'94 vs '95-'97: Details?

[Zreego]

I'm an utter and absolute newbie and have been combing this site for a month or so tryin' to edumacate myself before posting.

I'm very interested in picking up a FZJ80 for some serious desert/wilderness exploring---not into hardcore four-wheeling or rock-crawling, but I want a very sturdy, reliable (and, yes, comfy) vehicle for going deep into various wilderness areas that can take on obstacles as necessary. After a ton of reading and research the FZJ80 seems to be exactly what I need. Of course, I've already anticipated the usual mods (ARB bars, expedition gear, etc.) but I'm left with one lingering question:

I understand that the 95-97 with lockers are the preferred vehicle for many, but how much does the '94 differ? I have been unable to find any really specific info about this---only that the FZJ80 series continued to improve over the years.

If there's a thread elsewhere I apologize in advance. It's just that I couldn't find any that addressed this specific issue.

Thanks in advance.This site has been invaluable so far.

Cheers from Vegas!

 

[Romer]

Welcome newbie. If you go to the main page for the 80's section you will see a sticky at the top called FAQ for the 80/LX450. In that FAQ is hours and hours of reading. There is a section there titled "Thinking of buying an 80". We also have a powerful search here. Click on search in the mast head. select advanced, highlight the 80's section and type in your key words. Once you look over the info that is available, let us know if you have more questions.

 

[Zreego]

Thanks Romer...

I had already read Slee's guide and the other related article only talks about 95-97s. Lots of great info though.

 

[Romer]

Thanks Romer...

I had already read Slee's guide and the other related article only talks about 95-97s. Lots of great info though.

You looked at this link? It tells the differences by year. Is there something else you are looking for?

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

 

[Zreego]

My bad. I was expecting something more dramatic I guess in terms of performance, some other radical changes. When I read the Slee newbie guide, I guess I thought I was just missing something...more dramatgic in terms of difference (maybe some big engine redesign or something). So, the sense I get is that the 94 isn't in fact radically different from the 95-97...Thatnks for your input Romer.

 

[Romer]

So, the sense I get is that the 94 isn't in fact radically different from the 95-97...Thatnks for your input Romer.

Correct, the big change came in 93 with the change in engines.

You should also read the LX450 vs 80 thread. The LX450 is a 80 series Land Cruiser with a few slight differences.

I take it your shopping. What I did was made out my criteria for what I needed in a rig:

Year range
Miles
Lockers (Yes/No)
Color
Price
Leather
Condition (rust, check out to slee guide, etc.)

Then buy the 80 of LX450 that best meets that criteria. I buty all my parts from Toyota and the differences are small, but there a few.

My criteria was

1997 Year ( Wanted the newest possible)
under 100K Miles
Lockers
No Rust
No Accidents
Leather
exclellent condition
no specific color
Under $14K ( This was two years ago)

I ended up with an LX450 that met that criteria, they seemed to be cheaper the 80 series at that time.
Then

 

[firetruck41]

I would be happy w/93 and newer and good condition, lockers, etc. The big diff is OBDII, new dash, airbags, side impact door beams, and a different tranny, not much else is dramatically different.

 

[NorCalDoug]

The differences are not dramatic.

The following applies to 93/94 vs. 95-97.
The dash changed in 95. Some of the dash switches did too.
You can get an in-dash cup holder for 95-97
Transmission changed in 95. The older one was larger, the newer one is arguably a bit smoother.
the grill changed in 1995.
The material used for flares changed from fiberglass in 94 to plastic in 95.
Airbags became available in 95.
The 94 has that funky sensor on the air filter cannister...whatever that thing is...
Wheel hub caps changed from dark centered to all grey.
ODB-II became available in 95 as well.

I'm sure I missed some minor tidbits...you should be please with either the 93/94 or the 95-97.

It should all be in one of the FAQs or newbie guides...

 

[dclee]

Are you looking for opinions? I think there are several polls on this very question (or at least one).

My $0.02, I owned both a `94 and a `97 Collectors Edition at the same time. When it came time to sell one to upgrade to a 100, I let go of the `97. But in my case, my needs were different. The `94 was not and will never be a daily driver. The `97 was, and so is the 100 now, so functionally they fulfilled the same role, thus why I got rid of the `97. For a variety of reasons I felt that the `94 was a marginally tougher truck (donning asbestos...), and for my needs it fit better and made better financial sense than keeping and modding the `97.

Either way, the differences are so minor that any 80 of the 1993-1997 vintage will do you proud.

Good luck,

 

[dclee]

I would be happy w/93 and newer and good condition, lockers, etc. The big diff is OBDII, new dash, airbags, side impact door beams, and a different tranny, not much else is dramatically different.

Nitpick mood tonight...

`93+ had side impact door beams. `91-92 did not.

 

[firetruck41]

Nitpick mood tonight...

`93+ had side impact door beams. `91-92 did not.

Pretty sure they did not come until after 93, 95 I think.

I just remember when I had my '93, when I read about the side impact door beams, I was jealous that I didn't have them, I never physically checked, that's just what I remember reading.

 

[Beowulf]

I understand that the 95-97 with lockers are the preferred vehicle for many, but how much does the '94 differ?

Just to clarify... The F&R diff lock option was available 93-97.

-B-

 

[dclee]

Pretty sure they did not come until after 93, 95 I think.

I just remember when I had my '93, when I read about the side impact door beams, I was jealous that I didn't have them, I never physically checked, that's just what I remember reading.

My `93 and `94 sales brochures show them in cut-away diagrams, and mention them in the safety features list. My `91 and `92 brochures don't. But then again, I haven't physically checked either, for all I know all 80s had them, or no 80s had them!

 

[alaskacruiser]

For a variety of reasons I felt that the `94 was a marginally tougher truck (donning asbestos...), and for my needs it fit better and made better financial sense than keeping and modding the `97.
Good luck,

Most 95-97 owners, and many 93-94 owners disagree that the 93-94 is in any way a "tougher truck" than the 95-97. Truth of the matter is, the differences are so minor that they should not sway you one way or the other, as long as you are not including daily driver occupant safety. If you are, I'd go with the 95-97 because of the dual airbags- the '95-97s are definitely better as a daily driver because of this feature and no, there hasn't been a SINGLE recorded instance of the airbags going off when offroading through even the toughest stuff.

As for other differences, they've been discussed to death- both trannies are very reliable, neither has proven weaker than the other and both can develop minor problems that probably won't even show up.

 

[Romer]

It was mentioned previously, but one nice thing about the 96+ is the OBDII. You can buy a code reader that will work on all your 96+ vehicles for troubleshooting engine lights. Although, you can use the paper clip trip to get the code from the pre 96 rig. It's not enough to really sway the decision.

 

[Zreego]

You guys rock! This is exactly the sort of discussion/debate I was hoping for, as I am in fact shopping around right now. My wife and I would love to get a stock vehicle and work on it ourselves (she's a Wisconsin farm girl) and get it ready for some serious backcountry travel. I seriously injured my knees a few years back and expedition-type backpacking is no longer an option (that is, without a morphine drip perhaps), but we miss those remote places, so a tough go-anywhere sort of vehicle seems our only option. Besides, we love "projects" and this one should keep us busy for a while . I've seen some good (and not so good deals) so far, but we're patient and are waiting for just the right thing: a 94-97 (the newer the better) with low mile and lockers. We'll put the icing on the cake once we have the cake. Thanks again.

 

[Beowulf]

... waiting for just the right thing: a 94-97 (the newer the better) with low mile and lockers.

Why are you excluding the 93? Except for the very few with rear drums, they are exactly the same as the 94 models.

-B-

 

[Zreego]

Why are you excluding the 93? Except for the very few with rear drums, they are exactly the same as the 94 models.

-B-

I guess that I'm not really---it's just that it seems pretty unlikely to find one with low mileage. I suspect I'll wind up with a 95 or later for this reason unless some nice old lady has a 93 that she's only driven to church and back each Sunday.

 

[medtro]

I have read the newbie guide.

Any ideas when the door lights were introduced?

 

[dclee]

As for other differences, they've been discussed to death- both trannies are very reliable, neither has proven weaker than the other and both can develop minor problems that probably won't even show up.

I also like the three-row brass core radiator on the older trucks, and the exhaust that stays routed above or to the side of the frame rails, rather than winding underneath them at the door sill!

But, as I said before, and alaskacruiser re-iterated, there are really no major differences, though I would agree that a `95-97 makes a better daily driver.