Noob Q's

[vanilla_gorilla]

Howdy folks. First post on this forum. I'm looking at a 97 FJ80 with about 83K miles, asking price is 15,900, but I think I'll get away with 14,500 or so if I wave some cash. Does this sound like a good deal? I drove it for half a day today and it seems good, no leaks anywhere underneath or on the motor. What should I look for in buying one of these? It seems as good or better off-road as my 98 Dodge gas-guzzler 360. What kind of mileage can I expect from the 4.5liter? Everything on it appears stock, all the way down to the soccer-mom street tires. Am I missing anything? Help me out here guys! Thanks!


Edit: I tow a ~1200lb trailer into the Georgia mountains about 5-6times a year, will this be suited for that? I looked for the selectable locker switch and couldn't find it, so I assume that it doesn't have lockers in the axles. That's not too bad I hope, my Dodge has a limited slip in the rear, but it's a Trash-Lok and not worth much anyway.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Welcome newbie

Start with a search. Enter "buying" and "80" in as keywords.
Read those posts first.

If you think $14,500 is a good price, then it is. Prices for these rigs vary from region to region. I don't know what your local prices are like. Here in Northern California, that would be a very good price.

If you have lockers, you should see a dial on the dash just to the left of the steering wheel, labeled DIFF LOCK.

 

[Beowulf]

VG,

>> I looked for the selectable locker switch and couldn't find it, <<
>> so I assume that it doesn't have lockers in the axles. >>
>> That's not too bad I hope, ... <<

Sounds like you already know the answer to your question but you're hoping we'll talk you into buying one without the diff lock option. Adding ARB's is the best alternative to the OEM lockers and you'll be looking in the $2-3k range for front & rear.

-B-

 

[G-Cat]

Howdy folks. First post on this forum. I'm looking at a 97 FJ80 with about 83K miles, asking price is 15,900, but I think I'll get away with 14,500 or so if I wave some cash. Does this sound like a good deal? I drove it for half a day today and it seems good, no leaks anywhere underneath or on the motor. What should I look for in buying one of these? It seems as good or better off-road as my 98 Dodge gas-guzzler 360. What kind of mileage can I expect from the 4.5liter? Everything on it appears stock, all the way down to the soccer-mom street tires. Am I missing anything? Help me out here guys! Thanks!


The 1997 is an FZJ-80 (the FJ-80 was the 91-92 model years). Mileage and price are pretty good, IMO. I've seen lower mileage and better deals, but yours is by no means outrageous... unless you ask Junk.

With a $700 Old Man Emu lift and some decent tires, it will kick the living crap out of your Dodge offroad. I can't answer for towing, but "It'll do in a pinch" is probably the best answer. Gas mileage seems to range from about 12-14.5 mpg. They suck gas like a friggin' vampire sucks blood.

I could go on, but a quick search here will gather you more info and go visit www.sleeoffroad.com, newbie section. It has lots of info on these trucks. Good luck!

 

[Scamper]

Edit: I tow a ~1200lb trailer into the Georgia mountains about 5-6times a year, will this be suited for that? I looked for the selectable locker switch and couldn't find it, so I assume that it doesn't have lockers in the axles. That's not too bad I hope, my Dodge has a limited slip in the rear, but it's a Trash-Lok and not worth much anyway.

Towing 1200lb is no big deal, but going up mountains with any trailer and an 80 is always going to be a tad slower than normal highway driving. But the 80 is certainly capable of towing a measly 1200 lb. You'll want to check out the cooling system on this truck and bring it up to date (maintainence-wise) before you start towing it. As Garth said...look at the Slee site newb section under the head gasket section too--if the truck has or had HG troubles, it may be evident on inspection. Otherwise, sounds like a good deal to me assuming all maintainence is up to date and you're on more than the second oil change.

 

[Rookie2]

Some stock 80's on this forum are realizing 15 to 17mpg with new fresh fluids throughout. The manufacturer specs indicate 13 city, 15 highway, which I would suggest are realistic numbers for a well maintained rig and the basis for your decision making.

Again try a search using "towing", IIRC several have towed up to 5000 lbs without any problems. I don't remember the max. they are rated for.


Rookie2

 

[Scamper]

Max rating is 5000lb. But Rook is right that some have, um, exceeded the manufacturer's recommended specification by a few lbs I dare say those trucks don't pass anthing but time on the road.

 

[ace10]

i just blew the bank account and got a PS flush, a coolant flush and an induction system cleanout. the net result was nearly 17 mpg on a 1200 mile road trip last month. light load, typical northeast traffic and a roof rack w/spare mounted up top.

previously i was getting 11.5 to 12.5 and now i'm seeing 14 mpg pretty consistantly in the brutal DC traffic. i cannow razz the wifey because her 100 only gets 14 avergae since new.

good luck on purchase.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

Hmmm 12-14mpg? I was kinda hoping for more from something with only 6 cylinders. I can pull all day long with my Dodge, and it has great torque, but on a good day I get 13 with it. I'm looking to IMPROVE mileage, not keep what I have.

Edit: Nevermind Ace, now I read with both eyes open and saw the 17mpg part.

 

[landtank]

I wouldn't expect 17 if you want mileage figures. This is a 4.5l 6 in a 6000lb truck not a 3.0l v6 in a 3500 lb truck.

Weighed down with rear bumper, front bumper, lifted and geared to 4.88 turning 35" tires I get 14.5 mpg consistantly. But I drive a lot of highway all the time.

The flip side is that if you do the maintenance your self which is seals, grease and fluids for the most you get low repair costs to ofset that fuel bill.

Last month's gas bill was $353.00, not my worst either.