Front and Rear Lockers

[jeremymeehan]

Newbie warning.

Beginning my search for a 93-94 FZJ80 this month in California. Hope to buy from an owner - not dealer. But - when speaking with dealers many don't really know what the vehicle they're selling has/doesn't have. How does one easily determine whether the vehicle has factory locking front and rear differentials?

I've only looked in a couple 91-92 FJ80s and haven't seen the option - since I think it wasn't offered till 93-94 anyways.

Can anyone help - all advice is welcome. I tried searching the forums for f and r diffs and didn't find the answer.

Thanks!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Look through the FAQ sticky at the top of this forum. Lot's of information on buying an 80 and lockers. The vin number will tell you whether or not it has lockers (see FAQ). The magic switch to the left of the steering column is generally a good indication as well.


Good luck with your search.

 

[kidglove13]

While finding a rig with factory F&R lockers is nice
I would not base your vehicle search solely on that
I would take a very well maintained rig with good service history before anything else
Whats the point of having the lockers if you are spending most of your time fixing a neglected or ill maintained rig
Which could cost you thousands if you dont know what to look for and you are not good with a wrench
Definitely read the FAQ as mentioned above

 

[yohavos]

Simple ways to check:

1) The "Magic Dial" - rotary dial to the left of the steering column that you activate them with.

2) The data plate. Look for the axle code (located under the bar code in the middle). "K292" is open, "K294" is locked.


These are about 98% guarantees the lockers are there. There have been cases of lockers and/or wiring being missing, and of course the rotary switch can be installed without lockers then never hooked up to anything.

 

[jeremymeehan]

Yohavos - Thanks so much. The dial you've provided I've never looked that closely at. I'd assumed that it was for center locking only and that I'd be looking for separate activator for Front and Rear. You'll all have to excuse me if I'm exposing just how ignorant I am.

So is it reasonable to conclude that the vehicle I'm considering has factory front/rear lockers if I see this dial to the left of the steering wheel? (excepting someone intentionally installing a control / with no diffs).

kidglove13, I couldn't agree more. I recently looked at a 91 owned by the original owner, all records, no children, meticulously taken care of, never off-road, always garaged and if it had been the fzj engine I'd have bought it (still questioning whether I shouldn't have).

My questions stems more from how to quickly determine over the phone what the seller really has -- more to appropriately value it than rule it out.

Wardamneagle - thank you too. The FAQ is terrific and I really appreciate the link to SLEE's buying guide. I recognize that the vin is the key - but still looking for the way over the phone to conversationally determine on the fly what the vehicle has exactly.

If anyone cares I'm looking for the following

93-94 FZJ80
Lockers would be nice.
Any factory color but green.
Clothe interior preferred.
Need all seats.
Love it if it was 150k in miles (vs 200k)

Anything else you think I ought to add to my list?

Intending to be daily shuttle car for my kids - but also live within 2hrs of Rubicon and could see someday equipping it for rocks. (not crazy huge rocks - btw).

Thanks all for the friendly responses. Cheers!

 

[BamaPaul]

Don't shy away from the 3fe it's a great engine and you only notice the difference in hp on the top end above 70. Around town it has great off the line power with oversized tires and stock gears. On the interstate I start to slow down from 75 when I hit good sized hills, but re-gearing would take care of that. Throw an Aussie locker in the rear and save up for a front ARB and your golden.

typed badly on my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[akarilo]

Hell Yeh!

 

[jeremymeehan]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/39293-buying-80-warning-advice.html

Here's the great thread to reference that I should have found first. Thanks for having pity and answering my thread anyways guys!

Off to hunt for my FZJ80 ...

 

[WarDamnEagle]

You appear to be ruling out 95 through 97. Is it just because you want cloth interior instead of leather?

 

[jeremymeehan]

You appear to be ruling out 95 through 97. Is it just because you want cloth interior instead of leather?

Well the reasoning started because I'm looking to spend under 6k and silly as it is I'm sentimental about T O Y O T A badge. I actually like leather better because I have kids and it's easier to clean. But it seems that what I'm hearing is that the cloth is aging better once you get to 15+years.

Care to persuade me otherwise? I'm open minded!

 

[waterweber]

One thing that helped in my search was to ask if the interior was leather. I didn't see any rigs in the 93-94 range that had the lockers and didn't have leather.
This is definitely not a hard and fast rule but it is just what I observed while looking at trucks in socal. Best bet is to have them take a picture and send it to you.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Well the reasoning started because I'm looking to spend under 6k and silly as it is I'm sentimental about T O Y O T A badge. I actually like leather better because I have kids and it's easier to clean. But it seems that what I'm hearing is that the cloth is aging better once you get to 15+years.

Care to persuade me otherwise? I'm open minded!

I still have the original leather seats in my 97 and they are in pretty good shape; probably much better than cloth would be at this point. FWIW, it still says TOYOTA on the back.

I would look for the best 93 to 97 with lockers that you can afford.

 

[FunkLord]

Simple ways to check:

1) The "Magic Dial" - rotary dial to the left of the steering column that you activate them with.

2) The data plate. Look for the axle code (located under the bar code in the middle). "K292" is open, "K294" is locked.


These are about 98% guarantees the lockers are there. There have been cases of lockers and/or wiring being missing, and of course the rotary switch can be installed without lockers then never hooked up to anything.

Another simple way to check is to look at the differentials and see if there are lockers there or not. If they are there, that about 100% guarantees that it has lockers.

A good way to check if they work is to use the switch. If it engages the lockers, that means they work.

 

[mot]

Well the reasoning started because I'm looking to spend under 6k and silly as it is I'm sentimental about T O Y O T A badge. I actually like leather better because I have kids and it's easier to clean. But it seems that what I'm hearing is that the cloth is aging better once you get to 15+years.

Care to persuade me otherwise? I'm open minded!

You should be able to pick up a 95+ in decent condition with your budget.

I prefer cloth myself and you can always opt to put seatcovers on.

And as for TOYOTA, you can swap the front grille(sp) and you're all set!

I would much rather have the safety of the dual airbags, etc... than to be without (but don't ask me why then I have a pre '95 80... )

Good luck!!

Mot

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

A replacement grill is cheap is you find a later model and the '95+ have OBDII.

Where in Cali are you? I have a '94 with factory lockers that my wife says has to go since I'm looking at a new project and don't have room. I'm in Berkeley.

 

[hakalugi]

" The vin number will tell you whether or not it has lockers (see FAQ)"

that's not quite right, it's the k294 code below the vin, not part of the vin.

My questions stems more from how to quickly determine over the phone what the seller really has -- more to appropriately value it than rule it out.

i wanted lockers on mine, sure you can ARB/aftermarket, and not "really" need them - just look at the couple who crossed the congo on expo portal without them, fine, fine. But, i wanted them, and glad i have them now.

So, how do you tell? the VIN is no good, do what i did, when y ou cannot inspect the truck - ask for a camera pic of the vin plate. k294 = yes, k292 = no.

the dial at left can be pulled from a wreck and put into the dash of a k292 car - so don't go solely off that - the with/without lockers changes the price of a truck enough that you don't want to be mistaken.

good luck.

 

[hakalugi]

Well the reasoning started because I'm looking to spend under 6k and silly as it is I'm sentimental about T O Y O T A badge. I actually like leather better because I have kids and it's easier to clean. But it seems that what I'm hearing is that the cloth is aging better once you get to 15+years.

Care to persuade me otherwise? I'm open minded!

i wanted leather too, for the same reason (3 small kids who spill and puke and drop crumbs like it's in fashion) i have 1 small tear in my driver's seat and i bought a cheap seatcover for now. i'm saving up for these....

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/246371-aatlas1x-leather-install.html custom colors would be cool.

his vendor page: Metric TLC

they look great to me:

full pics: https://forum.ih8mud.com/metric-tlc/247188-new-leather-kits-lexus-lx-450-80-series.html#post3846830

so "cloth may age better" but, that stuff looks sharp.