Inquiring minds want to know
- Thread starter datrupr
- Start date
cruiser guy
Explorer
kcowyo said:
Sorry, failed the test!! FJ80 and FZJ80 are inline 6.
The first "V" engine in a 'Cruiser was the '100 series.
My vote is a diesel powered rig but if you are stateside that's not really an option.
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
We have both a 62 and an FZJ-80. The 62 is my wife's DD and the 80 is mine. The 62 is stock for now and the 80 has a few basic mods that everyone else has. Off road, the 80 stock was amazing, comfortable, and forgiving. The 62 off road is very capable, a tad more brutal, but still more comfortable than a CJ series Jeep.
If you do the basic mods, here are the comparisons....
Suspension system.
80 series, OME Medium or Heavy system will cost ~$900.00 and takes me under 2.5 hours to install including the caster bushings.
6x series, OME Dakar systems start ~ $1000.00 for the basic parts to ~$1600.00 to have all the parts to do it right. Depending on the condition of the mounts (rust) it could take me from 4 hours to a full weekend to install.
Bumpers.
There are several different styles and manufacturers for the 80 and only a few for the 6x. Cost will probably be close enough to not make much difference. A quick check on ARBs at Cruiser Outfitters shows the 6x ARB ~50 bucks less than the 80.
Performance.
The 3FE is a bulletproof engine, gear driven timing system, proven fuel injection system. The A440 tranny in the 62 has a couple issues. The output shaft tends to wear and you will hear a clunk between reverse and drive until you don't hear the clunk anymore. then it will be rebuild time or use a gear from Australia to fix the clunk. I have also seen guys just weld the gear to the shaft while it is still in clunk mode. The welding is the cheapest and easiest way to "fix" the gear issue. The other thing is they don't respond well after overheating. The tranny is only cooled through the radiator, so what many have done is to add an aftermarket cooler. You still have to keep the tranny fluid fresh on these.
The 1fz-fe has proven itself as a very reliable engine with a couple hitches. Many enthusiasts have noted head gasket issues that once replaced with the new OE Toyota gasket, have not returned. (about a 1200-2500 job depending) There is also a hose that is a real PITA to change that often gets overlooked until it blows. The A442 transmission (93-94) was used in 30,000 pound Hino busses overseas and is, in my opinion, the toughest stock production, automatic transmission in a passenger vehicle, ever. Straight cut first gears will give a bit of a whine that goes away after shifting to second. The 80 series tranny cooler is more than adequate. 93+ you will find most have ABS and therefore a Full Floater rear. Factory lockers were available and I see quite a few with them.
If I were to do it again, I would get a 93-94,(stronger tranny and no air bags), cloth interior and lockers. The leather is nice, it just doesn't belong in the bush. I couldn't pass mine up even with leather and no lockers as I have all the service history, the guy gave me a fantastic deal, and I knew the truck for a year or so before I bought it.
Hope this helps,
If you do the basic mods, here are the comparisons....
Suspension system.
80 series, OME Medium or Heavy system will cost ~$900.00 and takes me under 2.5 hours to install including the caster bushings.
6x series, OME Dakar systems start ~ $1000.00 for the basic parts to ~$1600.00 to have all the parts to do it right. Depending on the condition of the mounts (rust) it could take me from 4 hours to a full weekend to install.
Bumpers.
There are several different styles and manufacturers for the 80 and only a few for the 6x. Cost will probably be close enough to not make much difference. A quick check on ARBs at Cruiser Outfitters shows the 6x ARB ~50 bucks less than the 80.
Performance.
The 3FE is a bulletproof engine, gear driven timing system, proven fuel injection system. The A440 tranny in the 62 has a couple issues. The output shaft tends to wear and you will hear a clunk between reverse and drive until you don't hear the clunk anymore. then it will be rebuild time or use a gear from Australia to fix the clunk. I have also seen guys just weld the gear to the shaft while it is still in clunk mode. The welding is the cheapest and easiest way to "fix" the gear issue. The other thing is they don't respond well after overheating. The tranny is only cooled through the radiator, so what many have done is to add an aftermarket cooler. You still have to keep the tranny fluid fresh on these.
The 1fz-fe has proven itself as a very reliable engine with a couple hitches. Many enthusiasts have noted head gasket issues that once replaced with the new OE Toyota gasket, have not returned. (about a 1200-2500 job depending) There is also a hose that is a real PITA to change that often gets overlooked until it blows. The A442 transmission (93-94) was used in 30,000 pound Hino busses overseas and is, in my opinion, the toughest stock production, automatic transmission in a passenger vehicle, ever. Straight cut first gears will give a bit of a whine that goes away after shifting to second. The 80 series tranny cooler is more than adequate. 93+ you will find most have ABS and therefore a Full Floater rear. Factory lockers were available and I see quite a few with them.
If I were to do it again, I would get a 93-94,(stronger tranny and no air bags), cloth interior and lockers. The leather is nice, it just doesn't belong in the bush. I couldn't pass mine up even with leather and no lockers as I have all the service history, the guy gave me a fantastic deal, and I knew the truck for a year or so before I bought it.
Hope this helps,
kcowyo
ExPo Original
cruiser guy said:
upcruiser said:
Yeah, yeah. Those aren't the only false statements I made in that post...
Of course I'm a huge fan of LC's. Each series has their own enduring characteristics and I wish I could own one of each. I just know Aaron as an enthusiastic Trooper owner and I would enjoy seeing what he would do with another one.
.
datrupr
Expedition Leader
Thanks for all the advice everyone. KC does have me down. I do love the Troopers and I like having unique rigs on the trails. But, I have been eyeing some LC's on the net and they very tempting, of course so have a lot of 2nd gen Montero's. I think with the responses to this thread I am going to keep my options open for an FJ or FZJ80 and eliminate the 60 series in my search. Tell me more about the head gasket problem with the FZJ. I'm going to have to srart doing some test driving.kcowyo said:
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
Aaaron, I don't blame you for still leaning the way of the Trooper. If I was in your shoes that would be up at the top of the list. For the stuff you want to do it is an excellant platform and for the $ you could set up a Trooper with some really nice kit. Just out of curiousity, what is the interior square footage of the Trooper? I've always wondered how the volume compares to an 80. Also, is there enough length to make a sleeping platform in the back? I've never had a chance to crawl around in one.
Hltoppr
El Gringo Spectacular!
With the prices of the 100 series falling faster than stocks....it's hard to beat. For a great overall overlander, with better power than the 1FZE motors in the FZJ80s, the price is fantastic.
Everytime I drive one I have second thoughts....so I try not to drive or ride in 'em....
-H-
Everytime I drive one I have second thoughts....so I try not to drive or ride in 'em....
-H-
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
datrupr said:
Read on, Grasshopper.
Buying Guide on Mud.
I would not shy away from a bad head gasket. I would offer 2K less than the asking price if it was not already disclosed and adjusted. I'm a mechanic, though, so I could do it for the cost of parts and my own time.
:safari-rig:
datrupr
Expedition Leader
upcruiser said:
Great question. The Trooper has just over 90 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The down side is the way the seats fold. They actually fold up and protrude a bit into the cargo area. With the seats fully folded someone like me (6') can not lay down with out going corner to corner. However, with only the seat backs folded and a platform built on top of them a person of about 6'5" (maybe a little generous) could lay back there with room. But, if you want to use the back seats the platform would have to built on a hinge so it can over as well so the seats can be used (does that make sense?). I wanted to do something like that with my previous Trooper but never got around to it.