Hello from South Yorkshire (England)

[steverjuk]

Just thought I'd say hi, a little about myself. Well, I'm a LandRover fanboy, have owned multiple Defenders and multiple Discos. I currently own a Defender 90 (200tdi) rebuild on a galvanized chassis. After driving it around Wales, I've decided I want something "nicer" to do overlanding and some offroading in.
I'm planning a trip to Northern Finland during the winter, so I'm looking for an 80 / 105 or last resort a 100. I'm a novice mechanic (the worst kind), so planning to do all the easy jobs myself (protection, maintenance etc) with anything major / requiring specialist tools being farmed out to my local 4x4 specialist.
As my trip is to Northern Finland, will the cab heater be enough in the cold weather (-30c lower limit), do the 80s come with fuel warmers or am I going to have to fit an aftermarket one anything else you can think of?

 

[karl webster]

Welcome Steve.
Nice intro.
Glad you have finally seen the light
Where are you based? whats the budget? Ill drop you a pm as i usually have the odd 80 around.

I can recommend Freedom 4x4 @Trevor if you need anythimg doing inc overland prep stuff.

I can supply various new and used genuine parts and many guys on here are happy to help out on any advice you need help with.

 

[steverjuk]

I'm based just outside Sheffield my budget is enough for a very tidy vehicle looking at ebay prices (10 - 16) and that leaves me with enough cash to buy some new suspension, tyres etc and do all the work I need.
Thanks for the introduction to Freedom 4x4 may use him to give it a once over and give me a fix list / upgrade list.
Just wondering if can you also supplly winch bumpers / rear wheel carriers etc?

 

[Chris]

Hi again, sorry I'm not stalking you - just keep seeing your posts. I think you may be over obsessing around the heaters and seats due to the misery that you will undoubtedly have experienced in Landrovers. The doors on an 80 shut properly, they seal, don't let in water or the cold. They have engines that start by simply thinking 'start' by that I mean touch the key from cold and they're running. They have a fuel pre heater on them which isn't really necessary and 24v start from two batteries. Finland is not going to challenge an 8o or a 105.

They have a good heater and AC with separate controls and fan for the rear passengers. Oh and carpet too!

 

[steverjuk]

Feel free to stalk .
I may be obsessed with heating as currently when I go round a corner in my Defender I may get some water run down my leg, depending if I turn left or right . Having doors that shut correctly and don't let in cold air is going to be a new experience I can tell you also spoiling me with having carpets in the vehicle.
As I've been doing research it seems that some 80 are actually UK native and weren't imported, is this correct?
What aftermarket seats fit in the 80s as I've seen a few new vehicles that have less than amazing seats and now I've had heated seats I don't want to go back.

 

[Chris]

Almost all 80's in the UK are UK cars but built in Japan. So they're all imported but not imports if you see what I mean. They came through UK Toyota dealers. None of them were ever made in Derby.

There are some imported ones out there and generally they are a different spec. But as many come from places like Japan, they are superb underneath.

Let's just set some standards here - for UK cars. All 24 valve 80s are manual. End of story. You'll see things like rare 24v manual. BS. they're all stick shift. Before that, the 12 valvers were mostly automatic with the manual being a bit more rare.

Forget any debate over which is better or more reliable - auto or manual, they're a Landcruiser. Yes there are subtle differences in the way way they drive but don't let that concern you for now. There are a few very rare 24v import autos around and I have to say it's a brilliant combination. Don't be put off. On long trips, you simply won't change gear in a manual. I'm into 5th in mine at around 35 mph. Once rolling you might as well be in an auto.

Aftermarket seats? Very few. I'd just forget that for the moment.

 

[steverjuk]

Just got a little confused as I though Amazons where 100s and 80s where labeled as 80s but I've seen a few labeled Amazon 80.

 

[Chris]

Ahh, well when they introduced the 90 series 'baby' Landcruiser, it confused stupid people. So they branded the 90 as the Colorado and the outgoing 80 series as the Amazon. When the 100 series replaced the 80 they kept the name Amazon. You'll see late model 80s with a little Amazon badge on them so you can tell them apart from the Collie. In case anyone was really confused.

 

[steverjuk]

OK so this is going to make it doubly hard to find a 80 as now I need to search for Amazon and somehow tell if it's a 100 or 80 gah!.

 

[Chris]

Listen, some adverts list any old tub as an Amazon. Most people don't have a clue what they're selling. 80's and 100's are quite different. The 100 only has 5 wheel nuts.

 

[steverjuk]

Thanks for the info easy way to weed out the 100 series on my searches.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Welcome steverjuk
Might this be of interest?

Its a proper "Amazon" 97 80 series, rock solid and everything works. Still work in progress and its on your doorstep.
If you're interested there are a couple of knowledgeable members locally who can examine it with you. It was MOT'd in November with no advisories. We have a full size ramp if you wish to examine the underneath. Its located in S25 if thats a help.

 

[steverjuk]

Welcome steverjuk
Might this be of interest?

View attachment 153197

Its a proper "Amazon" 97 80 series, rock solid and everything works. Still work in progress and its on your doorstep.
If you're interested there are a couple of knowledgeable members locally who can examine it with you. It was MOT'd in November with no advisories. We have a full size ramp if you wish to examine the underneath. Its located in S25 if thats a help.

I'm very interested what's the mileage drop me a PM.

 

[Jacob100]

Hi Steve and welcome. I too am in Sheffield so honk if you see a black 100 series (an Amazon is a 60s Volvo coupe in my book).

You mention potentially having to resort to a 100 series. What’s putting you off one? It sounds to me from your other post that a 100 would be very suitable for your budget and needs. They’re not as difficult to track down and with your budget you could put together a great all rounder with upgraded suspension, loads of space and supreme comfort on the Finnish Tundra.

 

[steverjuk]

If i went for a 100 i'd have to go for a manual or post 2003 per what I've read about the 4 speed auto. A 100 is doable and I like the trucks, just like the 80s more but the post 2003 is getting to be pricey.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

If i went for a 100 i'd have to go for a manual or post 2003 per what I've read about the 4 speed auto. A 100 is doable and I like the trucks, just like the 80s more but the post 2003 is getting to be pricey.

Post 03's are pricier for a reason, there's a big step in refinement in both the transmission and engine upgrades. The manuals are ok but the pedal/stick arrangement becomes tiresome in traffic with such a big truck compared with an auto. The 4 spd auto is a strong unit though, plenty of folks on here got them without issues.

 

[Josh Tagg]

Welcome steverjuk
Might this be of interest?

View attachment 153197

Its a proper "Amazon" 97 80 series, rock solid and everything works. Still work in progress and its on your doorstep.
If you're interested there are a couple of knowledgeable members locally who can examine it with you. It was MOT'd in November with no advisories. We have a full size ramp if you wish to examine the underneath. Its located in S25 if thats a help.

You won't get much better than that I can assure you! Don't let mileage put you off, if it's been looked after the mileage is irrelevant

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

You won't get much better than that I can assure you! Don't let mileage put you off, if it's been looked after the mileage is irrelevant

Cheers Josh, its moved on a lot since you last were up here. There are better ones I'm sure but its finding them. Steve has got to realise they nearly all have seen 20 winters worth of salt.

 

[karl webster]

Heres one of mine Steve.
1997 amazon Vx with 122k on it.

its not going to be ready for sale straight away.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Just thinking on, I'd forgot about the GS, 88K miles and virtually what you'd expect for something which has seen 6 winters.