possible 80 purchase.

[Nullifier]

Ok so I found a local 80. The pics show real clean bpth the exterior white paint and interior. It is a '93 is bone stock. They guy says it has the dif locks but he as never used them since it was a city truck. He is asking $4500.

What should I be looking for when I take a look later in the week. I do not really know much about 80's. A friend told me 95 was the most desireable because of the motor tranny combo but I am not sure. Are there any know week spots in the 80's?

 

[Hltoppr]

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

This should help!

-H-

 

[pismo62]

The two items I would look at are, (besides the overall condition and milage), the head geasket, and heater hose at the rear of the engine, if they have been changed. If not they tend to go at about 120+ miles. I just sold mine in favor of keeping my 62 and 100. I hated to let it go. Good Luck!

 

[Pskhaat]

Look for coolant seeping out from between the block and head which is a sure-way of seeing the infamous head gasket problem. It's nothing really to fear as even my babied and fully-synthetic/distilled-water cared-for 80 experienced other than about $2k to fix.

The rest is standard LC stuff to look out for: clicking or gunky birfields, etc. You may need some play time with the diff locks if they've never been engaged.

 

[DBS311]

The motor will be the same from '93-'97. The '91-'92 80's had the 3FE and A440F tranny (same as the FJ62's). Biggest difference I know about with the '95 model year is the change from the A442F to the A343F transmission, an redesigned dash and the sombrero symbol replacing "Toyota".

 

[DaveInDenver]

The motor/tranny will be the same from '93-'97 (IIRC). The '91-'92 80's had the 3FE and A440F tranny (same as the FJ62's). Biggest difference I know about with the '95 model year is the dash and the sombrero symbol.

The '95+ has a different transmission. Nothing wrong with the A343F, but I think it's generally thought that the A442F is a stronger unit in theory. Supposedly the A442F was used in the Coaster mini bus. In any case, the A343F is supposed to drive better.

 

[DBS311]

Thanks for posting before I was able to make the change!:sombrero:

 

[DBS311]

I wasn't bothered by it at all. Just giving you a hard time for timing it perfectly so my mistake was revealed.

It's all good!

 

[Pskhaat]

Like a magician, it's back. ExPo's gone all Twilight Zone.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Dude, you're freaking me out. Seriously, like, whoa.

 

[Brian894x4]

If you want, you can look over my 80 page. I have a bunch of different information and articles.

http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80.html

My personal criteria for any used vehicle is as low a mileage as possible, no rust, no major accidents and as few owners as humanly possible. Much of this can be checked just by looking at it and doing a car fax report.

If it has more than 100K miles and everything is original, you may be looking at a front axle rebuilt, PHH replacement and eventually a head gasket replacement. Although that last one is a hit and miss. Some go and some never do. Coolent system will probably also need some maintainence.

Here's a direct link to my buyer's guide. I never quite finished it though, some info is missing...

http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80FAQ.html

Good luck.

 

[Nullifier]

wow thanks for all the feedback guys! I never new the 3f had head issues that is scary! I am not as worried about the axles as long as they are in good working order. My plan would be to upgrade the gearing and axle shafts anyway. I will pay close attention to the rear hose, head gasket and freeze plugs if I can see them.

This one reads 140k on the clock which is less the 10k per year. My wife hates my Tacoma because of the reg cab. I am looking at an 80 as a roomier option.

 

[Nullifier]

If you want, you can look over my 80 page. I have a bunch of different information and articles.

http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80.html

My personal criteria for any used vehicle is as low a mileage as possible, no rust, no major accidents and as few owners as humanly possible. Much of this can be checked just by looking at it and doing a car fax report.

If it has more than 100K miles and everything is original, you may be looking at a front axle rebuilt, PHH replacement and eventually a head gasket replacement. Although that last one is a hit and miss. Some go and some never do. Coolent system will probably also need some maintainence.

Here's a direct link to my buyer's guide. I never quite finished it though, some info is missing...

http://www.brian894x4.com/ExpeditionLandCruiserFZJ80FAQ.html

Good luck.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

That is an awesome articel you have put together Brian:exclaim:

 

[Pskhaat]

I never new the 3f had head issues that is scary! I am not as worried about the axles as long as they are in good working order. My plan would be to upgrade the gearing and axle shafts anyway..

93s had the 1FZ-FE engine. 91-92s had the 3F-E an arguably better configuration but lacking HP.

I don't think you will need to worry about axle upgrades.

 

[DaveInDenver]

wow thanks for all the feedback guys! I never new the 3f had head issues that is scary!

The 3FE doesn't, it's the 1FZ-FE that has the head gasket issue. It's not an issue, but just a Toyota-centric concern. After using the F derivatives for years, everyone expects that their 1FZ to be the same half a million mile engine. They found the HG needs R&R after only 150,000 when you abuse it and never change the coolant. That's deemed a problem to Cruiserheads. Some of Toyota's earlier aluminum head/cast iron block engines have periods of HG problems. The 3VZ-FE and 1FZ-FE are sort of notorious, but the 22R HG can also wear out 'early'. IMHO, it's not a problem, just something to watch for.

It seems that certain production got early versions of the non-asbestos HG. The early aluminum/iron engines, like a 20R, never had the problem because Toyota could still use asbestos in the HG, but they stopped using it and those engines that got the post-asbestos HG are the ones that initially had the problem. It's probably an issue that Toyota was still using head bolt designs based on existing parameters and realized in later designs that more bolts and/or higher clamping force can help reduce the HG wear. Also the HG design is still evolving and so a HG bought and installed in the last few years are probably much better than the original in many cases. My 1991 22R-E HG was just starting to show evidence of wear at 187,500 miles, enough I would have called it a ~200,000 HG.