Towing with an 80, please read, need opinions

zukinut · 10-28-09, 05:46 PM

Ok, so im at a crossroads in life. I can no longer afford to have the zuki buggy, the 60 and the ford diesel tow rig and the geo commuter car.

I need something i can drive everyday and tow with the few times a year i get to go play. The ford is a dually flatbed and being in atlanta its just to big to drive everyday. I was thinking sell the ford, sell the 60 and by an 80. I could possibly have enough left over to do a 5spd swap into the 80.

Here is what i will be towing. Samurai buggy that weighs aprrox 4000lbs MAX and my trailer weighs 1100lbs. So it would be towing a MAX of 5100lbs but its honestly closer to 4500lbs. I wheel mostly in Harlan and the ride there is 99% interstate, but i have 2 7% grades i have to climb.

Can an 80 do that with a 5spd. If not, no worries, but it would be nice to be able to have a cruiser that doubled as a tow rig.

Please state any and all opinons, personal experiences, etc.

Will

Snowtire · 10-28-09, 06:26 PM

You will be surprised at how much power a 93+ 80 has. Of course, I got mine after driving my '91. An FZJ80 has plenty of power for that application in my opinion.

KliersLC · 10-28-09, 06:29 PM

The 80 can do that without a 5 speed. The grades will be slow and you will have to install a brake controller on the 80, but it will do it with no problems. Use the extra money for a turbo from slee......

zukinut · 10-28-09, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the input, anybody else?

Will

Corbet · 10-28-09, 08:29 PM

buy a 100 series.

zukinut · 10-28-09, 09:09 PM

IFS isnt an option unless im in a 2wd. Ive entertained that idea but i dont like ifs, even if i aint gonna wheel it.

Will

Lka1988 · 10-28-09, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukinut

IFS isnt an option unless im in a 2wd. Ive entertained that idea but i dont like ifs, even if i aint gonna wheel it.

Will

I like this guy

Invest in a forced induction system and/or 4.88's, that'll get ya through the passes in quick order.

zukinut · 10-28-09, 10:11 PM

I talked to a customer not to long ago and he had a supercharged FZJ80, he said he was glad it was on the truck when he bought it, cuz he didnt see the performance boost to make it worth the price. Not sayin he was right, im just restating his opinion.

Will

maniacv · 10-28-09, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukinut

I talked to a customer not to long ago and he had a supercharged FZJ80, he said he was glad it was on the truck when he bought it, cuz he didnt see the performance boost to make it worth the price. Not sayin he was right, im just restating his opinion.

Will

I didn't mind so bad after trying to cruise the passes around here. Normal driving I don't see so much performance boost, but I can tell when I need it its there.

d0ubledown · 10-28-09, 10:25 PM

youll be fine with what youve got planned. no need for a 5sp. if anything, add another tranny cooler, and run full synths where you can ('cept the slushbox). 80s are often known to have mushy brakes...so make sure the brakes are completely overhauled. if you plan on lifting and wheeling the 80 also (would be a shame not to!) then definitely regear if you go up in tire size.

otherwise, 5000lbs is the 80s stated tow limit, but many seem to tow alot more safely and securely.

zukinut · 10-28-09, 10:28 PM

i cant stand the idea of an automatic so ill 5 speed it no matter what, just wondering if i would be ok until i could afford the swap.

Will

mister · 10-29-09, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corbet

buy a 100 series.

I know ifs can be scary, but get in the right mind set. After towing with a diesel the cruiser is going to be very slooooow. My experance, 2nd gear up most hills/grades and big hit in mpg. The 100 series will get you there quicker, better mpg, and with Cruiser reliabilty. I knew what I was getting into with an 80 I had owned fzj's before. Mt 80 is my only rig so I need the reliability and strength of the stright axle. 100's of miles of offroad a week about 6 months a year, it eases the mind. Just buy a 100 and put a 80 axle under it

IMHO the 100 sounds best for your application. Good Luck

zukinut · 10-29-09, 05:54 AM

As for speed, my ford is a NON turbo indirect injection diesel, its slow as shit, im not worried about speed, im just worried about the motor living up to it and not blowing apart.

Will

josharre2000 · 10-29-09, 06:09 AM

You will be FINE with the 80/auto tranny. I run 285s with stock gearing and my 80 pulls my 24ft boat/trailer (combined weight of around 7900lbs ) just fine.

Take the money you were going to spend on the 5 spd and invest in a supercharger and some slotted rotors and 100 series pads.

Josh

zukinut · 10-29-09, 06:29 AM

Yea i know the auto is fine, but i hate the idea of not shifting, im driving dads 80 right now, and while it is nice, i enjoy gettin into my 60 and pushin in the clutch.

Will

mister · 10-29-09, 06:39 AM

No worries about the motor and tranny, Bomb proof.

josharre2000 · 10-29-09, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukinut

Yea i know the auto is fine, but i hate the idea of not shifting, im driving dads 80 right now, and while it is nice, i enjoy gettin into my 60 and pushin in the clutch.

Will

If you like pushing a clutch, drop a 383 stroker in the 60 and be done with it. Prolly cheaper than an 80 with a 5 spd swap and it would be able to tow your load.

Brentbba · 10-29-09, 08:27 AM

While I've only done 4000 lbs with my 80, you s/b fine. Those 7% grades will be painfully slow, but you will get there. Brake controller will be necessary unless you have surge brakes. Invest in a set of Airlift airbags for the rear coils. Even with a well balanced trailer, your rear end will need help from saging too much!

Bearcat80 · 10-29-09, 03:22 PM

You guys are nuts. You can tow 5000 pounds with an 80, but I wouldn't. You'll be fine until someone else does something dumb in front of you, even with trailer brakes. And slow will definitely be the order of the day. I tow a 2000 lb driftboat, and my friends Tahoe towing a 5000 lb jetsled leaves me way in the dust on any grade over 3 percent. I get stuck winding 4000 rpms in second gear around 40 mph pulling 7% grades with the driftboat. American V-8 power rules for towing, as much as it pains me to say that. Around here, 3-4 year old Tahoes/suburbans are selling for 10-12k. Hard to go wrong there.

zukinut · 10-29-09, 10:08 PM

I dont need a dedicated tow rig and i dont need a dedicated dd. I need a good trade off on both. Tahoes are great, but they have bowties, and i dont want a gm product. At least nothing more than the motor. Ive seriously looked at replacing my non turbo diesel ford with a dodge with a cummins, but i dont tow enough anymore to warrant that. Plus drivin a full size truck in the city sucks. I think an 80 is a good mix of everything. And if it turns out that it cant do what i want it to, i sell it and buy cummins truck.

wthomas · 10-29-09, 11:32 PM

get the cummins.

BoxDaddy · 10-30-09, 03:43 AM

I have a 93 (fzj80-4.5 with FF rear). Does great in stock trim.

I have a brake controller and an equalizer I really only use to tow my big ass old 1965 airstream.

I also tow around my play Jeep with 35s all the time with absolutely no problem.(Don't worry, the cruiser follows the jeep on trail runs in anticipation of the inevitable breakage the heep is known for)

I also buy and sell cars on CL to keep my belly full, so the trailer see's plenty of use.

the only thing you may have to worry about IMHO is the rear springs being a little soft for heavy tongue weights. But I have no problem with mine when loaded properly.

PS Mine has 315k+ miles so the suspension is "extra tired"

I've attached some pics of me abusing my rig
1. camper
2. Jeep loaded as far forward as I could put it so I could fit an atv behind it.
3. Fat ass american cargo!

Impreza · 10-30-09, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukinut

Yea i know the auto is fine, but i hate the idea of not shifting, im driving dads 80 right now, and while it is nice, i enjoy gettin into my 60 and pushin in the clutch.

Will

I said this for many years of my life...then I got an 80...automatic isn't so bad afterall. I now drive it everyday and leave my old daily manual in the garage.

Just find one with e-lockers (because I wish I did).

Jeeper · 10-30-09, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat80

You guys are nuts. You can tow 5000 pounds with an 80, but I wouldn't. You'll be fine until someone else does something dumb in front of you, even with trailer brakes. And slow will definitely be the order of the day. I tow a 2000 lb driftboat, and my friends Tahoe towing a 5000 lb jetsled leaves me way in the dust on any grade over 3 percent. I get stuck winding 4000 rpms in second gear around 40 mph pulling 7% grades with the driftboat. American V-8 power rules for towing, as much as it pains me to say that. Around here, 3-4 year old Tahoes/suburbans are selling for 10-12k. Hard to go wrong there.

x2 - this seems to be the minority opinion on here so I'd recommend driving an 80 if you haven't already. I tow my Jeep with a Tahoe, and when I bought the 80 I realized it wasn't going to cut it. Suspension is super soft and it's very underpowered even with the '97 model. So drive one first and see what you think. I'd be scared to tow 5000lbs with mine on the highway.

bpassmore · 10-30-09, 08:25 AM

putting an hf55 or similar will cost you a lot of money and or time. good luck.

stick with the auto for your sanity sake.

firetruck41 · 10-30-09, 12:20 PM

100 series makes the most sense, but you want an 80 and it will work for the task, albeit slowly. Swapping in a 5 speed makes no sense, and will probably cost as much as the 80 is worth, but do whatever floats your boat, as long as you can afford it.

matt60/80 · 10-30-09, 12:41 PM

Others have posted good advice. If you need to tow and want a Cruiser, get a 100. As for putting a 5 speed in an 80 it's a lot of work, and from what I understand, on 95+ not really possible as Toyota integrated the ECUs for the engine and tranny into a single unit. Here's a link to a thread where someone put a 6 speed from the current Taco into a 80.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-cor...eed-orion.html

1r78 · 10-30-09, 12:57 PM

I tow with both an 80 and a 99' cummins. If you've towed with a cummins you won't like towing with the 80. The 80 requires a little more work to keep it steady with that softer suspension and it definitely can't match the power of the cummins. That said, I have almost 200,000 on my 80 and everything runs amazingly. We replaced the tranny on the cummins at 120,000 (automatic). If you aren't towing a mammoth load, go with the 80. You will get a killer trail rig that is super cabable bone stock and as you said earlier, if the 80 doesn't fit your needs, you could probably sell it as easily as you purchased it. As a daily driver the 80 is a smoother ride and I think, more fun to cruise around in. Plus the ladies love the 80's...cummins aren't as impressive.

(I based this on the assumption that you would not be buying a new cummins.)

ralphy1997 · 10-30-09, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat80

You guys are nuts. You can tow 5000 pounds with an 80, but I wouldn't. You'll be fine until someone else does something dumb in front of you, even with trailer brakes. And slow will definitely be the order of the day. I tow a 2000 lb driftboat, and my friends Tahoe towing a 5000 lb jetsled leaves me way in the dust on any grade over 3 percent. I get stuck winding 4000 rpms in second gear around 40 mph pulling 7% grades with the driftboat. American V-8 power rules for towing, as much as it pains me to say that. Around here, 3-4 year old Tahoes/suburbans are selling for 10-12k. Hard to go wrong there.

I agree. Having towed with American vehicles, I was surprised how little towing power the LC has. The grades you are talking about, you will be hard pressed to get the LC up them at speed by itself, let alone towing something. The trade off is, the LC may get you there slowly but it will always get you there. Dependability is the hallmark of Toyota, not power.