For Sale 92 FJ80 with turbo'd 3FE

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****SOLD****

1992 80 Series with intercooled turbo on stock 3FE engine. Odometer is approaching about 220k miles.

This is a VERY cool truck that would be staying with me if there’s any way I could rationalize adding to the herd (ok, honestly, that means if my wife would let me).

Listing this for my friend Matt Tarnow who many of you know of as a long time cruiser guy in the Quad Cities of IA/IL. Matt bought the truck off Clist out of Omaha after it had been sitting a while needing a transmission. He paid a local shop to drop in a good used stock A440 he had around but then ran into some issues, including a maddening starter lockout from the security system, so he got frustrated and went on to other projects. Knowing I was interested to play with the turbo, he offered to let me drive it a while if I took it and worked out the kinks.

So I picked up the truck back in February 2013 and have done the following to get it running and driving well:

- Removed the dealer installed Toyota Vehicle Security System (TVSS) which stuck was in perpetual starter interrupt mode – you can see my description here removing TVSS - security system
- Replaced the in-tank fuel pump and filter plus inline fuel filter - you can search to find a couple threads where I was asking about particulars I encountered doing this
- Replaced both front brake rotors and one caliper
- Replaced plugs, rotor, and dizzy cap (wires were ok)
- Had local shop recharge AC system with refrigerant – works great
- Had the local hot rod exhaust shop patch up the downpipe and O2 sensors (it has two – one for engine and separate one for the fuel mix gauge
- Replaced both external rear view mirrors with working units from Matt’s used parts inventory
- Removed cheesy (to me) Manik front brush guard and rear tail light guards (available separately if you like this look)
- Replaced a few non-working switches and the like with used parts from Matt’s inventory
- Cleaned out blocked sunroof drains to eliminate a sunroof leaks

I’ve been driving it as a DD since and having a total blast with it. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it is a rocket ship, but it pulls hard. It never fails to make me smile when the skinny pedal goes down and the turbo winds up. It just never gets old!

The truck is really pretty clean and doesn’t have any rust issues you’d expect from a Midwest truck, so I suspect it’s lived most of its life elsewhere. There’s a sticker under the hood from Off Road Solutions in Golden Colorado, so I expect they did the turbo conversion and the truck may have lived nearby. ORS has a website and seems to still be alive in KS, but I’ve not contacted them about any history.

The interior is also very clean, with what appears to be a replacement set of cloth seat covers. Unless noted below, everything generally works… sunroof, heat/AC, rear defrost, center differential lock (does not have front or rear lockers), power antenna, cruise control. It has Lexus wheels with BFG AT tires.

Here’s a list of things that are not perfect:
- I re-installed a stock radio unit and plugged it into the stock harness but did not spend time to get it working... I had removed the remnants of what appeared to be a high end system with multiple components so I think the stock stereo wiring has been compromised.
- The truck can be a little finicky in starting either in extreme heat or cold… in the heat it appears to suffer a standard 80 issue of the ECU solenoid getting hot and not starting until that cools. Just need to let it sit for a couple minutes and good to go. In the cold the truck typically needs multiple attempts before it fires off the first time in the morning.
- It uses some oil – I added several quarts topping it off over the 8 months or so I drove it.
- It has a very slow PS fluid leak – I didn’t spend energy tracking this down.
- Power windows work great until it gets cold, then they work very slowly – I expect the mechanisms just need to be cleaned up and re-greased
- Two of the tires are excellent but the other two are showing signs of age and should probably be replaced – There is a slight vibration between 55-60 mph that I think comes from the older tires. I had them re-balanced and that improved it but din't go away entirely. Otherwise it drives down the highway great on cruise at 72 mph. I've driven it a number of time on 2-3 hr trips and it does great.
- Spare tire does not match… if I remember right the four tires are 265/75R16 and the spare is a 245/??R15 on a stock 1992 rim

To be clear, I am not selling this, just listing it for Matt since I’m more active on Mud and have been hands on with it for the last 9 months or so. Truck is currently back at Matt’s in the Quad Cities.

Asking price is now $4500. Post away or PM if you have questions about the truck that I can answer for you, otherwise contact Matt directly regarding purchase:Matt Tarnow 563-349-7376 or midamlandcruiser@qwestoffice.net

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more pics

here's a few of the engine and turbo...

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got a question via PM about what appears to be black oil coating the firewall around the brake booster... that is not oil, rather some kind of insulation material that was sprayed on in that area somewhat imprecisely. I expect it's to compensate for the turbo heat/noise.

I'd completely forgotten about it - don't even see it any more - but remember I noticed it too (and was slightly bothered by it) when I first saw it. A guy might want to try to peel it off or otherwise make it look nicer, but once I got behind the wheel I completely forgot about it... truly the last thing on my mind compared to the whoooeee factor.

Yes BamaPaul - it is awesome... no build thread or anything I'm aware of. The sticker under the hood from an Off Road Solutions of Golden CO is the only lead I'm aware of.
 
more pics by request...

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and more...

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same truck... wasn't aware of that thread - thanks for finding and posting
 
Matt tells me lots of interest and a few offers but still available...

It went back to his place about two months ago and I'm having withdrawals - that accelerating turbo pull is addicting!!
 
Hi, On the starting issue, Id move that whole fuse box away from that turbo, it's hot enough in that engine bay without the turbo. Mike
 
bump - this truck is still available... I have it back at my place in Des Moines and have been DD'ing it

$4500 asking price
 
SOLD!
 

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