Guys,
I thought that I would make a few comments about owning and driving my '96 FZJ80, currently with 171k on the ticker. I bought it in Syracuse NY in November of '95, or--more pricisely--leased it, and traded in my '93 FZ, which I had owned for 3 years and 69k.
This truck has not been inexpensive to own. The sticker was over $48k with the 3rd seat, leather option and the must-have diff locks. I actually ordered the truck to my specifications, and waited awhile to get it. I have no regrets about the price. Most things don't break. Speaking of which, in it's lifespan thusfar, here is what has failed: one of the sunroof cables, and the rear diff lock (probably from lack of use: too much atttendance at the mall parking lot), y pipe off the exhaust manifold (weld at the crotch...oh those rust belt winters), starter.
I have used Amsoil religiously since break-in. I broke it in a NY winter, so I installed a block heater as soon as I got it home to keep it warm for those initial start-ups. On the cost issue, the gas mileage is not something us Cruiser owners brag about. In fact, I have done my share of keeping oil futures traders in fresh S-series sedans....as if they needed the help...something like twelve thousand gallons have passed through the pumps I've attended.
Between the 2 80's, we've seen 45 US states...my apologies to North Dakota, Hawaii, Alaska, Mississippi, and Alabama....we're working on it...(will only go to ND under protest in the winter, btw).
Accessories added along the way: ARB front bumper with knock-off sidebars, yellow top Optima battery, Borla exhaust, custom s/s y pipe (didn't want to pay the $1300 for oem with the first cat connected; preferred 304 to the mild steel), OME springs and shocks--stiff but handle well...stock height ones, Wrangler Products quick-connect jumper cable set up, Amsoil remote full-flow/bypass filter set up with Canton Mecca full-flow filter, plumbed with Earl's. Planning on getting the cup holder which Toyota forgot...
I'm in the construction industry, so the Cruiser got stuffed full of power tools right off the showroom floor. Didn't seem to bother her any. People did wonder what substance I may have been partaking of...can't claim anything other than good American microbrewed beer...and nowadays some very good California red wines...(when in Rome!)
Onto the pinging issue solved: I have been burning mid-grade for a few years now to tame the transitional pinging problem suffered . I have kept the ignition system in fresh parts religiously, used Amsoil's fuel additive without fail, had injectors 'cleaned' by the dealer, and other carbon cleaning procedures. Nothing solved the problem. It was the light-load-letting-off or applying-throttle variety. Probably not lethal in any way, but enough to set my teeth on edge and generally ruin my driving experience. Anyway, I finally had my fuel filter changed (after 150k), and used that good Red Line fuel system cleaner at full dose for 3 tankfuls in a row, and flushed the engine with Amsoil's engine flush. NO MORE PINGING AT ALL.....almost too good to be true....a kid in front of his overloaded stocking on Christmas morning....yippee...free at last, free at last. Must have been a carbon problem. I did the flush and changed the oil. The Canton Mecca filter is a cartridge type. The black stuff that I saw stopped there was unlike anything I have ever seen there before. I have huge respect for Red Line after this especially....pretty darn cheap medicine!!
I have probably ranted enough at this point. Thank you guys for participating in a great forum, especially you veterans who answer questions from dummies like me without missing a beat, and share the wisdom which you have obtained with sweat and blood and dollars!!
John
I thought that I would make a few comments about owning and driving my '96 FZJ80, currently with 171k on the ticker. I bought it in Syracuse NY in November of '95, or--more pricisely--leased it, and traded in my '93 FZ, which I had owned for 3 years and 69k.
This truck has not been inexpensive to own. The sticker was over $48k with the 3rd seat, leather option and the must-have diff locks. I actually ordered the truck to my specifications, and waited awhile to get it. I have no regrets about the price. Most things don't break. Speaking of which, in it's lifespan thusfar, here is what has failed: one of the sunroof cables, and the rear diff lock (probably from lack of use: too much atttendance at the mall parking lot), y pipe off the exhaust manifold (weld at the crotch...oh those rust belt winters), starter.
I have used Amsoil religiously since break-in. I broke it in a NY winter, so I installed a block heater as soon as I got it home to keep it warm for those initial start-ups. On the cost issue, the gas mileage is not something us Cruiser owners brag about. In fact, I have done my share of keeping oil futures traders in fresh S-series sedans....as if they needed the help...something like twelve thousand gallons have passed through the pumps I've attended.
Between the 2 80's, we've seen 45 US states...my apologies to North Dakota, Hawaii, Alaska, Mississippi, and Alabama....we're working on it...(will only go to ND under protest in the winter, btw).
Accessories added along the way: ARB front bumper with knock-off sidebars, yellow top Optima battery, Borla exhaust, custom s/s y pipe (didn't want to pay the $1300 for oem with the first cat connected; preferred 304 to the mild steel), OME springs and shocks--stiff but handle well...stock height ones, Wrangler Products quick-connect jumper cable set up, Amsoil remote full-flow/bypass filter set up with Canton Mecca full-flow filter, plumbed with Earl's. Planning on getting the cup holder which Toyota forgot...
I'm in the construction industry, so the Cruiser got stuffed full of power tools right off the showroom floor. Didn't seem to bother her any. People did wonder what substance I may have been partaking of...can't claim anything other than good American microbrewed beer...and nowadays some very good California red wines...(when in Rome!)
Onto the pinging issue solved: I have been burning mid-grade for a few years now to tame the transitional pinging problem suffered . I have kept the ignition system in fresh parts religiously, used Amsoil's fuel additive without fail, had injectors 'cleaned' by the dealer, and other carbon cleaning procedures. Nothing solved the problem. It was the light-load-letting-off or applying-throttle variety. Probably not lethal in any way, but enough to set my teeth on edge and generally ruin my driving experience. Anyway, I finally had my fuel filter changed (after 150k), and used that good Red Line fuel system cleaner at full dose for 3 tankfuls in a row, and flushed the engine with Amsoil's engine flush. NO MORE PINGING AT ALL.....almost too good to be true....a kid in front of his overloaded stocking on Christmas morning....yippee...free at last, free at last. Must have been a carbon problem. I did the flush and changed the oil. The Canton Mecca filter is a cartridge type. The black stuff that I saw stopped there was unlike anything I have ever seen there before. I have huge respect for Red Line after this especially....pretty darn cheap medicine!!
I have probably ranted enough at this point. Thank you guys for participating in a great forum, especially you veterans who answer questions from dummies like me without missing a beat, and share the wisdom which you have obtained with sweat and blood and dollars!!
John
