L/C Help needed in Salt Lake City

[waldrtw]

My cousin just called me (who does not know much about Landcruisers) and told me her motor blew in her 1991 Fj80. She is about to pay a local shop to replace it for $4000. Just wondering if there are any Landcruiser shops in the area that could give her a second opinion. Any help would be great! This would be her third motor!!

Thanks
Tim

 

[Hltoppr]

For $4K she could get a new(er) Landcruiser....

I guess repair wise, cost/labor to replace a 3FE might run 4K....

Did they say what "blew"? It's kinda hard to kill a 3FE....third motor makes me think it's not the truck, but maybe some driving/maintenance habits that may be the issue.

-H-

 

[waldrtw]

I believe she ran the first motor out of oil! I hought she told me the guy at the shop siad it broke a rod or something. She was able to drive it there.

Tim

 

[Hltoppr]

Well, that is possible. Kinda depends upon what she wants to do. Like I said, there are plenty of other rigs she could find for $4K, and the price for a used 3FE, without shipping is around $1200-1500... (see: http://www.cruiserparts.net/parts/fj80.htm ).

A new Toyota 3FE runs about $7500 IIRC.

Expensive lesson by #3....

-H-

 

[Martyn]

Why not have her contact Kurt, cruiseroutfit on the board. He is localed in SLC. His website is http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/

Either he could do the work or give a referral.

 

[waldrtw]

thanks!! I will call him...

 

[eleblanc]

Unfortunately the forum is down for maintenance, but register and post in the 80 section of www.ih8mud.com/forum there will be tons of people to help.

I'm sure you could part the truck and still get some good money, add 4k and get a more recent one.

 

[eleblanc]

I believe she ran the first motor out of oil! I hought she told me the guy at the shop siad it broke a rod or something. She was able to drive it there.

Tim

Broke a rod and drive it there? They are tougher then i though!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Broke a rod and drive it there? They are tougher then i though!

I've seen crazier things out of the F Series motors.

Have her give me a ring tomorrow, I'd be happy to chat with her about it and might have a line or two on used 3FE's if she wants to go that route.

Rebuilding a 3FE (or 2F for that matter) is somewhat expensive. Figure the machine work and complete engine overhaul kit are going to be in the $1500-1800 range, freshen up the ignition (plugs, cap, rotor) and rubber (belts and hoses) along with a trans drain/fill and your easily $2200+ in parts only. Labor should be in the $1200 - $1600 range, depending on what all is being done, who is assembling the motor, etc. $4k doesn't sound too out of wack, expensive yes, but isn't not cheap work and swapping a motor in an FJ80 is a 16-20 hour job, paying $65/hr (below what most shops charge) and you can see how the labor racks up.

 

[fowldarr]

Sounds like a prime candidate for a 5.7L Vortec. I'm more of a keep the engine type of guy, but if her truck keeps rejected heart transplants, might be time to try something new (and the 3FE is kinda week in the 80 series cruisers) If she decides to rid herself of it, let me know, I know someone who might be interested. I wish her the best of luck.

 

[ginericLC]

I have a 3FE with 133k on it in Idaho if she's interested. It is in my 60/80 project. The only reason I'd sell it is my friend just wrecked his FZJ so I've been looking at that for the project. I'm about 4 hours from Kurt.