92 FJ80 Reliability questions (1 Viewer)

[AJM0617]

Ok guys, beside my 92 FJ80, I currently own a 95 BMW 325is.. and I have been thinking/needing to sell it because money just got tighter and I'm almost to a point where I can't really afford 2 vehicles. If I sell my bimmer, I'm gonna be down with one car which is my FJ80. before I sell my bimmer, I really want to know how reliable the FJ80s are with 3FE motor.. I know i know, it's a slow motor, but I grew up a little sooner where I really don't care about speed that much anymore It might not be a great choice for daily driving vehicle, but I really don't wanna get rid of my LC. I just want to know how reliable it is, how dependable it is. it's a 1992 FJ80 with 204,000 miles. (I think it's pretty low mileage for its year) is there anything I need to worry about my LC?

I use to only have the BMW and I decided to buy the LC because I usually go out in the woods to go shooting and at the time I was thinking it's nice to have a secondary vehicle. I chose the LC because I've always like 'em ever since I was a kid. but now things have change and I have to get rid one of my car. So to all FJ80 drivers who knows more than I do, I need to know more about this vehicle..

Thanks in advance

 

[Bjohnston115]

Unrivaled reliability. People on here with 400k and up miles on the 3fe.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

Our 92 has around 326K and is hands down the most reliable vehicle I've owned.

 

[Goose64]

Love mine, has never let me down, Cross country, daily driver. Repairs are simple and mostly low cost. PM goes a long way, and is the majority of my cost. Sometimes I think I could just quit doing them lol.

 

[FJ80Duo]

418K and no worries! Plan on a couple of 2000 mile trips here this spring. I like the 91 (similar to your '92) better than my wife's '97 LX450 with the SOHC (which is also a great ride). The 3FE has been even more bullet proof and a little easier to work on in general (no air bag, no ABS, no timing belt...). Easier to reach stuff with the 3FE (except the dipstick). And I like the rag seats instead of leather. I do wish I had my wife's full lockers. Like all cruisers, you'll have to attend to the front axle and CV joints every 100K or 2, depending on how much you abuse it. But they're really not that hard to do.

 

[AJM0617]

418K and no worries! Plan on a couple of 2000 mile trips here this spring. I like the 91 (similar to your '92) better than my wife's '97 LX450 with the SOHC (which is also a great ride). The 3FE has been even more bullet proof and a little easier to work on in general (no air bag, no ABS, no timing belt...). Easier to reach stuff with the 3FE (except the dipstick). And I like the rag seats instead of leather. I do wish I had my wife's full lockers. Like all cruisers, you'll have to attend to the front axle and CV joints every 100K or 2, depending on how much you abuse it. But they're really not that hard to do.

I meant to ask.. what does 3FE motor use if there is no timing belt? Sorry for the stupid question but im new to LC world and not familiar with the motor... yet

 

[timzim]

My concern about the 91/92 variety is the brakes. Can you guys comment on this -- worth swapping to discs?

 

[SPECTRE]

I meant to ask.. what does 3FE motor use if there is no timing belt? Sorry for the stupid question but im new to LC world and not familiar with the motor... yet

GEARS !!!!!!

 

[bhmmapping]

It all depends on PM but it should be one of the most reliable vehicles you could find. I am almost at 250K and mine has required some maintenance but has always given ample warning when something needed replacing.

 

[TrustyToyota]

I had motor issues with my '92, but it was all due to a lack of the PO's competence. All vehicles need maintenance, and that failed motor was proof that the 3FE is no exception.

I actually had troubles finding support on my motor issues when they came up because in general, the 3FE's have very few issues. Mine were really unfortunate, but I replaced the hacked up original motor with a "lightly used" (~190000mi) motor, changed the fluids and belts, and haven't looked back.

That being said, all of the work I have done on the truck has been rather easy (relative to similar work on a different vehicle). The motor is straight forward, and there is little that can't be done with a little patience and the FSM.

 

[Bendcruiser]

I have had my 91 for about 6 months. The main reason I got it (other than looks) is the legendary reliability and access to parts. I have done quite a bit since getting it and I plan on keeping it for quite a long time. Every time I post that it has 165,000 the comments are "just breaking in" I really believe that's true,keep it! I just dumped my wife's bummer nothing but fuel pump problems it was an 09, 335 twin turbo. I like my $3100 LC better than the $54,000 BMW!!!

 

[AJM0617]

Thanks for all the input

 

[AJM0617]

I have had my 91 for about 6 months. The main reason I got it (other than looks) is the legendary reliability and access to parts. I have done quite a bit since getting it and I plan on keeping it for quite a long time. Every time I post that it has 165,000 the comments are "just breaking in" I really believe that's true,keep it! I just dumped my wife's bummer nothing but fuel pump problems it was an 09, 335 twin turbo. I like my $3100 LC better than the $54,000 BMW!!!

Lol.. My 95 325is is been reliable to me ever since i got it 3 years ago. I also replaced the fuel pump since it was weak already and filter. Other than that its been reliable to me.. got stuck in the woods one time from 7pm til 4am coz the gravel road decided to freeze up and could not climp up the hill with the bimmer (i know its s bimmer not a off road car) but i just cant see myself getting rid my 92 LC than the bimmer.

 

[FJ80Duo]

Gears, yeah. It's a pushrod engine, cams in the bottom end. You pick up some welcome power and acceleration with the overheads, but there are costs as well.

 

[jonheld]

Bottom line. It's a 20 year old vehicle. If you have been good to it, it will be good to you. But parts wear out over time. Mine is a DD and I have just about 240K on her. She runs like a top, but I stay on top of the maintenance issues and replace what needs replacing with OEM parts. There are certain things you can let go for a while, but they will come back to bite you.

I drove mine from Jersey to Moab and back last Spring and will do it again for Cruise Moab in May. She has her quirks, but I know what they are.