G'day,
The name's Ben and I live in Queensland, Australia. This is my first time posting here but I've been reading this forum for years. I owned an FJ80 about 5 years ago and followed a de-smog tutorial I found on this forum. Unfortunately, I had to sell that vehicle due to circumstances at the time. Yesterday I purchased another FJ80 and as this place seems to be a friendly wealth of knowledge, I figure I should partake this time around!
About a fortnight ago my wife and I had to travel to our state capital for a skin cancer removal and lymph nodes biopsy (fortunately all clear!). After the hospital visit we decided to make the most of being in the big smoke.
I found a used car yard which had both a 1994 FZJ80 GXL and a 1998 FZJ105 RV, so we decided to go test driving! I'd always wanted to drive a 105 series, as well as a pre-1995 80 series with the 1FZ-FE after owning my previous 1991 FJ80. The pre-1995 FZJ80 is quoted as the same kerb weight as an FJ80.
The vehicles didn't disappoint and the 80 series felt a bit more 'peppy'. The RV is close to 'poverty pack' as it doesn't have a few features such as power windows, but still has the lift up back and automatic transmission with full-time 4WD/AWD. The vehicles were showing their age though and weren't my preference for a few reasons:
1: Both were fitted with aftermarket LPG systems. The complexity and regulations surrounding these systems is unattractive to me, especially with LPG falling out of fashion here.
2: Both were higher kilometre vehicles with over 400,000km (250,000mi) each.
3: The 105 series was about $10,500 and the 80 series was $11,500 (no idea why).
4: Call me crazy, but I guess I missed the tractor feel of the 3F-E. Fun Australian market facts: Liking a petrol in Australia is fairly crazy in and of itself - most are diesel obsessed. I prefer automatics for off road adventures and the 1HZ diesel 80 series was never available here in automatic, only the very expensive 1HD-F and 1HD-FT. The 1HZ was available in automatic on the HZJ105 series - very very rare and still quite expensive. There's also the HDJ100 auto with the 1HD-FTE. More affordable diesel automatics can be found in the 2H and 12HT 60/61 series vehicles. I prefer petrol Landcruisers for a number of reasons, some of which are their lack of timing belts (generally) and their lower likelihood of fuel system problems after contamination.
Back to the story, we politely thanked the staff for their time and left the car yard. A few days after getting home I spotted online an FJ80 for $3900 on the Gold Coast. It had about 315,000km (195,730mi) on the clock and is a GXL model, with full-time 4WD/AWD, 8 seats, electrics, lift up back etc.
I made a deposit on the vehicle, sight unseen, after negotiating $3500. It came with a roadworthy/safety certificate and current registration until August, allowing me to transfer legal ownership straight away. I picked the vehicle up yesterday around 8:00 a.m. , having left home just after 3:00 a.m. The vehicle is stock, other than an aftermarket stereo, front seat covers, an alloy roof rack and an alloy bull bar. I assume the bull bar was a factory/dealer option here as they're very common. There is some surface rust around the vehicle from being used for beach fishing/boat towing. The owner briefly showed me around the car, then my wife started heading home and I drove 2.5 hours north - where I'd found an affordable ARB steel winch bar for $300.
The first 50km (30mi) or so, sitting at 110kph (70mph) on the motorway was fine. Then a severe vibration started for no apparent reason. The whole car was vibrating violently - but I noticed it became worse as I increased speed. I assumed the cause was something rational and after a brief phone call with the previous owner, I assumed it was the rear passenger tyre. The tyre had been swapped with the spare, in order to pass roadworthy certification as it was a bit bald. I had theorised a wheel weight had fallen off, causing an imbalance after being suddenly subjected to 110kph (70mph) after years of sitting spare underneath the vehicle.
One wheel change later and I was on the road again, vibration-free! I picked up the ARB steel winch bar around 12:30 p.m. and travelled home, arriving around 4:30 p.m. It was a challenging drive home, tired and carefully avoiding bumps in the road as the ARB bar was in the cabin and might smash a window! I had completed about 500km (310mi) drive in the 80 series on it's first day.
Today I changed the bull bars over. The 30yr old rusted bolts were lots of fun... (my homemade breaker bar and beers were required!)
I am waiting on parts to arrive in the mail so I can perform the following:
Replace the oil filter, transmission filter, spark plugs, leads, coil pack, distributor cap and rotor. I've also ordered the bits to perform a de-smog (minus the catalytic converter removal - I might change the exhaust at a later date). I've noticed the car started after only a couple of cranks yesterday, today it turns over much longer and starts if I press the accelerator. The previous owner ran 98 octane fuel, I have fueled up with 91 octane (standard here). I can't see this being an issue, considering many on this forum run standard 87. Perhaps I should order a fuel filter as well?
Anyway, if this has been an interesting post, please let me know. I can post updates and photos for further modifications and adventures if people are interested. This is my weekend vehicle - my wife was becoming annoyed with the pinstriped paint on her GRJ150 Landcruiser Prado when I'd borrow it to camp in the forest.
I apologise for any typos or errors in this post, I haven't had much sleep this weekend. Take care and thanks for reading!
Ben
The name's Ben and I live in Queensland, Australia. This is my first time posting here but I've been reading this forum for years. I owned an FJ80 about 5 years ago and followed a de-smog tutorial I found on this forum. Unfortunately, I had to sell that vehicle due to circumstances at the time. Yesterday I purchased another FJ80 and as this place seems to be a friendly wealth of knowledge, I figure I should partake this time around!
About a fortnight ago my wife and I had to travel to our state capital for a skin cancer removal and lymph nodes biopsy (fortunately all clear!). After the hospital visit we decided to make the most of being in the big smoke.
I found a used car yard which had both a 1994 FZJ80 GXL and a 1998 FZJ105 RV, so we decided to go test driving! I'd always wanted to drive a 105 series, as well as a pre-1995 80 series with the 1FZ-FE after owning my previous 1991 FJ80. The pre-1995 FZJ80 is quoted as the same kerb weight as an FJ80.
The vehicles didn't disappoint and the 80 series felt a bit more 'peppy'. The RV is close to 'poverty pack' as it doesn't have a few features such as power windows, but still has the lift up back and automatic transmission with full-time 4WD/AWD. The vehicles were showing their age though and weren't my preference for a few reasons:
1: Both were fitted with aftermarket LPG systems. The complexity and regulations surrounding these systems is unattractive to me, especially with LPG falling out of fashion here.
2: Both were higher kilometre vehicles with over 400,000km (250,000mi) each.
3: The 105 series was about $10,500 and the 80 series was $11,500 (no idea why).
4: Call me crazy, but I guess I missed the tractor feel of the 3F-E. Fun Australian market facts: Liking a petrol in Australia is fairly crazy in and of itself - most are diesel obsessed. I prefer automatics for off road adventures and the 1HZ diesel 80 series was never available here in automatic, only the very expensive 1HD-F and 1HD-FT. The 1HZ was available in automatic on the HZJ105 series - very very rare and still quite expensive. There's also the HDJ100 auto with the 1HD-FTE. More affordable diesel automatics can be found in the 2H and 12HT 60/61 series vehicles. I prefer petrol Landcruisers for a number of reasons, some of which are their lack of timing belts (generally) and their lower likelihood of fuel system problems after contamination.
Back to the story, we politely thanked the staff for their time and left the car yard. A few days after getting home I spotted online an FJ80 for $3900 on the Gold Coast. It had about 315,000km (195,730mi) on the clock and is a GXL model, with full-time 4WD/AWD, 8 seats, electrics, lift up back etc.
I made a deposit on the vehicle, sight unseen, after negotiating $3500. It came with a roadworthy/safety certificate and current registration until August, allowing me to transfer legal ownership straight away. I picked the vehicle up yesterday around 8:00 a.m. , having left home just after 3:00 a.m. The vehicle is stock, other than an aftermarket stereo, front seat covers, an alloy roof rack and an alloy bull bar. I assume the bull bar was a factory/dealer option here as they're very common. There is some surface rust around the vehicle from being used for beach fishing/boat towing. The owner briefly showed me around the car, then my wife started heading home and I drove 2.5 hours north - where I'd found an affordable ARB steel winch bar for $300.
The first 50km (30mi) or so, sitting at 110kph (70mph) on the motorway was fine. Then a severe vibration started for no apparent reason. The whole car was vibrating violently - but I noticed it became worse as I increased speed. I assumed the cause was something rational and after a brief phone call with the previous owner, I assumed it was the rear passenger tyre. The tyre had been swapped with the spare, in order to pass roadworthy certification as it was a bit bald. I had theorised a wheel weight had fallen off, causing an imbalance after being suddenly subjected to 110kph (70mph) after years of sitting spare underneath the vehicle.
One wheel change later and I was on the road again, vibration-free! I picked up the ARB steel winch bar around 12:30 p.m. and travelled home, arriving around 4:30 p.m. It was a challenging drive home, tired and carefully avoiding bumps in the road as the ARB bar was in the cabin and might smash a window! I had completed about 500km (310mi) drive in the 80 series on it's first day.
Today I changed the bull bars over. The 30yr old rusted bolts were lots of fun... (my homemade breaker bar and beers were required!)
I am waiting on parts to arrive in the mail so I can perform the following:
Replace the oil filter, transmission filter, spark plugs, leads, coil pack, distributor cap and rotor. I've also ordered the bits to perform a de-smog (minus the catalytic converter removal - I might change the exhaust at a later date). I've noticed the car started after only a couple of cranks yesterday, today it turns over much longer and starts if I press the accelerator. The previous owner ran 98 octane fuel, I have fueled up with 91 octane (standard here). I can't see this being an issue, considering many on this forum run standard 87. Perhaps I should order a fuel filter as well?
Anyway, if this has been an interesting post, please let me know. I can post updates and photos for further modifications and adventures if people are interested. This is my weekend vehicle - my wife was becoming annoyed with the pinstriped paint on her GRJ150 Landcruiser Prado when I'd borrow it to camp in the forest.
I apologise for any typos or errors in this post, I haven't had much sleep this weekend. Take care and thanks for reading!
Ben
Love white cruisers 
cheers
