What do you guys think of my new ‘97? (1 Viewer)

[mrq]

Hey, guys! So I had a 1994 LC for years but sold it in late 2023 because I wanted a 100 series as a daily to replace my ‘94. I regret that decision. I loved my 100, but it just wasn’t the same as an 80… Not quite as endearing to drive!

So I sold my 100 last week and bought this AMAZING 1997 LC in Seattle. I flew up to SEATAC from Portland and took a taxi to Seattle to pick this up and drive it home.

It’s a 1997 FZJ80 w/ 185k miles, 3 owner, clean title/CARFAX.

I paid $17,000 for it. Do you think it was a good deal? The entire interior has been redone. All the leather, the carpet, etc.

Also, this ‘97 has WAY more HP and get up and go than my ‘94. It’s crazy! Almost as much power as my V8 100 series had. It does not have a super charger or turbo. It has not been regeared to my knowledge… Could it have been OBDII flashed? That’s what my friend said might be the case. Idk if that’s possible with these…? It gets up and GOES. It does not have high RPM either! It probably gets up to 60mph in 7-8secs. Vs the 12-14secs it took in my ‘94…

Here’s some pics!

 

[Marvelicious]

Terrible. If you give me fifty bucks I'll get it out of your way...

Honestly, the 1fz is pretty peppy until you put oversized tires on it like we all do. Toyota's ECUs are pretty locked down, so you can't flash them to my knowledge. There are apparently piggyback ECUs available (Unichip) but I have no personal experience.

Honestly, looks pretty sweet, and I'm a fan of the color.

 

[truthdetector]

Sounds like a good deal to me. More pics! Engine bay and under carriage.

 

[Tyland Cruiser]

That's a beautiful truck. Seems like a decent price, especially if the POs took as good a care of it under the hood as they did the interior. Has most of the normal preventive maintenance been kept up - hoses, spark plugs, radiator, belts, etc.?

 

[CrabCake]

Welcome back! Fair deal, especially if it makes YOU happy...

Doubtful that it was re-geared with stock-ish size tires...interesting about the comps between the rigs....my '94 is slow as poo (on 315's), but I love it!

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Pretty rig. The "right colour" too. LOL

 

[efjayatee]

Nope! Still the same 212 hp as with 93/94. Couldbe your 94 was not running 100% as you thought.
Is it 3x locked? I guess depends what PM was done to make it a $17k rig. Without knowing what has been maintained, $17k with 185k miles would more than I would pay especially if its not 3x locked.

 

[bicycleagent003]

Great buy. Enjoy it. Looks awesome.

 

[mrq]

That's a beautiful truck. Seems like a decent price, especially if the POs took as good a care of it under the hood as they did the interior. Has most of the normal preventive maintenance been kept up - hoses, spark plugs, radiator, belts, etc.?

Thanks! I’m not sure about the preventive maintenance… I bought it from a dealership. The Carfax showed some maintenance, but idk if the head gasket’s been done, or what else has been done on it.

 

[AgentOrange]

Way too nice. Needs more cutoff wheel Seriously clean rig though. Great find!

 

[Kabanstva]

What are you talking about it has way more power than the 94? Literally the same motor.

 

[efjayatee]

If you want more power the OBD1 Turbo is going to be available very soon.

 

[Rifleman]

Also, this ‘97 has WAY more HP and get up and go than my ‘94. It’s crazy! Almost as much power as my V8 100 series had. It does not have a super charger or turbo. It has not been regeared to my knowledge… Could it have been OBDII flashed? That’s what my friend said might be the case. Idk if that’s possible with these…? It gets up and GOES. It does not have high RPM either! It probably gets up to 60mph in 7-8secs. Vs the 12-14secs it took in my ‘94…

When i removed the factory side by side cat system on my 94 to do a test, i found a big change in the trucks overall performance, The best way i can describe it, running the 2 cats was like trying to run a marathon while exhaling through a milkshake straw,

Once removed i saw a 5 mile per gallon increase in fuel mileage, mileage before removing the cats was 9 to 10 miles per gallon, plus i could pull long uphill grades without having to get a running start to be able to hold a steady 65mph,

Another plus was a drop in coolant temps, i saw a 5 to 10 degree drop in coolant temps over what they were with the cats in place,

To say that the cats are a major source of back pressure would be an understatement, Less exhaust back pressure would also help to lower the temperature of the exhaust gas the EGR valve is pumping into the head right next to cylinder #6 ,

In my way of thinking, a drop in exhaust, and coolant temps, can only help extend the life of the head gasket in our trucks, But since the cats are required by law to pass federal, and state emissions test, we just have to live with them,

 

[Shipwreck]

Looks like you need a couple of these:
90467-04020-E0

 

[mrq]

What are you talking about it has way more power than the 94? Literally the same motor.

I KNOW THIS! But it seems so much faster and quicker/more get up & to than my old ‘94. I sold my ‘94 back in January of 2024. So it’s not too long ago for me to remember how it drove/compare. My new one gets up and goes! It climbs inclines so well as compared to my ‘94. My ‘94 was mechanically sound—so no issue there!

 

[jsloden]

Did your 94 have a bigger tire/wheel setup on it? If so then there's your answer. Either that or your 94 was way down on power for some reason.

 

[Broski]

That new car HP will wear off in a few days.

I sware every time I wash my rig it feels faster.

Sweet rig !!

 

[efjayatee]

I KNOW THIS! But it seems so much faster and quicker/more get up & to than my old ‘94. I sold my ‘94 back in January of 2024. So it’s not too long ago for me to remember how it drove/compare. My new one gets up and goes! It climbs inclines so well as compared to my ‘94. My ‘94 was mechanically sound—so no issue there!

Your experiencing the PLACEBO EFFECT.....or like i said your stock 94 may not be running 100% as you thought.
Same when I did my HG at 245k....i thought it had more zip after the HG and like Broski said it all went away the more I drove it.

 

[Tyland Cruiser]

Thanks! I’m not sure about the preventive maintenance… I bought it from a dealership. The Carfax showed some maintenance, but idk if the head gasket’s been done, or what else has been done on it.

The first list of things would suggest checking / replacing are anything that can cause engine or transmission overheating. These include the radiator, radiator hoses, water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, heater water valve, belts, oil cooler hoses, PHH and other heater hoses, rear heater pipes, and, all other rubber water hoses. Then, perhaps make a PM list from the resources on this forum and start working through it as your time and budget allow.

 

[60 toy ota]

What are you talking about it has way more power than the 94? Literally the same motor.

But how is nobody mentioning the difference in transmissions, catalyst and obdII aside! I had a 94 I restored for a guy a couple years ago that included a complete rebuild of the engine from the ground up. Guy comes to pick it up and asks if he can drive my 97 that got the same treatment, same machine shop 4 years earlier (same tire size and gearing). He was honestly a little annoyed that mine seemed so much "faster".
Also have a stock 96 with 230k original miles. Compared to my brother in laws stock 94 (341k miles with 100-150k? On a new engine it's just like the op says