1996 80 Series Land Cruiser Transformation

There’s only one thing to do when you get the off-road exploration itch

Wes’s Background:

Wes grew up in small town northeast Nebraska where the only off-road trails were two tracks through random corn fields. After college, he ended up moving to the Black Hills of South Dakota where he fell in love with the forest.

With his outdoor hobbies, it only made sense for Wes to get a reliable 4×4 truck, so he picked himself up a Tacoma. Through his friends and exploration of the Black Hills trail system, Wes quickly got the off-road itch.

A lift and 33s soon turned into a fully built, armored, and geared Tacoma on 35s after two short years. Wes’s passion for adventure and the great outdoors collided with his love of vehicles, and he soon realized you’re never “done” building your truck.

Nor are you done building trucks, period. That Tacoma led him to the truck you see here:

A classic 1996 80 Series Land Cruiser that looks better today than it ever has.

A New Career Brings a New Vehicle

Career transition:

• Wes decided he wanted to turn his passion into his career and transitioned into a sales and marketing role for C4 Fabrication, a company based out of Sturgis, South Dakota, that manufactures off-road armor for Toyota vehicles.
• With three young kids, Wes saw an opportunity to get out of the medical field and do something he loved. That would hopefully allow him to enjoy more time at home or adventuring with his family.

With his career move, Wes decided it was time to part ways with his Tacoma and pick a rig up for cash. He knew he wanted another Toyota.

• He also knew he wanted more capability. His choice?
• A 1996 triple-locked 80 series Land Cruiser. “I’ve always loved Land Cruisers.

From the moment I got my Tacoma, I couldn’t help but feel pulled toward building out a classic Toyota Land Cruiser. When the Tacoma sold, I knew that was my chance to find one.”

What Does “Triple Locked” Mean—and Why Does It Matter?

Now, if you’re new to Land Cruisers—or just love a good technical rabbit hole—let’s talk about what “triple locked” really means. In the world of off-road vehicles, having locking differentials is a badge of honor, and the 80 Series Land Cruiser sits proudly at the top thanks to this feature. “Triple locked” refers to the presence of lockable differentials at the front, center, and rear axles.

Here’s why that’s big news:

• Maximum Traction: Locking all three differentials means all four wheels can get equal power, even if some start spinning or lose contact with the ground. Rocky trails, muddy riverbeds, steep climbs—you name it, this Cruiser can crawl over it.
• Rare Factory Feature: Very few vehicles—especially from the 1990s—came with this setup straight from the factory, making the triple-locked 80 Series something of an off-road unicorn.
• Legacy of Capability: Many enthusiasts and overlanders still hunt for these models specifically because of their legendary off-road prowess and Toyota reliability.

For anyone who dreams of remote camp spots, technical terrain, or just wants to brag a little at the next trail meet, owning a triple-locked Land Cruiser isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about proven performance where it counts.

Searching For A Unicorn

Find one he did. Wes scoured the country for four months before he finally found an 80 that checked off all the boxes. He knew he wanted a 1FZ with under 200k original miles.

He also wanted no rust, factory lockers, and if possible, some general baselining already done (head gasket, and so on). After months of searching, the unicorn 80 was finally found in California.

Ever bought a classic Land Cruiser sight unseen? Neither had Wes. The owner sent countless videos and pictures, and he even arranged a time to meet one of Wes’s friends for a test drive before the deal was finalized.

The 80 got put on a trailer and two weeks later, landed at a Flying J truck stop in South Dakota where Wes was eagerly waiting to pick it up.

What Does a Used 80 Series Land Cruiser Cost?

If you’ve started the hunt for an 80 Series Land Cruiser, you’ll notice prices are all over the map. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 for a higher-mileage, driver-quality rig to upwards of $40,000 (and sometimes more) for pristine, low-mile examples with solid service histories and those all-important factory lockers.

Much depends on mileage, condition, and whether you’re looking at a bone-stock survivor or a tastefully modified trail machine.

Enthusiasts in the Land Cruiser world know well—California trucks with little to no rust fetch a premium, and special features like triple lockers, recent maintenance (think: head gaskets, axles, or suspension), and tasteful upgrades from brands like ARB or Old Man Emu can drive up the asking price.

The market can be tough, but patience—and a healthy dose of persistence—will help you find the right Land Cruiser for your adventures.

Ever bought a classic Land Cruiser sight unseen? Neither had Wes. The owner sent countless videos and pictures, and he even arranged a time to meet one of Wes’s friends for a test drive before the deal was finalized.

“The minute the 80 arrived I couldn’t stop smiling,” Wes shared. “Was it perfect? Not at all. It had a few scuffs and scrapes, but it was everything I was wanting in an 80 series. I think I had parts ordered before I got back home,” he laughed.

Wes made the mistake of building his Tacoma many guys do: three tire sizes, two different suspension setups, and armor in waves. “It’s good to be cautious and not overbuild, but looking back at the Tacoma, I knew what I wanted the Cruiser to be and what I wanted to use it for.

I went right to a dialed suspension setup, 37s, and rebuilt the axles with all the best hardware. I wanted there to be no weak links. Everything gets upgraded with quality parts,” he explained.

Striving To Be Unique

Wes’s Land Cruiser quickly took shape and he started taking to the hills to adventure. You may have seen Wes’s Land Cruiser on the internet, but for a reason Wes never expected.

“I wanted to do some kind of custom decal or wrap on the Land Cruiser, but I wanted to keep it classic and timeless.” Wes said.

“I worked with my buddy Jake at Lucid Wraps and we landed on a custom classic decal for the Land Cruiser with old-school Toyota colors.”

The decal circled Instagram and Toyota forums. So why did Wes change the decal up?

“I loved the classic Toyota colors but pretty soon there were a handful of 80s and other rigs with the exact same one. So, I had to switch it back up and do something unique to me. I tried to tie the gold factory logos into my wheel color, and we landed on a gray/bronze combo.”

Like Wes mentioned before, you’re never really done building a truck. As Wes continues building his Cruiser, he finds himself getting pulled to more and more technical wheeling.

“The hills have some great trails, and I’ve had the Cruiser all over Colorado and down to Moab. I can’t get enough. Each time I push the 80s limits farther I’ll find a weak link, and next thing you know, I have another project on my hands.”

A Build That Sets the Bar

Looking at the level of detail poured into Adam’s FJ80, it’s clear this isn’t your typical bolt-on-and-go setup.

Compared to most weekend warrior builds, which might swap in a lift kit, some beefier tires, and maybe a winch, this Cruiser has seen nearly every system reworked for maximum trail capability and reliability.

We’re talking about custom long-travel suspension, heavy-duty components, and all sorts of pro-level tweaks—from lengthening brake lines to fine-tuning the sway bars—stuff that takes time, experience, and usually a few headaches to get right.

The Land Cruiser Community

“A cruiser on 37s that is as heavy as mine definitely has its weak points. It drives like a dog and is underpowered. It’s also top heavy and can wander on road.

I’ve done my best to mitigate a lot of those problems. Luckily Land Cruisers have great aftermarket support in the U.S. Even if you can’t find it, you can make something work. And likely, someone else has already done it and documented it on the Ih8mud forum.

There’s a custom anti-rock in the rear now because I kept ripping out sway bar brackets from the rear axle. I found about three other guys with similar setups and I was able to ask them questions before I went down the rabbit hole.”

Wes goes on to say, “The Land Cruiser community is also great. I’ve got a handful of guys that know way more than I do that I’ll go to with questions. Some of my good buddies I’ve actually met through this hobby.”

Why the 80 Series is Special

There’s a reason the Land Cruiser nameplate has such a legendary reputation. The 80 Series, especially, stands out—it’s the last triple locked Land Cruiser, meaning it came standard with rear, center, and front locking differentials.

From 1990 to 1997, Toyota kept refining the platform, and by the mid-’90s, it was about as close to off-road perfection as you could get straight from the factory.

For anyone looking to build a rig capable of tackling just about any terrain, this platform is tough to beat.

Not only is it incredibly capable—thanks to those locking diffs, stout axles, and robust drivetrain—but it’s also surprisingly comfortable.

The interior offers plenty of room for gear, friends, dogs, or whatever adventure you’re planning next. And if something does break or wear out (because let’s face it, these trucks are now pushing a few decades old), there’s a huge community of enthusiasts and experts keeping the knowledge alive.

With diligent maintenance, they’ll keep running strong and get you out and back from the gnarliest trails.

Legendary Reliability, Real-World Challenges

The 80 Series is known for its reliability and durability—you see these things with odometers that have rolled over more times than you can count, still out wheeling and exploring. But no matter how tough the platform, once you start piling on weight with armor, tires, and gear, the weak points start to show.

That’s where the community and the endless flow of advice and shared experience really shine. Whether it’s a custom solution to a broken sway bar bracket or figuring out the best gearing for your setup, chances are someone has already documented it, and they’re happy to help.

It’s all part of the process. You build, you break, you upgrade—and you make a few friends along the way. That’s what keeps it interesting.”

So whats next for Wes? Well, he’s already thinking about 3-link and LS swap. It truly does never end does it?

UPGRADES

1996 80 Series Land Cruiser

Engine:

• 1FZ, 4.5-liter, 24-valve inline 6

Suspension:

• Delta Vehicle Systems radius arms
• Tom Woods front and rear driveshafts
• Yukon 5.29 gears
• Sumo 3:1 T case gears
• Aisin manual hubs
• Dobinsons USA MRR suspension
• Dobinsons adjustable link and panhards
• Dobinsons VT coils
• Timbren Industries bump stops
• Marlin Crawler HD steering
• RCV 30 spline chromoly axles
• Front sway disconnect
• Rock Jock rear custom anti-rock

Wheels & Tires:

• Toyo Tires 37×12.5 MTs
• KMC Tank Beadlocks 17×9 -38 offset

Exterior Accessories:

• Dissent Off-road front bumper
• Dissent Off-road rear bumper
• White Knuckle Off Road rock sliders
• Rhino Rack USA Pioneer roof rack
• Go Fast Camper Superlite tent
• Baja Designs Lights
• Dual Full throttle AGM group 27

Interior Accessories:

• Switch Pros official
• Midland USA MXT275
• Air Down Gear Up Drawer System
• Scheelman USA Vario F seats
• Power Tank on board air

Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared in YOTA 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine powers this Land Cruiser, and what recent maintenance has been performed?

At the heart of this Land Cruiser is Toyota’s renowned 1HD-T inline-six diesel—a favorite among off-roaders for its blend of reliability and efficiency. Wes wasted no time giving the engine the attention it deserved, starting with fresh oil and new filters to keep it running smooth. With a pair of upgraded 12-volt batteries now onboard, the Cruiser fires up without hesitation and settles into a buttery idle, ready for whatever adventure calls next.

What type of transmission and drivetrain does the vehicle have, and what makes it capable off-road?

Complementing the heavy-duty suspension setup, the driveline is engineered for relentless capability on and off the trail.

The combination of the Yukon 5.29 gears and Sumo 3:1 transfer case gears delivers impressive low-end torque, while the Aisin manual hubs and RCV 30 spline chromoly axles ensure robust power delivery to each wheel.

Paired with the Tom Woods driveshafts and triple-locking differentials, this configuration makes for a nearly unstoppable rig, especially when navigating loose surfaces or technical terrain.

Recent maintenance includes a flush of the front differential, securing long-term reliability and peace of mind for any adventure.

What is the condition of the exterior, including the paint, body, and wheels?

“The minute the 80 arrived I couldn’t stop smiling,” Wes shared. “Was it perfect? Not at all. It had a few scuffs and scrapes, but it was everything I was wanting in an 80 series. I think I had parts ordered before I got back home,” he laughed.

The truck wore a fresh coat of Lunar Rock paint—a modern twist on the original Dark Bluish Gray Metallic. The body showed some honest dings and chips, but that just added to its character. Subtle touches like OEM rainguards and a set of burly 16” Mickey Thompson alloys set off the look and hinted at its future adventures.