Which 80 is best?

[Doc]

Of the 80 series generation, which year is the 'best' year to have, milage and other considerations being equal.

When shopping for my 80 I just looked for anything 93 and newer, as I wanted the larger motor, I got lucky and found one with ABS (factory lockers!) too.

 

[MoJ]

I'll say the same thing most 80 owners would, "Mine!"

 

[xl715]

ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!! IF IT IS AN 80, IT'S THE BEST !!!!!!

 

[GXO]

1. Any 80 touched by Alan Podvin.
2. Any 80 touched by Christo Slee.
3. CDan's 80..too many toys to not make the list.

Any year can be made the best for any task.

Offroad I personally value the mechanics of the 91-92s, the lockers of the later years, and the comfort of them all.

I guess it is up to your own tastes.

 

[offroadkid]

I am much more happy with our 97 than I was with our 92.

 

[Gumby]

One not owned by Junk.

 

[e9999]

an '03?

E

 

[thorvald]

anything with a 3fe in it
or a 93 and above
with lockers

 

[thorvald]

[quote author=e9999 link=board=2;threadid=16348;start=msg156917#msg156917 date=1084547551]
an '03?

E
[/quote]

think you got lost in the wrong forum

 

[mabrodis]

Best? Any with factory lockers!

The cool thing about the 80s is they just kept adding things on, without hurting anything. For example the '93 is a nice rig, bigger engine, factory lockers, but no rear disc brakes (I think) etc. The '95 has all that plus added airbags, rear disc brakes, maybe a wussier tranny but most seem to do fine. With selling it under the Lexus line in '96 it also got a CD changer, more sound proofing, etc, yet they didn't drop anything else. So I think the '97 LX is the top (which just happens to be what I have.. ), factory lockers, as much power as any, probably more luxury stuff than any others (or tied with the 40th aniv without the hideous seats )...Hard to imagine a vehicle better setup from the factory.

Just my -$0.01 worth...

 

[NorCalDoug]

Gotta say LX 450. They hand-picked the best for the top-o-the-line

 

[Doc]

Speaking of CD changers, my 80 has a TOYOTA changer in the cargo area. Disconnected by the PO, but left in place.

I don't know if it works or not, and it's not really of any use to me as the PO also put in an aftermarket double din deck.

How would I go about finding out if it works?

 

[hoser]

93-94 LC's have the best body, 96-97 LX450's have the best of everything else (except maybe the climate controls).

 

[NorCalDoug]

[quote author=hoser link=board=2;threadid=16348;start=msg157130#msg157130 date=1084560534]
93-94 LC's have the best body, 96-97 LX450's have the best of everything else (except maybe the climate controls).
[/quote]

How's the body different on the 93-94 LCs? ???
It's the same AFAIK. Not talking about the stunning LX body armor, of course

 

[firetruck41]

[quote author=mabrodis link=board=2;threadid=16348;start=msg157106#msg157106 date=1084558285]
Best? Any with factory lockers![/quote]
Agreed, wish I had 'em. :'(

For example the '93 is a nice rig, bigger engine, factory lockers, but no rear disc brakes (I think) etc.

My 93 has rear disc ABS, almost all FZJs had full floater rear, rear disc, etc, same up to 97. Cdan swears, (though I've never heard or seen one), that some 93's had rear drum/no ABS/semi floater, he even says there are some LC's w/out moonroof, maybe counting all those part numbers has finally gotten to him

 

[firetruck41]

[quote author=hoser link=board=2;threadid=16348;start=msg157130#msg157130 date=1084560534]
93-94 LC's have the best body, 96-97 LX450's have the best of everything else (except maybe the climate controls).
[/quote]
Nothing different on the body that I know of, the mudflaps don't have "Land Cruiser" written on them, certain years, and the material the flares are made of, changed at some point, but that's all I can think of??

 

[NorCalDoug]

Agreed. I know the dash changed after 94.
Flares went from easily-breakable-fiberglass to flexible plastic some time between 94 and 96. Other than that, I'm 99% sure the body's the same.

 

[landtank]

[quote author=NorCalDug link=board=2;threadid=16348;start=msg157122#msg157122 date=1084559703]
Gotta say LX 450. They hand-picked the best for the top-o-the-line
[/quote]
[quote author=NorCalDug link=board=2;threadid=16348;start=msg157146#msg157146 date=1084561516]
Not talking about the stunning LX body armor, of course
[/quote]

B, you still got that cricket bat?

 

[p80cruiser]

When I went hunting for a FZJ80, I was looking for the '93-94 model years to get the beefier A442F transmission. There's just something about having the transmission from a commercial bus in my offroad rig that makes me warm inside. Mine also has the 4 wheel disc ABS with full rear floater.

My ideal rig is a '93-94 with factory lockers and cloth interior.

Powell

P.S. - According to the '93 Toyota FSM, some of the '93 rigs had semi-floater/drum rears...

 

[robbie]

The body is actually reinforced in 95. The reinforceing was due to the C-pillar cracks found in body in OZ and other places that do not have the paved road system we have. Mor corgationed roads. I beleive that the weight of the body reiforcing was offset by the loss of tranny weight. The 95 and up weigh about 150-200 lbs more dry than the 93-94's. Besides grill change and logo's changes and the firbraglass vs plastic. 95-97 OBDII engine managment. All great trucks and all have different qualities. later robbie