1991 FJ80 or 1994 80 with lockers
- Thread starter CappyKD
- Start date
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There is a difference between a poorly designed brake system and a 16 year old neglected brake system.
Calipers should be rebuilt, rotors replaced, all soft lines replaced, rear brakes rebuilt and adjusted correctly, LSPV adjusted, sytem flushed and refilled, vacuum system cleaned out and old lines replaced.
I also found that when I replaced the EGR valve and EGR regulator with new my brakes worked much better.
- Thread starter
- #44
That's what I figured as it seems like the brakes are bigger on a LC then on my 4runner and they weigh the same.. Any things that I NEED to make sure are taken care of on a 91-92 ? You know like the PHH?? How long do these transmissions last? does anyone make crawler gearsets for the T/C?
The 3FE has an issue with the EFI relay wiring. Due to the heat of the manifold the insulation becomes brittle and can become intermittant. People say the wiring is undersized, but according to my measurements it's fine. The EFI relay contacts can become corroded and add to the woe and strife.
There is an oil galley plug that can come loose by the #5 plug. This is more common on the FJ62, but that may be an age factor.
Replace the fusible links off the positive battery terminal.
Replace the pre-filter on the fuel pump.
Replace the fan clutch.
As with any used vehicle you'll need to "baseline" it by addressing each system individually over time.
How long do trannys last? How long is a piece of string?
Have a look at the fluid first. That will give you a good indication of the maintenance history.
There is an oil galley plug that can come loose by the #5 plug. This is more common on the FJ62, but that may be an age factor.
Replace the fusible links off the positive battery terminal.
Replace the pre-filter on the fuel pump.
Replace the fan clutch.
As with any used vehicle you'll need to "baseline" it by addressing each system individually over time.
How long do trannys last? How long is a piece of string?
Have a look at the fluid first. That will give you a good indication of the maintenance history.
I just got my '92, but my parents had a '91 from new up till about three years ago. We drove that thing all over the country with them, three kids, and two dogs...and sometimes a pet crow. Plus our luggage...plus usually a sailplane on a trailer without brakes. We never had any trouble so I can tell you the 3fe is pretty good. And I don't mind it being slow. It keeps you honest. : ). Anyway, I'm pretty new but thought I would throw that out there. I love the 3fe too. Heres to joining the (happy) minority!! : ).
- Thread starter
- #47
Thanks, I'll make sure to address these things.
Drive the 91. I bought a 91 in March and I didnt think the lack of power would bother me. It drives me crazy. It is SO SLO. I figured that people were just being over-sensitive when they made fun of it, but no its pretty bad.
Make sure on your test drive you get on the freeway, merge, and floor it. If you have any hills in your area. Try to drive up them. Then picture the rig loaded with bigger tires, heavy bumpers, and 6 people. Go for the 94
My 85 4runner 4-cylinder with stock gears and 33's with a 5" lift is faster.
Make sure on your test drive you get on the freeway, merge, and floor it. If you have any hills in your area. Try to drive up them. Then picture the rig loaded with bigger tires, heavy bumpers, and 6 people. Go for the 94
My 85 4runner 4-cylinder with stock gears and 33's with a 5" lift is faster.
Land Speeder
InstaH8R
Cappy, why do you keep saying your 4Runner is as heavy as the 91? Is this true?
You sure about that? I would think an 80 would weigh significantly more than a 4-runner.
CappyKD;
Of course, I'm some what biased, since I own the 94-FZJ80 with the super charger mod. At ur elevation the power of the FZJ engine will be quite a bit more than the 3FE engine. If u go with the 91or the 94, u will need to do brake mods; i.e., DBA rotors and FJ100 pads for the 94 - it really helps.
I've really never used the lockers much, but when u need them, its a big help. Check to be sure they work if u buy the 94.
Keep in mind that u can put the SC on the 94, if u can find one.
The 94 does not have air bags or the electronics.
The 91 will/may have a FE relay wiring problem:
http://www.safari4x4.com.au/80scool/tech/efi_relay.html
http://www.lcool.org/technical/80_series/80_series_technical.html
Having driven both 80 series I would go with the 94 for long range thinking.
...
Of course, I'm some what biased, since I own the 94-FZJ80 with the super charger mod. At ur elevation the power of the FZJ engine will be quite a bit more than the 3FE engine. If u go with the 91or the 94, u will need to do brake mods; i.e., DBA rotors and FJ100 pads for the 94 - it really helps.
I've really never used the lockers much, but when u need them, its a big help. Check to be sure they work if u buy the 94.
Keep in mind that u can put the SC on the 94, if u can find one.
The 94 does not have air bags or the electronics.
The 91 will/may have a FE relay wiring problem:
http://www.safari4x4.com.au/80scool/tech/efi_relay.html
http://www.lcool.org/technical/80_series/80_series_technical.html
Having driven both 80 series I would go with the 94 for long range thinking.
...
- Thread starter
- #52
You are right. Stock it's about 680 pounds heavier that the 4runner. My 4runner was a v6 with 33's, plus ARB bull bar, plus heavy yakima rack and my curb weight was 4280 in the runner so it's much closer to the stock LC but still not as much.
- Thread starter
- #53
I'm going to drive them both today, but I'm still torn. Assuming they are ok when driven, I like the lower miles and solid engine on the 91 but the extra power better brakes and lockers still have me thinking 94 even though it has 90k more miles on it. If I can be sure that the 94 has never been off-road and the lockers work then I am starting to lean that way.. I'm not afraid of an engine rebuild down the road. Another factor in the equation is that the 91 is a auction purchase with a clean carfax that is at a dealer asking $4900 I fell confidant that I can get it for $4000. The 94 is private sale 2nd owner clean carfax, Asking $5900 I'll be lucky to the the 94 for $5250, but I'm pretty sure that the current owner didn't ever take it off road since they didn't know anything about the lockers. (I didn't tell them just asked for the code on the door and if there was a switch on the dash.) Hmmmm what to do...
Land Speeder
InstaH8R
Buy neither and wait another 2 months for this gas price crunch to keep squeezing these prices down.
Jeez, a 91 asking 5K? I'd sell you my modified 91 for 6500!
- Thread starter
- #55
Yeah but these are no rust, California cars.. The 91 is mint and looks like it came from the factory..
Being in socal most of the crusiers will be really clean, when I was looking a year ago I saw alot of cruisers that were clean but had no maintainence records. Now when I did find one that had all the records, lockers and cloth interior(important to me) I looked it over and bought it for 5500..didn't even drive it.... now it was a private party 94 with 220k on the clock but everything was tight and the PO had all the records and had paid a shop to do everything including a birf job 6months prior. 90k difference in mileage if well maintained is nothing... several here have 300+k on will maintained cruisers...
always plan on spending 1k on parts (maintence) once I get a new used vehicle to make it perfect.
There was a comment above about waiting a few months, I agree with that keep looking and wait for what you want, with the housing market falling and gas prices more cruisers will be for sale. Dont get in a hurry because it fits your budget. I took several months of looking on and off. Most of us keep our cruisers 10+ years and starting with the best one you can get will help in the long run. It will also save you some work...
Personally I like the 93-94 cruisers for no airbags, factory lockers, better brakes, full floater rear, bus transmission and OBD-I computer-1fz .. and if you can get one without leather they are even better.....
good luck...
BTW once you buy join socal80's
always plan on spending 1k on parts (maintence) once I get a new used vehicle to make it perfect.
There was a comment above about waiting a few months, I agree with that keep looking and wait for what you want, with the housing market falling and gas prices more cruisers will be for sale. Dont get in a hurry because it fits your budget. I took several months of looking on and off. Most of us keep our cruisers 10+ years and starting with the best one you can get will help in the long run. It will also save you some work...
Personally I like the 93-94 cruisers for no airbags, factory lockers, better brakes, full floater rear, bus transmission and OBD-I computer-1fz .. and if you can get one without leather they are even better.....
good luck...
BTW once you buy join socal80's
- Thread starter
- #57
Thanks. I'd love to wait but I need a RIg by summer so I can get the kids out of the house and my wife can study for a big test coming up at the end of the summer. I'm planning to join socal80's as well as TLCA as soon as I pickup my rig. Still leaning slightly towards the 94 right now..
- Thread starter
- #59
Yeah maybe my decision will be made for me.
- Thread starter
- #60
Ok so I drove the 94. It's in nice shape and runs strong. It's clearly never seen dirt. The current owner has had it since it had 40k on it. He had it regularly serviced at a local shop and gave me the guys number to talk to about the service history.
Question for those with a 93-up with factory lockers. should the locker lights in the dash blink or go on steady? What is the correct procedure for engaging them?
Thanks,
Kirk
Question for those with a 93-up with factory lockers. should the locker lights in the dash blink or go on steady? What is the correct procedure for engaging them?
Thanks,
Kirk
