1991 FJ80 Buy it or NOT

[calikev]

I found a 91 Cruiser FJ80, 233000 miles, salvage title, all original no upgrades. I can probably get it for just under $2000. really, really clean interior and exterior, orignal SoCal vehicle.

Current owner has had it for 2 yrs and hasn't done any head gasket work or noticed any issues and doesn't know when TB and WP were replaced last. He says the title was salvaged when he bought it 2 yrs ago. Said the seller then told him it was hit in the back and the bumper was replaced but did minimal damage. CA cars of this age get salvage titles for any type of accident.

This will be a weekend vehicle that I learn to wheel with and just do things in that my Runner can't or I'm not willing to do in my Runner.

Suggestions? Thoughts? What to look for?

BTW...It DOES have the Locker

 

[Glock_19]

It depends on disposable income. It would be an incredible rig but at that high mileage it's going to cost you. I suppose it depends how bad you want it.

 

[calikev]

Cosmetically it's a "cream puff". I would expect to drop $1000 immediately into it just because that's what happens when buying a used vehicle...especially something 20 yrs old with over 200k. If I have $3k in it am I too deep in it?

 

[IanB]

Properly maintained these things will last forever, rust is the only thing that can take them down. If you can afford it, grab it. The axles with lockers alone are worth $1000 if you ever had to part it out. The salvage title only matters if you plan on selling it (you will want to keep it forever so long as you can afford it).

 

[calikev]

Is this a money pit? The only comments are get it, BUT only if you can afford it. It's a cheap price and I'm expecting a grand to do general stuff. Is this vehicle that costly to keep running reliably? I'm thinking $3k is pretty good for it but not if its $2-3k annually to keep it reliable

Pics are below

 

[cruisermansd]

If its a 91 it has the 3fe and that is basically a tractor engine. They don't have head gasket issues, I have 300k + miles on a few and they just last. I had a 91 and it was great.

Make sure the knuckle are clean. If they are dirty with grease its leaking and will need a rebuild.

Check the rear main seal. It's not a hard job just kinda a pain if it leaking.

Here are a few pictures to help you say yes

 

[cruisermansd]

Is this a money pit? The only comments are get it, BUT only if you can afford it. It's a cheap price and I'm expecting a grand to do general stuff. Is this vehicle that costly to keep running reliably? I'm thinking $3k is pretty good for it but not if its $2-3k annually to keep it reliable

Pics are below

Looks clean, you in SoCal? I bought mine for $5k . After I bought it I did a baseline on it and never looked back.
I was lucky to find a very clean rig.

It will not cost 3k a year. If you keep the up in the axle, tranny , transfer and the engine oil it will be great.

Over time the axle will need to be rebuilt but that to is a DIY job.

If your in SoCal . And you get it. If you have a question your more than welcome to pm me.

 

[cruisermansd]

Does it have after market lockers? 91-92 did not come with lockers as an option only 93-97 .

 

[Dan.3]

I found a 91 Cruiser FJ80, 233000 miles, salvage title, all original no upgrades. I can probably get it for just under $2000. really, really clean interior and exterior, orignal SoCal vehicle.

Current owner has had it for 2 yrs and hasn't done any head gasket work or noticed any issues and doesn't know when TB and WP were replaced last. He says the title was salvaged when he bought it 2 yrs ago. Said the seller then told him it was hit in the back and the bumper was replaced but did minimal damage. CA cars of this age get salvage titles for any type of accident.

This will be a weekend vehicle that I learn to wheel with and just do things in that my Runner can't or I'm not willing to do in my Runner.

Suggestions? Thoughts? What to look for?

BTW...It DOES have the Locker

I wouldnt pay more than $1000. As the previous poster said, its a 3fe. Its a complete dog. Reliable as hell, but just gutless. Also is the locker you are referring to the center diff lock?? If not what type of locker is it. These did not come from the factory with front and rear lockers. I would suggest in investing in a fzj80 with the front an rear lockers. When was the last time the front axle was rebuilt? If it hasnt, it is definitely due for a rebuild. Also how is the AC? These obviously are filled with R12. Sometime in 94 the fzj had r134. I would probably take a fj62 over an fj80. If you are willing to spend $2000 thousand, for an extra grand you should be able to find a decent fzj80 somewhere.

 

[IanB]

A couple guys brought up a good point, F&R lockers were not a factory option on FJ80's as they had semi-floating rear axles, I forget this as my '91 HDJ81 had the lockers and full floating rear. Does it have just the center diff lock, or does it have aftermarket F&R lockers as well? That will affect value.

The 3FE will never be powerful, ever, but if that's not an issue it will run forever and doesn't have many weaknesses.

The truck looks to be in excellent condition. They are expensive to maintain because you fall in love and want to do everything you can to keep them up to snuff, which can get expensive, lol. Front axle rebuild every 60k miles, regular diff/TC fluid changes, and a few other jobs that rigs of this age will be due for, but nothing crazy.

FZJ80's get you full floating rear, larger front brakes and rear disks, 16" wheels, more powerful engine (with HG issues), and a few other pluses, but at a higher price. I wouldn't shy away from a mint FJ80 if it will accomplish what you're looking to do.

 

[KidVermicious]

Cruisers are awesome vehicles, and the 80 series is sexy as hell, but it will suck your bank account dry for sure. If you want a bang-around learn-to-wheel rig, look to the late 80s/early 90s 4Runners and minitrucks. You can pick one up for under $2000 all day, and they don't cost near as much to keep in good shape. Aftermarket goodies for them are plenty and 1/3rd the price of what you'll pay to put bumpers and such on the 80.

Every friend of mine that's owned an 80 series has pitched it for something else when they got tired of plowing money into it. If you want a rig you're going to keep for a while, I wouldn't do it.

 

[calikev]

Cruisers are awesome vehicles, and the 80 series is sexy as hell, but it will suck your bank account dry for sure. If you want a bang-around learn-to-wheel rig, look to the late 80s/early 90s 4Runners and minitrucks. You can pick one up for under $2000 all day, and they don't cost near as much to keep in good shape. Aftermarket goodies for them are plenty and 1/3rd the price of what you'll pay to put bumpers and such on the 80.

Every friend of mine that's owned an 80 series has pitched it for something else when they got tired of plowing money into it. If you want a rig you're going to keep for a while, I wouldn't do it.

Thanks everyone...this is the kind of info I'm looking for. I'm a big guy, so I'm looking for space first. The truck has the center locking diff ONLY. My thoughts were---it's big and roomy, but small enough to get through trails and capable enough as it is without many, if any, mods. I had no intentions of selling anything else to get this. This vehicle would strictly be for bumming around and exploring trails, etc. I don't need it to be nearly as clean as this truck is, just roomy and have a good rep for being reliable.

Thanks guys for reminding me what Grandma used to say..."Just about everything that looks good ain't good for ya" HAHAHA I think I'll pass on the 80

I also found a really, really nice FJ40 for under 5k with both tops, doors and alot of mods already done

 

[look171]

I had two of them, an 92 and a 93. My 92 was purchased for a song and was already in rough shape. I had just gotten out of college, so money was limited for playing. I finally rolled it out in the desert. It was bullet proof but the body and the interior had seen better days. My 93 was purchased after that with 65k on the odo. By then my wheeling days were coming to an end. I had 230k miles before the pin hoke in the head gasket appeared. I mean trouble free miles with regular oil changes, belts, and one rad, and a set of Toyota hoses. what a deal. Do check for leaks around the windows. The rubber shrinks over 20 years under our wonderful Socal sun and they are not cheap to replace. Check for rust under the passenger carpet. It likes to collect there if there is water penetration. Pretty cheap to keep on the road really.