Back with another rust check up

[Corgi4x4]

I found another one! This one looks better than the last one I posted.

This one is across the country instead of being local to me.

Anymore advice, pointers or tips are always appreciated as I’m still the “new guy” around here and to the 80 series as a whole!

 

[Corgi4x4]

Some more photos

 

[405]

Looks good to me

 

[kw90surf]

I can't tell if you're joking or not, but in my neck of the woods we'd call that "pristine"

 

[Fj80oregon]

What rust?

 

[Corgi4x4]

I can't tell if you're joking or not, but in my neck of the woods we'd call that "pristine"

I circled an area I was concerned about. I’m coming from a Jeep KL (trash bin) and with this being vintage I’m just making sure that I’m not getting in over my head with things.

 

[12bit]

I circled an area I was concerned about. I’m coming from a Jeep KL (trash bin) and with this being vintage I’m just making sure that I’m not getting in over my head with things.

that's the exhaust. i wouldn't worry about it.

 

[60wag]

The chain holding up the exhaust is a bit janky, but its the exhaust. It's a 3FE engine right?

 

[Corgi4x4]

The chain holding up the exhaust is a bit janky, but its the exhaust. It's a 3FE engine right?

Yes! It’s a 1991

 

[bhsdriller]

Looks good from here not trying to hide anything with paint like the other

Wouldn't worry about exhaust

 

[Broski]

You know what you getting into with the 3fE right ?
I WOULD HOLD OUT FOR A 95-97 as part are getting harder and harder to get for the early morals.
And we won't get into how slow and under powered the 3FE is

 

[kw90surf]

You know what you getting into with the 3fE right ?
I WOULD HOLD OUT FOR A 95-97 as part are getting harder and harder to get for the early morals.
And we won't get into how slow and under powered the 3FE is

I'm a 3FE apologist, but he makes a valid point. They're slow like a dog, but loyal like a dog.

 

[Broski]

I'm a 3FE apologist, but he makes a valid point. They're slow like a dog, but loyal like a dog.

The OP states that he’s a new guy, I just wanted to make sure he knows what he’s getting into a lot of parts have been discontinued for the 3FE and even for the OBD1 1FZ-FE 93-94s ( I own one )
They’re both dog slow by modern day standards the 3FE is just the slower of the two.

 

[Nframe]

Did you think that was rusty?

 

[bigredmachine]

rust wise looks good wouldnt worry about that. i would want to know why theres a chain around the exhaust, and it looks like either the trans or t case may have a leak as the case skid plate is looking a little wet. what you circled was just a heat shield dont even worry about that till it starts rattling then just remove it

 

[kw90surf]

The OP states that he’s a new guy, I just wanted to make sure he knows what he’s getting into a lot of parts have been discontinued for the 3FE and even for the OBD1 1FZ-FE 93-94s ( I own one )
They’re both dog slow by modern day standards the 3FE is just the slower of the two.

Agreed. I will say, the nice thing (where I live at least) is that used 3FE's and parts are dirt cheap when they come up because no one really wants them. Rotten FJ62's with running 3FE's that are just about given away, etc.. I've managed to acquire 7 3FE engines (5 I still have) in the past 5 years, and I'd say I'm into them all for <$1500 total. I now have a nice stockpile of distributors, ignition coils/ICMs, sensors, ECUs, AFMs, injectors, emissions parts, et cetera. Not to mention spare long blocks if I ever blew one up.

They're not a powerful or efficient engine, but they are tough, simple and reliable. I don't worry about parts availability or downtime now, but I also don't worry about replacing every worn or broken part with "new OEM". Used OEM or good quality aftermarket is fine with me.

While they're both considered dog slow by today's standards, the near-stock 93 1FZ 80 I've driven could be driven like a "normal car" IMO. The 3FE is noticeably slow in normal driving. While the FZ was "how fast can I accelerate in this situation?", the 3FE is sometimes "can I accelerate at all in this situation?", and sometimes the answer is "no".

A stock 3FE 80 on stock tires moves alright though. Just depends on the OP's expectations I guess.

 

[AussieHJCruza]

Eh? What rust?

 

[Mixelplix]

I don't know where you're at in PA, but if you want to drive a 3fe landcruiser, and are willing to go to the Scranton area, shoot me a PM.

 

[Corgi4x4]

The OP states that he’s a new guy, I just wanted to make sure he knows what he’s getting into a lot of parts have been discontinued for the 3FE and even for the OBD1 1FZ-FE 93-94s ( I own one )
They’re both dog slow by modern day standards the 3FE is just the slower of the two.

I don’t mind slow! I just care about reliability and something more capable than my trash-hawk jeep. It being vintage is a plus! I’m a big parts picker/junk yard dog. So I hope that helps me with parts.

Any advice or tips about the 3FE or 1FZ would be appreciated. What about 95-97? Aren’t those 1FZ’s too?

 

[kw90surf]

I think the main difference will be that while neither are impressive for power, the 3FE will occasionally struggle with normal, day-to-day driving situations (merging uphill, holding highway speed uphill, passing on a two lane road), where the 1FZ will do those things without much trouble.

More demanding use (towing on the highway, big tires/lift/weight, expecting to do 80 mph up every hill) they'll both struggle, the 3FE will just struggle more.

There's lots of documentation on here about 91-92 vs 93-94 vs 95-97, keep reading up. Most will tell you to get a 95-97, and for most people, that's probably the best bet. I like the early ones because of certain mechanical and aesthetic cues (and value for money).