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

[Rusty Marlin]

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…

That stove up back may change your tune, I sincerely hope you heal up well.
I tow with mine and on 33's it was very slow to get rolling with the camping trailer on stock gears.
The 4:88's are amazing for getting it launched and up to speed (all 80mph top end). It's a LandCruiser, not a Land Speeder.

 

[GraniteChief]

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.

You have a point on oem prices. My Tacoma is 17 years old, my XJ is 26, and my CJ is 38 though…I’m no stranger to old vehicles, just not familiar with the 80 series specifically. I’ll never buy something I can’t 100% fix myself and I can tell you solid axles are a lot easier to deal with lol. Now prices for, say, a front end rebuild are not in my knowledge bank. My XJ cost ~$400 in parts to rebuild/regear the front Dana 30, but aftermarket parts are a dime a dozen.

Is there a known problem with the engine blocks on the 4.5L?

 

[Lknmud]

An 80 can tow, but it will drink gas doing it. I have towed boats and cars with my '95, getting close to 7000 lbs. a couple of times. My brother has an FJ cruiser which has the same powertrain as the current 4runner and Tacoma, and I feel more comfortable towing with my truck than his. Didn't have any issues with power even on the highway in the mountains, but I was getting 8.5 mpg. This is also on 35s, not re-geared with heavy lift springs. I also did a brake upgrade kit with drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads, which I got mainly for towing. Sitting at highway speeds it loves to drop down into second gear to get up the hills, but the 1FZ doesn't care. It's got a lot of low end torque which it needs for how heavy it is. At the end of the day, neither vehicles are optimal for towing but if you're only pulling a couple thousand pounds the 1FZ-FE 80 series ('94-'97) handles it well.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

You have a point on oem prices. I put an fzj80 rear axle under my Tacoma and spent $500 alone on the actuator for the locker, and I’m not sure what aftermarket parts are available for other areas. My Tacoma is 17 years old, my XJ is 26, and my CJ is 38 though…I’m no stranger to old vehicles, just not familiar with the 80 series specifically. I’ll never buy something I can’t 100% fix myself and I can tell you solid axles are a lot easier to deal with lol. Now prices for, say, a front end rebuild are not in my knowledge bank. My XJ cost ~$400 in parts to rebuild/regear the front Dana 30, but aftermarket parts are a dime a dozen.

Is there a known problem with the engine blocks on the 4.5L?

Front end rebuild is about the same price with bearings and seals.
The lower end of the 4.5L is near on bullet proof. It's a well supported crank, that runs at low RPM and is very understressed.
The OEM parts aren't cheap, but as my buddy keeps reminding me they are a far sight cheaper than Audi or BMW parts.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Is there a known problem with the engine blocks on the 4.5L?

Cracks develop around one of the freeze plugs.

 

[SaturnAscends]

Cracks develop around one of the freeze plugs.

I’ve never heard of that; is it from overheating or just metal fatigue over time?

 

[leonard_nemoy]

I’ve never heard of that; is it from overheating or just metal fatigue over time?

I don't know what causes it but lots of blocks on here with photos of a small crack at one of the freeze plugs.

Honestly I don't think it is a big deal and I suspect people put lots of miles on these engines with the crack and no issues.

Cracked Block 1FZ-FE

Last year I noticed a crack in the engine block of my 94 FZJ80, just below a driver's side freeze plug. It's an almost identical issue to the one noted here: Leaking Freeze Plug The above thread fizzled out with no real solution so I figured I would start a dedicated thread to this issue. If...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I’d love a newer 4Runner, been wanting one for a while actually.

The wife and I drove a newer 4 runner around while we were looking for a new vehicle for her. They sure look like they'd be fun, but damn are they small inside compared to the 80 series. My 18yr old son FILLED the back seat, granted he's built like a grizzly bear, but he had no room back there and barely fit in the front seat. He doesn't really fit in the front seat of the 80 either to be honest. The 4 runner was also toyish feeling. We both felt if it was just the two of us, it would be fine, but they're smaller than they look.

 

[GraniteChief]

The wife and I drove a newer 4 runner around while we were looking for a new vehicle for her. They sure look like they'd be fun, but damn are they small inside compared to the 80 series. My 18yr old son FILLED the back seat, granted he's built like a grizzly bear, but he had no room back there and barely fit in the front seat. He doesn't really fit in the front seat of the 80 either to be honest. The 4 runner was also toyish feeling. We both felt if it was just the two of us, it would be fine, but they're smaller than they look.

This is good to know! They look huge on the outside but I haven’t been inside one. I need something considerably more spacious than an XJ. I bet those pillars and body panels are thick.

 

[ajax1]

Do you like 80s a lot? If so buy 95 plus. I own three , no head gasket issues. No freeze plug issues. Gas mileage sucks but I don’t care. If you can wrench great truck. I don’t think most parts are that bad cost wise because they last. Going to cost more then jeep stuff. If you run bigger tires plan on a regear. I let mine rev, example 4500 rpm’s up vail pass last time, keep the cooling system up to par with oem parts not China cheap and change fluids. Slowly chip away at the rest. Lockers are great if you need that stuff, but if you regear can always add no problem, I wouldn’t pay a premium for a triple locked rig. Not a fast vehicle so be ok with that. A lot of parts can be had for cheaper, denso and Asian parts can all be bought from places like rock auto that are the same minus toyota name. If you are after a crawler I’d build the taco depending how bad it is.

 

[SpenserAK]

This is good to know! They look huge on the outside but I haven’t been inside one. I need something considerably more spacious than an XJ. I bet those pillars and body panels are thick.

Yeah, lots of molded plastic crap & “filler” in newer vehicles. 80 utilizes a good amount of its available space inside the body, as does the XJ. I’ve always been impressed with the space in the jeep, relative to it being a little 14ft SUV. Both have a great field of view without all the crap & their panoramic windows.. views for days. Too many blind spots in modern stuff.

The 80 is spacious in comparison. XJ rear is around 5ft if I remember my measurement correctly? I think I’ve got 6.5ft in the 80, plus more width & height. Much easier to camp in, that’s for sure.

Have a friend who got a newer 4runner because they loved their old one, and felt cramped & lacking cargo room in comparison

 

[fjbj40]

The 80 is a great machine, as is the 5th gen 4Runner. I own both.

The 4Runner is very capable, way better at towing than the 80.

But the 80 is more pleasure to drive,

The 4Runner has 145,000 miles that I put on it. It has been stupid reliable. I live in severe rust belt. Corroded callipers, typical for here. 2 front bearings, that’s it.

The 4Runner is more claustrophobic than the Cruiser, but it’s not terrible.

Cruiser has 285000 miles, I bought it in 2019. Pretty much baselined, I also do 100% of my own work. I have spent about $8000 in OEM parts.

The 80 is extremely capable machine, can I compare them off road? Nope, I don’t pound my machines hard, they do get mild off-road use.

Either one will not disappoint you.

I feel the 4Runner will be a better DD than the Cruiser.

The Cruiser has way more interior room and I would choose it over the 4Runner if I need space.

 

[YMT]

I would really consider SAS'ing the Tacoma. I sold mine a while back and bought a new one, however, given the ease of parts, lower cost of ownership, and the fact you already have one, I'd say, keep it. FJ80s are getting more expensive to own and maintain, and parts are getting tougher to find. If you have the mechanical know-how, and potentially, a parts rig, great, pursue that. If not, I would look at others, to include everything else mentioned previously.

This also depends on how flexible you are in keeping it stock, or getting creative with alternative source parts. Some folks on here are die-hard OEM fans, since these rigs tend to puke out non-OEM parts, especially engine and associated parts under the hood. That said, some non-OEM parts you can save $ by buying as cheap as possible, except baseline parts- you really should stick to OEM.

I have a shed full of spare cruiser parts- some I can't give away, some are unobtainium. There doesn't seem to be a method to the madness, regarding parts demand. Big parts, such as tailgates and liftgates, are holding price, while passenger doors, you can't give away. Seats, in good shape, are getting to be like gold. Same with small plastic bits for the interior. Generally, large body panels aren't worth much; but they're getting harder to find, so this could quickly change. Small stuff, like headlights, plastic headlight surrounds, and others, seem to be impossible to find- if you do, you pay through the nose.

Your Tacoma still has parts availability, has higher tolerance for non-OEM, or rather, auto parts store available parts. Plus, they're still available at salvage yards, in addition to a plethora of 4runners. Unfortunately, the 80 series doesn't have a shared platform for alternative part sources. Some parts can be used from more readily available Tacomas, Tundras, etc.

Many others have already mentioned the age of the vehicle. That, and parts availability, and ease of working on a vehicle myself, are reasons why I look at older or vintage vehicles.

 

[audi2nr]

The last 2 sentences of your first post paragraph scream GX470. I keep kicking my self for selling my 08'. Power, comfort, room, off road capability in terms of general 4x4 duties, not crawler duties. Towing and freeway speed capability, decent mpg. I love my turbo 80 I'll never give it up but like it's been said. you'll get an 80 and then immediately want or sometimes need to dump 15/20k into it to make ownership painless otherwise it will just be a slow nickle and dime death. Sole reason I'd choose a gx over 4runner is the body, the interior space is massively different imo.. all while sharing the same good platform plus the V8. Turn the xj into a crawler buy a gx for the lighter duty camping/travel rig

 

[Devils Paw 80]

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

Totally subjective. I would say less than 5K is cheap. Over 10K is expensive.
How about buying another Tacoma with the insurance money? Something you’re familiar with and way better MPG than an 80.

 

[fj80psi]

Hello! for a unbiased conversation by phone dm me. I own 2 100s a 200 and 4 80s and work on them daily. I Support Mud members with experience and could possibly sway you based on your needs.

 

[Fj80oregon]

If you can wrench and buy a truck with good maintenance history you will be just fine. Don’t let these guys scare you! It’s just a older truck that needs upkeep. Nothing crazy mud tends to say replace s*** when it’s not necessary. Buy one love it! They suck at towing so be aware of that. The 2uz in the 100 series is a beast buy a 100 and never look back.

 

[John Young]

I've just had the experience of fiddling with a 1998 Prado, which is basically a 4Runner under the skin. Comparing the Little Prado to my 80's, everything on the 80 is about twice as thick and heavy. All of the points mentioned above are well-taken, but I have to say that if your towing needs are modest, an old Prado might be worth considering. There are some really interesting models, turbo diesels, for example. And we could use a little more love over in the 90 Series forum.

 

[LEDLITES]

Hi OP, I bought a 97 Lexus LX450 aka LC80 with all the bells and whistles. 210k miles and no rust. Lots of work done very recently, baselined replaced the front Diff. This week its going in for paint. I am also waiting to purchase an ARB bumper to replace the OEM one. I have to register it but if you're interested, I can do 13.500 or 12250 if you want to buy it with the oem bumper. I am located in NYC. I should be wrapped up with it next week.

 

[bhsdriller]

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

6 years ago I paid 5k for my 95 in pretty mint condition with factory lockers are 180k on it. Now would probably be 20k+