FJ80 Land Cruisers

[JHZR2]

Growing interest in these:

Any one have a passion for them? Can you tell the weak spots, pros and cons, etc?

Only interested in these or the generation earlier. I6 trucks.

Thanks

 

[skyactiv]

 

[0W-16]

****ty gas mileage and head gaskets are weak spots. Get a triple locked 80 series. They hold value incredibly.

 

[Shel_B]

My favorite LC ... hope you find a nice one. You'll love it!

 

[Snagglefoot]

Middle East Tip: Always target the Land Cruiser.

 

[0W-16]

Middle East Tip: Always target the Land Cruiser.

Yep. Both a Land Rover and a Land Cruiser will get you into the bush... Only a Land Cruiser will get you OUT.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Miss mine. I had a 91, sold it with 200k. Could have driven it another 100k and sold it for more with prices these days. They are underpowered for modern freeways and gas guzzlers. 91&92 still had the old 3fe motor and semi floating rear axle. 93+ had the bigger OHC motor and full floater rear and optional lockers, different fender flares too. Head gaskets should have all been replaced by now. I can’t imagine any are still original. Watch for clicking front end under power and turning. They aren’t simple & cheap CV’s. They are birfields, expensive and a huge mess but not overly complex. Overall a great machine for the day and a piece of history. You just have to stomach the fuel cost.

 

[tom in boise]

All your questions and more will be answered on the Mud forum - 80 Series Mud Forum

I had a 97 version for many years. I ultimately installed a Magnuson Supercharger kit, which make it much more pleasant to drive on the highway. As mentioned, crappy fuel economy but that's not why one buys these vehicles. Lots of internet support for parts and tech help. As with any enthusiast vehicle, if you are comfortable wrenching on it yourself you will save substantial $. Mine would go everywhere I wanted to.

 

[Bjornviken]

Growing interest in these:

View attachment 119281

Any one have a passion for them? Can you tell the weak spots, pros and cons, etc?

Only interested in these or the generation earlier. I6 trucks.

Thanks

easy to work on, awesome cars/tractors
Bought a Land Cruiser (old) in summer time. Like it more than the new cars they sell. Head gasket issue its not that common. Use a oil with highest tbn or you will sludge the engine if you live in colder climates.

 

[RooflessVW]

Love them. They're old enough to import. Lots of very nice examples out there.

Here's an LJ78:

 

[supton]

Have to ask: when you get old (or pass), will you wind up with a museum? So many vintage iron in your garage(s). [only slighly jealous.]

 

[JHZR2]

Middle East Tip: Always target the Land Cruiser.

Not the w126 Mercedes? I’m batting 1000….

 

[JHZR2]

Have to ask: when you get old (or pass), will you wind up with a museum? So many vintage iron in your garage(s). [only slighly jealous.]

Lol I’m barely 40, relatively careful, and generally healthy….

 

[wings&wheels]

Hard to not like them; fun, durable, capable and a fanatical owner's community.

 

[meep]

Hard to not like them; fun, durable, capable and a fanatical owner's community.

This. One of my good friends ditched the BMW bug and picked up the FJ bug. I spent some time working on a couple of his. I think the frustrating thing about living with these as they age is the metal is thick, solid, and well-built. But the rubber bits between every two pieces of metal comes apart, and the older ones have it in all the places - body, suspension, wiring looms and grommets. It’s a love/passion/disease restoring them as they are less simple than say a tri-5 Chevy. I’ve not spent any of time in the V8 models, but the I6 was an impressive motor - super dense, low porosity blocks that still held good compression while leaking oil at both ends.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

All your questions and more will be answered on the Mud forum - 80 Series Mud Forum

I had a 97 version for many years. I ultimately installed a Magnuson Supercharger kit, which make it much more pleasant to drive on the highway. As mentioned, crappy fuel economy but that's not why one buys these vehicles. Lots of internet support for parts and tech help. As with any enthusiast vehicle, if you are comfortable wrenching on it yourself you will save substantial $. Mine would go everywhere I wanted to.

Should have mentioned Ih8mud. Cruiser Dan gets you great prices for OEM parts.

 

[tom in boise]

Should have mentioned Ih8mud. Cruiser Dan gets you great prices for OEM parts.

Cruiser Dan has retired from the parts business, and actually runs the Landcruiser Museum in Utah. He's a great guy and resource. He still posts on the Ih8mud forum from time to time.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Cruiser Dan has retired from the parts business, and actually runs the Landcruiser Museum in Utah. He's a great guy and resource. He still posts on the Ih8mud forum from time to time.

Wow. I’ve been out of the scene too long. I’ll have to check out that museum

 

[Trav]

I really like the old ones best.

 

[meep]

i drove a recently resurrected Fj50 a short while ago. im pretty sure my mom could drive it, but not my wife, or daughter, or anyone who wants to travel more than 50mph. It seemed absolutely capable of Billy-goating up a gnarly double track at some stupid-low rpm, but did Not seem to like being hustled about in traffic.