1991 FJ80 or 1994 80 with lockers

[jonheld]

Not to scare you away from the '91, but you are talking about a seriously underpowered vehicle. Given that I'd be more concerned about the braking in the '91 if you are going to be hauling 6 people around.

And you'll grow hair on your palms too.

3FE bashing runs amok on this board. Usually by those who are lacking in certain areas, if you know what I mean

FWIW I love mine. It really doesn't have too many problems holding speed, but I actually make sure mine is running well to begin with. Don't jump into a 16 year old truck and expect it to be well maintained. Use your head and be realistic.

 

[CappyKD]

And you'll grow hair on your palms too.

3FE bashing runs amok on this board. Usually by those who are lacking in certain areas, if you know what I mean

FWIW I love mine. It really doesn't have too many problems holding speed, but I actually make sure mine is running well to begin with. Don't jump into a 16 year old truck and expect it to be well maintained. Use your head and be realistic.

I kinda got that Idea pretty quickly. I think it comes down to $1500 less with half the miles for the 91. It's much cleaner too.. If the 94 with 236k on it for $5800 has factory lockers than i may chance it and go that route. Otherwise Imma gonna go with the Ultra clean 91... The only 94 I've found with fair miles on it has lockers but the guys asking $8700 I can get the 91 for $4000 so I think Imma going to go that way.. The power I'm not as worried about since some of the best rigs I've ever seen had toyota 4 bangers in them. It's the aftermarket supprt that I'm still checking out....

 

[sdbrassfield]

I've owned a 92 (3FE) and previously owned a 93 (FZ) which has the same motor as the 94.

I much prefer the 92 for reliability. I was always working under the hood of the 93 (Phh & HG) which got expensive. The ABS never worked right. Granted, 93 did have a little better brakes, not by alot when you are talking about a 6k lb vehicle. 93 pulled grades only a little bit better than the 92. But for what I use it for the 92 is great...

If you are gonna do alot of wheeling maybe consider the locked 94...If not, it is toss up as to what you want in the vehicle...It would come down to price for me if I were not wheeling heavy and I know which one I would select...

 

[CappyKD]

I've owned a 92 (3FE) and previously owned a 93 (FZ) which has the same motor as the 94.

I much prefer the 92 for reliability. I was always working under the hood of the 93 (Phh & HG) which got expensive. The ABS never worked right. Granted, 93 did have a little better brakes, not by alot when you are talking about a 6k lb vehicle. 93 pulled grades only a little bit better than the 92. But for what I use it for the 92 is great...

If you are gonna do alot of wheeling maybe consider the locked 94...If not, it is toss up as to what you want in the vehicle...It would come down to price for me if I were not wheeling heavy and I know which one I would select...

Thanks for the reply! It will be mainly for wheeling but most likely not hardcore wheeling. The other consideration is that I may have to tow with it, so the extra power of the 94 may help.

Well the 94 with 236k does have all factory options including lockers.. So now it's a decision that's a little harder. I'm still thinking aftermarket support may make me go with the 94. It may also come down to which one is still available in 2 weeks when i get my 401k loan... Hmm. I'm going to drive them both tomorrow so we'll see if that rules one or the other out.

 

[sundaypunch]

And you'll grow hair on your palms too.

3FE bashing runs amok on this board. Usually by those who are lacking in certain areas, if you know what I mean .

As you can tell by my sig. I'm not a 3FE hater. After having 62's for years I gave in and bought a more comfortable/modern Cruiser to use for trips. OK - my wife made me Before pulling the trigger on a '94 I was planning on getting a '91-'92 since I know my way around the 3FE way better (and trust the motor more). I probably could have lived with the extra weight of the 80 but the braking is what pushed me into a FZJ80.

Mostly I would recommend a good test drive (loaded up with the family) on the '91 before making a decision. Who knows, you might think it is just fine.

 

[MJADDICTION]

I have a '92 with the 3FE, and yes it was underpowered when I bought it. A few things really woke it up. I bought mine for $5500 bucks, and it was in great shape, with alot of Toyota services recent.

-new starter
-new alt
-A/C work
-new radiator
-new tires


The 91 and 92's have 15" wheels. Because of this I was able to find some nearly new 32"BFG AT's (traded for the new 31's that were on the truck), and some 15x10 MT aluminum wheels ($275, they weren't even a year old). Try finding a cheap set of 16" wheels...

I've been spending my extra cash (over buying a newer 80) on front axle rebuild, Yakima roof rack, stereo, speakers, rebuilt rear axle, new 4:88 gears (no lockers yet), new power steering pump. rebuilt d-shafts etc. Lots of maint. stuff that you will run into on either vehicle. The '94 usually has more expensive maint repairs like the HG etc.

With the 4:88's and the 32" tires, that really measure closer to the 31"es. The 3FE has plenty of power. The shift points match the trans, and I can easily run 95 MPH right around 3100 RPMs (right in the 3FE's power band), with the roof rack and faring, bikes, A/C on, hills whatever. I can run the cruise all day in the hills with no down shifting at the posted 70MPH speed limit. The 4:88's should be a mandatory addittion when you do the axle rebuilds. Since your going to add lockers, may as well do that too. I'd be willing to bet the 3FE with 4:88's and some 33" tires would be even Steven with the newer 80 with stock gears and tires.

I also added some good brake pads up front, and will rebuild the rear brakes soon. I might just throw on some discs back there too ( weld on brackets, calipers from a Chebby I think will work).

I'm stickin' with this 80 for the long haul. The way fuel prices are going I'll prob do a diesel swap when the 3FE gives up (I'm at 184000 miles right now, I expect 300 easily).

I have $4000 additional bucks over my purchase price. $1100 of that was a result of back-ordered aftermarket Birfs, when the front axle was torn down. I ended up buying the newer stronger Birfs from Toyota (thanks to CDan's discount it wasn't more). So realistically, you could do everything for $3500 and have it all done by a mechanic (not at the dealer though).


I'll be adding the goodies soon, as the budget builds back up. But in the mean time I have an excellent family hauler, that gets about 15MPG, and has plenty of power, and looks pretty darn good.

I like the 3FE for it's strength and simplicity. They don't call it the Tractor for nothin'. Some simple improvements, including the expense of regearing, has the better more reliable engine right in the ballpark with the newer model 4.5L that has that stinkin' aluminum head. I'll get some hate for that statement, but I'll ask any of you to drive my truck the way it's set-up now, before you put your foot in your mouth... you bunch of 3FE haters... Don't forget I do Love al Y'all, even you 4.5L mugs.

Would I purchase the older model over a '94 year? Yes I would.

I think the '94's did have the first gen airbag only for the driver. Airbags are nice, but try explainning to your wife, that she's ridin' shotgun with out one, and your sittin pretty with the only airbag...

Now if you found a really nice '96 or '97 for a few thousand more with lockers, I would have to really tink about that one, BUT, that really takes some luck.

Good Luck with your decision. You've found the right board for all of your answeres, but just realize us 3FE Mugs are in the Minority.

I love Mine

 

[Elijah]

I can easily run 95 MPH right around 3100 RPMs (right in the 3FE's power band)

The 3FE's powerband is in the 3000 RPM range??!!
That's nuts to 'run' 95 mph in that truck!!! No ABS, weak brakes, etc.!!

 

[MJADDICTION]

Yea, I agree with you on that, but my point is that it will do it. And, that the 4:88's aren't too much for nearly a 31" tire on a 3FE truck. I worried that the thing would be wheezing at anything over 70, but she's happy at 70, with room to spare. That occassional need to get up and pass at interstate + speeds is there, where it wasn't before the gear swap...

I guess after experiencing the struggle to maintain interstate speeds before the gear swap, forget using the cruise with all the down-shifting, has me excited about the complete change in the 'ol 80. Merging on the interstate is nothing to worry about now either, before was an efort in shifting to get up to speed.

 

[lt1fire]

That's a tricky question there since the price difference is only $4k. with the 94 you get a better rear axle (full floating) with disc breaks and factory lobkers, more power in the engine. My 3fe is unmodified and seems to work fine with a lift and 36" tires. Now for $4k you could do arb lockers (much stronger) Swap in a full floating rear and still have money left over for a small lift or so. So what I should come down to you is the overall fit/finish of the truck (paint/interior and all that stuff) and whether you want the extra power. 3Fe is basically a motor you need to just put oil/filter in it. On the 94 you will have to do the head gasket at all. Now if you plan on doing an engine swap like I do at some point the engine currently in the truck won't matter.

 

[Land Speeder]

I finally got my brakes dialed in on my 91 and it stops better than my accord. Drums in the rear will stop you, it's all in how you maintain them.

 

[norville]

If I had your options I'd do the 91.


bob

 

[CappyKD]

If I had your options I'd do the 91.


bob

I'm leaning towards the 91 due to the bulletproof engine..

 

[CappyKD]

That's a tricky question there since the price difference is only $4k. with the 94 you get a better rear axle (full floating) with disc breaks and factory lobkers, more power in the engine. My 3fe is unmodified and seems to work fine with a lift and 36" tires. Now for $4k you could do arb lockers (much stronger) Swap in a full floating rear and still have money left over for a small lift or so. So what I should come down to you is the overall fit/finish of the truck (paint/interior and all that stuff) and whether you want the extra power. 3Fe is basically a motor you need to just put oil/filter in it. On the 94 you will have to do the head gasket at all. Now if you plan on doing an engine swap like I do at some point the engine currently in the truck won't matter.

I'm thinking like you on this. Plus the milage issue. It seems that a 94 will cost me at least $2000 more with twice the miles on the odo, or it will cost twice as much with the same miles.. The 91 is looking better.. Do I really need to swap to a full floater? My 4runner had a semi floating and it was acceptable.. Hmmm

 

[Land Speeder]

Do I really need to swap to a full floater? My 4runner had a semi floating and it was acceptable.. Hmmm

semi float in the 80's are probably the best semifloat available. Some have gone to 37's and never an issue.
My motto is... I'll replace it..... when I break it.

 

[gregc]

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Enough chit-chat! Talking about driving the truck won't help you figure this one out!

Drive them both and buy the one you like better!

-G

 

[sundaypunch]

I finally got my brakes dialed in on my 91 and it stops better than my accord. Drums in the rear will stop you, it's all in how you maintain them.

Stops better than the Accord.....






.............maybe when it runs out of gas

 

[CappyKD]

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Enough chit-chat! Talking about driving the truck won't help you figure this one out!

Drive them both and buy the one you like better!

-G

I have an appointment to drive both tomorrow.. Although the 91 is most likely gonna be the one I go for so I can use the extra money for repairs and mods..

Thanks

 

[Land Speeder]

Stops better than the Accord.....






.............maybe when it runs out of gas

I didn't say the accord's brakes were dialed in....

 

[TiredIronGRB]

I love my '91...but I wouldn't go with a Kaymar bumper.

 

[CappyKD]

I love my '91...but I wouldn't go with a Kaymar bumper.

Why not? I had one on my 4runner and liked it... Who makes a better one with a built in hitch and spare tire carrier / gas can carrier?

Thanks