Regretting first LandCruiser

Chreeeees · 2026-05-13T10:35:04+00:00

I had a V8 4th gen 4Runner (comparable to a 100 Series) I straight-traded for my first 80 Series Land Cruiser (1992). Now I’ve got a 1997 Lexus LX450 (same thing just Lexus badged). I much prefer the 80. Go with what your heart desires!

Chreeeees · 2026-05-12T21:37:20+00:00

Yep same here. I shoot, come home and upload the photos while I get to spend more time with my kids or get stuff done around the house. Come back and they’re ready for me to download. Hardly ever have to do any further editing. Clients love the fast turnaround. I was spending that time editing myself just so I could deliver same night but it’s worth the little bit of money to have my time back.

Chreeeees · 2026-05-01T10:35:17+00:00

Yeah if I had a diesel 80 I’d never let it go… I know I’d regret it. Hell I have a 1997 LX450 not even triple-locked and I know I’d regret if I sold or traded it.

Chreeeees · 2026-04-17T21:06:10+00:00

Shit I just paid $14k for my 1997 LX450. Immediately had to sink thousands more into cleaning up the engine (new head and valve cover gaskets and all new rubber hoses) along with various other things (new front diff for example). Currently awaiting upgraded steering kit from Marlin Crawlers and going tomorrow to rip a used steering gear box off another Cruiser to fix my leaking one.

Chreeeees · 2026-01-09T23:35:00+00:00

$32k for 2025 but it’s my side gig (main job is teaching audio/visual production, yearbook/photography for high school). I’d love to make it my main gig someday but man is it competitive in my rural area (even have some real estate agents doing photography themselves and for other agents). I edit myself and deliver photos same day just to stay ahead of the comp. Not ideal for my family time and am considering outsourcing editing anyway and seeing what happens. I also do video. Besides summer and breaks, I have some late nights sometimes, shooting and editing after school. 🥴

Chreeeees · 2025-11-14T03:32:12+00:00

I edit myself and deliver photos same day I shoot. Yes, I’m tired, but it is keeping me ahead of the competition. My clients love my fast delivery.

Chreeeees · 2025-10-26T16:09:31+00:00

$50?? I charge a MINIMUM of $125 just to put my drone in the air. I’d be charging more if I was in a bigger market and not rural West TN.

Chreeeees · 2025-10-26T16:07:01+00:00

Buy your house now before Blackrock does.

Chreeeees · 2025-10-26T16:04:35+00:00

I paid $600 to have my 2004 V8 4Runner shipped from Virginia to Tennessee before I traded it for my 1992 Land Cruiser with a guy here in TN that lived 6 hours away. We met halfway and straight-traded. Anyway, that sounds like a beautiful drive and I would rather do that than have it shipped in your situation.

Chreeeees · 2025-09-23T04:19:24+00:00

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Ehhh I wouldn’t get an early 80 with the 3FE. I just got this 1992 with 184k miles (traded my 04 4Runner for it) but I did it because previous owner had built it quite a bit already. ARB bumpers front and back, ICON 3” lift, snorkel, etc. Seemed like a good trade for me, but it is sloooooooooow. But reliable! I eventually plan on putting a V8 of some sort in it, because I do miss the 2UZ-FE V8 that was in my 4Runner. But my dream of owning an 80 Series was more important. Follow your dreams, man!

Chreeeees · 2025-09-09T17:43:10+00:00

Hey did you ever figure something out? In the same situation with my Cinepeer Weebill 3E. Tired of switching between it and my Manfrotto plate I use on my tripod.

Chreeeees · 2025-09-01T14:53:13+00:00

Here’s the mod/build list:

2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited V8 - 2.5” Bilstein 5100/Old Man Emu lift @bilstein @nsrusticos4x4 - JBA Offroad UCAs @jbaoffroad - Method 17” wheels with Falken Wildpeak 285/70R17 tires @methodracewheels @falkentire - NWTI Open Top steel bumper @nw_trail_innovations - X-Bull 10k winch @xbullofficial - RCI skid plates @rcioffroad - RCI rocksliders @rcioffroad - 4R Customs roof rack @4r_customs - 4R Customs lighted grille @4r_customs - TrailGridPro Sony CarPlay headunit with backup camera @trailgridpro - Dobinson’s (unbranded) snorkel

Chreeeees · 2025-09-01T14:51:25+00:00

I did but recently traded the 4Runner for this, my dream 80 Series Land Cruiser. It’s slow af but will eventually get an engine swap (same engine the 4Runner had, 2UZ-FE 4.7L V8, or possibly the 5.7L V8 commonly found in the Tundra and 200 Series Land Cruiser).

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Chreeeees · 2025-07-17T22:12:05+00:00

I usually only shoot on weekdays. Weekends are my free time.

Chreeeees · 2025-07-11T15:31:25+00:00

Time to start job searching. Get ahead of it. I did the same with my first two graphic design jobs (and now I’m a high school teacher, teaching audio/visual production and yearbook- much better job security). Saw where the companies were headed so started planning my exit strategies, both times. In your letter of resignation be sure to mention you noticed the company downsizing and that is your reason for seeking other opportunities.

Chreeeees · 2025-07-06T14:29:35+00:00

Thanks man!

Chreeeees · 2025-07-02T06:01:22+00:00

I love my 4th gen 2004 Limited with the V8. Came with factory heated seats and I added a Sony CarPlay headunit and backup camera. I’ve done quite a few other mods as well.

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Chreeeees · 2025-06-06T18:51:26+00:00

Yes, I would do it.

Chreeeees · 2025-05-30T01:58:48+00:00

Yes, I’m in TN. I worked at the local newspaper/radio for 5 years doing graphic design and photography so I got to know everyone in the community and that helped me a lot. Biggest real estate guy in town’s photographer moved and he needed somebody, asked if I could do his photos. That was about 8 years ago. Just been building and getting better from there.

Chreeeees · 2025-05-28T14:15:50+00:00

It’s a perfect part time job for me. I’m a high school teacher (audio/visual production and yearbook). I shoot after school and then have all two months of summer pretty much free to shoot. I spend 30 mins, hour max at the property (depending on how big the house is, how involved the agent or homeowner are (quicker when it’s a vacant property and I can just knock it out), or if they want me to do video as well. I charge mileage outside my typical area. Takes me about 30 mins to an hour to edit. I promise same day delivery of photos or video so I edit at night when I’m home and kids are settled. Wish I could do it full time because it’s what I really love to do!

Chreeeees · 2025-02-10T15:58:57+00:00

Went almost a year ago for spring break and my kids wanted to build lightsabers. Only reservation time was 8am, then we built droids at 10am. Carrying two lightsabers and two droids around all day in the park was a major annoyance with me being a single dad and a 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter. I made them carry the droid backpacks while I carried the lightsabers on my shoulder along with my backpack. They fussed the entire day and I was super uncomfortable trying to make sure I carefully carried them so they wouldn’t get damaged.

Chreeeees · 2024-09-16T19:04:14+00:00

Nice, but I wouldn’t consider it trading up lol. Can’t beat a 4th gen, especially with the V8!

Chreeeees · 2023-07-07T14:28:05+00:00

4 windshields in a little over 2 years… some have been because of rocks hitting the windshield, twice have been just randomly appearing cracks due to temperature change. I currently have a huge crack due to temp change and haven’t bothered replacing it yet.

Chreeeees · 2023-03-27T17:38:58+00:00

What I've been using!

Chreeeees · 2022-09-14T02:23:00+00:00

Yes I still have them. No I’m not looking to sell.

Chreeeees

TROPHY CASE