Most Important Mechanical Fixes/PM for FZJ80?

[utahisrad]

Bought my '93 last year and while I have done some mechanical work, I can't stop throwing stuff at it (sliders, bumper, stereo, tires, prinsu rack, etc.). I am about to do KISS drawers and a Smittybuilt winch...

I keep having this guilty feeling that I am putting all my money and time into a ticking time bomb. Cruiser runs well but it's got 280k on the clock and I have very little paperwork on it.

Here is what I have done mechanically so far:
Knuckle Rebuild (Seems to be holding up quite well)
Front Main Seal
Oil Pump Gasket
New Ujoints

Here is what I have as stuff I SHOULD do sooner than later:
PHH (already have the wits end part just reallllllly not wanting to do it)
Replace thermostat (read somewhere it's good PM?)
Valve cover & oil pan gaskets (both leak)

What am I missing? What were some of the bigger mechanical issues you have had to deal with with your FZJ80?
I am probably about a 1.5 in terms of my skills, space, and tools. Luckily I got a buddy with a shop who I refer quite a bit of people to so he helps me out with the big projects.

Thanks!

 

[Tools R Us]

My recommendation; invest the $$$ in gas and go wheeling!

 

[86tuning]

Generally, I'd fix what's broken. And anytime I open up a system, I will install genuine parts and do related stuff at the same time so I don't do things twice.

For example, the 1fz pesky heater hose, coolant, and thermostat, all in one shot. Just like doing the belts when you did the front oil leak repairs.

If you're looking for preventive maintenance to do, there's a bunch. All the fluids. Brake, power steering, transmission & 4wd fluids.

If you're confident with the battery condition, and starter and alternator, you're not that likely to get stranded in an 80.

 

[utahisrad]

Funny story actually.... went down and did the Dollhouse in Canyonlands. (The photo above is from that trip but in Goblin Valley)
Land Cruiser did really well, didn't really have any issues. Came home and after a few days the thing started behaving VERY strangely. Had to pull over and it ran horribly. Turned out that the alternator was shot, it had oil all over it from previous leaks I had fixed but I hadn't noticed it was covered in it. So was very very very lucky that happened almost a mile away from my buddys shop, and not in the middle of nowhere.

 

[surfpig]

I would mostly just go with it.



phh is something to strongly consider. As well as many of the other hoses. Thermostat maybe, how is the rest of your cooling system doing - fan clutch, radiator... valve cover gasket: IH8 oil leaks. While you're there, spark plug grommets, PCV valve, grommet, hoses, vacuum lines, plug wires, dist cap, rotor...

It's a rabbit hole...

 

[1973Guppie]

If you listen to the MUD OCD you will need to PM everything. If it is broken or leaking fix it. Otherwise drive it and carry a good set of tools. Maintain it per toyota specs and of course do the standard going over of everything and flushing when you first get the rig.

 

[Malleus]

Buy gas!

 

[subzali]

I would recommend driving it mostly, but baselining it and getting it on a pm regimen. In no particular order:
-Change t-case and diff fluids. Loosen the fill plug first
-Change brake fluid and change every 2-3 years. Consider rebuilding/replacing calipers depending on brake pad wear. This could turn into new brake pads and rotors depending on condition of everything.
-Change/Flush transmission fluid (read up on opinions on how to do this with high mileage unknown condition trannies)
-Change engine oil and get Blackstone analysis done. Does engine burn oil? These things will help determine condition of engine
-Change coolant and change every 2-3 years
-Change spark plugs, dizzy cap and rotor. Consider new plug wires as well
-New fan belts
-Check/clean/replace air filter and clean the tuna can
-Repack or replace rear wheel bearings

Between this and your list above, you're now basically baselined. By now you'll know more about what its previous life was like and either have a longer list of things to do or you'll feel pretty good about the overall condition of your rig.

Other things:
-make sure you have no CEL codes stored
-your exhaust may need new cats, muffler or total replacement at that mileage depending on corrosion
-steering linkage should be checked for play and fixed if any is found
-shocks should be replaced as needed

get that PHH replaced and carry some heater hose to bypass the heater valve and/or rear heater lines if they fail on you, and drive it!

 

[86tuning]

...
phh is something to strongly consider.
...

Keep in mind, you can (and should) visually inspect the PHH. If it's not all swollen and distorted, you can order the parts and take your time to schedule the work. I had the parts bouncing around in my glove box for five years before finally pulling the pin to do the job, a few months before a 4,000 mile road trip to the arctic. I used genuine toyota hose, and two new toyota spring clamps for an easy 1h job. I figure if the old hose lasted 20 years, the new hose will last til 2037. At which point we will all be driving electric cars. The hose I took out was in perfectly good condition, not damaged by oil leaks or anything. Pure preventive maintenance. But there's only 90k on my truck.

edit: if you've never done the PHH you're in for a treat. I used a zip disc to clip the original hose clamps to make it a quick and easy job. But I have access to air tools and all that.

 

[86tuning]

...
-Change t-case and diff fluids. Loosen the fill plug first
...
-Change spark plugs, dizzy cap and rotor. Consider new plug wires as well
...

Yes. Definitely open the fill plug before draining any diffs or transfer case oils. Because if your fill plug is stuck, and you haven't drained it yet, you can still go about your business and deal with it later. Drain it first, with a stuck fill plug, and it will ruin your evening at best or possibly your whole week.

If your sparkplugs are due, and your wires are old, put new plug wires. Genuine wires are inked with the year of manufacture on them. I did mine about 10 years ago when I first got my truck and did the spark plugs. I also did the cap and rotor. I only like to touch things once so I always use genuine parts.

I'm due for plugs again, but my wires are ok still. No oil leaks yet, so I'm just going to keep on trucking.

 

[ajax1]

Tune up the engine
Phhh and heater valve and all heater and radatior hoses
Radiator
Water pump
Diffs tcase tranny
Good for long time
Rebuild rear axle too
Over time change out brakes and all brake lines

 

[Landseer]

Buy a spare set of fusible links

 

[LINUS]

With your miles & year, I'd at least toss a new fuel filter on it when you can & on your terms, not brokedown/plugged on the side of a highway. When doing the PHH is a decent time, it's right there next to it.

Might check the heater valve has been changed too - the OE hose clamps are a tipoff if it's original or replaced.

Aside from that, gas & go - just go with a buddy for awhile 'till you been through all the kooky OC/d stuff some of us have. Get to know the sounds & reactions the ol' girl is going to make when you're far from cel coverage.

 

[RFB]

Bought my '93 last year and while I have done some mechanical work, I can't stop throwing stuff at it (sliders, bumper, stereo, tires, prinsu rack, etc.). I am about to do KISS drawers and a Smittybuilt winch...

I keep having this guilty feeling that I am putting all my money and time into a ticking time bomb. Cruiser runs well but it's got 280k on the clock and I have very little paperwork on it.

Here is what I have done mechanically so far:
Knuckle Rebuild (Seems to be holding up quite well)
Front Main Seal
Oil Pump Gasket
New Ujoints

Here is what I have as stuff I SHOULD do sooner than later:
PHH (already have the wits end part just reallllllly not wanting to do it)
Replace thermostat (read somewhere it's good PM?)
Valve cover & oil pan gaskets (both leak)

What am I missing? What were some of the bigger mechanical issues you have had to deal with with your FZJ80?
I am probably about a 1.5 in terms of my skills, space, and tools. Luckily I got a buddy with a shop who I refer quite a bit of people to so he helps me out with the big projects.

Thanks!

View attachment 1524212

plugs wires distributor radiator flush and DO the PHH replace diff fluids(easy) transfer(easy) motor oil (obviously) you probably did brakes when you did knuckle rebuilds.

 

[ewillis]

This project has given me the most peace of mind...Cooling System Overhaul Pieces and Parts?

 

[Burbot]

Do your basic day to day. Watch for rust at body panel joints etc. drive it. That's the point of an fzj80. At 316000km mine was to the moon and most of the way back. Correction316 miles! It's a very dependable vehicle. @-40 it's a matter of life n death here. It starts plugged in or not. Goes 85 mph without complaint to pass will push through18 inches of snow. Will hold my long bow and every bodies gear and two deer. What more could a guy want?

 

[Dork]

Buy an air freshener. Will help to over power the previous owner's 20 years of butt smell.

 

[mudgudgeon]

sliders, bumper, stereo, tires, prinsu rack, etc.

Oh, I see you have this covered.

Ok, then drawers, winch etc. . .

 

[LS1FJ40]

I like all of the advice. Either change everything out or don't. Either way, enjoy it!

I have piles of preventative maintenance parts. When I feel like doing something (and have the time), I do it. It's therapeutic (usually) to me. But I haven't done anything in a few months. I've just driven it and enjoyed it.

I bought my 93 with 312k on it. It now has 344k and ticks like a time bomb (has for 13k).
Personally, I did the things that I wasn't sure of the condition of:
belts
hoses
thermostat
flushed coolant
changed oil
DID NOT change transmission fluid (pulled sample and sent to Blackstone, they said it looked good, I left it alone)
Did the lazy man's brake fluid change (turkey baster sucking out the reservoir, add fresh, drive a day, repeat until cleanish)
Brake pads
Oil pump cover seal
Crankshaft seal
Distributor seal
Distributor cap
Rotor
Plugs
Plug seals
PCV
PCV grommet
Plug wires
Valve cover gasket
Diff fluid (change about every 3 months, leaky birfs...)
AC conversion to R134 (drier, expansion valve, o rings)
Fusible links
Battery
Headlights (9011s in high and low)
Probably some other stuff that I can't remember.

Need to do:
Axle service
Heater control valve
Rebuild head
Injectors
O2 Sensors

I'm a 1-2 banana mechanic, at best. All of the stuff I've done was easy enough with help of mud threads.

 

[LS1FJ40]

Oh yeah...

U joints
All new bushings (this is not cheap...)
Motor mounts
Transmission mount
Springs
Shocks

Holy crap. I'm glad I'm not keeping track of costs on the 93...