Finally got my FZJ80! 1997 $2500

[Yoche]

I sold my '76 FJ40 over a year ago and have been missing it since. I've always loved the FJ80's but they have become more and more difficult to find over the years. Then last week I went on Craigslist and found one for $2500! The lady selling it got it from her brother(who purchased it in FL) and was moving to CA and needed to get rid of it. Very little surface rust(rare for MN), but its got high miles, 315k. Drivetrain is solid still and body is in great shape besides the passenger door.

I'll be doing cosmetic work on it at first; raptor line desert tan/black highlights, headlights/tail light upgrade, rims, etc. After that the engine is going to get a rebuild and the suspension upgraded. Wheel bearings and tie rod ends need to be replaced also.

I'm still new to the 80's so let me know what you guys suggest and I'll keep this thread updated with progress! I'm looking mainly for price conscious upgrades as this is my first rodeo with the 80.

 

[jpoole]

Looks like a very original 80, down to the damage multipliers, congrats!

Everybody has got their own approach but I'd focus on making it safe and reliable first and try to get some miles on it before you get into many mods from stock or into much cosmetic work. Going through the brakes, updating the cooling system, rebuilding axles, changing fluids, replacing all suspension bushings, etc. are the types of items I'd focus on first. Waiting on tire size changes, ride height changes, etc. until after you get a feel for how it should handle/perform in stock trim can give you a good comparison point for any mods you do add in the future.

Raptor liner is hard to remove and at least in the pictures it looks like your 80 may respond well to a proper touchup/wash/polish/wax. Liner has it's place and some folks love it but I'd only consider it on a hardcore trail rig myself. Adding liner to your 80 will hurt it's resale value considerably as well so factor that in.

Good luck and welcome to the party.

 

[Yoche]

Looks like a very original 80, down to the damage multipliers, congrats!

Everybody has got their own approach but I'd focus on making it safe and reliable first and try to get some miles on it before you get into many mods from stock or into much cosmetic work. Going through the brakes, updating the cooling system, rebuilding axles, changing fluids, replacing all suspension bushings, etc. are the types of items I'd focus on first. Waiting on tire size changes, ride height changes, etc. until after you get a feel for how it should handle/perform in stock trim can give you a good comparison point for any mods you do add in the future.

Raptor liner is hard to remove and at least in the pictures it looks like your 80 may respond well to a proper touchup/wash/polish/wax. Liner has it's place and some folks love it but I'd only consider it on a hardcore trail rig myself. Adding liner to your 80 will hurt it's resale value considerably as well so factor that in.

Good luck and welcome to the party.

The wheel bearings and tie rods will be the first to be replaced. Brakes are ok, rear needs new rotors and pads. Cooling was worked on prior to purchase. Suspension seems good for now except the tie rods, but the bushings should be done too. Any suggestions on tie rods and bushings?

Paint is okay and could probably be cleaned up, but I like the raptor line personally and also don't like regularly washing my vehicle, hence the desert tan . I'm not too worried on resale since I paid 2500. Really, my goal is to drive it for as long as possible and enjoy it while doing so

 

[enox]

Looks like a very original 80, down to the damage multipliers, congrats!

Everybody has got their own approach but I'd focus on making it safe and reliable first and try to get some miles on it before you get into many mods from stock or into much cosmetic work. Going through the brakes, updating the cooling system, rebuilding axles, changing fluids, replacing all suspension bushings, etc. are the types of items I'd focus on first. Waiting on tire size changes, ride height changes, etc. until after you get a feel for how it should handle/perform in stock trim can give you a good comparison point for any mods you do add in the future.

Raptor liner is hard to remove and at least in the pictures it looks like your 80 may respond well to a proper touchup/wash/polish/wax. Liner has it's place and some folks love it but I'd only consider it on a hardcore trail rig myself. Adding liner to your 80 will hurt it's resale value considerably as well so factor that in.

Good luck and welcome to the party.

Lol I have 2 dents from the PO's damage multipliers

 

[jpoole]

Post #20 on the following page includes the suspension bushing parts you will need to do a pretty full replacement:

$800 Quote for installing a lateral control rod bushing and Sway Bar bushings.

I used Cruiser Outfitters to source the replacement rod ends on my 80 and was pleased, as always, with the service, price and parts quality:

Cruiser Outfitters

 

[clx16]

Nice... stolen! congrats. Welcome!

 

[lazy]

Congrats, nice to see an appropriately priced rig.

One of the best "upgrades" ive done is new seat foam and leather covers. Spendy for sure, but it's nice not hopping in a truck that has ripped up srst covers.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Congratz

At 315k, she's just getting broken in

 

[Kirrawee]

G'day,
Congrats and happy days.
My current '96 model cost me 5k aud and has 165k kms on it.
Gave it a good clean up, washed and double washed everything then did it again, steam cleaned the engine and bay, chassis, interior etc.
Interior looks like new @ Aussie spec.
Flushed out all fluids, new pads all round, new light globes all round blah blah blah.
Got rid of the cow catcher and fitted std front bar. OME , ARB mods will follow once we get past Christmas.
The thing runs sweet except for shocks and bushes.


Enjoy, hit me up if you have any dramas, had a couple of these trucks , glad to help if I can.

 

[Mater Stout]

Love my Raptor Liner LX450

 

[voorland80]

I sold my '76 FJ40 over a year ago and have been missing it since. I've always loved the FJ80's but they have become more and more difficult to find over the years. Then last week I went on Craigslist and found one for $2500! The lady selling it got it from her brother(who purchased it in FL) and was moving to CA and needed to get rid of it. Very little surface rust(rare for MN), but its got high miles, 315k. Drivetrain is solid still and body is in great shape besides the passenger door.

Congrats & welcome
isn’t that a Collector Edition

 

[Pippylongsausage]

That does look like a collectors edition. Nice grab, is it locked?

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

G'day,
Congrats and happy days.
My current '96 model cost me 5k aud and has 165k kms on it.
Gave it a good clean up, washed and double washed everything then did it again, steam cleaned the engine and bay, chassis, interior etc.
Interior looks like new @ Aussie spec.
Flushed out all fluids, new pads all round, new light globes all round blah blah blah.
Got rid of the cow catcher and fitted std front bar. OME , ARB mods will follow once we get past Christmas.
The thing runs sweet except for shocks and bushes.


Enjoy, hit me up if you have any dramas, had a couple of these trucks , glad to help if I can.

View attachment 2430438

Do all Aussie rigs come with LX style wheels like that?

 

[davidp14]

Very nice!! I thought I got mine for a good price.

Welcome.

My advice: focus on the engine and drivertrain first. Especially since you mentioned you want to be budget conscious. The engine is likely going to be more expensive than you thought and its better to spend the money there than on paint and lifts.
As cool as that stuff is, it won't be quite so cool if it doesn't run.

At 315 I'd be considering a PM hg at least if not a rebuild. Folks here will say its not necessary, and it probably isn't, but it would be a nice step towards reliability for the future.

 

[John Young]

My additional suggestion is to go through all the hoses. Especially the ones at the back including the riser to the heater control valve and back into the firewall and out again. That riser runs right by the block and does get exposed to a fair amount of heat. And I'd also do a good flush of the cooling system with focus on the heater core--I'd do that even if the PO says that they had cooling system work done. I've also been seeing Mudders suggest carefully inspecting the heater control valve because the plastic gets brittle with age.

I'd also suggest using wire-type hose clamps rather than the screw type:

 

[Yoche]

Congrats & welcome
isn’t that a Collector Edition

That does look like a collectors edition. Nice grab, is it locked?

It is locked and a collectors edition.

At 315 I'd be considering a PM hg at least if not a rebuild. Folks here will say its not necessary, and it probably isn't, but it would be a nice step towards reliability for the future.

I plan to have the engine rebuilt soon. It runs good overall but with the mileage I think it would be better to do it sooner than wait for it to be needed.

 

[Broski]

con grades nice find and best color ha ha
I would say welcome but I see you have been a member for 12 + years, 7 post in 12 years most be some kind of record.
You still get the official salute

 

[Pippylongsausage]

It is locked and a collectors edition.


I plan to have the engine rebuilt soon. It runs good overall but with the mileage I think it would be better to do it sooner than wait for it to be needed.

Dang, you stole it! I have the exact same truck in 6M1 that I also got an amazing deal on. Dude let his teenager run the oil dry and I picked it up for a grand with a 150k miles and a seized engine. I put a lot more into it since then and it's finally shaping up to be a nice ride.

Lets see some interior shots.

 

[Yoche]

con grades nice find and best color ha ha
I would say welcome but I see you have been a member for 12 + years, 7 post in 12 years most be some kind of record.
You still get the official salute

I didn't even realize I was still a member here until I went to post this haha.

Dang, you stole it! I have the exact same truck in 6M1 that I also got an amazing deal on. Dude let his teenager run the oil dry and I picked it up for a grand with a 150k miles and a seized engine. I put a lot more into it since then and it's finally shaping up to be a nice ride.

Lets see some interior shots.

Yeah, when I saw it for sale i was excited. Only about 2 hours from where I live. Had my mother give me a ride up there, the whole time having to hear that 315k miles is too many and she couldn't understand how it could be worth much more than $2500

I'll try to get some interior shots later today. The wood trim is shot except the center and the seats and carpet need to be replaced yet, everything else just needs a good detail.

 

[clx16]

my carpet looked shot,,, simple green and some carpet cleaner with my pressure washer got it looking new again. something to consider. for the cost of new carpet you can get a pressure washer.