What year FJ80 is best?....
- Thread starter SixLug
- Start date
ShottsCruisers
Explorer
The best 80? It's the one you own! :victory:
Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
Exrunner said:
There is a clear divide between the 60 series and the 80 series. Given that, I'll answer your question to the best of my ability.
"...you guys are saying that a 5 speed and a part time case are a must....Did they even make the 93-97 with a 5 spd?"
Yes, Toyota made the 80 series witha 5 speed. They did not import this truck into the US. All US 80 series trucks had the automatic. The 5 speed manual tranny that was supplied on the non-US 80 series was the 15X series, which had little in common with the H41, H42, and H55 transmissions used in the 60 series cruisers. The 15X trannies are not compatible with the 60 series split case - which, IMHO, is the best part time 4WD transfer case offered in the Toyota line. The 15X series TCs mate to the transfer case used in the 80 series - full time 4WD.
The answer to the problem of simplicity, manual tranny, part 4WD is the FJ60. This is a carb engine that is very simple, uses any gas, and is very reliable. Most people who decide to take extended trips south of the US border, given a choice in Landcruisers, pick an FJ60 in good condition. The BJ60 (4 cyl.) and HJ60 (6 cul) are also popular for Diesel lovers. but have less "GO". than many like.
As to whether the FZ is a better engine, it employs dual ovehead cams and computer conrolled FI. It is a 4.5L engine, and makes significantly more HP and torque than the 2F or 3FE. The 3F was also available (non-US) in a carb'd manual tranny version.
Net - net is: decide what meets your needs and buy that, but be clear on how you intend to use the vehicle. For expeditions, the FJ60 with an H55F transmission would be my hands down choice.
Th ebest 80? The early 80 series were equipped with a serious HD 1-ton automatic transmission. These would be my choice in an 80.
M
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Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
Exrunner said:
The first US Landcruiser with an auto tranny was the FJ62 - it had the A440 automatic - these units have given good service. The '93 and '94 FZJ had the HD auto, but I do not know the designation. I believe that the FZJ80's used tow (and perhaps three) different automatic transmissions during that model run ('93 to '97). I would have to hunt up the designations of these transmissions.
Any of these transmissions are expensive to repair/replace.
M
Pskhaat
2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
Exrunner said:
I have heard-of very few cases where the semi-floater has failed. The US got the semi-floater for YEARS prior to 1993. It is also interesting to note that the 100 series LCs are BACK to semi-float axles.
Theoretically, FF is nice, but in my own personal experience, I havn't seen a semi-float have any problems. fj803fe lurks on this board and uses his 1992 LC FJ80 in a commercial off-road environment (his job) day-in-and-day-out on some of the worst roads in our nation. Atop that he rock-crawls with the same vehicle and he seems to have more guts than brains when so doing; he's had no issues whatsoever loaded or otherwise; nearly 200k miles of off-road on his SF.
What I'm saying is that
I guess I might not base my 80 series purchase on SF vs. FF.
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
pskhaat said:
Want to see a pile of them... broke 3 myself before going with a FF. Not its not "if" I break a shaft, but "when" I break a shaft I can still get back to camp, not happening with a C-clip axle.
pskhaat said:What I'm saying is that
Completely agree there... there are alot of other things to look for before the FF (clean body, low miles, other accessories)
locrwln
Expedition Leader
The best part of the FF axle is the servicability. When a seal goes on the SF axle, you either have to have a press or pay someone to do it, and you might as well replace the bearings. With the FF, it's like the front and most anyone can work on it, anywhere. There is a certain comfort with that. I've had the seals go out on my SF D44 in my jeep and the rear SF axle of my 4runner, had to buy new bearings and seals for both sides and have them pressed on at a shop, because I don't have a press at home. Much cheaper on the FF, all you need is a hammer, punch and a seal driver if you are really set up.
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
pskhaat said:
Rocks, rocks, rocks... A couple were here in Utah, one was in the Little Sluice on the Rubicon, CA.
They are very strong axles though, for a longe range trip style wheeler, I wouldn't hesitate to run one. But after seeing a handful of them break in a single trip, I had to switch.
Of course as mentioned previously, a 80 FF axle easy pretty easy to come up with, don't let a SF sway the deal by any means.
There is definitely a different vibe on Mud than here. And I hope this doesnt offend anyone, but Pirate is worse...Im not a big fan of them. This is a good, well organized forum...much better in my opinion....anyway, back to topic....
So will a FF from a later 80 bolt up to an earlier 80 that came with a SF?
So will a FF from a later 80 bolt up to an earlier 80 that came with a SF?