Discriminating Against Pre 95 80's

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I used to have a rough 91 and now have a clean 97


The ONLY thing I liked more about the 91 is that I didn't give a rats ass about it

I'd drive that thing through the mud hole and let the ragged interior get filled with swampy muck, then keep on driving

Can't do that with my new gem or the wife would kill me :whoops:

That being said, if you plan on using it as a daily driver, go for a 95-97

Nicer amenities and safer (airbags)

If you plan on wheeling hard, going snorkling or using it as a work truck, then go for a 93-94 and save the leftover cash for mods

 

[LCPilot]

That all pretty well sums it up for the community opinion (mine included).

Choice based on responses in this thread and others.
1st - 95+
2nd - 93,94
3rd - 91,92
4 - 88-90
..
..
..
..
..
9999 - Walking
10000 - Crawling
Last - Heep (Even I used to own one before I saw the light)

 

[PurpleFJ62]

Pilot, you mean to tell me that you rather walk or crawl then drive a heep??? Haha, I am with you on that one, my jeep has only 71k miles on it, and its falling apart. it leeks from every where!! Rattles...has anyone ever done a comparitive analysis of a jeep TJ vs. FZJ80? Check out the front control arms, I think that sums up the entire thing. Stamped steel vs. cast iron!!

 

[bpenn1980]

Pilot, you mean to tell me that you rather walk or crawl then drive a heep??? Haha, I am with you on that one, my jeep has only 71k miles on it, and its falling apart. it leeks from every where!! Rattles...has anyone ever done a comparitive analysis of a jeep TJ vs. FZJ80? Check out the front control arms, I think that sums up the entire thing. Stamped steel vs. cast iron!!

Haha, I owned a 2004 Grand Cherokee Limited Edition when I bought my cruiser from a soccer mom. The first thing I noticed was that everything was tight and solid feeling while driving on the 13 year old toyota....couldn't say the same for the 3 year old Jeep. Sold the jeep, drive the cruiser, no looks back.

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

I still think the differences are largely immaterial and come down to personal preference. However, I would definitely say get manual seats. I somehow have manual leather seats in mine, which is awesome. also, get the dash that you fancy more. these are little things that often get overlooked, but if you interface with them everyday, might as well get something you like. old tranny v new tranny, drum v disk, non-ABS v ABS. except for the breaks, i say all those boil down to personal preference

 

[sandcruiser]

can someone post a photo of the pre 95 dash vs. the 95+ dash?

since that seems to be such a crucial point here.

 

[ToothDr]

Here are the two dashes

95+ and pre 95

 

[80t0ylc]

Comparing them side by side (thanks ToothDr), reinforces my preference for the pre '95 dash and steering wheel. I'm in the middle of my temp gauge upgrade and between RT's instructions and my FSM, I've not had any setbacks. Maybe it's just familiarity, but I really do think the older looks better.

 

[retrofive]

The pre 95 dashs look even better with the steering wheel on the correct left side lol. j/k.

 

[Tapage]

the post 95 dash its much more functional IMOP .. more flat surfaces and easy access to the radio space ..

 

[timbercruiser]

I have a 93 and a 97. The leather electric seats (97) are more comfortable. The 93 dash has a CDL switch, 97 doesn't. Both have full float ABS axles. 97 has "winter mode" for 2nd gear starts.

97 is DD
93 is trail rig

So get one of each!!!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I'd rather own an early 2F powered FJ60 than any new Big 3 truck of my choice.

I can help you out. PM me for my address and I'll trade you a nice FJ60 with an h55f for a 2009 Chevy 3/4 ton Duramax.


Back on topic, the only real problem I see with a 1993 is the refrigerant used in the A/C. I believe the 1993 had the old and now expensive R-12 stuff. Otherwise there is a ying/yang thing. 95 up got airbags 93-94 got a transmission that is heavier and has an Aussie HD rebuild available when it goes bad. (Though I really have not heard of many 95-97s with a bad tranny)

While I have great respect for F series motors, and have 3 that run and 2 that are sitting and will run, I really can't see being happy with a 3FE pushing around an 80 series. The FJ62 can just barely get out of it's own way. Disclaimer: I've never driven a 3FE powered 80.

Anyway, the best condition 93-97 80 series that you can afford is what you want, and you'd be crazy to pass up a nice condition 93 for a high mileage 97. They are all fine trucks.

 

[hoosyurdaddy]

Wow

Well Im lookin for an 80 and now I am more confused than ever.first things first.I gotta sell the FJcruiser.

 

[hoosyurdaddy]

I found this one.Looks like a keeper only no lockers1993 Toyota Landcruiser: No matter the task, this rig can do it!

 

[VinSil]

Went from a 97 to a 91.




yes, shocking.


Both are great rigs. Both were built, the 91 being built correctly with the right components and drives MUCHO better.



The 3FE is a dog. Plain and simple. I LOVE it. It doesn't worry me, gets where the rig needs to go...


In the end, sold the 97 for 10k, bought the built 91 for 5k. Leaves me lots of wiggle room for a engine swap when I can (can it be done?) kill the 3FE.



In reality, it depends on the use. Both were DD's, but 3rd vehicles. The 91 sits on 37's, locked, ready for trail duty. So, in the end, it's not much of a daily driver in most people's mind but makes the runs to costco and ball games with the kids. If I were to have a stocker or close to it, the later model rigs with their amenities are nice and the power upgrade of the 1FZ is a nice bonus. The CEL problems and little issues I had were pesky but hey, they all have their quirks so buy and enjoy.

 

[ToothDr]

To the original poster: if this thread has shown you anything it's that we love our trucks and we all think that our model year is the best. Everyone knows that all 80's are great trucks.

What is best for you depends on you. Once you sell your FJ, go test drive a 91, 93, and a 95+. Make up your mind then. A lot of the stuff talked about in this tread will make more sense once you driven a few 80's.

Pete

 

[Marco7]

I also like the mechanical slide operating hvac controls of the early 80s better than some electronic button that will go out over time.
I had older benzes before the LC and they also had the manual hvac controls, never failed.