1991 FJ80 or 1994 80 with lockers

[CappyKD]

Hi all, I'm a newb to the LC forums but I've been wheeling for years. My last rig was a 1988 4Runner 3.slow. It was a nice rig but I have 4 kids and there was no room to take the whole family out.. I wanted something with seating for at least 6, so I sold the 4Runner and waited a year or so, now I am ready to get another trail rig. I found a nice clean 1991 loaded for $4500 with 145k on it, I also found a 1994 fully loaded with factory lockers for $8500 with 154k on it. Even though the FJ80's aren't as popular I think that I would end up with a better rig if I got the 91 and sunk the extra money back into it. $4000 would cover ARB lockers and a bull bar, winch and Kaymar bumper.. What do you guys/gals think? I know the 94 has more power and the lockers but in this case the 91 is in better condition and hasn't seen dirt where as the 94 I think has.. Any comments would be appreciated. I did read the FAQ and checked the door sticker on the 94 and it is equiped with factory lockers..

Thanks,
Kirk

 

[peepers]

if you want a family hauler the 3fe is a longer lasting, less maint. required motor IMHO.

 

[CappyKD]

if you want a family hauler the 3fe is a longer lasting, less maint. required motor IMHO.

Is that the 91 motor or the 94 one..

 

[peepers]

Is that the 91 motor or the 94 one..

the 91...

 

[CappyKD]

Thanks alot. That's what I figured. I'm leaning towards the 91 but I figured it would be smart to do some research and get other owners opinions before I decide. I hope to have a new rig in the next week or two. I'll post up pics once I pick one up.

Kirk

 

[sundaypunch]

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.

I would take it for a test drive with the entire family before buying it.

 

[CappyKD]

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.

I would take it for a test drive with the entire family before buying it.

Are they really that underpowered? My 4runner weighed the same and had less power, yet got by just fine. About the braking, I figured I'd have to find a rear axle assembly from a Disc equiped truck and swap it in. My 4runner had rear drums and no anti-lock and it was acceptable.

I'd really like to keep the purchase price around $5000 then sink some money into it to get it up to snuff, If I go with a 93-97 then I'm looking at at least $8500 This is not going to be my DD I have an Acura Integra for that, this Cruiser will be for weekend play and the occasional event where the entire family has to go together.

Thanks

 

[Elijah]

'91 has drum rear and no ABS. '94 has disc and ABS. '94 has MUCH more powerful motor.

 

[Elijah]

Or keep searching....My '95 with airbags and ABS and lockers cost me $6k a year ago.

 

[CappyKD]

Or keep searching....My '95 with airbags and ABS and lockers cost me $6k a year ago.

In SoCal? The cruisers tend to run a bit more $ out here. $6K doesn't get as much truck out here...

 

[Lka1988]

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.

I would take it for a test drive with the entire family before buying it.

Oh come on now, it's not THAT underpowered. It's got plenty of power for me, and I'm friggin' 19. It's not a race car, but it'll get you where you need to go.


And it just won't DIE!!

 

[Grench]

We had a '92 for about 5 years and now have two '96s. The difference in power is -very- notable.

The '92 had difficulties holding 75 on the interstate for anything resembling a hill. It was happiest at 60-65 mph. The '96 with stock tires (31") has notably more go than then '96 on 285s (33"), but that is expected. Both of the '96s go 80mph without much issue.

There are other differences. Since the '91 and '92 versions were not a long release in the US, finding parts for them can be more difficult. changing the exhaust out (manifolds, Y tube, cats, muffler) was a multi thousand dollar affair in the end, spread out over a few years. It isn't much cheaper on a '96 though.

The '96, despite the larger displacement, has a more organized under hood look and feel. IMHO everything is easier to get to. It also lends itself easier to dual battery mods.

Some advantages to the '91 & '92... The front console cup holder is usable for 16 oz drink glasses popular at fast food outlets. (In a '96 they only fit cans.) The dash clock has an alarm and countdown timer. It is dumbed down on the later models. The manual cloth seats in the earlier models are a better fit for my big butt and offer more leg room.

The '91 & '92 have stiffer springs and sit about 1" higher than the '96s do stock. Also, since they don't typically get the steps, they tend to have a more aggressive stock appearance.

The '92 CEL codes can be read using a paper clip if you know how to count.

The '92 rear axle is a partial floater Vs. the full floater in later models.

The '92's air conditioning is based on the 'old' refrigerant. It blows colder air quicker than the '96 will, but recharging the '92 is expensive.

It all depends on how you want to use the vehicle and what your budget is.

They're both serious trucks and a whole lot of fun. I bought the '92 for my wife to drive, decided I liked it, she wouldn't let me mod it so I bought her a Grey '96. She refused the Grey '96, preferring to keep her '92. I started modifying the Grey '96 A couple years later we decided she needed something newer. She had given the '92 several cosmetic dings. I gave her a choice between a new vehicle or another 80. I bought her a ruby red '96 and convinced her to let me sell off the '92.

We both love driving these. The maintenance can be a bit intensive and parts aren't overly cheap. They are, after all, $50,000 trucks and expect to be maintained as such. We plan to never sell the ones we have now.

 

[norville]

Wow that's tough decision. I just got my 94 I went from an 88 w/31's it had OK power you just had to work it. A 5 speed would have been much better.

During my decision time I looked at a 92 and my 94. Both were nearly rust free. It really comes down to drivetranes. The body's and extras are nearly the same.

That said. do you really need lockers? I thing the 5spd swap on the 91 would be easier. The 91 engine and tranny are pretty much bullet proof. No HG issue or phh.

I fell in love with my 94 after the first ride. I loved the 88 but the refinement of the 94 is really nice.

Tough call take both for a ride see witch one you like better. The extra power is noticable on the 94' especially with 33's. I don't have lockers but it's my DD hunting truck and kid-picker upper.

good luck
bob

 

[CappyKD]

We had a '92 for about 5 years and now have two '96s. The difference in power is -very- notable.

The '92 had difficulties holding 75 on the interstate for anything resembling a hill. It was happiest at 60-65 mph. The '96 with stock tires (31") has notably more go than then '96 on 285s (33"), but that is expected. Both of the '96s go 80mph without much issue.

There are other differences. Since the '91 and '92 versions were not a long release in the US, finding parts for them can be more difficult. changing the exhaust out (manifolds, Y tube, cats, muffler) was a multi thousand dollar affair in the end, spread out over a few years. It isn't much cheaper on a '96 though.

The '96, despite the larger displacement, has a more organized under hood look and feel. IMHO everything is easier to get to. It also lends itself easier to dual battery mods.

Some advantages to the '91 & '92... The front console cup holder is usable for 16 oz drink glasses popular at fast food outlets. (In a '96 they only fit cans.) The dash clock has an alarm and countdown timer. It is dumbed down on the later models. The manual cloth seats in the earlier models are a better fit for my big butt and offer more leg room.

The '91 & '92 have stiffer springs and sit about 1" higher than the '96s do stock. Also, since they don't typically get the steps, they tend to have a more aggressive stock appearance.

The '92 CEL codes can be read using a paper clip if you know how to count.

The '92 rear axle is a partial floater Vs. the full floater in later models.

The '92's air conditioning is based on the 'old' refrigerant. It blows colder air quicker than the '96 will, but recharging the '92 is expensive.

It all depends on how you want to use the vehicle and what your budget is.

They're both serious trucks and a whole lot of fun. I bought the '92 for my wife to drive, decided I liked it, she wouldn't let me mod it so I bought her a Grey '96. She refused the Grey '96, preferring to keep her '92. I started modifying the Grey '96 A couple years later we decided she needed something newer. She had given the '92 several cosmetic dings. I gave her a choice between a new vehicle or another 80. I bought her a ruby red '96 and convinced her to let me sell off the '92.

We both love driving these. The maintenance can be a bit intensive and parts aren't overly cheap. They are, after all, $50,000 trucks and expect to be maintained as such. We plan to never sell the ones we have now.

Nice post! Thanks.. I could maybe get a 94 for around $7000 but that's with 225k vs 143k miles.. Under normal conditions I would rather have the cheaper truck with less miles but I'm not sure here..

 

[CappyKD]

Wow that's tough decision. I just got my 94 I went from an 88 w/31's it had OK power you just had to work it. A 5 speed would have been much better.

During my decision time I looked at a 92 and my 94. Both were nearly rust free. It really comes down to drivetranes. The body's and extras are nearly the same.

That said. do you really need lockers? I thing the 5spd swap on the 91 would be easier. The 91 engine and tranny are pretty much bullet proof. No HG issue or phh.

I fell in love with my 94 after the first ride. I loved the 88 but the refinement of the 94 is really nice.

Tough call take both for a ride see witch one you like better. The extra power is noticable on the 94' especially with 33's. I don't have lockers but it's my DD hunting truck and kid-picker upper.

good luck
bob

Thanks.. It's a tough decision.. If I was going to drive it daily i think I would definately go for the 94 but hmmm. As for lockers, I didn't have them in my 4runner and never got stuck..

Mountaintop PA huh.. I used to spend quite a bit of time at Pocono Ranchettes by Gouldsboro.. My Dad lives in Drums...

 

[JoeYota]

Like fine wine, a Land Cruiser gets better with age. I own a '91 FJ80. I can hold 80 mph on the freeway. It just takes a while to get there.

The 3fe is a big engine.

If your used to driving a big chevy/ford/dodge truck then yeah, the '91 might seem a little underpowered.

IMHO it's perfectly fine as long as your not trying to beat some rice burner in a drag race or whatever.


Remember - it's a Land Cruiser NOT ART!

 

[CappyKD]

Like fine wine, a Land Cruiser gets better with age. I own a '91 FJ80. I can hold 80 mph on the freeway. It just takes a while to get there.

The 3fe is a big engine.

If your used to driving a big chevy/ford/dodge truck then yeah, the '91 might seem a little underpowered.

IMHO it's perfectly fine as long as your not trying to beat some rice burner in a drag race or whatever.


Remember - it's a Land Cruiser NOT ART!

My 4Runner with 33's couldn't hold 75 on the freeway either, it never bothered me that much.. Ring and Pinion swap will fix that in the LC with bigger tires. I never got around to it with my 4runner cause I was saving up for ARB lockers... Dunno I found a 94 that they are asking $5900 for with 240K miles.. I think I'm better off going 91 with 140k.. Hmmm decisions decisions.. It does seem like there are better suspension options for the 93+.

 

[alkaline747trio]

If you get an early model 80, the power is lacking compared to the later models, although a few free and cheap tweaks can get you a noticeable amount more power. A new cat-back exhaust will make noticeably more power also, and can be done for less than $300 at any shop. If after all this you still feel under powered, 4.88s seem to be fine for stock sized tires up to 35s on the 3FE, you'll hold 70mph with ease, but much faster than that is revving the engine a little much.

The brakes on the early model ones leave you wishing for more, and the later models do also, just not as much.

A lunchbox locker can be installed in the rear of an early model in about 45 minutes and is VERY easy thanks to the removable rear cover.

3FE looks cluttered (de-smog helps here), but isn't at all difficult to work on, and usually requires almost no maintenance, tune-up is very easy. And as has been said already, no PHH or headgasket issues on the 3FE.

 

[CappyKD]

If you get an early model 80, the power is lacking compared to the later models, although a few free and cheap tweaks can get you a noticeable amount more power. A new cat-back exhaust will make noticeably more power also, and can be done for less than $300 at any shop. If after all this you still feel under powered, 4.88s seem to be fine for stock sized tires up to 35s on the 3FE, you'll hold 70mph with ease, but much faster than that is revving the engine a little much.

The brakes on the early model ones leave you wishing for more, and the later models do also, just not as much.

A lunchbox locker can be installed in the rear of an early model in about 45 minutes and is VERY easy thanks to the removable rear cover.

3FE looks cluttered (de-smog helps here), but isn't at all difficult to work on, and usually requires almost no maintenance, tune-up is very easy. And as has been said already, no PHH or headgasket issues on the 3FE.

Thanks. Good points. What is the exhaust mod besides a high flow cat? Just larger diameter piping? Hopefully good pads and stainless lines will help a little with the brakes..

 

[norville]

Drums, 2 miles from me. I envy your "tough decision" not to many LC's locally. Of the ones I know my old 88 only 62 I've seen that wasn't junked. A 2004 here at work, a green 97 , my 94 and a sweet rust free premium old man driving fawn 60 only a few miles from the house., Most of the LC's for sale come from NY/NJ from car lot auctions. The 92 I looked at and a 89GX were on auction.

So, you suck with all the choices.

If having a LC is kinda odd-ball (my friends and family believe so) then a 91 would be even odder-er.

I just got my 94 160 for $5k great interior the ext has had a few shopping cart fights.

I love the 3rd row.

bob