Skool me on the 80 series!

[FurthurOnTheFly]

I would stay away from the factory lockers. Even though nobody seems to have any problems with them, people I know with the e-locker wish they had ARB lockers because the e-locker doesn't engage instantly. Also, the 80 series seems to have a regular problem of blowing head gaskets. If you go for the 80, I'd look for the last year, the 97, and see if you can get a 40th anniversary or equivalent with leather etc. Why? Because the upper line models of the 80 in those years will have been most likely been previously owned by doctors, lawyers etc. and be more creampuff material.

Good luck!

Well here is a question: say we find one that has the factory lockers and they need to be replaced...how much is it going to run me to replace them with ARB Lockers anyway? I mean either way it sounds like the lockers will either have to be added or replaced?

I'm not on some monster budget here, I go to school extra full time (18+ credits to try and finish up) so I only work part time and the mod money is going to be limited at best. Right now I'm thinking I better take a chance with factory lockers so I can at least have something until I'm able to put more money into the truck.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Ok another question: 80 Series v. 3rd Gen 4 Runner http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/931727481.html

Obviously gas mileage and size are the two main factors here....I'm assuming maintenance on the 4 Runner would be less because its newer. What about mods and overall cost to operate? Easier to get mods for the LC, cheaper? Discuss.......

 

[Sgt Grunt]

I prefer ARB lockers to the factory locker as well. They seem to lock and unlock better. The other reason is that I have always changed gears on the truck and have done an entire rebuild of the axels which included adding the ARB's. A down side to ARB is they do and will require more PM'ing and in extreme cold weather will give you some trouble if the gear oil is really cold. So I have always looked for a non locked truck, which I have and is for sale...

 

[rionorte]

Well here is a question: say we find one that has the factory lockers and they need to be replaced...how much is it going to run me to replace them with ARB Lockers anyway? I mean either way it sounds like the lockers will either have to be added or replaced?

I'm not on some monster budget here, I go to school extra full time (18+ credits to try and finish up) so I only work part time and the mod money is going to be limited at best. Right now I'm thinking I better take a chance with factory lockers so I can at least have something until I'm able to put more money into the truck.

Nothing wrong with OEM lockers unless it had problems in the first place.

Majority of 93-97 80s equipped with elockers that were owned by non-offroaders and therefore were never had use of the "magic dial".

So I would before buying test the vehicle out in a loose surface and engage them. They might stick or not engage right away because of non use - so you might have to do the "elocker dance" and turn the steering left or right (or in circles) to align the mechanisms to engage. If they are still good they should engage (with almost a clunk sound). Before you do this put it in N and 4LO and turn the dial to RR. And when you get that engage then FR.

The more you use it the faster it engages.

If you are going to do moderate trails, then the OEM elocker should be more than enough. As the Rubicon as a bench mark, there have been plenty of OEM equipped 80s that have run this type of trails without any problems that Ive read so far. The only thing weak I can think of is the front since that would take most of the stress since its the steering axle.

93-97 US FZJ80s did not have the CDL button to run it from AWD to 4wd. 4wd meaning a stock 4wd Hilux without lockers on. You need to buy one.

Head gasket will be an issue only if youre "lucky". These problems can occur at any mileage (50k or more) so buying a low mileage unit may just buy you time. This is considered a preventative maintenance by FZJ80 owners.
If youre inspecting for HG issues look at the engine block for signs of coolant or dried coolant, coolant reservoir bubble test, and coolant smelling exhaust.
I would pass on one with a possible HG issue.

Typing all this stuff makes me understand why most in the 80s Tech tells you to search. LOL.

4Runners are cheaper to mod compared to Land Cruisers. Many vendors cater to Hilux, Tacoma, 4runner, and FJCruiser line since they share some basic components. Size and fuel mileage are better too. But then its not an LC.

If you need more info, you need to go to the 80s Tech section of MUD and search since alot of potential owners have posted similar or same questions in the past. Good luck. Hope this helps.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Nothing wrong with OEM lockers unless it had problems in the first place.

Majority of 93-97 80s equipped with elockers that were owned by non-offroaders and therefore were never had use of the "magic dial".

So I would before buying test the vehicle out in a loose surface and engage them. They might stick or not engage right away because of non use - so you might have to do the "elocker dance" and turn the steering left or right (or in circles) to align the mechanisms to engage. If they are still good they should engage (with almost a clunk sound). Before you do this put it in N and 4LO and turn the dial to RR. And when you get that engage then FR.

The more you use it the faster it engages.

If you are going to do moderate trails, then the OEM elocker should be more than enough. As the Rubicon as a bench mark, there have been plenty of OEM equipped 80s that have run this type of trails without any problems that Ive read so far. The only thing weak I can think of is the front since that would take most of the stress since its the steering axle.

93-97 US FZJ80s did not have the CDL button to run it from AWD to 4wd. 4wd meaning a stock 4wd Hilux without lockers on. You need to buy one.

Head gasket will be an issue only if youre "lucky". These problems can occur at any mileage (50k or more) so buying a low mileage unit may just buy you time. This is considered a preventative maintenance by FZJ80 owners.
If youre inspecting for HG issues look at the engine block for signs of coolant or dried coolant, coolant reservoir bubble test, and coolant smelling exhaust.
I would pass on one with a possible HG issue.

Typing all this stuff makes me understand why most in the 80s Tech tells you to search. LOL.

4Runners are cheaper to mod compared to Land Cruisers. Many vendors cater to Hilux, Tacoma, 4runner, and FJCruiser line since they share some basic components. Size and fuel mileage are better too. But then its not an LC.

If you need more info, you need to go to the 80s Tech section of MUD and search since alot of potential owners have posted similar or same questions in the past. Good luck. Hope this helps.

Thank you! That was all very helpful and now I know how to do the elocker dance tomorrow! Is there any specific reason why the CDL switch was removed from the later models of the 80s? I assume once I find the switch somewhere its a pretty easy install?

 

[Desertdude]

I assume once I find the switch somewhere its a pretty easy install?

there is no better vendor or info for all your 80 needs

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/products_switches.htm

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/installation/difflock_install.pdf



.... Cdan at American Toyota for other OEM parts

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

there is no better vendor or info for all your 80 needs

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/products_switches.htm

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/installation/difflock_install.pdf



.... Cdan at American Toyota for other OEM parts

Seems simple enough, thanks!

 

[rionorte]

Look out for common leaks in older high mileage models - power steering pump, oil (most expensive I believe is the rear main arch), valve cover, and birfs.

The things you have to do to baseline the vehicle add up and if you dont do most of these tasks it can get expensive to let a dealer or tech do the work.

I guess Ill have Turkey now. :hehe:

 

[ShottsCruisers]

ARB lockers vs OEM lockers...I prefer ARB.

That said, if you have OEM lockers you will never swap them out to ARB's because it won't be necessary or worth the expense (unless you run 37" tires).

My buddy Ahmet is leaving the country and he needs to sell his. Great guy.
*********************************************************
Hello everybody,
I'm selling a 1996 FZJ Toyota landcruiser. It has 131500 miles .I am the 2nd owner.I have had this vehicle since 2004.It does not have the second hand smoke smell, and has never been smoked in.There are seat covers in the front and middle seats made by Specter-off-road. We would like $7,750 for it.We are planning to move overseas in 2009.Feel free to contact by phone or email.

Thank you,
Ahmet Sezen
480-246-4026

 

[tibaal89]

The real question is when you get an 80, and then Lance gets one... what will get to out-do him?! I see this spiraling out of control. Once one of you gets a Ford Excursion I'm cutting you both out of my life forever...

 

[ShottsCruisers]

The real question is when you get an 80, and then Lance gets one... what will get to out-do him?! I see this spiraling out of control. Once one of you gets a Ford Excursion I'm cutting you both out of my life forever...

Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited

 

[Marc DDS]

I sort of breezed though this thread, but I would recommend looking the LX450. They are basically the same thing. Thats What I ended up with, and love it to death. I also have a few other cruisers, but consider my LX the feather in my hat. I have the 97, and think that was the pinacle of the 80 series.

 

[1leglance]

Let us know about both ones you look at...
I really don't have the cash right now anyway to pick up anything as Disabled Explorers is sucking up all my cash and until I figure out what to do with the FJC I can't move on to something else.

The 80 really has the space to work for my family & Disabled Explorers. Although if a 4runner met my needs I would rather look at that from a cost perspective.

Good luck with the search

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Thank you everyone, except Mike because now I'm totally buying an Excursion just to spite you! :hehe:

The guy with the 4 Runner emailed me back and said its around 145k miles, but couldn't tell me much about it since he was selling it for a 3rd party. But he's been driving it around everyday. I noticed in the pics it has Colorado plates, and I don't think the situation seems as shady as it does strange. We were welcomed to come look at it and take it to a mechanic, etc so it doesn't seem like there is anything to hide I guess. Still haven't decided if I want to go see it or not.

I have also looked around for the LX models and there is only one currently for private sale here in the valley and its $10k+ and thats way over my budget.

Shotts if you could pm me your friends email I'd appreciate it, I'd love to take a look if they are local, although $7k+ is a bit out of my range right now as well.

Lance, the green one is at a private dealership which I was not very impressed with when I spoke to them. The price is right if everything works properly, but there is a ding in the rear passenger side bumper and they can't tell me anything on the history of the vehicle other than the title and carfax are clean. After the experience we had with Josh's BMW I now know that neither of those things mean crap. I'd much rather have a green one than white, but hey at least white won't show the scratches!

Thanks again all!

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Let us know about both ones you look at...
I really don't have the cash right now anyway to pick up anything as Disabled Explorers is sucking up all my cash and until I figure out what to do with the FJC I can't move on to something else.

The 80 really has the space to work for my family & Disabled Explorers. Although if a 4runner met my needs I would rather look at that from a cost perspective.

Good luck with the search

Well today was kind of a bust. Drove out to look at the white one which did have lockers but was more than a little rough around the edges. Interior was a mess, big chunk out of the right front fender and the heads needed to be replaced long ago...leaking from several places. This truck was obviously not taken care of so I didn't even bother to test drive.

Green one was a little better but has no lockers...only center diff lock button on dash.

The search continues.......