worth buying?

[Herky]

Hey there fellas,

Looking at buying an 80 series. I ran across one locally and would appreciate your inputs. It's a one owner '91 with 155k miles. Gunmetal blue (or something like it) cloth seats, sunroof, nice new BFG AT/KO's, 3rd row seating, clean interior for it's age. It just had it's 150k mile service done on it. Haven't driven it yet but the owner says everything works but the brakes are at about 50%. Price is $8,200 or make an offer. What do you think? I've done the research on 3fe VS 1fze(?) etc but all imputs are appreciated. I want to stay under $10,000.

Jeremy
(Hercdriver)

79 Fj40

 

[MoJ]

There's a 93 with lockers for sale in SW Missouri (higher miles 175k) for under $10k. PM me if you want the dealers info.

 

[thorvald]

id say its too much for a 91. should be able to find a 93 or better in the under 10,000 price range. hold out for one with lockers too.

 

[Herky]

This guy says it has lockers installed. I'm pretty sure I can get him under 8k and not having to pay for shipping is nice too. How much are 91's going for?

 

[MoJ]

Are you sure he's not confusing the center diff button on the dash for front/rear lockers? Unless he installed the lockers aftermarket it doesn't have them because 91-92 did not come with front/rear lockers as a factory option in the US. However, they all came with the center diff lock button which is not the same thing at all.

 

[MoJ]

To somewhat answer your other question...I sold my cherry 91 with 114k miles for $8500 last January.

 

[firetruck41]

I think there is a really good chance you could get a 93 or up for that price, I would keep looking, I did, and am glad I did not get the 91 I looked at first, even though it was ~2k cheaper.

 

[Herky]

Good stuff guys. Ya I believe it was the center diff he was speaking about. What is the difference? I know what lockers are but I guess I'm not familiar with the locking the center diff.

 

[mot]

Just as important as front/rear lockers, at least to some of us, a '93 or a '94 would give you extra ooomph with larger displacement and hp/torgue.

Good luck!

 

[acf]

Good stuff guys. Ya I believe it was the center diff he was speaking about. What is the difference? I know what lockers are but I guess I'm not familiar with the locking the center diff.

My 97 does not have factory lockers nor a center diff. button since I guess thats all you get in 4L. Thought that was the norm.

 

[MoJ]

A locking center diff lock prevents all the torque from going to one axle in the event of slippage at that axle. Front/Rear lockers apply the same concept only within an individual axle. So if one tire slips the opposite side of the axle still has power to it. There's a great article out there somewhere titled "diffs for dummies." It explains it really well. Anyone have link to that?

All 80 series have the center when the transfer is put in low. The much sought after ones also have the front/rear lockers which are activated by a knob to the left of the steering wheel.

 

[MoJ]

Here - read this...

http://www.lcool.org/technical/diffs/diffs.html

 

[MoJ]

And here's a pic of the switch/knob

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_locker.htm

 

[Rookie2]

My 97 does not have factory lockers nor a center diff. button since I guess thats all you get in 4L. Thought that was the norm.

acf,

It is.

IIRC, none of the US speced LC's/LX's came with the center diff. switch from the factory. The center diff. automatically locks when put in 4L, unless you buy the CDL switch and do the pin 7 mod, which gives you control over whether or not the the center diff is locked in either 4L or 4H. The wiring and harness for the CDL switch are already installed, so if you buy the switch from C'dan (under $60), it's about a 15 minute plug and play mod. Add another 30 minutes for the pin 7 mod. if you want the added flexibility to go 4L without the center diff. locking.


Rookie2

 

[MoJ]

acf,

It is.

IIRC, none of the US speced LC's/LX's came with the center diff. switch from the factory.

Rookie2

The 91-92 FJ80's came factory with the CDL switch.

 

[Beowulf]

Jeremy,

Read up on the differences between the US 80 Series models; 91-92 FJ80 and the 93-97 FZJ80.
Read up on "how to buy an 80 Series" in the numerous threads we've discussed this topic.
Read the 80 Series newbie guide on the Slee offroad site.
Read the "Diffs for Dummies" on the LCool site.

Post back with your questions after you've gotten up to speed on these vehicles and we'll be glad to address any questions that remain.

-B-

 

[Herky]

Beowulf,
I guess you had to be the "use the search function" guy since Junk hasn't piped in. I don't think I came in with a bunch of beat to death questions. I was just looking for opinions on a specific find. I have read up on the differences and will continiue to do so. Is there really a "new question" out there? I'm sure if I spent a long enough time searching through the bowels of the internet I could find the answer to just about any question I had about an 80 series Landcruiser. But what fun would that be?

Moj thanks for the helpful links. I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

 

[Beowulf]

Jeremy,

>> I guess you had to be the "use the search function" guy since Junk hasn't piped in. <<

Yes, do you have a problem with that? Junk does a great job here and I don't appreciate your belittling his efforts to get people to SEARCH before posting.


>> Ya I believe it was the center diff he was speaking about. <<
>> What is the difference? I know what lockers are but I guess <<
>> I'm not familiar with the locking the center diff. <<

Your above post indicates one of two things. Either you had not done the suggested research or your retention was near zero.

My suggestions were meant to point you in the right direction without burdening the rest of the forum members with the umpteenth explanation of how to identify a vehicle with diff locks, what years they were offered on US spec 80s, the differences between the 3FE and the 1FZ-FE, the function of the center differential, and the advantages of locking F&R differentials.

>> Is there really a "new question" out there? <<

Yes there are and they can be quite entertaining. Your above questions are, quite frankly, boring and have been covered dozens and dozens of times right here on IH8MUD. No need to search the bowels of the internet, just search right here in the 80 section. I promise if you'll give it 30 minutes you'll be an expert on those topics.

>> I'm sure if I spent a long enough time searching [... ] I could find the answer [...] But what fun would that be? <<

Nice attitude.

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't post questions, just that you can help yourself by doing that "un-fun" stuff on your dime and then you'll be rewarded with great information from some very knowledgeable guys.

BTW, vehicle "pricing" is something that you'll get opinions all over the map. There is no way to get a concensus on what a specific vehicle is worth and what they're going for. You've already got some opinions but it's unlikely you'll get agreement since we live all over the US and many guys are much better connected than others. There's no way that I would pay over $8,000 for a stock FJ80 but that's just me and you'll get a different opinion from Eric (erics_bruiser) and several others that are being served well by acquiring a well maintained FJ80.

-B-

 

[jjbodean1970]

8200 seems high to me, maybe more like 6500 or so

 

[Montana Cruiser]

As others have said, there are alot of variables and opinions and you are not going to get a concensus ....... with that said, here is yet another opinion

I think that most of us can agree you could get an early FZJ80 with slightly higher mileage, and in good shape for that kind of $$, and there are some advantages to to the FZJ80 vs. the FJ80, but whats your intended purpose? I personally think that THE most important question, is, Is this going to be your DD? How much serious off-road action (and what kind? mud? rock crawling? dirt road to the fishing hole? hopping a curb at Applebee's to beat traffic?) If this is a hobby and the truck is in sweet shape, you like it and will work on it (READ: Obsess about it) and will not need lockers, then go for it! If you are going to get serious about being off-road and will be in situations where lockers are needed then start weighing the stock lockers of the FZJ80 vs 2k-3K for aftermarket lockers on an FJ80. You can get REALLY specific about the differences between the two, but in my mind FJ80 = 3FE and no lockers, and the FZJ80 is a more poweful engine and lockers ... the other stuff is .... well ..... other stuff.

In my case, I was looking for something to use as a DD right now ..... but knew I would SLOWLY (as I could afford it) build my rig into a decent off-road truck (not sure how serious I will get) and in the mean time, be able to remote camp, get to the ski hill etc safely on snow and ice, so for me, the added power and EVENTUAL need for lockers pointed me towards the FZJ80........ you may have a different story that will fit the FJ80 just right. I think both are cool and would like to someday have one of each ...... just because I can