1991 Land Cruiser

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J

jporlier

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Threads
20
Messages
93
Location
Milwaukee, WI and Louisville, KY
Hi All!

New to the forums and about to be a new LC owner. I am going tomorrow to look at a 91 Land Cruiser although I think I have already talked myself into it. Well I really want one, and have been looking for awhile.

A couple quick questions..I tried the search button, but it was not working.

Are these trucks notorious for breaking timing chains? The owner said something like "Everyone that calls asked if I have changed the timing chain". Don't know what thats all about??

Also he claims the truck make a small "clunk" when he hammers the gas. Claims it has done it for the past 8 years (since he's owned it) and has never gotten any worse?

Claims it will burn or leak 3/4 qt of oil every 3K miles. Is this alot for these trucks?

Other than that just a leaky power steering hose. That doesn't sound too bad for a 91'.

Are any of these huge issues or things I can fix as I go along?

Thanks for all the help. I plan to help as much as I can once I learn more...


JP
 
Personally...anything that goes "clunk" is bad news...sounds like a motor mount or something...these things dont have enough power to twist anything else.

Just my $.02
 
1: No timing chain on a 3f-e (1991)

2: Small clunk may be the standard clunk from the slop in the driveline. it can be fixed for a cost or it can be ignored for a while.

3: 3/4 qt of oil every 3000 miles isn't that bad.
 
Good to have you aboard J.B. the first thing that struck out at me was the Question about the timing chain. Their is no chain! O wait I dont believe their is a belt either! Damn Thing dont need either one, its so bad ass. No Bull! Its cam gear is driven directly by the crank gear. As far as the clunking in the driveline. I understand a lot of it is due to the design and contributing wear factors. This meaning you could most probably drive it on the road for many more thousands of miles without failure. My G-friend type has accumulated nearly another hundred thousand on her 91' since her aquiring it four plus years ago. It still clunks a little and it keeps on going. Her Cruiser is nearing three-hundred thousand and uses no oil. Your concern for oil usage is a good one, however this is not much overall for a sixteen year old vehicle.
Reading a few posts over time lead me to believe"for myself anyway" that the 91'-92' lend themselves to easier modification as their is much less computer control over the vehicle. Where the 93' is a dual cam engine and provides more usable power, its electronics system can be dificult at best for a shade tree like myself. And an added expence to boot.
You never mentioned what the odometer reads. courious!
 
jporlier said:
Hi All!

New to the forums and about to be a new LC owner. I am going tomorrow to look at a 91 Land Cruiser although I think I have already talked myself into it. Well I really want one, and have been looking for awhile.

A couple quick questions..I tried the search button, but it was not working.

Are these trucks notorious for breaking timing chains? The owner said something like "Everyone that calls asked if I have changed the timing chain". Don't know what thats all about??

Also he claims the truck make a small "clunk" when he hammers the gas. Claims it has done it for the past 8 years (since he's owned it) and has never gotten any worse?

Claims it will burn or leak 3/4 qt of oil every 3K miles. Is this alot for these trucks?

Other than that just a leaky power steering hose. That doesn't sound too bad for a 91'.

Are any of these huge issues or things I can fix as I go along?
Click to expand...


None of that sounds huge. The leaky power steering may worsen over time, you should replace the hose when you can.

Timing chain? Non-existent on this motor.

The "clunk" that he describes is normal for 91-92 trucks, you'll get used to it. Keep the driveshafts greased and it will be fine.

3/4 qt every 3000 miles? Dang, I wish mine burnt that little... 2.5 qts every 3000 miles.

203K miles is good. Should go at least 100K more.
 
Just as the others have said no timing chain, these things are built like the big trucks. The oil leaks are usually the second oil pan gaskets from what I understand. I loose about a quart every 3000 miles, they hold about 9 quarts of oil, yea, 9 quarts. The clunk bothered me, and mne ended up being wear in the front axle. I rebuilt the front axle, rear axle, replaced the gears with some 4:88's for more power (works fine with 31" stock sized tires). Replaced all the joints in the d-shafts. Still have a small clunk. I'll replace the motor, tranny, t-case mounts next. BUT... I hear if you can live with it, they are just like that. The early 80's clunk... :D

You'll want to check out the FAQ section for lots of info. You will find that they aren't big on down shifting, appear to be very slow, and LOVE fuel. The 'ol girls like to eat. You can do several things to improve the shifting and speed of the 'ol 3FE, but you ought to test drive a newer 80 series if you want more power.

Tons of info on here about both engines. Honestly, I have about $10,000 in my 92 cruiser, including the purchase price of $5500. That price includes a gear swap, front and rear rebuilt axles, rebuilt d-shafts, tune-up, timing advance, new belts, new window seals on the doors, new stereo and speakers, new wheels and tires, and base-line of all fluids. You could buy a pretty nice newer 80 series for that, al be it, without all the new parts. My $5500 dollar purchase of the 80, included a bunch of new things from the previous owner. About 1200 spent on the A/C, new starter, new alternator, had new 31" tires. So not a bad start.

Don't get in a rush, there are plenty out there. Test drive both old and newer style 80's before buying.

Me, I love my early 80, wouldn't want the newer one at this point, drives great with 33 inch tires, and 4:88 gears.
 
The FJ80's are great. Make sure to look over the front knuckles and stuff. I knew mine would need to have new seals and possibly a new birf on one or both sides. It is a great bargaining point to get the price down if you are willing to do the work yourself. Just make sure to check that. YOu didn't mention it so I imagine you looked it over and its all good but...just wanted to make sure. Good Luck. : ).
 
I love how there isn't a single FZJ owner in this thread... <knock on wood>

:lol:
 
I have a 91 and it clunks into and out of gear (from revers to drive esp), some of that is exes back lash in the Aussie Locker I put it (which BTW for 260 is one of the best off road mods you can do for the rear), but it has always done it for me too.

Check the fluids, esp the tranny fluid also see if it has a tranny cooler. That will help you know how long the tranny might last before you need to rebuild it. Does he have a lot of the maintenance records? That can be an indicator.
91s and 92s aren't as "nice" or as peppy as FZJs, but you get 3FE power...and 1FZFEs have timing chains so you would have to change that...or not.


Matthew
 
ArmyFJ said:
...some of that is exes back lash in the Aussie Locker I put it (which BTW for 260 is one of the best off road mods you can do for the rear), but it has always done it for me too.
Click to expand...

[hijack]

I'm curious, how difficult was it to install the locker?

[/hijack]
 
CJF said:
All US 91's came with an aux. tranny cooler.
Click to expand...

Good to know, I love mine, I am sure it has contributed to its long life.

CJF said:
Not

Seems to be a non-issue even on the highest mileage FZJ's around here..
Click to expand...

Also good to know...but at least he can ask if the guy has changed it and then he will know...or not.
 
lka1988 said:
[hijack]

I'm curious, how difficult was it to install the locker?

[/hijack]
Click to expand...

Supper easy, actually Lunch easy. (I really hate puns I cannot believe I just did that). If you have all the tools, mainly a feeler gauge and a micrometer (feeler gauge is really cheap, micrometer - a good one - is not cheap, but you can borrow those from an Auto parts store.) It took about 3 hours because I had to stop and go get borrow a micrometer.

Also make sure you clean your brakes after...gear oil is no good on brake shoes.

PM me for more info.

Matthew
 
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ArmyFJ said:
Supper easy, actually Lunch easy. (I really hate puns I cannot believe I just did that). If you have all the tools, mainly a feeler gauge and a micrometer (feeler gauge is really cheap, micrometer - a good one - is not cheap, but you can barrow those from an Auto parts store.) It took about 3 hours because I had to stop and go get barrow a micrometer.

PM me for more info.

Matthew
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I'm not looking to do this anytime soon...short on the $$$.

ArmyFJ said:
Also make sure you clean your brakes after...gear oil is no good on brake shoes.
Click to expand...

:lol:


...Now back to your regularly scheduled posting...
 
What's the price on the one your looking at, milleage? If it's in decent mechanical shape, you can tighten the accelerator cable, and the tranny kick-down, do a tune-up, and advance the timing. You should be goog to go on a budgt, other than the thirsty petrol need of the 80's. Every Toyota I've ever owned, Toyota trucks that is, has been pretty much change the oil and go. This 80 is more of a restoration + job for me. I owned one Toyota p-up that had been beaten severely. Body lift punched through the floor, cab held level by a 2x4, bed bolts rusted almost completely off (I could lift the back of the bed up), 250,000 miles on the clock, using a quart between oil chnges, running a 6" lift and 35's on stock gears (yes it was slow), clutch slipping. I paid $500 bucks for it. Spent $1500 on it, and drove the thing for three more years and 100,000 more miles...

The 80's are tougher than the little p-ups were, are.

The 3FE is really a tough old bird. no electronics in the tranny's to worry about. If you don't mind a little slowness, your bying a street legal TRACTOR. She'll LOVE you long time!

A pic to get the 3FE power flowing...

CIMG2258.jpg
 
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good luck with the purchase, depending on price you can put up with a lof ot little things, as other stated clunk is somewhat normal, i would check the AT fluid, it would stop me from buying but could be used as a negotiation tool, also see if there are records on the front axle, once again it wouldnt stop me but might get them down a little, like all the others i love mine
 
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