Looking to buy FJ80

[waskillywabbit]

Other than the obvious things to look for when purchasing a used vehicle what are some things to look for on an FJ80? One year model better/worse than another? Options that I want? Options to avoid? I really want to find one with the OEM locking differential setup, other than that, I'm trying not to limit my options. Is there a link somewhere, a website that can give me a good breakdown of what to look for and what to stay away from?

Thanks for your input/advice!

 

[erics_bruisers]

i would start here --

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

e

 

[Junk]

The first thing you need to do is learn how to use the SEARCH function.

 

[Beowulf]

Brian,

The perfect used North American 80 Series for me would have:

1. FZJ80 which has the 1FZ-FE engine (93-97 production)
2. Diff locks
3. No roof rack
4. No running boards
5. All the usual options (leather, moonroof, sliding rear windows, power seats.
6. Light color

Many prefer the A442 tranny and cloth interior (non-power seats). I prefer the 95-97 models in general, which come with the A343F tranny and an updated interior. The 96-97 models have OBD-II. Don't rule out the LX models available in 96-97.

As others have said, read the newbie guide and search. There's lots of opinions on the various year models and you certainly will NOT get concensus other than the best truck is the one that is in your price range, has the best prior maintenance, and has the options (incl color) that you are looking for.

-B-

 

[cruiserman]

'94 fzj80, cloth seats, diff lockers, no moonroof, no running boards

Read the newbie guide.

 

[cruiserdan]

The likelyhood of finding cloth/locks/no roof is quite close to zippo, regardless of year model. TMS USA's ordering pattern was such that almost all vehicles got a sunroof and almost all got third seat. almost NO vehicles were ordered with difflocks unless they also got leather guts. I have seen exactly Three vehicles with cloth guts and difflocks. One 93 one 94, both had chanpaign exteriors and sable guts, and one 96 with grey guts and no third seat and no sunroof (special order fleet unit for a state agency).

 

[instigator]

you know junk, if everyone were to use the search function there wouldnt be any more topics posted. more than likely everything you need to know has been archived here or on the sor board. have a beer on me ( not on me, but on me)

hey rabbit you can have a gander at my cruiser when you come and get those running boards

 

[acf]

I think even I could answer this question in detail by now.

 

[robbie]

I would disagree with dan on the leather stuff. The non electric seats with leather started out with cloth before they hit the US shores, then they got leather because Toyota USA saw a need to rip people off by installing Port leather(cheaper version where the colth was pulled off and cheap leather gotten from some where, installed at the port of entry). Toyota USA still charge the same leather upgrade price. There were alot of these vechicles shiped with diff locks. I personally have seen too many to count. I own two trucks currently that started out with cloth, one has port leather, one has cloth. both have diff locks. I personally only have seen 1 with out the moon roof, with cloth, no diff locks because it was a 94 with drum brakes. I do beleive this pratice (port entry leather) stop with the 95 and up model years, I personally have not seen any leather with out electric seats in the later years.
I personally would like a 97 model year with the 442 tranny, with cloth seats and diff locks with out ABS and air bags.
Why. I like cloth over the leather, I personally do not like toyota's air bags in a curiser (can not have a passenger handle on the dash). I like the bigger tranny, OBDII fuel management, but would have the 93-94 radiator. I do like the moon roof, it has helped to get out some times when I have stopped with the doors blocked. There is more metal in the doors and the body for accidents in the later years. No C pillar cracks on the 95 and up years (yes I personally have them on my 94 truck).
The basic trucks shiped in to the states are almost the same with vary little between the models for upgrades. Read lots on the different sites. Slee, this board, 80 cool site and such make a choice then make the truck you want. Truly the statement that "4wheel drives are made not bought" is correct IMHO. good luck robbie

 

[cruiserdan]

TMS USA did not port install leather. The independent distributors such as Gulf States Toyota out of Texas or Southeast Toyota out of Florida may have and there were aftermarket vendors that sold them direct to dealers. GST and SET have a whole bunch of private accessories that they push.

 

[waskillywabbit]

The first thing you need to do is learn how to use the SEARCH function.

semper verba culumnae oris

If I had known the answer, or found it searching, I wouldn't have asked.

Thanks for the helpful replies guys! I'll take you up on the offer instigator for sure!

 

[Junk]

That's why you need to learn how to use it

There is a lot of great information here, but if you are too lazy to look through it and expect the same people to constantly post the same information it will be appear as if you are quite lazy and just want folks to do things for you.

seriously, invest some time to read the older posts. There is a lot of great information there that you will miss out on otherwise. Folks can only type stuff so many times.

 

[waskillywabbit]

That's why you need to learn how to use it

There is a lot of great information here, but if you are too lazy to look through it and expect the same people to constantly post the same information it will be appear as if you are quite lazy and just want folks to do things for you.

seriously, invest some time to read the older posts. There is a lot of great information there that you will miss out on otherwise. Folks can only type stuff so many times.

Whatever.

 

[Beowulf]

>> Whatever. <<

Brian,

Junk is politely pointing you in the right direction. Please don't be rude to him as many of us are happy to see him pointing newbies to the IH8MUD archives. We encourage questions but you do yourself a disservice by not reading all of the prior "how to buy an 80" posts. I promise that your time will be well spent.

-B-

 

[e9999]

Whatever.

yes, well, you oughta know that Junk was also unusually restrained in his comments, count your blessings... he must have been in good mood...

E

 

[WolfpackTLC]

Brian-

I emailed you a promising cruiser tonite... check it out. See Christo's site for easy answers to all your questions. Oh... and SEARCH. They're fond of that here... Can't wait to sell you some suspension stuff!!!

J

 

[waskillywabbit]

>> Whatever. <<

reading all of the prior "how to buy an 80" posts. I promise that your time will be well spent.

-B-

Thanks for the heads up as that was the kind of input I was looking for.




J.

I've seen that one, looks nice, but I'd rather have my $$$$ in hand before I go bidding on something.

 

[Bighead]

Hey Wolfpack, I would be interested in any -80s for sale you might know about. I am starting to shop around a bit.

 

[nyk438]

Hey Wolfpack, I would be interested in any -80s for sale you might know about. I am starting to shop around a bit.

Is your 4Runner not meeting your needs?

 

[Bighead]

Is your 4Runner not meeting your needs?

The 4Runner is meeting my needs just fine. I have always wanted an -80 so if I find one for the right price (now that they are finally dropping) I will probably get it. I really blame the shopping urge on my trip to CO last year and my visit to Christo's shop (bought a set of 4Runner sliders). Them letting me roam around to check out all the vehicles got me thinking about buying an -80 again. Hell I retire from the military in 1.5 years, I better get my toys now while I can afford them.