Considering Replacing My Tacoma with an FZJ80, What Should I Know?

[GraniteChief]

I wrecked my 2005 Tacoma and the front end is destroyed. It’s a total loss with insurance, and the only way to bring it back to life is likely to SAS it. So, I can begin a 1+ year project, or buy something else. My currently running vehicle is a 1996 Jeep XJ, which is a bit on the small side but otherwise I really like. It’s a good crawler candidate, but my Tacoma was my desert overlanding rig that I slept in the back of. It hauled a LOT of gear, towed trailers well, and was both comfy and reliable.

Would an 80 series cover a lot of the same bases as the Tacoma, or is it closer to the XJ in size/comfort/ability? What should I know about the 80 series and what years to look at? I know 92+ has rear discs so I’d want 92+, but I don’t know other differences in later years. I haven’t been inside one since the 90’s.

Edit: my price range is limited to what my insurance will pay me for my 2005 Tacoma, preferably less…

 

[Dirt Ferguson]

Slee 80 Series newbie guide

80 Series Newbie Guide - Slee Off Road

As soon as the excitement of the purchase starts to fade, the questions start popping up. What modifications can I make? What are those 4 bolts on the back

sleeoffroad.com

 

[leonard_nemoy]

A fzj80 will tow but not like your Tacoma. Personally I think you should be checking out a newer 4 runner.

80 series used to be a really good bang for the buck offroad vehicle. They are still amazing offroad vehicles but they are getting more expensive, more outdated, more difficult to find parts, and they are becoming more valuable as a collectible type vehicle.

Going forward I will not buy another 80 series as a "user". My next "user" 4x4 will be a 4 runner, 100 series, or tundra.

 

[SpenserAK]

I would take a look in the FAQ thread and the Slee link above, as all of your questions are answered and then some - fun learning.

80 is notably bigger than an XJ, more like a Sequoia range. Re: capability, one of the best - many say the best - factory offroaders we ever got in the US. However - the first key thing to embrace is despite how solid they are, the youngest is approaching its 26th birthday. Name of the game with any older vehicle, especially one that gets out there, is to focus on baselining all the systems. It’s not always cheap, but with the immense resources on this forum, and if you do your own work & enjoy it, it’s attainable.

An 80 can also hold a lot, but if you need solid towing, I would look at something else more modern & set up for it.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Also an 80 series will easily be a 1+year project to properly base line and bring to proper working condition to where you can trust it for overlanding in places like utah without worrying about being stranded by a 25+ year old vehicle.

 

[GraniteChief]

A fzj80 will tow but not like your Tacoma. Personally I think you should be checking out a newer 4 runner.

80 series used to be a really good bang for the buck offroad vehicle. They are still amazing offroad vehicles but they are getting more expensive, more outdated, more difficult to find parts, and they are becoming more valuable as a collectible type vehicle.

Going forward I will not buy another 80 series as a "user". My next "user" 4x4 will be a 4 runner, 100 series, or tundra.

I’d love a newer 4Runner, been wanting one for a while actually. They are so incredibly expensive though…like 30k minimum. The only reason I’d be considering buying something is because of the insurance payout, and to compensate for missed work from the accident I need to spend less than what the Tacoma is worth. I found a nearly stock 1996 80 series with factory lockers and 215k on the odometer. Not sure if I should bite or swap some JK axles under the Tacoma and hope it works out. It’s pretty crunched up front.

 

[Dirt Ferguson]

Please share with the group this 80 series that is triple locked for $12K @GraniteChief

If you do not buy it, someone else on here will at that price, provided it's not a rust bucket, or totally FUBAR otherwise.

 

[gummycarbs]

My currently running vehicle is a 1996 Jeep XJ, which is a bit on the small side but otherwise I really like

You will find an 80 to be somewhat roomier, and have a better ride, but it's a slow, gas-guzzling pig by comparison.

My parents had a 4.0 4-door XJ. That thing was quick, but it was bouncy and noisy on the freeway. I hated it, but I understand the value proposition. A long bed MJ, by comparison, was a smooth, luxurious ride at speed.

 

[GraniteChief]

I would take a look in the FAQ thread and the Slee link above, as all of your questions are answered and then some - fun learning.

80 is notably bigger than an XJ, more like a Sequoia range. Re: capability, one of the best - many say the best - factory offroaders we ever got in the US. However - the first key thing to embrace is despite how solid they are, the youngest is approaching its 26th birthday. Name of the game with any older vehicle, especially one that gets out there, is to focus on baselining all the systems. It’s not always cheap, but with the immense resources on this forum, and if you do your own work & enjoy it, it’s attainable.

An 80 can also hold a lot, but if you need solid towing, I would look at something else more modern & set up for it.

In what way does the 80 series lack in towing? It looks like the engine specs aren’t too different than my Tacoma, but lower revving I’m guessing. It also has 4 wheel disc brakes. The Taco is rated at 6500lbs, the 80 is 5500 if I remember correctly? The Tacoma does have a longer wheelbase at 122”, so I’m guessing it’ll be more stable on the freeway, but I’m not sure by how much.

 

[GraniteChief]

Please share with the group this 80 series that is triple locked for $12K @GraniteChief

If you do not buy it, someone else on here will at that price, provided it's not a rust bucket, or totally FUBAR otherwise.

I’ll share if I don’t buy it. I’m laid up with a broken back and bad concussion, maybe the universe is taking pity on me . I hear back from insurance later this week. Is 12k that good?

 

[Dirt Ferguson]

Heal up, that sounds rough. Concussions are no joke.

 

[SpenserAK]

In what way does the 80 series lack in towing? It looks like the engine specs aren’t too different than my Tacoma, but lower revving I’m guessing. It also has 4 wheel disc brakes. The Taco is rated at 6500lbs, the 80 is 5500 if I remember correctly? The Tacoma does have a longer wheelbase at 122”, so I’m guessing it’ll be more stable on the freeway, but I’m not sure by how much.

It’ll tow, just depends on your specific needs in that regard, I suppose. Others can answer that more in depth - I only use mine for my 18ft skiff & camping gear within a 15 mile range, only about 1200lb, so not a ton of personal experience with it beyond that

 

[bhsdriller]

If I didn't buy mine back when they were cheap I wouldn't get one now
Current prices are crazy

Might be rated for 5,500lbs but good luck

 

[Francis K]

For daily driving get a 100 series or newer.

An 80 will bleed you dry with little things and it won't be nearly as practical and comfy.

 

[Ballsie]

^^^^^ X2 ^^^^^

 

[GraniteChief]

If I didn't buy mine back when they were cheap I wouldn't get one now
Current prices are crazy

Might be rated for 5,500lbs but good luck

If I didn't buy mine back when they were cheap I wouldn't get one now
Current prices are crazy

Might be rated for 5,500lbs but good luck

How cheap is cheap and how expensive is expensive? What would you think they’re worth not accounting for current market value?

 

[leonard_nemoy]

In what way does the 80 series lack in towing? It looks like the engine specs aren’t too different than my Tacoma, but lower revving I’m guessing. It also has 4 wheel disc brakes. The Taco is rated at 6500lbs, the 80 is 5500 if I remember correctly? The Tacoma does have a longer wheelbase at 122”, so I’m guessing it’ll be more stable on the freeway, but I’m not sure by how much.

An 80 series was designed when max speeds were 65mph

It only makes 215HP and weighs almost 5,000lbs without any modifications.

Add 20+ years, bigger tires, a lift, and armor, and factor in neglect and that should give you a good idea of why they suck at towing.

You can tow with them but a modern rig would tow much better.

A $12,000.00 triple locked 80 series could easily end up costing $30,000.00 a year into ownership after a head gasket, mods, and fixing all the other 25 year old problems. Plus you would still be driving a 30 year old motor that only makes 215HP with a 3 speed + OD tranny in a vehicle designed to travel at 65mph even though in a state like Utah the speed limit is now 80 mph.

Trust me, the average I15 speed in Utah is 90mph, trying to drive my 80 series up I-15 anymore is just plain scary. 10 years ago it wasn't bad nowadays I am constantly blocking traffic on the I-15 and getting passed by semi trucks. And that's with no towing.

When I tow a small trailer and motorcycle my 80 will hardly get out of its own way. Again, yes you can tow with an 80, but would you really want to? Especially if you live in a mountainous region like Utah or Colorado for example.

Florida would be a whole different experience.....

 

[SaturnAscends]

Yeah with their age, FZJ80s can be a bit of a hassle to own nowadays. Then again, they limp really well, so if you don’t mind driving a beater they’ll take a lot before they actually stop moving; just keep an eye on your oil and coolant levels.

For your purposes I’d look at 4th gen 4Runners and GX470s; these days they’re probably better value than an 80 series. They just don’t have the 90s cool factor and the solid front axle, but they’re still very capable off-road and will be way better for daily driving.

 

[GraniteChief]

An 80 series was designed when max speeds were 65mph

It only makes 215HP and weighs almost 5,000lbs without any modifications.

Add 20+ years, bigger tires, a lift, and armor, and factor in neglect and that should give you a good idea of why they suck at towing.

You can tow with them but a modern rig would tow much better.

A $12,000.00 triple locked 80 series could easily end up costing $30,000.00 a year into ownership after a head gasket, mods, and fixing all the other 25 year old problems. Plus you would still be driving a 30 year old motor that only makes 215HP with a 3 speed + OD tranny in a vehicle designed to travel at 65mph even though in a state like Utah the speed limit is now 80 mph.

Trust me, the average I15 speed in Utah is 90mph, trying to drive my 80 series up I-15 anymore is just plain scary. 10 years ago it wasn't bad nowadays I am constantly blocking traffic on the I-15 and getting passed by semi trucks. And that's with no towing.

When I tow a small trailer and motorcycle my 80 will hardly get out of its own way. Again, yes you can tow with an 80, but would you really want to? Especially if you live in a mountainous region like Utah or Colorado for example.

Florida would be a whole different experience.....

You guys have me wondering if I should try to SAS and resurrect the Tacoma. It’s stock curb weight is about 1k below the 80 series but I’m sure weighs close to 6k as it sits. Torque is about the same, but has an extra 30hp. The thing about the Tacoma is that I already replaced everything that would/did wear out at 215k miles/17 years.

I don’t go to mechanics, haven’t in 15 years, so I’d be surprised to spend 18k in parts…how much actually wears out on these things? I thought Toyotas from the 90’s were the best. I can say from experience the 2nd gen Tacomas are not all they’re cracked up to be. I replaced the complete AC system at 120k and the head gaskets at 180k…

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Toyotas from the 90’s were the best.

They are the best lol

But they were also made 20 - 30 years ago.

And if you don't see yourself spending 18k on parts and modifications than start researching the cost of OEM parts for 80 series because they are not cheap.

I could easily drop $15k on aftermarket mods for an 80 series lol. And I could also easily see spending big $$$$ on a new oem block.