1991 FJ80 Project! (2 Viewers)

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Joined
Feb 3, 2025
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3
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Location
Virginia
Hey everyone!
Long time lurker on mud, Got my hands on a super cheap 80 series (1991) With a bad motor. It has a nice view port in the side of the block and a good gash in the oil pan. Lady sold it with a second engine waiting to be swapped. Long story short, i have gone over the other engine and am preparing to pull the current motor and swap it! Being that the motor currently in it is seized I likely cant spin the torque converter to access each bolt. I was really hoping to be able to remove just the engine. I have turned my own wrenches on my own older 4Runner's, but never pulled an engine before.
Would love to get some insight from those who have worked on these rigs.
I have heard that there is a peek plate on the transmission tunnel you can remove to gain access to the bellhousing bolts. Unsure as i haven't yet looked.
Theoretically (and correct me if I'm wrong) if i can get all the bellhousing bolts off the TC "Should" (key word) Slide off with the motor, correct?

Wasn't able to find much online, However i did get my hands on a factory service guide. The only downside is Toyota only shows the removal of the whole assy (engine + trans) And i feel that is unnecessary for what i am doing. I Realize it might be easier to line up the transmission and engine outside of the vehicle but luckily i will have a few sets of hands to assist int the removal/install process.

Any help is greatly Appreciated!
Thanks!
 
Several years ago I purchased a ‘92 that threw a rod (cyl 5) which sheared the cam, and the crank would only turn a small amount. I was able to pull the motor, including the torque converter, and separate the converter from the flex plate out of the vehicle. I forgot exactly the process, it was a pain, but doable. So to answer your question, yes absolutely doable.
 
Pull the grill, radiator and radiator support so she’ll come straight out.
A little extra work that will make it a lot easier.
 
Several years ago I purchased a ‘92 that threw a rod (cyl 5) which sheared the cam, and the crank would only turn a small amount. I was able to pull the motor, including the torque converter, and separate the converter from the flex plate out of the vehicle. I forgot exactly the process, it was a pain, but doable. So to answer your question, yes absolutely doable.
good to know. Thank you for the input
 
Pull the grill, radiator and radiator support so she’ll come straight out.
A little extra work that will make it a lot easier.
Yeah, I was leaning towards doing it that way. I know the 3fe has a lift point at the front of the engine. Any suggestion where i should attach the chain for when i pull it? Don't want it sitting uneven when i try to separate it from the trans.
 
Yeah, I was leaning towards doing it that way. I know the 3fe has a lift point at the front of the engine. Any suggestion where i should attach the chain for when i pull it? Don't want it sitting uneven when i try to separate it from the trans.
Sorry I can’t help with that.
My guess would be an intake bolt near the back.
 
Given the age of this vehicle, I'd pull the whole shebang drivetrain out of the car then spend weeks working on it in a comfortable manner. There's no such thing as "Imma just gonna do an engine swap" with these rigs. Like Brosky said above, remove everything from the front, then rent/borrow a substantial engine hoist and pull the engine+tcase+tranny all in one shot. Separate everything apart, replace all input/output seals, do other stuff "while you're in there". I bet there are some oil leaks to take care of and a fair amount of degreasing will be required. Make your list and order stuff from a japan based parts dealer, like this one for instance: Genuine Japanese Car Part Imports - Amayama - https://www.amayama.com/en
 
Given the age of this vehicle, I'd pull the whole shebang drivetrain out of the car then spend weeks working on it in a comfortable manner. There's no such thing as "Imma just gonna do an engine swap" with these rigs. Like Brosky said above, remove everything from the front, then rent/borrow a substantial engine hoist and pull the engine+tcase+tranny all in one shot. Separate everything apart, replace all input/output seals, do other stuff "while you're in there". I bet there are some oil leaks to take care of and a fair amount of degreasing will be required. Make your list and order stuff from a japan based parts dealer, like this one for instance: Genuine Japanese Car Part Imports - Amayama - https://www.amayama.com/en
I Wish i could dedicate more than a few days per month to my project, but at the moment that's all i can do. That being the case I am attempting to consolidate and move efficiently. I Have some tires on standby incase removing the engine alone does not go to plan. Worst comes to worst I will just remove both
 
Life beckons, I get it.
 
3FE does have a peek plate, at least my 91 does

I swapped engines with the trans and t-case still in the vehicle, however, I was able to spin the crank.

That said, the advice of pulling the engine, trans, and t-case is better. Plenty of while-you're-in-there maintenance needed.
 
Alright, After a weekend of work (28 hours total) had some friends over , we pulled the whole Assy (engine and trans) And separated them outside the vehicle. ended up having to pull the head off the old engine to remove piston #1 (blew the con-rod cap off the bottom and wedged itself at TDC) The piston was jamming the crank only allowing for maybe 5 degrees of movement. Once free we were able to spin it over and remove TC/Flywheel. Everything bolted up easy with the new engine and we got it all installed. Waiting to get a new Condenser, Alternator and a few odds and ends. otherwise it went pretty smooth!

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3FE does have a peek plate, at least my 91 does

I swapped engines with the trans and t-case still in the vehicle, however, I was able to spin the crank.

That said, the advice of pulling the engine, trans, and t-case is better. Plenty of while-you're-in-there maintenance needed.
I used the peek plate to pull the TC bolts once we were able to get the motor to turn over. I plan on posting some carnage pics of the old block lol
 
3FE does have a peek plate, at least my 91 does

I swapped engines with the trans and t-case still in the vehicle, however, I was able to spin the crank.

That said, the advice of pulling the engine, trans, and t-case is better. Plenty of while-you're-in-there maintenance needed.
Yeah, In my case i just had to pull both. No way i was going to gain access without pulling the engine apart outside the vehicle. Since i had freshly done-up the "new" engine it was pretty much ready to go, Checked under and cleaned up the transmission while i had it out
 
Where in VA are you located? That thing has been sitting forever...last inspection was in 2009 😬
 
Where in VA are you located? That thing has been sitting forever...last inspection was in 2009 😬
Located in /around Chester. When I found this 80 series for sale it was sitting in a field in Fredericksburg
 
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Nice, Fburg isn't too far from me.
Willing to divulge how much you paid?
 
Not terrible, about going rate these days
 
Show us one add for a $1500.00 Land Cruiser 80 running or not !

Not going to happen 😜
 
Show us one add for a $1500.00 Land Cruiser 80 running or not !

Not going to happen
I'm dumb- was trying to do two things at one (phone and mud- which is more important)
I was thinking $1500 going rate for non running cars, not necessarily cruisers.
Duhr.
 

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