Is a FZJ-80 without lockers worth while?

[SirHumphreyAppleby]

I am looking for a nice FZJ-80 but all of the ones in my area seem to be without lockers. There are a lot of really clean ones with relatively low miles but no lockers. Seems wrong to me to buy a Land Cruiser without them.

I can find nice 100 series TLCs with the center locker but I don't see them being better off road. I do not do a lot of 4 wheeling anymore but I would like a capable vehicle. Money is not really the issue I prefer the interior and exterior of the FZJ-80 but without lockers I am leaning toward a 100 series. Is one more expensive to maintain?

 

[BrotherRob]

All 80s have a center dif lock. The lockers you are referring to are on the f/r axles. They are important if you are going to wheel.

 

[Pathfinder]

you will be fine. Put an autolocker in the rear and you will be set. If you really have to add later get ARB. You are bound to be teariing the front apart. I think its better to get a clean cruiser low miles and save the money for mods. Just my .02

 

[Rozzi]

Condition and maintenance were most important to me. I will likely never need my lockers. I would have gladly purchased an 80 without them. Obviously, the demand is great/higher resale due to those that want/need them. I will likely travel trails versus rocks/cliffs/etc.

 

[bwr9300]

get an 80 w/o lockers. Mine doesnt have lockers and my rig can still do more than most other rigs out there. I will be putting on an Aussie locker in rear soon.

 

[cook]

If you spend time on this board, you’re going to start wheeling again. If you start wheeling again, you’re going to want lockers. Remember, lockers aren’t just for rock crawling. My preference is getting lost in the backcountry, where lockers come in handy. Balance out the cost of installing lockers against the added value of low miles, extra clean vehicle. You may want to look at the Lexus version of the landcruiser, the lx450. Seems that a higher percentage of these vehicles have the locks.
Good hunting.
Cook.

 

[Trapper50cal]

An fzj80 w/o lockers is DEFINITELY worth it...as has been said already, just put an autolocker (Aussie Locker or Lockrite) in the back for $300 bucks or and ARB when you can afford it or when you change gears. They are already extremely capable without lockers and once you have even a rear locker, you are practically unstopable.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I wouldn't let lockers be a deal breaker. If you find a good one you like, then do it.
I wheeled mine for a couple years without lockers, then added an Aussie rear then later and ARB front.

 

[maybe_a_80...]

my first 80 was locked. It was my DD and I crashed it before I got around to modifying it and taking it on trips as expedition rig.

my new one does not have factory locking differentials. i will most likely add the factory locking differentials at a later date so that I am less likely to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere.

for me relatively low mileage is the most important thing when considering which 80 to purchase. and single owner if possible. 3rd most important is a rig that has not been messed with too much. 4th is lockers.

good luck!

 

[spdwaver]

I also bought mine without lockers, then added an Aussie in the rear. In addition to being cheap, the Aussie was a breeze to install, and it works flawlessly.

 

[NLXTACY]

13 years and 250k miles later as the original owner of a non-locked LX I find the OP's question kinda funny given the fact his admitted usage of the truck. Only been in two situations where I wished I had lockers so I either didn't have to shovel or break out the hi-lift. Everything else throw in front of it was no prob. I too am considering an Aussie locker in the back

 

[kidglove13]

It is all about the shape and how the rig was maintained prior.
I searched for months and finally found a rig that was nice and clean and well maintained without lockers.
You will not be unhappy without lockers.
As others have said, I too put a locker in the rear and I am very happy.
Plus wheeling without lockers for a while will increase your driving skills.

 

[lt1fire]

Normally the difference in price between a locked and an unlocked 80 is so great that you can afford to throw some ARBs in the unlocked one and still come out on top. Only real time you can find a locked 80 for a good price is if some soccer mom was driving it and didn't know what she had.

 

[luk4mud]

My new to me 80 has factory e-lockers. My old TJ had ARBs. I MUCH prefer the ARBs. I would not hesitate to buy an unlocked 80 and put an Aussie in the back and an ARB in the front. You can install the Aussie yourself ($300) and the ARB installed will be around $1200, so use that as a price point comparison against factory locked 80's for sale. HTH

 

[99UZJay]

Save the money and get a winch and ARB.... old sage saying says "lockers get you into trouble, a winch will get you out"

 

[1shot1kill]

Remember the movie Jaws when they needed a bigger boat, well, having lockers will reduce the chance of uttering those words if you are stuck or are going somewhere where you are likely to get stuck without them! Go with the bigger boat from the start!

 

[Rusty]

Normally the difference in price between a locked and an unlocked 80 is so great that you can afford to throw some ARBs in the unlocked one and still come out on top. Only real time you can find a locked 80 for a good price is if some soccer mom was driving it and didn't know what she had.

When I found my '97 LX450 with lockers I found the "Soccer Mom Syndrome" to be most prevalent in the market. Most people, soccer moms or dads, didn't know what the hell they were, and had never used them.

Lockers are only worth money to those who know what they are for and want to use them, aftermarket or stock. I found that the Cruisers/LX450's that I looked at didn't differ in price with or without lockers, because most owners didn't have a clue what that rotary switch next to the steering column even did.

Every LX450 in my local area (Lower Mainland B.C.) seemed to have lockers, probably because the Lexus dealers would end up selling "full load" LX450's to rich people who had no idea what lockers do.

So I looked for a Cruiser with lockers and found one in fairly short order, I'm glad I did because true locking diffs (that run open or fully locked, user selectable) i.e. ARB air lockers, front and back, are expensive to install.

Although the OEM electrics are supposedly not as strong as air actuated ARB's, I'm fine with them not only because I essentially got them for free, but they are strong enough when turning my intended 315's.

If lockers aren't a big ticket item on your Cruiser agenda, then I would say that a Cruiser without lockers would probably be fine. Only you know what you want!

 

[Hilux]

Save the money and get a winch and ARB.... old sage saying says "lockers get you into trouble, a winch will get you out"

I agree with that, to an extent...

A $300 (Vs. one $1,000 ARB) Aussie in an automatic is mostly a "selectable" locker in itself... Not many ppl power and brake auto's around corners...

So yeah, I vote save the money (unless you're good at finding and shopping) and get a rear Aussie AND a front winch... Then, if you need more traction down the road, you can get yourself a ARB or E Locker for the FRONT. The difference in price/ budget will only be the additional $300 you spent on the Aussie...

Project: Stock Front Bumper with Integrated Winch

 

[Trapper50cal]

The other thing to consider with "Soccer Mom" Locked vehicles is that the actuators on factory locked vehicles need to be cycled from time to time...if the lockers were never used, there's a good chance they won't engage or at least will not operate 100%. Plus they are 13-16 yr old parts where as an ARB or Aussie is brand new, actuator motors are decidedly un-cheap

 

[BrotherRob]

The other thing to consider with "Soccer Mom" Locked vehicles is that the actuators on factory locked vehicles need to be cycled from time to time...if the lockers were never used, there's a good chance they won't engage or at least will not operate 100%. Plus they are 13-16 yr old parts where as an ARB or Aussie is brand new, actuator motors are decidedly un-cheap

The PO of both of my 80s didn't know they had lockers until I pointed them out. Both worked flawlessly. IME there was no premium on locked 80s.

Bottom line is, decide what is right for you and hold out for it.