Looking for my first FJ80

[ka1eidoscope]

I've been looking for a solid FJ80 since October, been confident in my choices after finding, Thinking of Buying an 80. Due to my lack of experience though, I wanted to run a post by the IH8MUD community for advise, tips and suggestions :]

Search criteria,

1)under 150k
2)cloth interior
3)9k price cap
4)located in the US

My first choice is a 94, 116k miles, asking price 8k
LA MOTORS8k

Second choice is a 92, 138k miles, asking price 7k
http://www.autotrader.com7k

The wild-card is another 92, 136k miles, asking price 9k
http://www.autotrader.com9k

The 94 seems to be the best bet. Lowest miles, mid-range in price and updated spec's when compared to a 92. The 7k 92 seems to be a solid choice; cheapest and clean. The wild-card is an unknown. I haven't had a chance to contact the seller about the "full details".

Brandon

 

[lt1fire]

There is no way i'd pay any of those prices for those rigs.

91-92's can be found all the time for around 3-3.5k This is due to the older engine style 3FE, lack of ABS, older interior and the SF rear axle

93-97's in good condition with lockers can be found for way less than those.


Spend some time reading the FAQ at the top of the 80's section

Now I do think you would be hard pressed to find a 91-92 with less than 150k for a good price but there are many members on this board with over 300k on a 3FE motor, mine has 220k and runs great.


Also there are plenty of people out there that would trade a leather interior for a cloth interior if you ended up with a leather one.

 

[ka1eidoscope]

solid advice, thx lt1fire

The search continues :]

 

[TX Cruiser]

They didn't make FJ80's past MY '92, but you're on the right track. Keep looking and good luck.

 

[Michael Hanson]

What ever you buy, it should have a documented in paper service history. Mike

 

[nigelnigel]

Ditto with the other posts but you should know a lot more after you test drive those. Don't just go for the first one and just because the years are the same doesn't mean they will be the same. Here is what I would do (and did). Test drive the 91 and 92 then test the 94. You WILL feel the difference in the power. Now just because the engine is different (and you might find one with lockers 93>) doesn't mean that it is better if it is rusty, high miles, PO didn't care about it. Just go test drive as many as you can even if they are out of your price range. That will get you on the right path.

Nigel

 

[ranma21]

You got PM.

 

[ranma21]

Questions?

Hey Brandon, were you trying to PM me? Sorry my mail box was full.

Lim

 

[jlg32281]

These are my thoughts of your criteria:
1) Good idea, I agree.
2) Too narrow. There just aren't many out there and if you really don't like leather, put some cloth seat covers over it.
3) 9K buys a really nice 80, be very picky with trucks in that price range. ( I bought my 96 locked w/ 140k miles on it in great shape for $6600 within the past year.)
4) The US is huge and half of it is a rust belt. You're already in the south, look for a good southern truck.
5) You left this one out and is arguably the most important....... LOCKERS. It will cost $2k to get a non-locked truck locked. As long as you don't plan on being super hard core, the cheapest route is factory lockers since they usually don't cost any more at this point.

Just a quick craiglist search of Texas turned up these that all seem to be better deals than what you mentioned.
1996 Toyota Landcruiser - 120k miles
1996 Toyota Landcruiser 817 838 2388 (no lockers, but depending on mileage, could be a fair deal)
1992 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER (this is more of par for the price range of 91-92 80's)
1996 Toyota Landcruiser (kinda pricy, but really low mileage)
92 landcruiser 4x4 (not perfect, but the price is right)
1997 toyota Land Cruiser (not much detail)
1997 Lexus LX 450 **Online Special**


This just a quick search of Texas craigslist. Use this search tool to search a state at a time. States

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[ka1eidoscope]

sup Lim, was sending you the info on Frantz filters :]

jlg32281, sound post mate'

 

[goat97]

I have one for you sent you a message, located in pflugerville.
look me up..

 

[raYGunn]

5) You left this one out and is arguably the most important....... LOCKERS. It will cost $2k to get a non-locked truck locked. As long as you don't plan on being super hard core, the cheapest route is factory lockers since they usually don't cost any more at this point.

I think it will cost more than $2k... $3-3.5k installed was what my quotes came to when I was shopping. Maybe if you do it yourself...

 

[ka1eidoscope]

Picked up the FZJ80 today. Its a 97 (40th year) 175k in great condition. ARB front bumper with winch, sliders, 3" lift with 315/75 tires. Bought it for 6k about 10 minuets from my apt. Next step will be lockers or an ARB back bumper with tire and Jerry can Just went back out to grab beer in a heavily light parking lot to take a picture

goat97: here's a , thanks for the truck

 

[arndog123]

Nice. Why is the roller fairlead mounted up so high?

 

[ka1eidoscope]

Nice. Why is the roller fairlead mounted up so high?

prolly for the LP

 

[slow91fj90]

I was wondering the same thing. Nice find.

Nice. Why is the roller fairlead mounted up so high?

 

[CowboyUp]

Picked up the FZJ80 today. Its a 97 (40th year) 175k in great condition. ARB front bumper with winch, sliders, 3" lift with 315/75 tires. Bought it for 6k about 10 minuets from my apt. Next step will be lockers or an ARB back bumper with tire and Jerry can Just went back out to grab beer in a heavily light parking lot to take a picture

goat97: here's a , thanks for the truck

Good looking truck! Now you need to get dirty this shiny girl !

 

[ka1eidoscope]

rgr

Good looking truck! Now you need to get dirty this shiny girl !

 

[lt1fire]

Nice. Why is the roller fairlead mounted up so high?

Because for some reason it looks like the PO put the front plate right where it should be.

 

[jlg32281]

Very nice. Just so you know and don't get sticker shock, an ARB rear bumper with tire carrier and jerry can holder is north of $2k. You might want to look at some of the other brands out there that are just as good. 4x4 labs makes one that is cheaper, looks better, and better clearance. Bumpit offroad also has a nice one. I like the ARB too, but it's just too pricey for what you get to me.