I love Jeep (but I want an FJ80 on the side)

[lt1fire]

If you don't mind saving me the search and hours reading posts, why is the A442F the better transmission?

It's size ..... normally called the bus transmission.... seems to develop less problems.



This is basically the break down for 80s

91-92 Pros: More reliable than the 1FZ models, fully hydraulic trans, not as many electrical problems, better candidate for engine swaps, has alarm on dash clock... useful for sleeping in the truck , more leg room in front seats

Cons: less power, smaller brakes, SF axle, Non ABS, no factory lockers

93-94: Pros: more powerful 1FZ engine, ABS, leather interior, strongest trans out of the three, factory lockers available

Cons: more electronics than older models, 1FZ is different than later models, not as many aftermarket parts available.

95-97: more powerful 1FZ engine, ABS, leather interior, best engine for modding, factory lockers available

Cons: not as strong trans as the 93-94, more electronics to go wrong,


I may be forgetting a few things

 

[86tuning]

95-97: more powerful 1FZ engine, ABS, leather interior, best engine for modding, factory lockers available

I may be forgetting a few things

Airbags SRS in the 95+ trucks. OBDII compliance, available TRD supercharger. LX450 model avail.

 

[Adam R]

I own both an '01 TJ and '93 LC.

I wish I'd started with Landcruisers back in '01, I'd have more money in the bank today. Both rigs are on 35's and locked. I still own the jeep and it's been kept very clean, but I rarely drive it. The Lancruiser excels in every category except nobody waves to me when I drive the LC.

3 kids across the middle row isn't a problem, even with car seats, although we have to help the older kids buckle their seats as it's tight down there by the buckles.

Adam

 

[Tools R Us]

If you don't mind saving me the search and hours reading posts, why is the A442F the better transmission?

Some speculate that it is stronger because it is bigger, heavier, was used in a bus, etc. Evidence says it isn't any better, I have seen more of them have issues. They were only imported to the USA in '93 & '94, 80 series, so are rare. There is zero aftermarket support, very little experience with them, why would there be any support, there was only a few thousand imported. Good trans, but not all of that.

The A343 is directly related to the others members of the A34x series, they were imported in hundreds of thousands. Used in Supra, 4Runner, Taco, Tundra, Sequoia, Lexus, LS, GS, etc, also some domestic vehicles. If there ever is a problem with them, it is likely that the local trans tech has experience, has built them and can easily get parts. There is good aftermarket support, can get solenoid kits, HD clutch packs, etc. They are pretty much bullet proof, some of the Supra/Lexus tuners run them stock behind up to 600hp.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I own both an '01 TJ and '93 LC.

I wish I'd started with Landcruisers back in '01, I'd have more money in the bank today. Both rigs are on 35's and locked. I still own the jeep and it's been kept very clean, but I rarely drive it. The Lancruiser excels in every category except nobody waves to me when I drive the LC.

3 kids across the middle row isn't a problem, even with car seats, although we have to help the older kids buckle their seats as it's tight down there by the buckles.

Adam

I think about the same thing all the time. The only thing I miss is being able to take the top and doors off.

 

[85badger]

Here's a link that might help sway you to the LC.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/525009-my-take-fjz80-1995-a.html

 

[DBWood]

Hi Bob,

Another side for you. I grew up in Chev's. There are so many in my family, I won't even start, but the oldest is a '69, and the newest is an '11.
My folks are looking at a Toyota product next....
Give my 14-19 year old nephews a choice of vehicles in the driveway to ride/drive they will choose my '80 every time. "It is way cooler"

I bought my first HDJ81 a few years ago, and will likely never go back.

That being said, you are in BC, the capitol of JDM!! Get yourself a HDJ81, arguably, the best vehicle ever built. Especially (I maybe jumping to conclusions) since you can afford the slightly higher cost of ownership.

Gobs of Torque, 25+ MPG in stock form, 20+ lifted with armour. A diesel engine that will go forever, especially in the hands of someone who puts some maintenance into it.
Plus, options that nobody else has and the factor.

The only reason I sold mine (and I will have another at some point) was that it was going to end up sitting for months at a time when we moved into the city...
And, the '80 is slightly easier to maintain and find parts for.

Just throwing it out there...

Good luck in the search, and happy that no one was hurt (too badly) in the accident that claimed your Waggy.

Doug

 

[richmondbob]

Thanks for the link. All the things I usually put into a Jeep factory supplied. I like it.

Here's a link that might help sway you to the LC.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/525009-my-take-fjz80-1995-a.html

 

[richmondbob]

It's size .....

It always come down to size

 

[richmondbob]

When I put this post up I was hoping for some owner insight. Would an 80 satisfy our road trip / light off-road driving / safety needs for a family vehicle. You all have given us much more than we could have asked for .

I took a few minutes to show my wife all your responses. Showed her Marde's Death of an 80 pictures and thread. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/members/15251-Mauka2MakaiMauka2Makai's thread on Expedition Portal about a family who bought an 80 for almost the same reasons (minus having been in a near-death accident first). And this video for giggles. My wife is a Jeep girl but, like me, she has a soft spot for the 60 and 80 series LC. She's in full agreement that an 80 is the right vehicle for us to buy for our family trips. If it's nice enough she might even sell her JKU Rubicon and keep it as her DD . We both agree that this would be the best move as finding another Waggy (or building it) as nice as ours was will take awhile and life and road trips have to go on in the meantime.

So green lights on getting an 80 ! Thanks to everyone for their input and, if you're just reading this thread for the first time, please post up your responses / comments as I've learned a little something new from each post.

 

[richmondbob]

That being said, you are in BC, the capitol of JDM!! Get yourself a HDJ81, arguably, the best vehicle ever built. Especially (I maybe jumping to conclusions) since you can afford the slightly higher cost of ownership.

Doug - all the diesel LCs here are right-side driver which is no good for my wife otherwise we'd be all over it. As for the Waggy, there were no other fender-benders or people hurt and my wife and I are working towards getting all mended up. Thanks.

 

[richmondbob]

Here's a link that might help sway you to the LC.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/525009-my-take-fjz80-1995-a.html

 

[DBWood]

Doug - all the diesel LCs here are right-side driver which is no good for my wife otherwise we'd be all over it. As for the Waggy, there were no other fender-benders or people hurt and my wife and I are working towards getting all mended up. Thanks.

Bob, If you weren't counting on it as a DD to start, she would quickly adapt. My wife had never driven anything larger than a Civic before we got married. Our HDJ 81 was her DD for 2 years. Took her about a month to get comfortable with it.
Either way, you can't go wrong....

Oh, and here is another link that will impress most people as to the safety of the 80 .
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/533258-hit-freezer-i-4-last-night-pix-dash-cam-footage.html

This "community" really is part of the greatness that is Landcruiser.

Doug

 

[richmondbob]

This "community" really is part of the greatness that is Landcruiser.

Doug,

It's not the size of the vehicle, she's use to driving her JKU and our now dead (RIP) Wagoneer. It's the ability to see what's going on with traffic (intersections, etc). Ask any forum member from BC's Lower Mainland and they'll tell you how bad our drivers are (especially in Richmond where we live).

As far as the "community" comment, I'm not even an 80-owner (yet) and you all have already made me feel at home.

 

[alia176]

I didn't read through the entire post but it is sad to see the Waggy turtled like that. I love those things but never owned one. If you're gonna be towing that size of a trailer, perhaps find another Waggy? Sounds like you're done with travel trailers anyway. These 80s are gutless pigs as soon as you lift and armor them. Three car seats across would be too tight I think.

If you haven't done so already, contact a local mud member and have the family check out a 80 with the car seats and all. Going from a Waggy to the 80 will be an interesting experience for you, I think. These are very safe vehicles to say the least.

GL with your future purchase.

 

[richmondbob]

Yeah, no more towing trailers. The other, newer one (1999) we have is sitting in our backyard as a guest house for the foreseeable future.

Keeping my eye out for a nice '96/'97 in good condition and decent mileage, preferably white (or black) with tan leather interior. If anyone sees one I'd appreciate you telling me .

I didn't read through the entire post but it is sad to see the Waggy turtled like that. I love those things but never owned one. If you're gonna be towing that size of a trailer, perhaps find another Waggy? Sounds like you're done with travel trailers anyway. These 80s are gutless pigs as soon as you lift and armor them. Three car seats across would be too tight I think.

If you haven't done so already, contact a local mud member and have the family check out a 80 with the car seats and all. Going from a Waggy to the 80 will be an interesting experience for you, I think. These are very safe vehicles to say the least.

GL with your future purchase.

 

[97FZJ80]

I installed my own child seat anchors. Now he's big enough I have extra places for tie downs.

 

[Enigma]

Bob, you're in BC. Get an imported 80 series (HDJ81), yah sure it's right hand drive, but they come with factory fridges (complete with ice makers!), usually have factory front and rear locking diffs, 4 wheel disc brakes (that the NA market didnt get till later) and of course the turbo charged 6 cylinder diesel.

Come to a Coastal Cruiser meeting, lots of 80's/81's, a couple pink panties in their LX's, even a 100 or two, and some of that old school 40 and 60 stuff. Vertitable smorgasbord!

I have taken my kids in our 81 down the Rubicon, then down to Disneyland, and back again on what I recall as being $700 in fuel, vehicle weighed in at 7000 lbs, and with 315 tires. No issues.

 

[ForealBoreal]

Get an HDJ81. They are plush and can do everything you want. You can even retrofit the 3rd row seating if need be. You will love the diesel and better fuel economy.
You can tow easily but you should do a couple of little mods for longevity sake.
Pyrometer, Boost Gauge, Trans temp gauge. Throw in a power rod mod by ATEB and if you really want to go all out a extreme valvebody in the trans. The thing will be unstoppable. There a tons of serious performance mods that can be done to make them crazy and on rival with driving around a mild cummins.

You could get an 80 series or an LX450, they do come up usually higher kms. It is gas, meh.

You could consider a 100 series as well. Here is a sweet one that is well taken care of on the island. Just a thought.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/636662-1998-100-sc.html

A cruiser shouldn't be too much of a price difference if your used to "just emptying every pocket" for "junk each and every piece"

I had to.

 

[DBWood]

Foreal has a point. Rob's 100 series is a beautiful rig. If I was in BC, I would be seriously considering it.
My wife found it in the classifieds the other day. Went, Oooh, ahhhh...

Rob is a really good guy, always willing to help.

And, not to push the HDJ TOO much (can you tell that they are addictive?) Getting used to the RHD really is no big deal. I bet one of the club members might even take you for a ride in an HDJ to give you a feel for it...