What are the minor differences between 80 series years? (1 Viewer)

[Wisco80]

I'm a bit newer to 80s, and am trying to figure out the parts differences between years (US market)

So this is how I understand it so far:

91: fj80
92: fj80
93: technically fj80 but with 1FZ, rear rotors, and ABS
94: fzj80, but depending on the week it was built it could also be a Frankenstein fj80
95-97: fjz with airbags and facelift interior, as well as no Toyota letter grill anymore.

Did I miss anything? Potentially going to find a parts vehicle to buy, I want to make sure I get one that has the most parts compatibility as possible to my 93.

 

[REKCUT]

80 Series Newbie Guide - Slee Off Road

As soon as the excitement of the purchase starts to fade, the questions start popping up. What modifications can I make? What are those 4 bolts on the back

sleeoffroad.com

 

[REKCUT]

93 94 will have most parts. Also easiest to find. Have purchased 6 or 7 of those over the last 5 years and only one 95 and up model

 

[Wisco80]

Yes from the digging 93 and 94 seem to be everywhere. Best years possibly depending on what you want... No airbags, 1FZ, old dash style, ABS

 

[BTLSHP]

The FZJ designation begins with the engine change in '93, and the '95 while still an FZJ adds pre-wiring or heated seats, OBDII, airbags plus a different dash layout.

 

[lumbee1]

IMO, 95+ with OBDII is huge.

 

[BTLSHP]

IMO, 95+ with OBDII is huge.

Yes, OBDII would be a great asset. But, I am happy to be without the complexity of airbags in a 30 year old weekend vehicle.

 

[ajordan1975]

Full float rear and rear disk brakes with FZ. FJ semi float and drums

 

[ajordan1975]

Yes, OBDII would be a great asset. But, I am happy to be without the complexity of airbags in a 30 year old weekend vehicle.

you can always put a new steering wheel in and lose the airbag

 

[12bit]

Full float rear and rear disk brakes with FZ. FJ semi float and drums

I've got a us market 94 FZJ with a semi float rear end and drums

 

[BTLSHP]

I've got a us market 94 FZJ with a semi float rear end and drums

I that what I hear people refer to as the poverty package?

 

[12bit]

I that what I hear people refer to as the poverty package?

Its got cloth seats, semi float rear end and no ABS. Could be a poverty package? Not totally sure. Apart from those few differences, everything else is the same as my other 94.

 

[Wisco80]

IMO, 95+ with OBDII is huge.

It would be if I wasn't going to LS swap it. I'll have to transfer over the gm ECU anyways

 

[Wisco80]

Its got cloth seats, semi float rear end and no ABS. Could be a poverty package? Not totally sure. Apart from those few differences, everything else is the same as my other 94.

US spec "poverty package" I believe, overseas poverty package is completely different. No fender flares, no ac, no electronics almost

 

[BTLSHP]

US spec "poverty package" I believe, overseas poverty package is completely different. No fender flares, no ac, no electronics almost

Yeah, in about 2005-6 we were buying 100-series under a UN contract for light convoy roles. I think they came to 29k each at the time. A/C no sunroof or rack, cloth interior

 

[RrCoX22]

The FZJ designation begins with the engine change in '93, and the '95 while still an FZJ adds pre-wiring or heated seats, OBDII, airbags plus a different dash layout.

My '94 had pre-wiring for heated seats, just cut out coin slots and added switches of course with fancy new heated seats

 

[BTLSHP]

My '94 had pre-wiring for heated seats, just cut out coin slots and added switches of course with fancy new heated seats

Really? How do I find it? I have pulled the seats looking for a pigtail and looked in the FSM. I had others tell me I would find them.

We are about to do the interior so finding them would make it far easier to add heat!

 

[Broski]

My '94 had pre-wiring for heated seats, just cut out coin slots and added switches of course with fancy new heated seats

Not there on my 94.

 

[Malleus]

It would be if I wasn't going to LS swap it. I'll have to transfer over the gm ECU anyways

Why? The 1FZ-FE is bullet-proof.

I am curious why you asked for "minor" differences. The real difference that matters, at least in my opinion since you're planning to throw away the Toyota engine, is the transmission. The '91-'92 has the A440F from the FJ60. The '93-'94 has the A442F (the best transmission in the 80s, IMO) and the '95-'97 (or LX450) has the A343F.

No one in their right mind would choose the A440F transmission. It's a dog. If someone gave me an FJ62/FJ80, I'd pull it out, throw it away and invest in the five speed manual.

The A343F TCU is actually part of the ECU, so if you pull the ECU, you lose transmission control.

The A442F has a separate TCU, so if you pull the ECU out, the transmission still functions. Plus, it's a better transmission all around.

FWIW, and again, IMHO, the 1994 80 (US spec) was the best ever built and delivered to the US market. I don't know where you got your "Frankenstein" information, but every year is slightly different, depending on where Toyota bought parts and when in the production cycle the truck rolled off the line.

 

[Wisco80]

Why? The 1FZ-FE is bullet-proof.

I am curious why you asked for "minor" differences. The real difference that matters, at least in my opinion since you're planning to throw away the Toyota engine, is the transmission. The '91-'92 has the A440F from the FJ60. The '93-'94 has the A442F (the best transmission in the 80s, IMO) and the '95-'97 (or LX450) has the A343F.

No one in their right mind would choose the A440F transmission. It's a dog. If someone gave me an FJ62/FJ80, I'd pull it out, throw it away and invest in the five speed manual.

The A343F TCU is actually part of the ECU, so if you pull the ECU, you lose transmission control.

The A442F has a separate TCU, so if you pull the ECU out, the transmission still functions. Plus, it's a better transmission all around.

It's definitely a great engine, but I want my cruiser to last me 20 years. If I was going to keep it, I'd pull it and the tranny and do a rebuild. My thinking is, since the engine is already coming out, there's the opportunity to put something more powerful in.

Also, I'm not keeping the Toyota trans either. I believe it's a 4 speed and I don't like it at all. Probably going GM 6L80.

Idk, maybe you can talk me out of it... but my dream truck is a solid axle Cruiser that's a good balance of off and on road performance, has a v8, does 300 something hp, and sounds amazing.