80 vs 70 series differences (1 Viewer)

[undecided]

I know this has been covered here before but I’m wondering if there are any differences I’m missing. I’m new to cruisers but looking to buy my first one soon. Deciding between a HDJ81 and a HZJ77

I’ll start with what I’m wanting it for. I want the most reliable and capable option off road first and foremost. I’ll most just be using it for overlanding but I want the“just in case option” you know? I plan to keep the car forever and I’m a bit paranoid so I want something for SHTF/Bugging Out. I want as much cargo space as possible and I’m gonna need the backseat for the kids.

I’ve always been under the impression that the 70s were better off road but you sacrifice on road comfort, but I’ve seen a lot of people here say that the 80s were actually better off road. I actually like the boxy look of the 70s better but prefer the motor in the 80s because of the extra power. I know the axles are different but no idea which is “better” lol. Same goes with the transmissions I know with autos it’s A440 vs A442 but is there much of a difference? Are the 5 speeds any more reliable? And I know that the 80s have coils which is more comfortable of a ride. I’ll probably end up doing some aftermarket work to it so at that point is there much of a difference at all?

again sorry for the noob/repetitive question but I’m looking for all the differences and also suggestions on what the experts think is best for my needs.

 

[scottryana]

Is neither an option? I wouldn't want something that was non native to the country I was living in for a SHTF/Bug out. Cleanest FZJ80 you can find and take the rest of the money you would spend on import fees and do all the preventative maintenance.

 

[undecided]

Is neither an option? I wouldn't want something that was non native to the country I was living in for a SHTF/Bug out. Cleanest FZJ80 you can find and take the rest of the money you would spend on import fees and do all the preventative maintenance.

yeah that makes sense, but I really like the reliability of the diesels. I’ve considered the FZJs and LX450s as well tho. Parts would be harder to find but around my area I’d have a hard time finding parts for either honestly. The diesels just seem to be more reliable and capable from what I’ve read, are the gas burners just as good?

 

[scottryana]

They all have their issues, but you will have a lot harder time finding diesel parts than you will gas parts. The 1HD had big end bearing issues, the 1FZ had head gasket issues related to design change, The 1HZ in standard form seem pretty reliable but underpowered, and lose the reliability when power is added.

All of them will be 25 year old trucks and will all need quite a bit of work to be 100% reliable. For me with the 1HD or 1FZ, I would do preventative big end bearings or head gasket.

 

[ChiYota]

Parts are actually still pretty available for FZJ 80s in the U.S. right now. There is a huge aftermarket in the U.S. which is very active/visible on MUD, and you can get Aussie parts shipped over too.

Edit: relative to ANY Toyota diesel part availability in the U.S.

 

[White Stripe]

I believe certain years 70 series cruisers are built with poorer quality sheet metal. Some seem to rust easily, similar to a 60 series and how easily they rust.

 

[mjosoba]

Gas motors are plenty reliable. They just guzzle their food down in liquid form. Between my parents having one when I was young and the three I’ve had, none of the gas motors have worn out in our possession. Three 3fe’s and my current 1FZFE. Lowest mileage was 250,000 (3fe) that was totaled and my parents 3fe that had over 350,000 when they sold it. Current 1FZFE is at about 260,000.

A442 is better than the A440, but both are decent and last a long time. Will absorb more power than the manuals, but they also seem to go much further than the manuals before needing any work.

I’d say get a good FZJ80 and baseline it. Get extra engine, tranny, t case and axles if you’re really going to keep it that long and rebuild them for backups.

If you want diesel, I’d look at a 1HZ with a mild turbo before a 1HDT for max reliability, and just make peace with the slow life.

 

[undecided]

Gas motors are plenty reliable. They just guzzle their food down in liquid form. Between my parents having one when I was young and the three I’ve had, none of the gas motors have worn out in our possession. Three 3fe’s and my current 1FZFE. Lowest mileage was 250,000 (3fe) that was totaled and my parents 3fe that had over 350,000 when they sold it. Current 1FZFE is at about 260,000.

A442 is better than the A440, but both are decent and last a long time. Will absorb more power than the manuals, but they also seem to go much further than the manuals before needing any work.

I’d say get a good FZJ80 and baseline it. Get extra engine, tranny, t case and axles if you’re really going to keep it that long and rebuild them for backups.

If you want diesel, I’d look at a 1HZ with a mild turbo before a 1HDT for max reliability, and just make peace with the slow life.

To be honest I don’t even mind the low speed but I was worried about the lack of power off road. I’m stuck on the diesel because I’ve heard these stories from overseas with them have 1m km on an engine and stuff like that. I have considered doing like you said and buying a cruiser and an extra engine and rebuilding the engine tho, that’s probably my long term plan.

 

[undecided]

Parts are actually still pretty available for FZJ 80s in the U.S. right now. There is a huge aftermarket in the U.S. which is very active/visible on MUD, and you can get Aussie parts shipped over too.

Edit: relative to ANY Toyota diesel part availability in the U.S.

oh yeah I can find the parts for either one honestly but for a SHTF situation like he mentioned, no one in my area has either so it would be tough for me to get a hold of them.

 

[scottryana]

There is a highest mileage thread on here somewhere. I think a few mud members have 500,000 miles/800,000km on their gas engines. One comes to mind but I don't see him around too much anymore.

All of these engines are incredible over built and the amount of miles that you get out of them is only going to depend on your level of preparedness and maintenance.

 

[White Stripe]

You could get a 80 series with a bad engine and then have a 6bt swapped into it.

 

[ChiYota]

oh yeah I can find the parts for either one honestly but for a SHTF situation like he mentioned, no one in my area has either so it would be tough for me to get a hold of them.

Yeah, I've had similar problems. I've basically started my own Toyota Parts warehouse with buying SHTF backup parts.

 

[undecided]

You could get a 80 series with a bad engine and then have a 6bt swapped into it.

i have considered that lol. I used to dream of a Jeep ZJ with a 5.9 and an Allison transmission but after discovering the cruisers with diesels I think I would rather have that. Granted parts would be easier to find with a Cummins, tough decision.

 

[undecided]

The FZJ80s have 440s and 442s in them right? Is the 343F in the Lexus equally reliable or should i just stick to a cruiser if I go gas?

 

[ewillis]

93-94 has 442. 95-97 has 343...both equally good. I would just get the cleanest FZJ you can find and start from there.

 

[scottryana]

For all intents and purposes the Land Cruiser and the LX in these years are identical.

I would stick to 94-97.

93.5-94 had the A442F
95-97 had the A343F

It is my opinion the A343F is a better transmission but that is debated quite a bit here on mud.

The FZJ80s have 440s and 442s in them right? Is the 343F in the Lexus equally reliable or should i just stick to a cruiser if I go gas?

 

[mjosoba]

Yeah, you’ll find people saying the A442 is better, and others saying the A343 is. I would happily drive either one. I personally have an A442, and am plenty happy with it. I would not let the deciding factor in a purchase be A442 vs A343.

The 6bt is a heavy engine. Lots of people have swapped to it using the nv4500-HF2AV, less have kept the stock tranny’s. I initially was worried that the front axle would suffer, but that seems to have been an unwarranted worry, as many can attest to.

 

[undecided]

Yeah, you’ll find people saying the A442 is better, and others saying the A343 is. I would happily drive either one. I personally have an A442, and am plenty happy with it. I would not let the deciding factor in a purchase be A442 vs A343.

The 6bt is a heavy engine. Lots of people have swapped to it using the nv4500-HF2AV, less have kept the stock tranny’s. I initially was worried that the front axle would suffer, but that seems to have been an unwarranted worry, as many can attest to.

Oh nice you’ve done it before? I might look around for a blown up one and consider that because every hillbilly and their brother has a Cummins truck in my area lol.

That’s good to know about the transmission because I’ve been seriously considering the LXs as well.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I currently own a 5 speed HZJ77. Never owned an 80 series or any other series for that matter but have ridden in several 80 and 60 series.

I love my 77 but it is much slower than a US spec FZJ80 for sure. 1HZ engine parts are not difficult to get as many parts for the engine are stocked in the US supply warehouses. Just need a parts guy who knows how to order them for you. It is the interior and exterior parts that can be challenging to get.

Honestly If you ask the same question in the 70 series forum, the responses will be mostly different. People seem biased in regards to the series of cruiser they own.

 

[undecided]

I currently own a 5 speed HZJ77. Never owned an 80 series or any other series for that matter but have ridden in several 80 and 60 series.

I love my 77 but it is much slower than a US spec FZJ80 for sure. 1HZ engine parts are not difficult to get as many parts for the engine are stocked in the US supply warehouses. Just need a parts guy who knows how to order them for you. It is the interior and exterior parts that can be challenging to get.

Honestly If you ask the same question in the 70 series forum, the responses will be mostly different. People seem biased in regards to the series of cruiser they own.

I was kinda worried about that lol. I think I’ll stick with the 80 series but now these people have messed me up and I’m considering gas instead of diesel now lol.