1991 FJ80 Offroad Opinions

[pursuit]

Unless you crawl just to crawl, a non f&r locker LC will get you anywhere a sane person would take their vehicle.. the lack of drama is really surprising. Maybe a winch is a good insurance policy with a non f&r locker LC? IMO the 3fe simplicity makes up for its lower HP etc, and the less luxurious interior is a plus.

On the downside, the early 80s have particular combinations of features that make troubleshooting and part # sourcing a little more difficult.

To me, $2500 for a decent 80 is a no brainer.

 

[SPECTRE]

IIRC, all U.S. market cruisers up to 93 never offered lockers and had the 2F/3F/3FE platform.
wow......I guess I just never knew how bad LCs really were.

 

[Bendcruiser]

For now, I won't be doing crazy wheeling.
I'm just contemplating over the price of $2500, just wondering if it's reasonable (but seems like some of you don't like the price).

I just bought a 2 owner bone stock '91(very clean)with 161,000 miles (all service records) for $ 3100...I had it checked out by my mechanic and since have added about $1500 worth of work to it. Front Axel seal kit installed,valves adjusted,new plugs, new fuel filter,new PCV valve, new antennae and I just removed the EGR valve and cleaned it myself it runs like a champ. This is a rust free California LC. Hope this helps a little?

 

[Satchmo]

I love the 3fe. It has such a beautiful grunty sound. 1fzs sound sweet too though, like a ******* jet fighter.

The upholstery is awesome in FJ80s too.

 

[trd55]

I wheel the piss out of my '92. Unless you are are crawling, you will be fine. Even then the addtion of an Aussie locker should be enough for all other instances. Like others have said, it is damn near impossible to kill. Hell even when my t-stat failed and was overheating, I was able to drive home 15 miles (with the heaters blowing), at freeway speed, with out any ill effect. Try that with a 1fz. Make sure you regear when you upsize tires. That will kill you tranny faster than anything. Good luck.

 

[the polar bear]

I have a 91 80 that I bought for 2500, and I love it. It handles everything I have thrown at it evcept a mud pit that was 6 feet deep (towed out when I got buried up to the windows) And I'm bone stock!

 

[the polar bear]

After the tow out of the Mud pit

 

[alex4640]

Yes the FZJ80 is a "better" truck. However, the FJ80 does not have head gasket problems or CDL problems or PHH problems. Don't get me wrong, it has its share but this truck's problems tend to be lower cost.

 

[Darl Bundren]

Most of the prices folks are quoting on here seem lower than prices I see locally--$2,500 would be a great deal around here as there are not that many LCs available. Good luck with the shopping.

 

[cruiserdude1]

We're still waiting on the guy to pass smog. The O2 sensors were bad so he had to drop it off at the shop.
At this moment, I am tempted to go for a FJ62 I've seen locally. I know it has the same engine as the FJ80 as well...and I've driven the FJ60 many times and test drove the Fj62 and it definitely doesn't feel as primitive as the 60, haha

 

[gtfour43]

I have a 91 80 that I bought for 2500, and I love it. It handles everything I have thrown at it evcept a mud pit that was 6 feet deep (towed out when I got buried up to the windows) And I'm bone stock!

Got any pics? Sounds like a good time.

 

[93yotasr5]

93-94 FTW

 

[FJ80Duo]

I use my 91 for farm work and winter travel. Only stuck it once - when a winter thaw had a half inch of soggy mud on top of hard frozen dirt after an early rain. Saying that, I don't use it for rock climbing, but for back road pulling, hauling and transportation. I also have driven half way across the country numerous times. Apart from the 15 mpg on the highway, it's a fantastic drive.
And by the way, I paid $2750 with over 300k miles and in my opinion it was worth every penny. Could I have gotten a newer one for that? Maybe. But it would taken some long hard looking. I have no regrets at all.

 

[cruiserdude1]

Good to hear some good feedback from all of you here. I guess a FJ80 wouldn't be too bad for me then!

 

[ToddD]

93-94 FTW

Well duh!

 

[specialk396]

$2500 is not an awful price. Around here that would be very fair for an FJ80 in good condition.

 

[bradshew]

I use my 91 for farm work and winter travel. Only stuck it once - when a winter thaw had a half inch of soggy mud on top of hard frozen dirt after an early rain. Saying that, I don't use it for rock climbing, but for back road pulling, hauling and transportation. I also have driven half way across the country numerous times. Apart from the 15 mpg on the highway, it's a fantastic drive.
And by the way, I paid $2750 with over 300k miles and in my opinion it was worth every penny. Could I have gotten a newer one for that? Maybe. But it would taken some long hard looking. I have no regrets at all.

Wow! I wish my 91' got 15mpg. I avg around 11mpg.

 

[DWSCVR]

"11".... holy s*** that ain't good...

Buy it, Wheel it, Be happy...

 

[LaPazCruiser1]

I come from the future... Great truck with impressive off road performance. Problem with most 3fe haters is they want to put tons of extra load on it like heavy bumpers which don't help to climb up a hill. Keep it simple and will never disappoint you.

 

[Marco Lau]

My 91 i bought 10 yrs ago, have since put over $30k into it and its a beast. Been thru some of the hardest trails in the USs, been down to the Bajas, Moab, Montana, Wyoming, basically all over the place. Its a decent on the highway loaded with 4 ppl, on 37s, fully loaded around 6800 lbs and it will cruise @ 70-75 all day and 60 up the hill. The 3F-E is a tough SOB that will keep going and going.

4" lift 37s, Desmog, Dual Elec. fans, nomad VB, 488, 10% high/Lo range, Part-time.