FJ80 reliability (1 Viewer)

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Panda Cub

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I am contemplating purchasing a 92 landcruiser with about 130k miles from texas; asking $6500. The seller claims it has been serviced regularly, and appears to be good working order. I am looking to purchase this vehicle to be my daily driver, and to be the tow vehicle for when I purchase a boat. The reason I am not looking at a newer, more expensive vehicle is because I would rather spend more on the boat than a truck.

Are these landcruiser reliable? I am pretty good with a set of tools, due to my upbringing; I worked in the family auto body shop 6-10th grade as a kid, and my dad is a mechanic.

I have been told the common problems with these vehicles are the wiring harnesses, and the O2 sensors; what else is problematic on these vehicles?

Please let me know your opinions and experiences on these trucks.

I know the trans, differential and transfer case are extremely heavy duty, and rarely go out on these vehicles; is there any info you can give me to help me with my decision?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Whoo doggy, you will definitely get some good responses;)

Slee's page covers it pretty good. Opinions of which year to own will vary, search the site, you'll find the whole spectrum. How big a boat you towing? You may be better served by the 93+ with the 4.5L

Slee - 80 Series Land Cruiser Newbie Guide

As far as reliability, LCs are reliable trucks, parts are a little more expensive than your usual US built stuff, but is better quality. How much trouble you will have will all depend on how much TLC the PO put into the truck. Remember, you are buying a 15+ year old truck and what one person considers "regular service" might not be what you would consider good. If you are good with auto maintenance, get the FSM from the dealer and fix stuff as you go.

Couple of good threads

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-...costs-ownership.html?highlight=jeep+80+series

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-...r-jeep-wrangler.html?highlight=jeep+80+series
 
That price is way too high IMHO. I'm not sure if you'll be happy towing w/ that motor as well. From what I've read on this board it's a little underpowered.
 
What is a good price?

I'll be towing a mastercraft prostar 190 ski boat.
 
IMHO, that price is too steep for a 96-97... especially for a 92.
I agree/disagree regarding power... you shouldn't pull too much weight with a 91-92 OR a 93-97... the power difference between the two are neglible for someone who has never driven either...
that low mileage is awesome though and properly maintained will last 3 times longer.
 
Panda Cub said:
What is a good price?

I'll be towing a mastercraft prostar 190 ski boat.
Click to expand...

$3000 in this economy.
In the last 13 months I've sold a 'built/modded' 91, bought a stock 96 and sold it, and bought a 'built/modded' 94.... every transaction was under $3500...

That $6500 makes me think your dealing with a dealer...
 
I have found the LC to be very reliable. It sounds like you can turn a wrench so you will be in good company here. Parts are expensive as you should buy Japanese OEM stuff instead of Chinese junk. You just have to properly maintain it.

They are not 0-60 speed demons but that's not what they are built for. Gas mileage is a pathetic but your driving around in a tank.

I have 212,000mi and have not had any problems with wiring harness or O2 sensors. I had to replace the radiator and rotors. They eat brake pads up quickly.

$6500 seems pricey but 130k mi is low and they do not make many LC's to start with.

It's neat driving around in a legend looking at 'lesser' vehicles surrounding me.

Also, off road they are great.
 
I'd like to buy a vehicle with under 150k on it, are these vehicles pretty solid up until 300k?
 
The car can go to 300K miles, but at this age, it is not about the mileage anymore.
all the rubber, plastic, o-rings, hoses etc are old and can let go any time.
so if properly replaced it will be reliable. If not, it is uphill battle and gets you into love-hate relationship.
 
for towing comparision I tow my Malibu Sunsetter with my 95 FZJ sometimes. Remember, the newer engines have a bit more power than the truck that you are looking at. While mine does fine around town and up small hills, I don't really like taking it over the steep long grade on the way to one of our local lakes. I feel like I am abusing the ttruck going up it winding the engine out. My boat is much heavier than a prostar so you would probably be in a similiar propotional weight to power setup that I am at. Overall, yes these are sturdy rigs, but I agree that $6500 is a bit steep. Baybe for a 95 or newer that would be ok, but I would look for something else in your shoes.
 
I suppose if towing is your primary use... stay away from these cruisers... get a heavy duty truck that is designed to tow... less reliable, but cheaper and more specific to your needs in the long run.
 
Towing is not my primary use, but I need the vehicle to be capable of towing 3500 lbs or the vehicle is not going to be useful to me.

I have had great experiences with toyotas and would like to continue to use them. My main question is the reliability of the FJ80s and FZJ80s.
 
For 6500 bucks, hold out and purchase a 95-97 w/ lockers (cooler wheels, more HP, torque, airbags, rear disc brakes, better interior etc...) Take your time and find a rust free truck with good records. If you're gonna tow anything, buy a 4.5L. I just bought a locked 96 w/ 180k for less than 5k. btw, im on my 5th 80 in 12 years, and the bottom line is, i've never been stranded by one. good luck
 
I would hold out for a 93-97.

I don't think the price is horribly out of line though.

People on here regularly talk about finding these great rigs for under $5k. IMO they tend to be either high mileage, unmaintained, damaged, or an exception in the market. A clean, low mileage vehicle with a good service history is going to cost you some money figure $8-12k for a 96-97. I've been watching the market for a couple months and just bought the rig in my signature.

Good luck in your search.
 
Panda Cub said:
Towing is not my primary use, but I need the vehicle to be capable of towing 3500 lbs or the vehicle is not going to be useful to me.

I have had great experiences with toyotas and would like to continue to use them. My main question is the reliability of the FJ80s and FZJ80s.
Click to expand...

one of, if not THE most reliable vehicles US has ever seen...

i worked on a friend's 96 last night... every seal on the thing is leaking, but the thing still runs STRONG. It has over 300K miles on it, never had the HG done, never another engine seal done and that rig has towed smaller import cars at least 70K miles on the interstate... at least. He is the thrid owner and knows both previous owners so he knows the history very well.
The difference in loving this rig versus hating it, is falling in love with the culture of the Land Cruiser... if you do not become in love with everything the cruiser is, then you will hate the fact that your 15 year old vehicle leaks from every seal and gets only 12mpg without towing and can barely tow anything...
 
PoorHouse said:
I would hold out for a 93-97.

I don't think the price is horribly out of line though.

People on here regularly talk about finding these great rigs for under $5k. IMO they tend to be either high mileage, unmaintained, damaged, or an exception in the market. A clean, low mileage vehicle with a good service history is going to cost you some money figure $8-12k for a 96-97. I've been watching the market for a couple months and just bought the rig in my signature.

Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...


then here is your exception to the market... this is on the cusp of being too high for me... but i'd still buy it.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-t...3909-1997-land-cruiser-diff-lock-bham-al.html

if you're paying 8-12k for an 80 series then you're looking at dealer prices... no point in dealing with a dealer at this point because they can't finance these old cars anyway...
 
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