80 Questions about what is best

[poseidon]

Hello,

I and before you jump my butt I did search and didn't find specificly what I wanted.

Well I have read through the info from slee about the changes in the diffrent 80s but it didn't help me with my questions. My questions all lead up to answering what year to get???

I am thinking of getting an 80 for a winter driver. I live in a remote area of Oregon and in the winter the passes get BAD and it drives me CRAZY beeing stuck in my little town of 2400 people. I have a 40 and a 55 and love them. My 40 is for HARD wheeling, the 55 is going ot be my exploring light wheeling and winter rig but I want to put it in the shop to do some serious work on it this winter so now I need a winter driver. I will probably take it offroad for light wheeling. Where I live it must be dependable and I must be able to perform repairs in remote locations.

I know the 91-92 FJ had the 3FE engine from the 62 series. Then there was a diffrent engine for a couple years and I think another change in 95. Anyway I read that the 3fe was FJ-80 was "underpowered" and the newer FZJ80 was much better. Is the 80 that much heavier than the 62?? If it isn't is the fj62 underpowered? I know I will get more power with the newer engine but what I want to know is: are the 91-92 80s that much of gutless dogs?

The axle changed from semi floating to full floating? Does this really matter???

I know the transmission changed a few times but what is the best one?

Is there a MPG diffrence in the diffrent engines, trannys?

Basicaly I need a dependable rig for light offroading and long higway trips on deserted poor roads in bad weather.

I previosly spoke to a owner that said that the 94 is the IDEAL year. But he owns a 94 so I am sure that didn't effect his decision in any way, ya right!

The 91-92 are a lot cheeper and if the difrences are minor I will save the $ to pour into my fj-55.

As a side note I knwo the 93+ had the selectable lockers. That sounds very cool but are they really that cool?


E

 

[lurker]

I have a 93 and in all cases other than 1 get a 94. Some 93's had r12 which I like in Texas, but in OR. WHO CARES!

If you want just a dependable on road truck and you can't find one with lockers do without no big deal. Of course I'll get bashed because everyone here want's one with lockers but they are not dime a dozen here in Texas, maybe not so in OR.? Also consider resale when you buy, lockers might be the only game in town in OR.

The 95's came with air bags, but the same guys that want lockers usually don't want air bags. Plus 95's and above came with OBDII (maybe 96?).

IMO the FJZ80 is almost dangerously underpowered as it is (w/o SC) so forget about an FJ80.

 

[tucker74]

I say '93-'94 - bigger engine (1FZE), best tranny (A442f), lockers available, CDL standard, no airbags, etc, etc -

Tucker

 

[Beowulf]

>> My questions all lead up to answering what year to get??? <<

1997.

>> Is the 80 that much heavier than the 62? <<

Yes.

>> ... are the 91-92 80s that much of gutless dogs? <<

Subjective. I'll defer to those that have driven and/or own both.

>> The axle changed from semi floating to full floating? Does this really matter??? <<

Yes. Nobody would mention that if it didn't matter.

>> I know the transmission changed a few times but what is the best one? <<

The A343 that is in the 95-97 80 series and the first few years of the 100 Series is the best transmission. No contest.

>> Is there a MPG diffrence in the diffrent engines, trannys? <<

Not enough to get concerned over in the 1FZ-FE verisions. I don't know about the 3FE versions.

>> As a side note I knwo the 93+ had the selectable lockers. <<'
>> That sounds very cool but are they really that cool? <<

Yes, the electric diff lock option is very, VERY, cool assuming you have a need for lockers. Otherwise, it's just very cool.

-B-

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

POSEIDON: What I pick up in your first question was the fact you have BAD weather situation like in the passes (icy, slippery, snowy, etc). I would strongly suggest investing into a 100. One with traction control, year 2000+. In these conditions there IS NO COMPARISON between a locked or unlocked Cruiser (any model) and a 100. You have 10-fold amount of control over an 80 in these situation, and of course a far nicer rig in better weather. The added price may be worth it to you as you will have the rig much longer. Take it from an owner of both. No comparison especially under those conditions.

 

[Beowulf]

IMHO, the "airbags=bad" mentality is just plain wrong. They're there if you need them and hopefully nobody will ever need to have them save the life of their wife or children. Nobody has documented a case where an air bag equipped Land Cruiser (or comparable SRS system) has deployed off-road when it shouldn't have deployed.

-B-

 

[cruiserdan]

hEY wULF,


343's are for weenies.....;p

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I've always been told the A442's were the "Alisons" of Cruiser trannies. (????)

 

[Doc]

Yes, get a 93 or newer for the better engine.

Yes, get lockers. You won't know how valuable they are until you HAVE to use them for the first time. Then you'll understand.

Full floter rear axle really IS better. It won't leave you stranded or hiking when a semi will.

As for other little items. I personally prefer the R-12 refrigerant over the new crap. It's expensive, and hard to come by sometimes, but it cools better and more efficently from what I've experienced. R-12 was taken out of crusiers late in 93 I think. Both transmissions have their groups of fans, so don't make it your deciding factor.

Hold out for lockers, I don't think you'll regret it. I'm glad I did, and I haven't even hit my first winter with it yet.

 

[cruiserdan]

The transmisson is only an issue so that I can jack with The Wulf about it....

 

[poseidon]

OK so from what I hear the 93 is best if I want r12 and 94 if I want the new stuff.

I haven't used eather tranny, sounds like you kids are split on which one is better and haven't given me a reason why one over the other, so I will simply assume that both of them are great transmissions.

How much more does a 80 weigh over a 60?

As far as airbags I would prefer not to have them.

My 40 is welded rear and my 55 is open. I do know how indispensables a locker can be IF you need it. I just am not sure if I will ever need it on this rig. I was leaning towards the locker model already though. Good idea on the resale value.

The roads I drive on are icy, snowpack, or fresh powder. The roads near my parents are wet and muddy.

I know the lockers are an option. but does the option include both axles or are there models with just a rear locker equipped?

I know a 100 may be a sweet rig but I prefer the looks and solid axles in the 80 and most importantly the 80s are much cheeper. I know you get what you pay for but I have 4 vehicles right now this will be my 5th! One man can only have so many money pits at one time! If money wasn't an object I would just buy a Cessna and get a pilots license and fly out during the winter.

Thanks for all the info guys you are helping me figure it out!

E

 

[Scamper]

>> I know the transmission changed a few times but what is the best one? <<

The A343 that is in the 95-97 80 series and the first few years of the 100 Series is the best transmission. No contest.

-B-

Oh...you tranny baiter you...

 

[cruiserdan]

OEM locks in an 80 are on both axles. R12 was used until 5-93 when R134 was adopted. My 80 with OEM steel wheels 305-70/16 tires (5 each), Slee rear bumper/tire carrier, Stout equipment ft bumper/20910 Warn winch, Hanna sliders, Supercharger and Garvin shorty roof rack weighs 6,240 lbs.

 

[landtank]

One nice thing about the newer trannies that you can start out in second gear. This is really helpful in snowy conditions where traction is at it's minimal. Get one with ABS, they are rare but there are a few out there without it.

One thing that everyone skips is the improved body structure on the 95+ cruisers. There is a C pillar cracking issue when the roof gets loaded as well as tail gate sag when standing on it to load that roof rack.

Basically as new as you can afford, but I'd go with either a 96 or 97 as they have all the latest changes.

One other thing, you might avoid the climate control option. Some hate the thing. I think they are on 40ths and CEs.

 

[Rookie2]

One other thing, you might avoid the climate control option. Some hate the thing. I think they are on 40ths and CEs.

And 450's.


Rookie2

 

[Scamper]

One other thing, you might avoid the climate control option. Some hate the thing. I think they are on 40ths and CEs.

I like my climate control system. There's nothing wrong with the system, just the users

 

[semlin]

the models break down by significant differences as 91-92, 93-94, 95, 96-97

I currently own a 93 (the newer engine) and my brother owns a 91 (older engine) which I am driving to work right now for kicks. The 93+ is better in many subtle ways but I would be happy enough with a 91 if I saved enough money in the process.

in other words a 91-92 will do you. a 93-97 will do you better. If you buy high mileage then ideally budget for about $1000 worth of immediate preventative maintenance parts and after 3 days of hard work you will get a very nice vehicle either way.

the 91-92 3FE motor is slower. the 93-97 ifz motor is faster. Neither are rocket ships but they will cruise at 70 mph all day on a flat road. Both can keep up with normal traffic on a windy road but you have to work it in a 91 if there are hills. Neither can sustain 60 mph on a long steep uphill. I would say the 93 is good for about 5 or 10 mph more on that hill. The 93+ is a better highway passer but not exactly a porsche.

the trannies are all reliable. You will get smoother shifting in a 93 onward and even smoother in a 95 onward. The 93s onward have overdrive you can switch off which is good for engine braking on hills and also two selectable tranmission shift patterns (power and economy) which are nice to choose between when towing or driving up a lot of hills. Supposedly the 95+ "343" trannies (taken from a 4runner) are more prone to problems but I can't recall a tranny failure for any model being reported on this site in the last 18 months.

I have never taken the 91 offroad so I don't know if full floating axle makes a difference. on road it makes none I can tell.

The 4 disc brakes with ABS on the 93 plus are definitely far better than the smaller front discs and rear drums on the 91. Either way the brakes need to be in perfect shape on such a heavy vehicle.

the 93+ motors are somewhat prone to head gasket/coolant issues. For some reason 97s seem to have a particular problem. 91-92's have iron heads so not an issue. Overall the 3FE gets the slight nod on durability.

the 3FE is an easier motor to work on and everything in the motor bay is easier to reach. Parts cost about the same.

mileage is about the same. the 91-92 gets about 1 mpg less.

cosmetically and for accessories they are virtually the same except the leather seats in my 93 are way more comfy for my back than the cloth in the 91.

the front/rear lockers on my 93 are very very good when you need them which is never in light offroading but common when you are in nasty stuff. Even if they did not have the locker option the 93+ models have a centeral locking diff that locks up in 4 lo. The 91-92 have a switchable central locking diff switch that lets you lock the central diff in 4 hi or lo. You can also buy this switch for the 93+ for $75.

the 96-97s have full obd2 diagnostic capacity which is great for diagnostics. The 95s have partial obd2. The 91 to 94 models have obd1 which is not as sophisticated but only requires a paperclip to read trouble codes instead of a $200 scanner.

Some people say the 93-94 is best because of the 442 tranny (which was used throughout the production run of 80s everywhere in the world except the US where weight became a concern) but the 343 does not have a bad track record. other people say the 96-97s are best because they have obd2 which is cool to play with and enables you to fit a supercharger and other toys more easily.

so get a 91 or a 93 or whatever

 

[Brentbba]

Your one comment - no airbags limits you to '94 and older. Bone stock '94 is 5200lbs.

I've been thru a few blizzard like conditions around Tahoe where the literally shut down I-80 about 1/2 hour after I went thru chain checkpoints. Never put chains on. Stock Michelin LTX tires and never felt uncomfortable. I've tried to spin this tank out on snow pack and couldn't do it.

Yes I'm biased - I love my '94. Gutless, not really. It gets me where I want to go, even lugging 7 scouts and a 3500lb trailer.

BTW - white is a great color in a '94. hehehe

 

[sleeoffroad]

I've always been told the A442's were the "Alisons" of Cruiser trannies. (????)

As a owner of a Cheby with Duramax and Alison transmission, that is not even close. If I had the choice I would have he Duramax and Alison in a 80. That would be awsome.

No track record on 343's being bad. Buy the latest one you can get for the money you can spend. Since it sounds like you can do maintenance, allocate some money and time for maintenance. About every 80 you are going to buy is going to need it. Even if the previous owner had it dealer serviced and swears that everything was done. We see it every week at the shop.

 

[Beowulf]

>> Oh...you tranny baiter you... <<

And what would I be if we were comparing pros and cons of non-ABS vs ABS master cylinders.... ???



-B-