I'm trying to end an argument with a friend who is looking at an 80. I told him that if he got a '93-'97 he'd be screwed on gas mileage because you cannot convert them to part-time 4x4 due to some viscous coupling in the transfer case. It would not matter to me because I really love the cruisers. He, however, may have issues with gas mileage. Is this a fact? Thanks for any help in this matter.
Part-time 4x4
- Thread starter chuck68
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You're wrong on two points:
1) Any 91-97 can easily be converted to part-time 4wd.
2) The AWD doesn't affect mileage significantly anyway. Plenty of data to back this up. For example, my 91 does no worse mileage-wise than an 88-90 FJ-62, which has the same engine and tranny and is lighter to boot.
Part-time 4wd has its place, but only if you think you'll appreciate the "feel" of rear wheel drive better than AWD.
Curtis
1) Any 91-97 can easily be converted to part-time 4wd.
2) The AWD doesn't affect mileage significantly anyway. Plenty of data to back this up. For example, my 91 does no worse mileage-wise than an 88-90 FJ-62, which has the same engine and tranny and is lighter to boot.
Part-time 4wd has its place, but only if you think you'll appreciate the "feel" of rear wheel drive better than AWD.
Curtis
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- Thread starter
- #3
Thank you for the reply. That is good to know about the mileage. It sounds like there is no point in making the modification if it doesn't significantly improve mileage. Why not have better traction anyway. If he were to convert, what is required? Would he need to swap cases?
Have you driven an 80? The AWD is very noticeable; at first I hated it(I have an 82 Hilux as well), and swore I'd change to part time asap. Then it grew on me, and now I love it. (BTW, plenty of threads on whether/when the traction's better, and even whether one might want the center diff. locked on dry pavement).
Like I said, some folks just really want that rear wheel drive feel, same as how Cops hate front wheel drive...
Curtis
- Thread starter
- #14
This isn't a tech question, which is why I tacked it on to this thread. What is a reasonable price for a mid 90's 80 Series? My friend will be looking in Atlanta at vehicles that have 100k plus miles on it. Alot of the 80's here are 1 owner soccer moms.
PT4wd will have questionable payback vs. expense, IMHO not even close to worth doing.
I don't know about atlanta, but a FJ80 would be ~$4-7k around here, and FZJ80 (93+) ~$7-14k
I don't know about atlanta, but a FJ80 would be ~$4-7k around here, and FZJ80 (93+) ~$7-14k
With the Slee kit does it add a 2wd shift function or does everything in the front continue spinning and all they do is take the diff out of the transfer case and add hubs to the front? So does the kit change it into like the older transfercases where nothing is spinning in the front until you shift into 4wd or 4lo?
Correct.
T-case lever still controls hi-lo, but a dash switch (required) controls 2wd vs 4wd. There is no more "differential" in the t-case; it's either all power to the back (front drivetrain bits not turning as long as the hubs are unlocked), or locked power to both the front and the back.
Curtis