What to look out for when buying a 93+ FJ80

[lurker]

I have never heard of this ECU issue either or the shifting pattern change. AFAIK the 94 has the same ecu as the california 93. Only reason I know for the difference from the federal 93 is they added the egr temp sensor for all 80s in 94.

I own both 93 and 94 ECU's, totally different part numbers.

 

[cruiserdan]

Who is DanC?


The early 93's are the ones with the potential problem. I do not have the critical information in reach at the moment, but the early federal and early California vehicles both superceed to the later unit which is also used in all 94 vehicles. IIRC, the early federal is 89661-60170 and the early cali is 89661-60200. Both are replaced by 89661-60221.


D-

 

[lurker]

Who is DanC?

D-

Since you're all militarized and everything I thought it would be Dan, Cruiser (AKA DanC) part number 50012-24351, 6 star general O-12 or something?

 

[semlin]

interesting, take a look at www.ecudirect.com . Notice they use the same part for 94s and california 93s as well as for federal 93's after mid-year. I assume that means that they will sell you a reconditioned superseded ECU if you have an early federal truck. I also wonder if that means that they mix in the early 93 california ECUs with the new parts.

Yet another reason to go OEM.

so owning a March 93 truck means I have the superseded ECU (unless it already went)? rats.

 

[lurker]

interesting, take a look at www.ecudirect.com . Notice they use the same part for 94s and california 93s as well as for federal 93's after mid-year. I assume that means that they will sell you a reconditioned superseded ECU if you have an early federal truck. I also wonder if that means that they mix in the early 93 california ECUs with the new parts.

Yet another reason to go OEM.

so owning a March 93 truck means I have the superseded ECU (unless it already went)? rats.

As I said before I have both an earier 93 and 94 ECU.

If you need a replacement just order or obtain any 94 ECU if possible, the part numbers will serve you well.

 

[firetruck41]

If you don't believe me or DanC then do a search.

See my sig, I have a 93 also and if I knew then what I know now then I would of never bought a 93.

I did not say "I don't believe you", I said I had never heard of the problem before. Of course I believe Cdan and have no reason not to believe you. My point is that I do not remember hearing of 93 (vs. 94) ECU problem before, and as a member on the board since the SOR days, would not consider it a common enough problem to be a deciding factor for one vehicle over another.

 

[Beowulf]

would not consider it a common enough problem to be a deciding factor for one vehicle over another.

I agree. The significant differences between 93 and 94 are basically R12 vs R134 and rear drums vs rear disks (as Bailey said, rear disks=[FF & ABS]=good.)

-B-

 

[vqman]

all ECU stuff aside, how's the basic reliability of the 4.5L engine?

Is the transmission tough?

is the 4.0 in the 1991-1992 a REAL slouch?

any rust issues?

what basic maintenance items should I expect to encounter? just normal stuff?

is there anything extra you have to put up with as part of FJ80 ownership? (besides this forum )

thanks

-vq

 

[reffug]

all ECU stuff aside, how's the basic reliability of the 4.5L engine?

is the 4.0 in the 1991-1992 a REAL slouch?

(besides this forum )

thanks

-vq

Drive an 80 then drive an FZJ80 and you tell us. Oh and besides having to put up with this forum you have to put up with junk.

 

[Beowulf]

vq,

>> all ECU stuff aside, how's the basic reliability of the 4.5L engine? <<

Excellent. The cooling system must be maintained. Some would say properly others call it fantatically. There have been head gasket issues with all years of the 1FZ-FE; '97's seem to have more than their share but there have been failed head gaskets on *all* models.


>> Is the transmission tough? <<

Yes, both the 442 and the 343 are very tough. These are the only 2 trannies available in the NA market; other parts of the world got more tranny selections including manual transmissions.

>> is the 4.0 in the 1991-1992 a REAL slouch? <<

Most people that own both or have driven both will say yes, the 3FE engine in an 80 series is a slouch.

>> any rust issues? <<

Depends on where you live. In the rust belt states, there have been a few reports of the rear hatch developing a rust spot. The roof rack is a "rust breeding POS" according to C-Dan. Everyone that has looked under the pads has seen some nasty stuff ranging from corroded nuts and bolts to body damage.

>> what basic maintenance items should I expect to encounter? just normal stuff? <<

Mostly normal stuff. They eat brake pads (15k to 20k for the fronts.) Most will recommend annual cooling system flushes and 60k birfield repacks. A few (mostly OBD-II) have EGR systems that throw codes. Nothing that disables the truck but irritating nonetheless. The MPG sucks and the more accessories you add the worse it gets. The earlier models (93-95) seem to have more O2 sensor replacements but that could be age related instead of mileage.

>> is there anything extra you have to put up with as part of FJ80 ownership? <<

Yes. Every j**p owner will pretend they don't see your truck because they are green with envy. They know you're driving the "climax of 4wd" and they're driving a POS.

-B-

 

[stayalert]

My 80 (a '94) has proven extremely reliable, powerful and robust...It has lots of seatbelts and can haul a crapload of groceries too.
get the factory manual take care of it and you can watch your friends and neighbors cycle through their chosen more modern more disposable vehicles.

Rob M Concord, MA

 

[semlin]

is there anything extra you have to put up with as part of FJ80 ownership? (besides this forum )-vq

I don't know about "extra" but here is what I would do as PM as soon as I could after I took possession of a 100k miles plus FZJ80:

-buy a FSM
-run a decarbonizer through the throttle body ( a day or two before you change the oil)
-flush the rad and block very thoroughly (check posts here on how) and replace thermostat
-change the oil, diff fluid and transfer case, use the "good" Toyota oil filter
-flush the tranny with a system that does not increase pressure
-flush the power steering fluid
-replace the air filter, pcv valve, plugs, cap, rotor, and probably the plug leads, all with oem parts
-remove and clean the throttle body (1 hour job, requires a gasket and carb cleaner)
-adjust the throttle cable (5 minute job)
-remove and inspect vacuum hoses, replace as necessary
-inspect front and rear brake pads and rotors
-repack the birfields, check/replace front bearings unless this has been done - do rotors at same time if you need to... (big job - check threads)
-replace the pesky heater hose (search "PHH" to find out what I mean)
-inspect the EGR system (check the FAQ) and replace the modulator if needed
-replace the fuel filter
-get an alignment shop to check the bushings on the steering gear and sway bars for wear

The only big job is the birfields. The list for an FJ80 would be the same except delete the PHH and substitute "FPR" (fuel pump regulator), and substitute brake shoes for pads on the rear, plus add adjust the valves (not that hard).

After this work you should be ready for a lot more miles...

the only downside to the fzj80 is that you will want to watch the temp gauge and overflow tank regularly because of the HG issue.

the fj80 is slower but not really bad. it will smoke a vw van but you need to be fairly placid in traffic. Neither model has enough power to easily pass highway traffic on an uphill grade.

good luck

 

[Beowulf]

Nice summary Simon. How about a FAQ?

Title: "So you are the new owner of an 80 Series with over 100k miles. What should you do now?"

-B-

 

[semlin]

i forgot to mention to check the u-joints for play, lube the u joints, and drop the drive shafts and separate, clean and manually lube the yoke and splines (check "driveshaft clunk" FAQ for more details on why you don't lube the driveshafts).

 

[semlin]

holy crap I'm a lifer.