Bought my 1st FJ80, wanting some tips

[mdeane]

Hello all, I've just purchased my first Toyota. Its a 1997 Land Cruiser and I have a couple of questions, so far. I know that I may get grilled for these stupid questions, but whatever. Ive owned and built two Land Rover Discovery rock crawlers, so Im not a complete newbie to this sort of vehicle.
First off the FZJ80 I just purchased is SUPERCHARGED!!! I am told that the supercharger was installed by the factory, but the previous owner doesn't know much else.
I did some research on the VIN and it says that the truck was built in Japan... Is this correct? I know Toyota is a Japanese company but assumed they were built here in the USA.
Also I don't know if the truck has factory lockers or CDL. There don't seem to be any switches indicating this. Would the factory lockers have a noticeable switch or do they engage when put in 4-low?

Anyways I'm sure I'll have more stupid questions. I'll be posting pictures of the truck soon and starting my build thread. Thanks

 

[inkpot]

All of them were built in Japan. None of them had the Supercharger from the factory.

Hello all, I've just purchased my first Toyota. Its a 1997 Land Cruiser and I have a couple of questions, so far. I know that I may get grilled for these stupid questions, but whatever. Ive owned and built two Land Rover Discovery rock crawlers, so Im not a complete newbie to this sort of vehicle.
First off the FZJ80 I just purchased is SUPERCHARGED!!! I am told that the supercharger was installed by the factory, but the previous owner doesn't know much else.
I did some research on the VIN and it says that the truck was built in Japan... Is this correct? I know Toyota is a Japanese company but assumed they were built here in the USA.
Also I don't know if the truck has factory lockers or CDL. There don't seem to be any switches indicating this. Would the factory lockers have a noticeable switch or do they engage when put in 4-low?

Anyways I'm sure I'll have more stupid questions. I'll be posting pictures of the truck soon and starting my build thread. Thanks

All of them were built in Japan, but none of them had factory superchargers. Look left of the steering column on the dash for a dial that says Off-front-front and rear for the factory lockers.

 

[beachcomberspi]

The locker switch is on the dash. Driver side left of the steering wheel column. If there is nothing in there it will be a square black space filling piece.

Welcoma

 

[pilotuku]

Welcome!

You should see the dial on your left hand side of your panel of you have factory lockers. If open diff and no CDL, your center diff will be locked once on 4Lo.

Also, your sticker on your DS door will give you a code of K292/K294 if locked or open. Others will correct me if my codes are wrong.

It's also the first time I've heard a U.S. version with SC. And they were built in Japan for US market.

-John

 

[cjmoon]

SC was a dealer add on type thing sold through the TRD part of the organization

 

[ppc]

SC was a dealer add on type thing sold through the TRD part of the organization

Or the TRD could be customer purchased and self installed. The TRD option for the 80 series was first available in the fall of 2000. Prior to that there was a company by the name of Cameron Concepts in Southern California that would install a similar supercharger for about $10k in 1997 or so. They were Land Rover guys so there were a few parts like the air cleaner were Rover parts.

 

[baldilocks]

FYI- LandCruisers are still made in Japan because Toyota takes them seriously. Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to your new addiction, you can now adventure beyond Starbucks parking lot and feel confident.

 

[Cruzerman]

Welcome! A Rover Discovery rock crawler? Interesting! I was under the impression that their axles were too weak. In fact, the only person I know that uses his Rover for wheeling put Land Cruiser 80 series axles under it!

 

[mdeane]

Hey, I appreciate the replies! So it looks like Im not locked I think the previous owner didn't really know what he was talking about. The SC says "Kazuma" on it. Any info on that? Anyways the truck is in 8/10 condition, its just very dirty and needs paint. I plan on trying to use it to tow my Rover to wheeling events (Rover drives great, but I break things everywhere I go). As far as my comparison to my Rovers, The stock axles are much weaker, but Ive upgraded to HD axles and drivetrain. The Rover is comparable to some of the built FJs on here that Ive seen. The vehicles are very very similar, Rover CDL and transfer case is incredible, makes a great wheeler, but the Toyota axles and differentials are much beefier. The SC on stock gears makes the FJ a bit quicker than the Rover V8 with 4.11 gears.

 

[mdeane]

Rover #1 and Rover #2 Both Discoverys... I'm looking forward to the Toyota club thought, my Rovers are headaches to own

 

[ppc]

The first generation of the TRD superchargers were branded as Kazuma.

Hey, I appreciate the replies! So it looks like Im not locked I think the previous owner didn't really know what he was talking about. The SC says "Kazuma" on it. Any info on that? Anyways the truck is in 8/10 condition, its just very dirty and needs paint. I plan on trying to use it to tow my Rover to wheeling events (Rover drives great, but I break things everywhere I go). As far as my comparison to my Rovers, The stock axles are much weaker, but Ive upgraded to HD axles and drivetrain. The Rover is comparable to some of the built FJs on here that Ive seen. The vehicles are very very similar, Rover CDL and transfer case is incredible, makes a great wheeler, but the Toyota axles and differentials are much beefier. The SC on stock gears makes the FJ a bit quicker than the Rover V8 with 4.11 gears.

 

[mdeane]

ahhh, this might be another stupid question but... What kind of power can I expect out of the SCed engine? The FJ feels a little quicker than my Rover but not much. I know it's not a racecar. But I was guessing that the truck has 275hp? 315ftlbs? It feels like less. I mainly hope to tow with it and do moderate wheeling. Anyone tow 5000+ with these? I know its only rated at 5000.

 

[ppc]

The stock motor is 212 HP and 275 ft-lbs. There were claims that there was a maximum of 100 HP but it wasn't at the peak RPM. Overall the peak should be about 275 HP and the torque of 315 ft-lb might be a bit low.

I've done a great deal of towing (~35K) of my boat which I'm guessing was 4500 to 5000 lbs. It did OK but it was no rocket. Long climbs up moderate grades still would require downshifts into second to gain speed if I was slowed by other vehicles. The other thing to consider is that the 80 is a relatively short wheelbase vehicle. Depending on the type of trailer and how it is balanced front to back, the type of road like concrete with large expansion joints the ride can get rough.

 

[Corbet]

If the main reason you bought another truck was to tow I would have bought a HD pickup. But that me. Towing 5000lbs with a stock-ish SC 80 should be fine. But you will not win any races. Obviously use a brake controller.

Or sell the Discos and just build the 80

 

[BlueCruiser84]

I think I would sell the 80 and get a 2wd pickup if towing were my concern.

But I would actually sell the discos and build the 80!

 

[mdeane]

I'm not a pickup guy, I'd prefer the dual purpose towrig and wheeler... plus I got a really nice deal on it