Part Advice

[Sterling Philippon]

Hey guys,

I just created my account after buying a 94 FZJ80 off a friend of a friend. Here's a little backstory... Previous owner had bought the cruiser off my current boss, with intentions to fix the exhaust [which he did] and make some other improvements and use the vehicle for fun. Turns out he doesn't have time for the work it needs, with kids and all. I was originally to buy it off him for $1000, and even talked it down to $500 due to my college finance situation . I took it to my mechanic who told me it needed pads, rotors and calipers as far as brakes go, an o2 sensor and the brake pedal was seemingly loose in his opinion. He said the repairs would be more than $1500, and it wouldn't be worth it for me. Problem was, I was already in love. So despite his warnings I bought her for $500 with the intentions to do the work on my own and save some money. So my question is this;

- If I have a friend at Advanced Auto Parts offering me a full brake assembly for the front two for $200, will I find anything better online? Likewise is there a good spot for o2 sensors, or should I just shell out the $120~
- Are there any other things I should be wary of other than the obvious old vehicle needs?
- This will be my first full-on fixer vehicle, but I would like to think I am good with my hands and numbers.

Additional Notes:

- I have access to a lift rated to hold my curb-weight.
- I am in CNY.
- I'm new here so feel free to let me know if there is a better spot for this thread, or a more efficient way for posting the info I have provided.

Thanks!

Sterling

 

[Sterling Philippon]

I'd like to mention also that the brake pedal problem seems to have a direct correlation to my front left caliper seizing. I haven't driven it a ton, but long enough to know the calipers don't seem to want to re-open sometimes..

also, not sure why some of my post is crossed out :/

 

[120mm]

Depending on how rusted out it is, sounds like a good deal.

You will probably need to replace all the hoses. You'll probably be chasing oil leaks as well. None of that is a huge deal.

If your radiator is original, it's nearly timed out. Make sure your birfeld joints are 3/4 full of moly grease and that you have differentials full of lube. Check to see they aren't swapping grease/fluid.

Buy Denso O2 sensors. Do not buy anything else; they will just fail really soon.

Download an FSM and EWD from here:

FSM

I can't help you with the brake issue. I do know that OEM is better than aftermarket, but other than that, nada.

Enjoy wrenching on your cheap rig.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Welcome, plenty of really good info on this forum. Post some photos of your LC.

 

[baldilocks]

Welcome Sterling. I hope you have easy access to public transportation because it sounds like you will be needing it. Given that you are a college student you will probably need to learn to work on your new love yourself and use "affordable parts.
Some parts like brake pads probably no big deal to get from autozone but I agree on using only denso O2 sensors and that applies to all sensors. Toyota parts are little more money but cost you less in the long run or will this will be a short lived love, I don't know.
Your brake caliper needs to slide side to side when brakes are applied and released. If there is rust, the caliper could be hung up and the outside pad could be dragging. This will be evelident when you find one pad thinner than the other.
Good luck with your cruiser and your studies.

 

[Sterling Philippon]

Depending on how rusted out it is, sounds like a good deal.

You will probably need to replace all the hoses. You'll probably be chasing oil leaks as well. None of that is a huge deal.

If your radiator is original, it's nearly timed out. Make sure your birfeld joints are 3/4 full of moly grease and that you have differentials full of lube. Check to see they aren't swapping grease/fluid.

Buy Denso O2 sensors. Do not buy anything else; they will just fail really soon.

Download an FSM and EWD from here:

FSM

I can't help you with the brake issue. I do know that OEM is better than aftermarket, but other than that, nada.

Enjoy wrenching on your cheap rig.

My mechanic was really impressed with the lack of rust considering the salt in NY, so I can only assume it was well kept. I think I got lucky..

 

[Sterling Philippon]

Welcome Sterling. I hope you have easy access to public transportation because it sounds like you will be needing it. Given that you are a college student you will probably need to learn to work on your new love yourself and use "affordable parts.
Some parts like brake pads probably no big deal to get from autozone but I agree on using only denso O2 sensors and that applies to all sensors. Toyota parts are little more money but cost you less in the long run or will this will be a short lived love, I don't know.
Your brake caliper needs to slide side to side when brakes are applied and released. If there is rust, the caliper could be hung up and the outside pad could be dragging. This will be evelident when you find one pad thinner than the other.
Good luck with your cruiser and your studies.

I have a second vehicle for the time being, so I think I'll be alright Thank you for all the help!

 

[Sterling Philippon]

Welcome, plenty of really good info on this forum. Post some photos of your LC.

will do!

 

[120mm]

My mechanic was really impressed with the lack of rust considering the salt in NY, so I can only assume it was well kept. I think I got lucky..

Well, then that brings up another issue. If your mechanic doesn't think it's worth putting $1500 in a Series 80, you have the wrong mechanic. He obviously knows nothing about Series 80s and can probably help you kill your rig if allowed to do work on it.

I've found even the most reliable, skilled mechanics are dangerous when it comes to working on Series 80s. There are lots of Series 80s specific items, like the PHH and Birfeld joints, for instance, that ordinary mechanics have no knowledge of.

 

[Wayne]

Sterling, welcome to the family and congrats on your new to you Cruiser. I don't know enough about Advanced Auto Parts to make comment. Quite a few guys on this forum use NAPA rebuild brake calipers and rotors. Another thing guys do is install Toyota 100 Series pads in the 80 Series calipers because they have more surface area. The Denso O2 sensors can be purchased on Amazon for about $45 each. I encourage you to do all the maintenance work you can yourself. Parts are expensive and labor cost will kill you. Get the FSM as recommended and have some fun.

 

[Hornd]

Get Triple AAA
Get Napa Calipers (save your Banjo bolt)
Get a big Jug of Brake Fluid.
Be prepared to see cracks in your flexible brake lines when you go to change calipers.
I would give the Aftermarket rotors a try, but I would not buy the cheapest you can find.
The ones with the most weight (mass) dissipate heat the best.

 

[Sterling Philippon]

would it be worth getting the more expensive of the Actron AutoScanners? the ones that work with 94 models are a bit pricey but if itll be useful I'll get it.

 

[Hornd]

Can you open this?
Hosted Email

 

[Sterling Philippon]

iut

Can you open this?
Hosted Email

its just the napa home page i believe

 

[Hornd]

It's a 10% off coupon for Napa to order you calipers online.

 

[Sterling Philippon]

It's a 10% off coupon for Napa to order you calipers online.

oh haha i didn't read into that part, thought it was just an ad. Thank you!

 

[Hornd]

It's actually buy online and ship to store.