Built up wj vs stock fj80, should I make the switch?

[SSF556]

Actually, yes.



I get it. You have a WJ. I'd love to drive the diesel version. I read your thread on it and I like what you've done with it. My point was that older Landcruisers (as well as current 70 series offerings) are designed to be field serviceable and to withstand a ton of punishment in less than ideal conditions. Not everyone needs that. I'm just offering a contrary point of view to the OP.

Actually it is a WK...:wings:

And thanks on the compliment. You bring up a good point about field serviceability.

 

[locrwln]

I owned a 1997 LX 450 (Lexus version of the 80) and a 1996 80 series and the only way I would even remotely think about a '91-'95 is if I were going to do a v8 swap, which brings its own set of challenges (regardless of what anyone else says, most engine converted 80's end up for sale soon after...) The 3fe is barely adequate and the 1FZE isn't much of an improvement (it was designed as a forklift motor and probably should have stayed there). Nothing like having no power and crappy gas mileage all rolled into one. The 1FZE had all of the right design parts, it just didn't deliver and there is no easy way to get more power out of them. There is no way Toyota could sell an 80 in today's market, the cooling system struggled and the A/C would shut off if it got too warm (idling in traffic/slow speed driving), narrow power band, etc.

On a '91-'92 you have the semi-float rear axle with drum brakes and even into the '93-'94's it was no guarantee that you were getting the full-float with disc brakes. So that would need to be considered as well as the disc brakes aren't that impressive, so I can only imagine that the drums would leave a lot to be desired.

I will agree that they are some of the most robust built vehicles out there, they can take an amazing amount of abuse day after day, but they are far from perfect and unless your buddy is a true cruiser head that has done all of the maintenence, expect to spend a lot of time and money to get it up to speed. The first owners generally got the "free" 100k of use, after that, it's time to do all of the maintence.

Now don't get me wrong, I still really like 80's, but I warn potential owners to keep a realistic view of what they are and not to get caught up in the romantic vision.

Jack

 

[jgvlanderos@yahoo.com]

I definitely tend to get cought up on the "romantic vision" when it comes to Toyota. I've owned jeeps and land rovers and have had nothing but problems. And the Toyota guys always make it seem like they never have these issues. Im sticking with the wj for now because I don't want to start over. I can't afford it. But when I get out of school and have a better income I might switch over to something with a better reliability reputation. Im more about spending time on the trail and road than about spending time fixing the thing.
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[CJustin7]

That's a really nice WJ. I'd keep it due to cost and availability. Also.... What's the real upside of the 80 over the WJ .... any?

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

I definitely tend to get cought up on the "romantic vision" when it comes to Toyota. I've owned jeeps and land rovers and have had nothing but problems. And the Toyota guys always make it seem like they never have these issues. Im sticking with the wj for now because I don't want to start over. I can't afford it. But when I get out of school and have a better income I might switch over to something with a better reliability reputation. Im more about spending time on the trail and road than about spending time fixing the thing.
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But how much time do you REALLY spend fixing it? How many miles again ? 115k? A new transmission in a domestic vehicle, especially a modified and trAil used one, doesn't seem too absurd. The trans in my ranger went out at 85k miles. I drove it another 25k with it slipping every day until it got so bad I was afraid to pull into traffic, then got it rebuilt.

Do you RELLY spend so much time fixing it that it seems like a good idea to switch to a 23 year old vehicle because you think it'll be better in the maintenance department?

As others have said, it's a Toyota but it's still a 23 year old Toyota.

I think a lot of the time we convince ourselves that our problems are bigger than they are as justification for some big and otherwise unjustifiable action, such as replacing the whole vehicle. Kinda like me convincing myself that my drum brakes were so bad it warranted a ridiculous axle swap that took thousands of dollars and about 15 months to complete.

And you wanna talk about spending time fixing crap? You drive a 12 year old jeep, I drive a 41 year old jeep haha.

 

[Root Moose]

^^^ Good advice. That said, sometimes you get bored with what you have or realize there is the technically better available. In this instance an FJ80 is not better, just different. If you were talking 100 series I'd have a different opinion.

The grass can be greener... Just be certain.

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

^^^ Good advice. That said, sometimes you get bored with what you have or realize there is the technically better available.

I hear you on that one. I realized that some time ago but I have no way out of my wagoneer at this point. Oh well.

 

[Dougherty03]

I always seem to find myself in the same predicament. In OP's case, I would say keep the Jeep. A new transmission is going to be way cheaper than a new project. I always seem to find more that needs to be done to a new project than I bargained for.

My 95 XJ began with the broken off motor mount bracket bolts. That led to pulling the motor for a rebuild since I had to get the broken bolts out of the block. That led to pulling the whole engine, transmission, and transfer case because I fubared the reverse torx bolts holding the transmission and engine together. I had to pull the whole front end of the XJ apart to get all that out as a unit.

 

[Root Moose]

I hear you on that one. I realized that some time ago but I have no way out of my wagoneer at this point. Oh well.

The thing ith your FSJ is that the uniqueness is worth the hassles (IMO). My XJ, not so much... Don't get me wrong, my Jeep is a great Jeep but I'm finding lately it is not enough machine for our trips.

 

[jgvlanderos@yahoo.com]

Good point.

 

[LukesPa]

That's a crock

Jeeps (and most domestics) are designed to be replaced in 5-10 years time on average.

So if this is the case why are there a gazillion YJ's and XJs still on the road, 20 years old and older many with well over 200k miles?

I've owned 4 Toyotas and two Jeeps, and yes to be honest if I had unlimited funds and was building an expo rig for world travel I'd likely build a Toyota. If I was buying a higher mileage 20+ year old vehicle though to build and drive with a normal guy's budget, either could be built and maintained. A Jeep will be a whole lot cheaper.

If I were in the OPs situation, I'd keep the Jeep and just rebuild or replace the transmission........ or keep the Jeep and get the 80, because who doesn't want a collection of 4x4s.

 

[CJustin7]

but I have no way out of my wagoneer at this point. Oh well.

Says the guy with one of the most coveted jeeps ever built.
Love the Waggies man. One day I'd like to own one...... as most jeep enthusiast would.