are 91-92's not desirable and a question about lockers...

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T

tlhfirelion

10 Year
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Aug 28, 2014
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I've seen a few videos and posts on other boards where guys state that you don't want a 91 or 92 for "obvious reasons". They never say what those reasons are. I am not familiar enough with LC's to know what they are talking about. I'm planning to buy my neighbors LC and his is pretty awesome as far as I am concerned. Does it boil down to a 6 vs 8 cylinder debate or is there something more? I thought the early 90's motor was a holdover from the previous generation and a proven engine so it would seem to be a reliable choice.

Also, since I will not be rock crawling/hardcore off roading, do/should lockers means anything to me? His LC is 4X4 and I mainly use it for winter travel, dirt roads and light off roading.

Thank you
 
Under-powered 3FE engine that is becomming difficult to support due to discontinuance of many repair parts.
No rear FF axle or ABS or disc brakes.
No OEM locker option.
 
the issue with obtaining parts is a problem for me so I guess I'll keep looking. Dangit! Maybe I just need to buy a dadgum chevy and be done with this. lol I appreciate the replies guys.
 
maxamillion2345 said:
One could argue the 3FE is a superior engine... though underpowered for the heavy 80 series.
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Superior to the 1FZ?

Surely you jest.......


The 3FE has to get a run at pulling the skin of a custard......Simply an observation.....:meh:
 
Until you need engine parts......Simply an observation. No more,no less.
 
Only stuff you don't get are some of the EFI components.

All tune up, internal head and internal engine components are still available.

Not saying it's the smartest/most expedient route, but analogous to a Delancy route!

:lol:
 
i looked around for a while for a 93+ that was locked. Couldn't find one that was wasn't rusty, low miles etc. Found a 91 that was 2 owner with 180K on the clock for $2k. Maintenance was done at the dealer. Couldn't pass that up.Yea its not fast but neither am I. I just use it to bomb down gravel roads and do a little off road to get to some fishing and hunting spots. My advice is just buy the best rust free and well maintained one you can afford and have fun.
 
tlhfirelion said:
the issue with obtaining parts is a problem for me so I guess I'll keep looking. Dangit! Maybe I just need to buy a dadgum chevy and be done with this. lol I appreciate the replies guys.
Click to expand...

91-92's are not UN-desirable, they are just LESS-desirable to some.

Mine is a 92 and I sought it out specifically for the simplicity of it. I knew it was slow, but I trade that fact for the small amount of computer bulls**t I DONT have to put up with. It is not much more complicated to work on than my 40 series. If I want lots of power I drive my 100 series.

It sounds like you don't really need a FF rear end. If you ever need lockers, you can always add them.

I agree that the 1fz is a better match for the heavy ass 80 series, but I would not pass on a nice used locally owned 3fe, in order to purchase an unknown 1fz.

Again, they are not undesirable, just not as desirable for most LC enthusiasts. That makes 3fe's usually cheaper than 1fz.
 
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I have one of each.... The 92 is slow but starts every time ( other then one time on the beach that the fusible link failed )

The 93-97 have a significant gain in power and better rear axle and avail lockers - plus many interior upgrades

For the long haul I'd find the best 96' up cruiser or pink panty rig

but if you got a steal on a mint 91-92 and like mods you can always find a rear axle and a motor swap.....

Condition and level of service are the biggest factors IMHO
 
I need to drive one of those new ones (93+).
I have a 8/1992, the last one. Many parts state "through 7/1992", so Toyota must have changed some things for 4 months (8/92-1/93) and it is frustrating.
Under powered? YES! The response with H55F means to get a manual transmission because the automatic goes into something "lock" and you go from 75 mph to 50 up a long hill on the interstate. You are going to spend a lot of $$ to change this out, might as well put a 350 in it.
Easy to work on? YES! They nicknamed the 3FE the tractor motor. because the cam and such are on the side of the head and not on top (overhead cam) like newer vehicles. I've done some engine work and I'm a complete novice.
More dependable? Arguable! The new ones (1FZ?) has a head gasket and heater hose issue; the old ones 3FE has an oil galley that can unplug and blow the engine. And Dan says the parts are scarce, so if something goes wrong, you may be screwed.
Features? New one wins HANDS DOWN!

I use mine as a spare vehicle to drive when roads are snow covered and go canoeing and bump around the countryside a couple of times a year. I enjoy working on it, mainly to keep it running right and dependably. Daily driver? I would recommend a newer one. I've had it for 15 years, put 140,000 miles on it (240,000 total) and keep a long list of things to do on it for a hobby. I'm attached to it now and like the fact that is probably not the best of the FJ80s, it keeps me humble.
 
Just get a 3FE and never drive a newer 93+ model. You'll never know what you are missing. One thing is for sure...it is really nice not to have to worry about my head gasket.
 
Good point Ryan
Fishing analogy: I enjoy fishing for smallmouth bass in small rivers of Missouri; never been to the promised land up north in Canada - DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M MISSING! Keeps me humble and humility is powerful in that truly humble people can not be disappointed!
Sorry for getting so philosophical.

The point of the thread is "what would you recommend to a non-owner who may buy a Chevy instead?", answer NEWER! If he said, "need more room, love my FJ40, should I get 1FZ or 3FE?", answer OLDER!
 
Mine is a 91 with 131k on it when I got it. first LC I have owned. I love it. Do i wish it had more power and lockers? Yes, yes I do. Although for now it is just fine. I will eventually swap in a FF rear and add some lockers as well as a possible new engine some time in the future. As of now I just continue to enjoy it for what it is.
 
You know, from the statements made on this thread you would think that the SF rear axle is made of twigs. Do you guys see a lot of rear axles break on earlier 80 Series? I know of 1 in the last 20 years. I've wheeled mine pretty hard with 36" Swampers over the years and she's still on the original set. SF rears require less maintenance than FF rear as the bearings run in gear oil.
My 3FE starts faster and more reliably than my 97 LX450 with half the mileage.

If you're looking to compare a Chevy and a Toyota, then you don't want a Land Cruiser in the first place, and especially one that is getting long in the tooth. Go look at a certified used Sequoia or something similar to a Chevy. It's more important to be realistic in your needs than to listen to a bunch of enthusiasts.
 
I'd buy a killer 3FE at a good price-decent motor in my opinion. You won't win any races, but you'll always get there.

Early 80 series only suffer in comparison to later ones, but for $2000 or so you get a pretty bullet proof truck that has and will stand the test of time.

The real advantage of 91-91 80 series is that you can usually buy them stupid cheap. How often can you buy one of the best trucks ever made for pocket change?

Regarding SF vs FF rear axles. Be realistic about your uses, because SF and FF are exactly the same size at the splines. The FF only upgrades load carrying capacity, not torque strength.

If your use is to drive around in an iconic truck, and drive the backroads the early 80 is a great truck. It sounds like it would fit the uses of the original poster just fine.

If you want to tow, or rock crawl, you want a different truck anyway.
 
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