BKCowGod
Automotive ADHD is fun!
Crazedlist.org also works, gives you a little more flexibility with your selection...
EDIT - but now I actually prefer the interface of themccumbers
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Opinions needed from the TLC Guru's
- Thread starter Streakerfreak
- Start date
Crazedlist.org also works, gives you a little more flexibility with your selection...
EDIT - but now I actually prefer the interface of themccumbers
I've owned both. The 3FE rig works great off-road, but on the road it lacks power and braking ability when compared to my current FZJ80s. I prefer to drive a bit faster up and down the hills or when bucking a strong headwind on the prairie; thus the daily-driver aspect of the 93+ rigs was a strong consideration for me. If it's primarily an off-road toy, or you just plain don't mind driving an older slower vehicle for daily use, then yes, the FJ80 may be a better option for your particular intersection of needs and budget than the FZJ80. However...if you're going to keep if for a decade or more, consider how paltry a few thousand dollars may seem when amortized. That's my rationale...:ylsmoke:
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dieselcruiserhead
16 Years on ExPo. Whoa!!
The 3FE is a great engine, the problem is mostly the transmission - it sucks gobs of power out of the engine. I know a 5 speed can be converted into them. I agree that I would spend $2500-$3000 somewhere else (even DC is mildly tolerable, only 4.5 hours from NY and night and day or even just a couple hours south). After living in New England and snapping tools and bolt heads and all of the other issues with rusty east coast cars I would never buy a used car there again. The difference is really startling... Even my family is on this band wagon and buy their cars out here now most of the time and think its worth it to drive back all the way from Utah.
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Streakerfreak
Jan-Kee
Streakerfreak
Jan-Kee
Thanks guys. I decided not to get this one. I'll still use this thread to get your opinions on future finds. Now I just need to sell my truck.
sleeoffroad
Adventurer
Do Not, I repeat, do not buy a 91/92 80. For any price. I have a lot of people that say ahead of time "Oh, the power thing does not bother me", the 3FE is a much better engine, yada, yada. Then 6 months down the line they call and ask what can be done to give it more power. All we can say then is "We told you so"
The 3FE is also becoming an emissions nightmare in states where that is required. For an 80, buy the best one, latest model that you can find for the money.
$4k for a 91 is way overpriced.
The 3FE is also becoming an emissions nightmare in states where that is required. For an 80, buy the best one, latest model that you can find for the money.
$4k for a 91 is way overpriced.
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
I agree for living in a place like Colorado where altitude really kills the little power an FJ80 has the FZJ makes sense. On I70 pulling grade for example. it is kind of brutal being 45mph max on alot of it. Anywhere else though in North America it really isn't an issue to me and that is with stock gearing and 33's. I find the mileage goes down so fast above 65 that I rarely drive it above that anyway on highway use and on trails, the power has always been fine. For a daily driver seeing highway and city use, I'd recomend an FZJ but if it is being used for trail use or long trips where you aren't in a rush I'd go FJ all day. That's my 2 cents.
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ChuckB
Expedition Leader
Fergie
Expedition Leader
Well, going on a year now with my 1991. From sea level to 7000' here in Flagstaff and I dont mind the slow.
It is beneficial that I don't deal with emissions either.
I say buy whatever you can afford.
Streakerfreak
Jan-Kee
Argh, you guys are making this difficult. Geez, I guess I have to actually think for myself.
Streakerfreak
Jan-Kee
freshspecbluegt
Adventurer
Wow, that's a red flag. handyman special/fixer upper doesn't sound promising. No engine shots probably so it needs the typical gaskets replaced such as the valve cover, distributor o-ring, maybe the oil pump seal. Will almost definately need a front axle job (but almost all of them will).
To echo what others have said, try not to rule out travelling a little to get a good truck. A weekend and a few hundred bucks in air fare and gas could be a pretty cheap investment to get a good rig. Also I'm sure you are over there but make sure you check out the IH8MUD classifieds.
Good luck.
To echo what others have said, try not to rule out travelling a little to get a good truck. A weekend and a few hundred bucks in air fare and gas could be a pretty cheap investment to get a good rig. Also I'm sure you are over there but make sure you check out the IH8MUD classifieds.
Good luck.
TangoBlue
American Adventurist
Well, it looks clean and is a blank slate to build up from. The best part of 190K miles I'd want to see maintenance records. There is a shop in Fredericksburg, VA, about 80 miles south of Bethesda, MD who are LC restoration experts who could give the vehicle an inspection, Iron Pig Offroad.