I drive a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder I love it but I need more room and a real frame. Im thinking about buying a 1992 Land Cruiser, it is a V6. Is there anything you guys can tell me about this vehicle. It has high miles on it like 190,000 is this too many miles on this LC or what? I plan to armor it front and rear with 4" lift from Slee offroad. Thanks guys.
LC question from a Nissan guy
- Thread starter Will0051
- Start date
There are two different versions of the 80's if you didn't know. The FJ80 (91-92) and the FZJ80 (93-97).
Biggest Differences:
Check out mud and Slee's site for more info on the differences.
http://sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm
Oh and I don't think 190k miles is too high for a LC.
Biggest Differences:
- FJ80 has a small 4.0 I-6 vs the FZJ80 4.5 I-6, most say the FJ80 is underpowered. I have one and would have to agree it is when you try to hold speed up a hill.
- FZJ80 has a full-float axle in the rear with discs vs FJ80 with semifloat axle in the rear with drums
- FZJ80 has optional e-lockers front/rear plus the CDL vs FJ80 with just the CDL
Check out mud and Slee's site for more info on the differences.
http://sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm
Oh and I don't think 190k miles is too high for a LC.
calamaridog
Expedition Leader
I believe it will be underpowered for moving a lifted and armoured rig around.
I drove a clean one this weekend. It would be a great camping rig with some 32's on it though.
I drove a clean one this weekend. It would be a great camping rig with some 32's on it though.
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
The FJ80's make great trail rigs. I have no issues running 33's with mine compared to the 31's it had when I got it stock. The only times I'm ever frustrated with it is driving freeway speeds at altitude, like Colorado. Hlltopper and I did some wheeling in the San Juans of Colorado a number of years back and he had a pretty similar setup to my '92 with his '91 except for he was on 31's and I was on 33's. Going up the grades out of Silverton neither pulled the other.
I wouldn't worry about the mileage if the truck has been well maintained. If you are going to use this as a highway driver alot though, you might consider the '93+.
I wouldn't worry about the mileage if the truck has been well maintained. If you are going to use this as a highway driver alot though, you might consider the '93+.
bryan062087
Observer
Test drive one 93+ 80 and then the 1992 80 you are considering buying. Decide for yourself.
3fe is a great engine and a 1992 80 is a great truck. If you live near steep mountain passes/high altitudes, both trucks will be slow. But the 1992 80 will be slower no doubt. But neither is unbearable. On flat ground, the 3fe is perfectly fine and suitable for the truck.
In some ways the 3fe is more reliable than the larger 1fz found on the later model 80's.
Buy the truck with the best maintenance, the least problems, and the one you like the best.
190k miles is not much on a cruiser if its been well-maintained.
3fe is a great engine and a 1992 80 is a great truck. If you live near steep mountain passes/high altitudes, both trucks will be slow. But the 1992 80 will be slower no doubt. But neither is unbearable. On flat ground, the 3fe is perfectly fine and suitable for the truck.
In some ways the 3fe is more reliable than the larger 1fz found on the later model 80's.
Buy the truck with the best maintenance, the least problems, and the one you like the best.
190k miles is not much on a cruiser if its been well-maintained.
This rig would be a purpose built rig it would be used for offroad exploring, camping, and intercontinental. travel. I plan to ship it to central America to do some exploring. Im single with no family so it would be a friend and me in the rig. I guess Im looking for an LC between $4000-$6500. My budget for the total rig would be something like $15000 LC inluded. Do you guys think it would be possible. And I should look for the FZJ-80 right? and I live in Alabama
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Hltoppr
El Gringo Spectacular!
In that price range you should be able to find one that's got the lift etc. already on it.
Check out the classifieds section of www.ih8mud.com
Your next biggest expense for a trip like that will be shipping costs...maybe $3K or more each way, I'd imagine....
Heck...why not just leave from Alabama and drive....then ship back from wherever you end up when the $$ runs out....
-H-
Check out the classifieds section of www.ih8mud.com
Your next biggest expense for a trip like that will be shipping costs...maybe $3K or more each way, I'd imagine....
Heck...why not just leave from Alabama and drive....then ship back from wherever you end up when the $$ runs out....
-H-
bryan062087
Observer
Will0051 said:
For these kind of circumstances, i would say the more simple the vehicle the better and I'd say get the fj80. The fj80 would be the simpler of the two. No headgasket worries, no heater hose failures. Tougher iron block and cylinder head. 3fe would be less picky about low grade fuel in central america. The transmisson is fully hydraulic, no electronic controls in the a440f tranny in the fj80. Less parts to break- no abs, no air bags, etc. Plus, fj80's are quite a bit cheaper and this would leave more money to spend on the trip/travels rather than the vehicle itself.
Plus for "offroading, exploring, and camping" the 3fe engine would be an asset, rather than a hindrance.
bryan062087
Observer
1991-1992 are the 3fe. Don't mean to turn you off of the FZJ80s though, they are also good vehicles.
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CDL- center differential lock... Im thinking that the 3fe would be better for me because it runs just fine on lower grade fuel. I think thats what I read. I plan to replace the stock Birfields with Slee's Heavy Duty Chromemoly Birfields and their heavy duty axels aswell. But this will be a year long project for me.