I am rather torn. I am trying to decide what to do and wonder if any that went from a fj80 to fj can speak up. I was dead set on a fj80 (figure 1-4k for a dead or rough engine version) and doing a diesel swap (figre 14k). This would give me 22+ mpg and a built expedition / trail rig. Now, stupid me decided to go test drive the FJ and I like it. I like it a lot. Newer parts, newer style yada yada. ANYWAY, the only downside is it's not a diesel. Now, I am stuck in the FJ now and swap a diesel at some point and be more then happy or go the fj. The 80 puts it at 20k all said and done. The FJ, while it will be new, will be 28k before the swap. I think what it comes down to, how realistic is it to think places like Proffits will be doing diesel swaps at some point.
fj80 bio-d or fj? Thoughts?
- Thread starter 83white
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83white said:
Sold my 92 80 and bought a FJ Cruiser. Pretty happy with it. Lots of power and have been getting around 18 mpg while the 80 was only getting 13 or so.
Like the 6 speed manual, diff lock and the A-Trac. I do miss the room of the 80 though.
Like you I am entertaining a diesel swap option in a few years.
For now I love driving the FJ and have driven it on some easy trails in Moab and Anza Borrego. Will lift it at some point and replace the stock street tires. I did have a chance to drive a HDJ81 in Moab and if I had to choose.....
1911
chupacabra
I own and drive both, but my FJ80 still has the stock 3FE gasoline engine. They're both great trucks, but IMO they're hardly comparable - very different except for both being Toyota 4WD.
The 80 is a tank. The thing is way heavier than an FJC and everything is heavy duty. No doubt in my mind that it would take much more abuse than an FJC. The stock gasloine engine is great for trail/expedition use; it is torquey like a tractor engine, and develops good torque at low to moderate rpm's. It is pretty bullet proof too: no timing belt or chain, simple pushrod valves, 8-quart oil sump, giant radiator, easy to work on, few known issues. Mine has almost 200K on the clock and the compression is still within a few psi of new. The A-440F auto tranny is a massive beast, it holds 20 quarts of ATF, weighs a ton, but is semi-legendary for extreme performance and reliability. The 80 holds way more stuff and is much easier to sleep in than an FJC. There is lots of aftermarket stuff available. Parts still available from Toyota, but you'll usually have to order them.
Downsides to the 80: it is heavy, it doesn't start or stop very fast. It has almost 100 less horsepower than the FJC and it weighs more. It goes through front disc pads quickly. It's scary to drive in big-city rush hour traffic. Gas mileage sucks; stock it was 11-12 mpg, by adding headers and a K&N air filter and airing up the tires to 40+ psi, I've got mine up to 14-16 mpg (the only time I got 16 mpg was with a stiff tail wind in west Texas). When it's loaded down, it's hard to keep it over 65 or 70 on the highway if there are any hills at all.
Parts can be expensive, since most of them are over-engineered. No matter how well built or maintained, a 15-year-old truck is going to need more maintenance and carry more spares than a new FJC. No rear A/C.
The FJC has plenty of power, fantastic brakes, is quiet, handles like a dream, has better A/C, gets way better gas mileage. It will go as fast as you could reasonably want. It's shorter; better on the trail but worse for carrying loot and sleeping in. But it's not made with the same weight of metal or components as the 80. I guess time will tell how it will hold up to abuse.
If was going to spend any time on the road getting to the trail, or commuting, etc. I would choose the FJC hands down. But if I was going to drive the AlCan highway or the Outback, or driving in a hurricane or when The Sh!t Hits The Fan, I would want the FJ80 no question.
As to the diesel conversion, I can't say. Personally I'm not in favor of putting non-Toyota engines in one. I know a guy on the 80'sCool mailing list who is in Canada and put an H-series Toyota diesel in his 80. He's still dicking with it trying to get everything right. If/when Toyota ever offers a diesel in an FJC, I'd trade mine in on one in a second. But the 3FE gas engine is a great trail and expedition motor. If only it got better mileage.
Good luck on your decision.
The 80 is a tank. The thing is way heavier than an FJC and everything is heavy duty. No doubt in my mind that it would take much more abuse than an FJC. The stock gasloine engine is great for trail/expedition use; it is torquey like a tractor engine, and develops good torque at low to moderate rpm's. It is pretty bullet proof too: no timing belt or chain, simple pushrod valves, 8-quart oil sump, giant radiator, easy to work on, few known issues. Mine has almost 200K on the clock and the compression is still within a few psi of new. The A-440F auto tranny is a massive beast, it holds 20 quarts of ATF, weighs a ton, but is semi-legendary for extreme performance and reliability. The 80 holds way more stuff and is much easier to sleep in than an FJC. There is lots of aftermarket stuff available. Parts still available from Toyota, but you'll usually have to order them.
Downsides to the 80: it is heavy, it doesn't start or stop very fast. It has almost 100 less horsepower than the FJC and it weighs more. It goes through front disc pads quickly. It's scary to drive in big-city rush hour traffic. Gas mileage sucks; stock it was 11-12 mpg, by adding headers and a K&N air filter and airing up the tires to 40+ psi, I've got mine up to 14-16 mpg (the only time I got 16 mpg was with a stiff tail wind in west Texas). When it's loaded down, it's hard to keep it over 65 or 70 on the highway if there are any hills at all.
Parts can be expensive, since most of them are over-engineered. No matter how well built or maintained, a 15-year-old truck is going to need more maintenance and carry more spares than a new FJC. No rear A/C.
The FJC has plenty of power, fantastic brakes, is quiet, handles like a dream, has better A/C, gets way better gas mileage. It will go as fast as you could reasonably want. It's shorter; better on the trail but worse for carrying loot and sleeping in. But it's not made with the same weight of metal or components as the 80. I guess time will tell how it will hold up to abuse.
If was going to spend any time on the road getting to the trail, or commuting, etc. I would choose the FJC hands down. But if I was going to drive the AlCan highway or the Outback, or driving in a hurricane or when The Sh!t Hits The Fan, I would want the FJ80 no question.
As to the diesel conversion, I can't say. Personally I'm not in favor of putting non-Toyota engines in one. I know a guy on the 80'sCool mailing list who is in Canada and put an H-series Toyota diesel in his 80. He's still dicking with it trying to get everything right. If/when Toyota ever offers a diesel in an FJC, I'd trade mine in on one in a second. But the 3FE gas engine is a great trail and expedition motor. If only it got better mileage.
Good luck on your decision.
I have an HDJ81, and it's a great truck that is now getting about 20 mpg US pretty much no matter where you drive (city, highway a little better). If I were you, I'd do a Cummins swap into an 80, but it is not going to be cheap. I'm assuming that's an option where you live. Then you get the best of everything in one vehicle. From my reading, it's my understanding that a 4BT can be hopped up enough that it won't destroy your drivetrain but will still vastly outperform a gas truck and get close to 25 mpg US. Or you could do a 6BT, but that would be a lot more money and work. Some of my friends have now purchased FJC's and there is just no comparison between the FJC and the 80 series. They are very, very different.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks guys. Having a heep as a harcore trail rig (built up to much for road us) I was going more for a expedition style cruiser. As for the cummins. TRhe 4bt is nice but I am more to cummins now. We will see. Anyway, thanks for the adive. For what I want it sounds like the 80 is a better option.
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
Here there some MUD memeber that actually are doing the swap in a 80 series with 6BT lots of lift required first time .. and some sort of body lift ..
not a cheap swap definately ..
not a cheap swap definately ..
