market, but at premium prices.

I paid $28k for mine May last year, but take off the $15k worth of mods/acc i essentially have a $13k multivalve cruiser; just some food for though when you see a HDFT model for $28k with nothing on it!

Post 93 gets the bigger brakes; throw in a pad, line and rotor upgrade for $1k and you hear stores of 3tonne WRX style braking, post 94 supposedly has better synchros in gearbox (they get a bit notchy after a while, some say they are notchy from new, they arent a race car box so treat them as such), the 94 IIRC models with longer splines on the CV stubs to minimise the driveline backlash, whilst it still exsists, i feel its bearable you just need to learn how to drive to minimise the occurence; and there are plenty of reasons to maintain the AWD, better handling and braking for a car that was engineered to run AWD. Do the pin 7 mod and you get full control over the CDL, but you can easily swap in the marks part time kit if u wish.

Consider this, a HDJ model may cost more to begin with, but once you factor in a turbo kit, tune, intercooler etc etc you could be out infront buying the HDJ model which has an engine and box designed for the turbo, then saving the bikkies for the intercooler and tune to suit afterwards.

Like any car, price varies, take my case as an example! just watch the market and dont make the golden mistake of buying the first you see (we have all done so nothing to be ashamed of) i watched on and off for 6 months, made the decision to buy just above and couldnt be happier.

There is a bucket load of 80 specific information over on www.lcool.org and also at www.offorad80s.com, get in touch with vSAHARAx and have a look at his beast for some worthy encouragement!

There is also a thread recently that has a bit more information pertaining to common rust spots too, and RemyDog05 had a similar thread last year which should provide for some reading.

[shorty_f0rty]

hah I AM searching... now.... i remember the thread a few days ago and didnt think i asked any of those questions.. read the lcool page for info on 80's, BEB's, etc..

i'll check out the other link too.. will keep a steady eye out for a hdj after those remarks.. I know about spending the $$ on all the go fast bits (hoping somone else has done it and now wants to sell it)..

thanks for your feedback tho dan.. its appreciated.. and gives me something to read at work!

[thrashlux]

Dont bother getting a 1hz if you can afford the factory turbo get one
if you do get a 1HZ then do not turbo it
the 1hz is not as powerful or any where near as reliable as a 1HDT or fuel efficient in turbo form
lots of people will tell you theirs is fine but i bet they have not opened them up to see the damage inside.

i went thru the exercise of 1hz turbos what a waste of time and money
i have a 1HDFTE from a 100 series now what an awesome engine 151 kw std and masive amounts of torque

if you are into doing stuff your self get a stuffed 1hz 80 fo 6 grand then spend 13 grand on a 100series conversion is a much better truck than a late 1hdft powered 80

you could even buy a 3f powered 80 and do the conversion to FTE

the rear tail gate does not seam to damage easy

the big end issues were due to a lower spec bearing in the early models
replacing the bearings solves the issues

cheers

[shorty_f0rty]

... just watch the market and dont make the golden mistake of buying the first you see (we have all done so nothing to be ashamed of) i watched on and off for 6 months, made the decision to buy just above and couldnt be happier.

Well I took most of your advice.. except for the above... I had a look at a HDJ80 advertised for 14.5k.. it had been rebuilt (with receipts) 80,000km ago and was a bit rough.. but.. no rust!! so against better judgement I bought it for 12.5k.. so the price was right..

I have talked to the guy who did the rebuild and he has confirmed it came in originally with a big end knock. All new internals got put through it as well as rebuilding the turbo.. I figure that it was a worthwhile risk due to the money that was spent on the engine recently (end of 2005)..

with 595000kms on the clock the rest of the 80 seems in ok knick.. the gearbox is a bit notchy but changing at the right revs does a lot to negate that issue.. I have signed up to offroad80s and have been doing through their tech pages..

First things on the list are to fix the radiator (top tank is cracked), get it serviced and find out where a few of the leaks are coming from. I noticed it tic'd (in time with rpm) under heavy load doing some hill work (and only then) but will get that checked out after everything else is sorted. for the most part it goes good and sounds fine..

Is there anything special required to get the panhard mount welded? is it just a prep and re-weld?

thanks for yer advise and apologies for not taking it I was watching the market and of the 5 HDJ80's for sale in QLD, 3 were in the $20k's, 1 was $17k (sold before I could check it out on saturday), and this one was under $15.. so i took my chance and grabbed it before I missed it. I guess I could always flog it off it it proves to be more trouble than its worth but I'm prepared to put some money in it initially to get it reliable.

[bj on roids]

Nice, looks like an earlier model tho'

[shorty_f0rty]

Yeh its a 91'.. but thats no big deal.. Part time kit will work as will upgrading the brakes as vSAHARAx has done.. but we'll see..

[booflux]

Nice would feel like a very powerful limo after the 40

[taps]

Looks neat enuff.

Good colour too, with welding up that panhard mount/steering box section of the chassis, i had the same prob i made a plate that went around the whole inside edge of the chassis and steering box area and stitched it on. Clean/buff back the chassis all around the steer box under the rail and on the wheel arch side, could be a bit more terminal than what it looks, all early GXL 80 that have done any kinda work had problems here with cracking and fatigue. Rust in the back of the inner front wheel archs was a problem too, mine has got it a little bit. I have filled it up with fish oil and it has not gotten any worse, and my feet dont get wet yet either.........
Good buy, and enjoy the truck

[shorty_f0rty]

Nice would feel like a very powerful limo after the 40

haha sure does!
Thanks for the tips Taps I'll check that area out on the weekend.. no wet feet for me yet either..

[Hamo]

Buying an 80 seems to be very tricky
I puy a deposit on a 1995 hdj80 with a 1hd-ft motor last week that had an engine reco 80000 ks ago only to be shafted by the dealer just before the finance come though.

There seems to be a few on ebay that have had engine reco's at about 30000 ks

I looked at 1 today with 32000ks on the clock but they wanted $22000 for it
and wouldn't budge on the price and i dont want to spend that much on one that may need a bottom end rebuild.

I looked at another that had 1hd-ft on the plate on the firewall and advertised as a hdj80 that had a 1hz motor with a turbo on it.

For the 5-6 grand price difference i starting to think i might just buy 1 with the 1hz motor with an after market turbo.

Shore the ihd-ft motor might make a little more hp but i dont see it worth the extra money if its going to need a bottom end rebuild

[110county]

The 1HD-FTs did not have the same bottom end problems the earlier 1HDT did. You should not need to replace the bottom end of one but you will if you buy a 1HDT with an unknown history.
As an owner of a 1HD-FT (1995) I can only rave about the power and fuel efficiency (11-12L/100km), and say it was well worth the wait to find one. You should be able to get one in good order with less than 300km on it for under $20k I have seen a few the last couple of months on carsales, but they don't last long so you have to act fast.
I bought mine about 1 year ago privately off carsales now had 265km, in good cond with heaps of accessories, no offroad work and regular servicing. I paid $15k but I did have to buy it over the phone sight unseen (was interstate). Needed new tyres and I also put in new suspension but haven't touched it otherwise in 25km now.
If you're in a hurry then get what you can, if you can wait a bit then hold out for the 1HD-FT. The fact that they are hard to come by and command a higher price says something about them I think, and they will always hold their value better than other model 80s.
Just my 2c anyway.

[110county]

Theres one on carsales now. No affiliation to me.

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/pr ... FD0BD4D89D

[bj on roids]

DAMN that seems like good value.

[Hamo]

I did have a deposit on 1 1995 1hd-ft with a dealer but the scum sold it 2 hours before my finance was approved how ever he had reciets for a bottom end rebiuld.
Yep the 1 above does look good in the ad i give him a call and see how i go
I think i might be up for a road trip next weekend if all goes well

[shorty_f0rty]

apparently you can 'bump' the throttle on a hdj80 to listen for a big end knock.. just tap the go pedal a few times and see if it sounds weird..

replaced my radiator yesterday with Ray185's help.. took a bit longer than a 40 radiator! It wasn't cheap either at $550 for a complete new adrad radiator at trade price.. but at least its fixed.. we had trouble getting the radiator to heat up more than 80deg c after it was replaced..

reading the comments above makes me feel better knowing i made the right choice..

[Hamo]

but I did have to buy it over the phone sight unseen (was interstate).

I dont think i whould advise anyone to buy sight unseen ive looked at a couple advertised as hdj80r's that have had 1hz motors with aftermarket turbos fitted there is even 1 on car sales that is advetised as duel fuel
No not diesel/gas.
If anybody buys sight unseen you may end up very disapointed

[Hamo]

Theres one on carsales now. No affiliation to me.

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/pr ... FD0BD4D89D

This 1 is now sold and parked in my driveway

[vit94]

So Hamo,
They have removed it from car sales so what did you end up gettig???

[dow50r]

was it thesame t/d auto cruiser as the one offered through ebay for 17.5k??
Andrew