Early 80 series gotchas a this age?

[CharlieS]

Hi 80 forum. Hope everyone is good. I started spending way to much time on 'mud when I had my used '96 and '97 80 series starting around 15 years ago. This forum taught me how to rebuild my birfs and saved me tons of money on parts (CDan). Anyhow, I've had a few others since, including a 100 and two 200 series.

I'm thinking about picking up an early 80 for my son who will get his license next summer. I though it'd be a good father son project and he likes the idea of an "old school" land cruiser. He is interested in doing some offroad training courses and trails with the old man.

I found one that has been parked for years and is a bit of a project. It is an early 90's 80 series (not sure the exact year, but TOYOTA grille, cloth interior, not triple locked). It isn't perfect cosmetically, and has what I'd consider typical rust for the northeast (not good, but just a fact of life).

I've lurked on this forum a bit more recently, reread the FAQ, reread Slee's buyer's guide again (and as mentioned have had hands on time on two 80s).

It sounds like some parts are getting harder to find and even some no longer available.

If we get it, I'll make sure we do a full fluid swap, PHH fix, inspect/rebuild the birfs, and any other visible deferred maintenance.

As these rigs are getting longer in the tooth, are there any other spots to look out for? Any gotchas?

 

[brettk]

As these rigs are getting longer in the tooth, are there any other spots to look out for? Any gotchas?

Fuel mileage. Gets me every time.

 

[CharlieS]

Yeah, I expect the poor mileage - maybe it'll keep him closer to home. lol

After all these cruisers, I don't even think about gas mileage anymore. It's just a part of the ownership experience (although I'll say that I love the LRA tank on my 200, since it stretches out time between gas stops).

 

[bhsdriller]

3fe? some people like it for some reason and others don't

have you driven one

 

[Marco Lau]

3FE haters on here are like head gaskets problems, they will never go away...lol
Karma is a bit*h...

 

[CharlieS]

3fe? some people like it for some reason and others don't

have you driven one

I have, but it is for my son. He has nothing to compare it to, and isn't a horsepower junky or anything. I'm happy to have him in a slower tank of a vehicle than a modern subcompact death trap.

 

[CJF]

I have, but it is for my son. He has nothing to compare it to, and isn't a horsepower junky or anything. I'm happy to have him in a slower tank of a vehicle than a modern subcompact death trap.

What year is it? You only said "early 90's". 3FE is specifically 91-92. (And 88-90 60 series.)

 

[CJF]

PHH

No such animal on a 3FE.

 

[CharlieS]

What year is it? You only said "early 90's". 3FE is 91-92.

I do not know yet, I am looking at it this afternoon and will know after that. Based on the rims, I'm guessing a 91-92, but who knows since those are so easy to swap.

 

[CharlieS]

No such animal on a 3FE.

Great! Thanks. I should have researched better. I had a 96 and 97 before so different animal.

 

[Marco Lau]

look at the rear wheels, 3FE has a semi float axle and no hub in the center.

 

[gummycarbs]

Based on the rims, I'm guessing a 91-92, but who knows since those are so easy to swap.

'91 - '92 rims are 15" and won't fit on a '93+, which requires 16" or larger rim to clear the brakes. So if you see the earlier style rims, it's a '91 or '92.

 

[CharlieS]

 

[YMT]

Some gotchas now, maybe that were an issue for you back in your previous ownerships of 80s, maybe not, are;

-AFM- they're NLA, and rebuilders seem to keep dropping. Not sure if anyone is rebuilding them at the moment.
-Exterior door handles and mirrors- getting harder to find, still available aftermarket but maybe not in the finish you want.
-Some interior parts are becoming very difficult to find. Visors, door handle cups, etc.
-Factory headlights are getting hard to find, as are the trim pieces above the headlights.

I'm sure there's other parts that are getting harder to find. The above ones are what I can think of.

None of the above are insurmountable, as there's plenty of used parts still available in the classifieds. Just be aware that prices are reflecting the parts scarcity and overall increase in demand of the 80 series.

 

[80t0ylc]

Those are 15" wheels - typical of '91-'92's. You mentioned it has been "parked for years" in your 1st post. With all the greenery where it's been parked, you're probably gonna find pack rats or nests of mice and possibly chewed wires or other plastic parts. Just something to watch out for.

 

[BILT4ME]

View attachment 2805428View attachment 2805429

Based on the wheels and the rear hub cover, that is a semi-float 91-92, 3F-E

It is a seriously rusty sunny beach.

Lots of project time fixing / replacing broken bolts. Not a deal breaker, but hopefully it's CHEAP!

 

[mjosoba]

Hey @YMT , are you saying that the 91-92 door handles and such are FJ80 specific, or are you saying they’re hard to find for FJ/FZJ’s across the board?

 

[YMT]

Hey @YMT , are you saying that the 91-92 door handles and such are FJ80 specific, or are you saying they’re hard to find for FJ/FZJ’s across the board?

They're not specific to model years. Just getting harder to find good quality, and finishes are usually chrome now.

 

[mjosoba]

They're not specific to model years. Just getting harder to find good quality, and finishes are usually chrome now.

Nice. Kind of what I figured. Thanks.

 

[lp2k]

you should become friends with someone who knows and is a master at bolt extraction. I am in florida, rust free truck, but bolts do snap. When you replace a part, count your blessing, and order/use the same exact bolt from the dealer. Now, if you do not have a bff who can do bolt extractions, time to learn and prep for it.