Introduction

[engineer]

Hi everyone,

Greeting from Thailand! Recently bought a VX80. 1996, petrol engine with lpg. Already got a Prado (1996) which is now for sale.
I found this forum and I'm happy with all the info it has.
The VX80 needs a lot of attention since i drove it for the first time today and detected some play on the steering. Also the rubbers on the wheel-fenders (between main body and wheel-caps?) are dried out and are cracked all over.
English is not my native language, so i might have some words or terms wrong. sorry for that. Anyway, hope to get a lot more knowledge about the car since it is my intention to keep it for a looooong time. Looking forward to posts here.

Engineer.

 

[Chas]

Welcome to the forum Engineer, your English is perfect no need for apologies. When you have made the necessary number of posts (about 15 I think) you can post some pictures of your Land Cruiser.

 

[engineer]

Thanks Chas! without pictures i will have to do my best to use the english to describe the issues my car has. Hope that goes well.
Will bring the car soon to the local specialist in the area here, and let him do a checkup, from there I will see what's next.

 

[ranma21]

Hey Engineer welcome, I am a new member too! Originally from Malaysia and now live in the US. Check your tie rod ends, wheel bearing, or trunion bearings, but most likely the former 2 item cause steering play. Or your steering box may need adjustment. Do all the baselining work and you will a long lasting truck to enjoy.

 

[engineer]

Hi Ranma21, thanks for the welcome. I will pass your advice to the check-up, hopefully happening this week. First thing of order, when buying a car in Thailand, is to let a monk sit in it, and let it do some praying inside and bless the car in general. It also involves some writing with some chalk or something, usually on the roof inside the car, with ancient script characters... This will probably happen today.

 

[Chas]

First thing of order, when buying a car in Thailand, is to let a monk sit in it, and let it do some praying inside and bless the car in general. It also involves some writing with some chalk or something, usually on the roof inside the car, with ancient script characters.

I rather like the sound of that, something I should have had done before being let loose on my 80, could have me saved a lot of grief.

 

[clivehorridge]

Sorry Chas, no offence (to you or Monks) but there is a limit you know...

My Mrs had my truck blessed by a Priest just after last Christmas, so now it's heaven to drive

BTW, welcome to the forum engineer, you've chosen the best truck as a base for whatever you want to make of it, 80's rule

 

[ranma21]

Hi Ranma21, thanks for the welcome. I will pass your advice to the check-up, hopefully happening this week. First thing of order, when buying a car in Thailand, is to let a monk sit in it, and let it do some praying inside and bless the car in general. It also involves some writing with some chalk or something, usually on the roof inside the car, with ancient script characters... This will probably happen today.

You are welcome. that is interesting. I am sure the blessing will bring good luck to you and your 80. Checkout ih8mud forum as well for cruiser info, tons of info on 80 series like this forum. So you plan to mod the truck or keep it stock?

 

[froggy Steve]

ยินดีต้อนรับ
my little brother used to live in Bangkok, now in Shanghai, never been to either, but its on the wish list! He has 150 rooms booked out in July in Phuket for a works do and I'm invited..........just far too busy at the moment!

 

[Chas]

ยินดีต้อนรับ
my little brother used to live in Bangkok, now in Shanghai, never been to either, but its on the wish list! He has 150 rooms booked out in July in Phuket for a works do and I'm invited..........just far too busy at the moment!

Steve if you do ever go to Bangkok steer clear of the Patpong Road area, or maybe you should go there, it's an education, I'll say no more.

 

[Blown80]

Hi Engineer, Chris from down Aussie way here.
Great decision with the 80, I have the FZJ80 myself.
You mention its on gas, LPG, and thought I'd mention we see a few go through valves quick here.
If the petrol prices aren't too dear, is it worth considering going back to straight petrol to avoid head issues, given you want to keep it for a long time. Down here we find the guys running gas end up spending more on rebuilding the top end than they save in the difference in petrol prices.
Just a thought, but looking forward to seeing some pix too.
Cheers. Chris

 

[engineer]

Hi,
As soon as the car comes back from the checkup, I will make a picture of the writings inside, on the roof. If i can post later images, I will put them up.

I am planning to mod the VX to whatever my budget allows. An arb bumper is one of the first things i was considering. Saw the prices here this week at a carshow in bangkok for the electric motors for them... that might take some time before i install one (ofcourse i want a heavy duty one ). An entertainment system might be a second thing as the car still has a toyota cassette player in there!

And then the lpg system... This is a difficult one... I know of the risks as i had high cost to my current prado the year before. Thanks anyway for the warning. LPG is half the price of gasoline here. I do not know the consumption of the car but i assume 4km/ltr. that's a big difference in one year on fuelcost. The hours of repair here are cheap. parts are not however...

thanks all for the replies!