Realistic price for an FJ80 or FZJ80 ? (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

I'd for sure do a 95-97, and lockers if you can but I'd prioritize PM and no-rust over that ... also be sure to use something like searchtempest or similar to search the non-rust states.... lot's to said for the clean starting point.... TX has a good supply as do most of the sunbelt states....


 
I'd for sure do a 95-97, and lockers if you can but I'd prioritize PM and no-rust over that ... also be sure to use something like searchtempest or similar to search the non-rust states.... lot's to said for the clean starting point.... TX has a good supply as do most of the sunbelt states....



Yeah I would preferably find an already registered CA vehicle, given our strict emissions standards.
 
I have a 97, non locker for sale. 8k
20200430_123535.webp
 
With all the locking options that we have today, I'd rather have what I have (unlocked, clean never abused or modded) than a locked anything.

I have had mine for a while now and when I bought it from a nice couple in Texas and drove it back to Georgia, I regretted not looking for lockers, but not anymore.

I am into enjoying stock right now.

When I picked mine up, it was 6000 or 6500. Can't remember. Today when I have found similar ones listed nearby they've been in the 12-15k range unlocked.

As more and more 80's meet their demise and get parted out, the value of one is only going to increase.

Best states to find one in are Texas or California, that's been my experience so far. Most of the ones listed in Georgia have been abused.
 
91,92 (3FE) does not equip with factory f/r locking diffs, only the centerlock. It is slower, but more reliable due to cast iron head and block design. It is basically a tractor motor that keeps on running. 93+ have all the belts and whistles. If you have deep pockets and love crappy cracked tan leather interior, then get a 93+ It has a little more power up top, more comfortable on the highway, OBDII, etc. But they are also prone to HG failure, not all, but do a search. they are there. I have a 91 and it is near perfect for what i use it for, and wouldn't change a thing. If you want to tow and keep 70+ pulling grade, get a 95-97 OBDII, add a turbo kit from wits end and call it a day. I personally prefer my 3FE, it is solid, bomb proof on the trail and relatively simple to wrench.
 
91,92 (3FE) does not equip with factory f/r locking diffs, only the centerlock. It is slower, but more reliable due to cast iron head and block design. It is basically a tractor motor that keeps on running. 93+ have all the belts and whistles. If you have deep pockets and love crappy cracked tan leather interior, then get a 93+ It has a little more power up top, more comfortable on the highway, OBDII, etc. But they are also prone to HG failure, not all, but do a search. they are there. I have a 91 and it is near perfect for what i use it for, and wouldn't change a thing. If you want to tow and keep 70+ pulling grade, get a 95-97 OBDII, add a turbo kit from wits end and call it a day. I personally likes my 3FE, it is solid and bomb proof on the trail and relatively simple to wrench.

Pretty sure turbo won't pass emissions inspection here in CA.

But yeah, I hear great things about both the 3FE and the 1FZ.
 
I started out wanting lockers and got tired of finding not so nice ones, found very well kept 1995 w/o lockers, no rust, with lots of new parts, would do it again. Took me 4-5 months to find right one, they do go quick be ready to buy. Turbo is awaiting CARB approval, it was designed to be 50 state legal, that's why I have one . Good luck:cheers:
 
91,92 (3FE) does not equip with factory f/r locking diffs, only the centerlock. It is slower, but more reliable due to cast iron head and block design. It is basically a tractor motor that keeps on running. 93+ have all the belts and whistles. If you have deep pockets and love crappy cracked tan leather interior, then get a 93+ It has a little more power up top, more comfortable on the highway, OBDII, etc. But they are also prone to HG failure, not all, but do a search. they are there. I have a 91 and it is near perfect for what i use it for, and wouldn't change a thing. If you want to tow and keep 70+ pulling grade, get a 95-97 OBDII, add a turbo kit from wits end and call it a day. I personally prefer my 3FE, it is solid, bomb proof on the trail and relatively simple to wrench.

I test drove a 3FE here in Japan, not nearly as slow as I was expecting, lots of low speed grunt. They are pretty expensive here though, a 3FE or 1FZ are the same cost as a 1HD-T... so no reason not to get the superior one. If I was in the market in the states I might look hard at a 3FE just for it's simplicity.
 
Pretty sure turbo won't pass emissions inspection here in CA.

But yeah, I hear great things about both the 3FE and the 1FZ.
I started out wanting lockers and got tired of finding not so nice ones, found very well kept 1995 w/o lockers, no rust, with lots of new parts, would do it again. Took me 4-5 months to find right one, they do go quick be ready to buy. Turbo is awaiting CARB approval, it was designed to be 50 state legal, that's why I have one . Good luck:cheers:
aftermarket lockers have come a long way and are more reliable than 25 yr old factory stuff. So i wouldn't let non locked 80s to be the deciding factor...
 
I test drove a 3FE here in Japan, not nearly as slow as I was expecting, lots of low speed grunt. They are pretty expensive here though, a 3FE or 1FZ are the same cost as a 1HD-T... so no reason not to get the superior one. If I was in the market in the states I might look hard at a 3FE just for it's simplicity.
Agreed. The 3FE is underrated. Here in America, supply and demand and price gouging is at its finest. People want what they cannot get.
 
Sometimes in this neck of the woods you can find people unaware of massive markup that Cruisers typically get. There was a fairly clean example of FJ80 FS here last summer that was $1500. It had about 250K miles, nothing really wrong with it. Surprisingly no undercarriage rust for this location. I looked but resisted temptation, and it went fairly quickly. 3FE is definitely a great engine, as I can attest to having owned an FJ62 for over 17 years. Parts can be difficult to find, but then you may not need any other than starter, alternator, tune up stuff.
FZJ80 less likely to find a good deal. A couple years ago there was a locked 80 with around 200K miles that sold for $2500. Just a bit of rust. Again it was a consideration but then it was gone fast. No regrets, no need for two cruisers! Realistic price? Forget it, I'd never pay what most people consider realistic. :)
 
aftermarket lockers have come a long way and are more reliable than 25 yr old factory stuff. So i wouldn't let non locked 80s to be the deciding factor...

Agree 100% , hence I don't really care for a factory locked one. I had an e-locker on my 3rd gen 4runner and it got the job done, but the engagement is nowhere near as fast and strong as the ARB air locker.

Honestly, most reputable auto lockers now a days will probably be more reliable and easier to maintain than those factory lockers from 25+ yrs ago.
 
I think it’s just a matter of how patient you want to be... and some luck. I casually browsed around about 6 months all over eBay, Craigslist, Autotrader, etc. Found a 92 listed in my home town (NorCal too) a couple weeks ago. Older couple owned it for 25 years. 156k and stock for $5,000. I thought it was a good deal. Better than what I’d been seeing, so I bought it. For that price, I can install lockers if I really want them.
 
I think it’s just a matter of how patient you want to be... and some luck. I casually browsed around about 6 months all over eBay, Craigslist, Autotrader, etc. Found a 92 listed in my home town (NorCal too) a couple weeks ago. Older couple owned it for 25 years. 156k and stock for $5,000. I thought it was a good deal. Better than what I’d been seeing, so I bought it. For that price, I can install lockers if I really want them.

Yeah I'm casually looking around as well. Honestly, not entirely tied to an 80 series, just a good deal on a capable rig.

But for myself, and how I plan on using the rig, a 95-97 is preferred with the 1FZ as there's a good chance I'll be buying a camping trailer at some point.
 
Yeah I'm casually looking around as well. Honestly, not entirely tied to an 80 series, just a good deal on a capable rig.

But for myself, and how I plan on using the rig, a 95-97 is preferred with the 1FZ as there's a good chance I'll be buying a camping trailer at some point.
👍🏼
Maybe a 100 series for the V8 then.
 
👍🏼
Maybe a 100 series for the V8 then.

I just sold my 120 series (GX 470) with a v8. Fantastic rig.

I'm interested in the 80 series as its got a solid axle setup, and I would like to step up my crawling game as well (when I don't have the trailer connected).
 
I just sold my 120 series (GX 470) with a v8. Fantastic rig.

I'm interested in the 80 series as its got a solid axle setup, and I would like to step up my crawling game as well (when I don't have the trailer connected).
A power wagon is on my radar for that kind of thing.
 
A power wagon is on my radar for that kind of thing.

I bought my 1991 3fe fj80 in western NC (7 hours from home) for 6500$ it had something around 168K on it. Mostly in good shape. Not going to Lie I have had to put some work into it. luckily I can do it myself. a tuned 3fe is like a good old reliable tractor.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom