Flame at will...BUT I got some questions

[CAROLINACRAWLER]

I tried to search here and i8mud but can't find exactly what I want to know. I'm new to the cruisers, that being said I have a few basic starter questions.

Are there any advantages from different year models?
Are the motors and drive trains dependable up to a 35 or 36 tire?
Are there disadvantages from different year models?

I'm looking for something to drive on road and do mild wheeling too. I've owned and built every generation Toyota truck, Jeep XJs, and 1 full on tube chassis buggy. So I understand the working of suspensions, tire size vs. axle diameter, gear ratio vs. tire diameter blah, blah, blah...

But I am ignorant to Cruisers. I just want to buy 1 with my eyes open and not say " Damn I wish I had bought a year newer and then I wouldn't be dealing with this problem"
Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

[kyky777]

I have owned my 69 fj40 for 7 years. I ran it for 4 years on stock cruiser axles.the rear had a detroit,upgraded the front to mini truck birfs, with 35 truxus mt's. And wheeled it pretty hard and drove it daily. I almost forgot it had a 300hp 350 chevy,toyota 3-spd,stock t-case. It was a reliable driver wheeler.I'd say go for it!! Nowadays mine sit's on 2.5 rocks w/c 44" wampers,sometimes i wish it was the way it used to be and could go wheel it then drive it out to dinner.

[D'Animal]

What are you doing with your rig?



The good steel the fenders and body was made out of was something like 69 and older.


In 1976 they came out with the Ambi Door in back

In 1976 they came out with the Disk brakes up front

I think in 79 they came out with the split case

[brokenparts]

we're pretty laid back here in the LC section... dont worry too much about newb questions.

[CAROLINACRAWLER]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

What are you doing with your rig?



The good steel the fenders and body was made out of was something like 69 and older.


In 1976 they came out with the Ambi Door in back

In 1976 they came out with the Disk brakes up front

I think in 79 they came out with the split case

Just want something simple and dependable. I'm over the "build something that can defy gravity and go over anything" bull shit.
I was looking at a later model like a '94 but I'm not opposed to an early one either. My buggy was based on a '75 FJ40 (hood and grille) so I like the look of those. I'm a little spoiled on fuel injection I guess, but this doesn't have to climb 8' vertical ledges so.... a well tuned carb would work.

35s on toy axles will clear anything I need to go over. I want a Detroit or electric in the rear and power steering. Something over my head for rain and snow wheeling. And something I can take a 3 year along with me and not worry about walking out.

His mom has walked out with me before so I'm not so much worried about her

[CAROLINACRAWLER]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

I think in 79 they came out with the split case

Split case? like Dana 300, Atlas split? front dig or rear dig?

[Rat70FJ]

Originally Posted by CAROLINACRAWLER

Split case? like Dana 300, Atlas split? front dig or rear dig?

The split case is just a newer version t-case Toyota went to around '78-80. It splits open like a clamshell to work on it. No digs but a good, strong case.

[pismojim]

Originally Posted by CAROLINACRAWLER

I was looking at a later model like a '94 but I'm not opposed to an early one either. My buggy was based on a '75 FJ40 (hood and grille) so I like the look of those. I'm a little spoiled on fuel injection I guess, but this doesn't have to climb 8' vertical ledges so.... a well tuned carb would work.

35s on toy axles will clear anything I need to go over. I want a Detroit or electric in the rear and power steering. Something over my head for rain and snow wheeling. And something I can take a 3 year along with me and not worry about walking out.

Sounds like '94 would do you fine. Throw some taller coils on for the 35's, maybe re-gear the diffs 4.11 => 4.88 and the rest is stock... EFI, coils, links, Full Floater, electric lockers, etc. THe three year old will love it and you won't be walking. Good Luck!

Here's a 80 Series primer for ya...
http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

I like that a 15 year old Cruiser is considered a "late model".

[fjnation]

The sheetmetal is stronger in the early years, pre 75ish. The drivetrains are more desireable in the later years. '79 and up have the wide pattern knuckles which is semi desireable for SOA lifts. Any year 40 axles can be converted pretty easily to the more wanted parts (disc brakes, stronger birfields, etc.). Either way you go 35s should be just fine. F motor with a 3 speed is eh??? 2F motor with a 4speed is better. Alot of people swap in 350s, the 4.3 is becoming more popular (I'm doing that swap now.) The 3 speeds tcase is better geared, and the splitcase from 80 or so and later is pretty stout.

[orangefj45]

the first thing you need to do is to decide which model cruiser you like; 40s, 45s, 55s, 60s, 80s, 100s,......


then we can narrow down which years will better suit your needs.


welcome to the club!

[Lil'John]

To add to Georg's comments.

You also need to decide how much you are going to modify/swap in.

If you are swapping an engine, then the 1F oiling issues are moot.

If you are swapping a tranny, then the 3 speed is not an issue.

If you are swapping in dana 60s, then disc brake and LC knuckle problems are not an issue.

Once you start swapping things, it comes down to what body style you want.

[Bandit0]

Originally Posted by pismojim

Sounds like '94 would do you fine. Throw some taller coils on for the 35's, maybe re-gear the diffs 4.11 => 4.88 and the rest is stock... EFI, coils, links, Full Floater, electric lockers, etc. THe three year old will love it and you won't be walking. Good Luck!

An FZJ 80 is probably the simplest route imo. They're not too hard to find in decent condition, safer, more comfortable, newer (generally more reliable), and have decently strong axles w/ an e-locker option. That being said I think they're big, kinda ugly, and generally lack the soul older cruiser's have.

[CAROLINACRAWLER]

Originally Posted by pismojim

I like that a 15 year old Cruiser is considered a "late model".

I'm an "old f*@ker"

Originally Posted by orangefj45

the first thing you need to do is to decide which model cruiser you like; 40s, 45s, 55s, 60s, 80s, 100s,......


then we can narrow down which years will better suit your needs.


welcome to the club!

I like the 40s but will take what i can find with in reason. Cruisers are scarce in my neck of the woods.

Originally Posted by Lil'John

To add to Georg's comments.

You also need to decide how much you are going to modify/swap in.

If you are swapping an engine, then the 1F oiling issues are moot.

If you are swapping a tranny, then the 3 speed is not an issue.

If you are swapping in dana 60s, then disc brake and LC knuckle problems are not an issue.

Once you start swapping things, it comes down to what body style you want.

Not looking for something to mod alot. The older i get, the less time i seem to have to spend in the shop. No 60 swaps. no tranny swaps, no engine swaps. At least for a while...

Originally Posted by Bandit0

An FZJ 80 is probably the simplest route imo. They're not too hard to find in decent condition, safer, more comfortable, newer (generally more reliable), and have decently strong axles w/ an e-locker option. That being said I think they're big, kinda ugly, and generally lack the soul older cruiser's have.

I have looked at the 80s alot and like everything but the body style
The drive train seems to be what i'm after and they are a little more available in my area. I like the comfort level and factory locker but the 40 would be my pick if i can find reasonable priced. i'm really open to all models as long as they can ride at least 3.

[pismojim]

I have looked at the 80s alot and like everything but the body style

Better go for a test drive, on road and off, and report back. If you think body style sucks compare it to a FG Looser... maybe not so bad after all... especially if you pull the flares off.

I have a 40, 60 and 80 on the my driveway, guess which one gets driven most (on or off road)?

[BooKilla]

Not a doubt about it...1991/1992 FJ80. You'll have a 3fe, no factory locker option (cause you'll want ARB lockers of course anyway) and the original 80 look of the grill and dash. If you want factory lockers than 1994 is the year to go with because it has the best of everything.

[afisoldier]

Other than differences in the early years of the 40s and 55s, the drivetrains on these things didn't change a lot until '91. They had the same front and rear diffs, 3.70 or 4.10 gearing (4.10 maybe in some 40s, def. once they put the 3FE in the 62), and the front axle shares birfs with the mini trucks. In 91 with the FJ80 the front axle was changed to a HP-8" with larger birfs. The t-case is a full time hi/low unit in the 80s with a viscous coupling added in '93. '93 also meant larger rotors on the front, rear discs, ABS, the option for factory e-lockers, and a FF rear axle. The 1FZ-FE is known to give headgasket issues, and pretty much the only way to prevent failure is to replace with the newer corrected head gasket.

A factory locked FZJ80 can fit 33" tires stock and will go more places than any other cruiser ever could from the factory. Lifting is easy compared to lifting other vehicles. Up to 3" just means springs, shocks, caster bushings....and means you can run 35" tires with minimal rubbing. Above that you get into driveline issues (vibrations), castor correction issues (arms/plates become necessary), and brake-lines being too short. The wheelwells are huge on these things too. I run 38.5x11 boggers, have my bumpstops extended 2", and do not rub at all in the front and barely rub in the rear. (flares and mudflaps got ripped off previously making this fitment much easier).

The 80, IMO, is the BEST cruiser made. It drives like a cadillac on and off-raod, has decent power with the 1FZ, is a very tough vehicle with a very strong drivetrain, and the interior is roomy and comfortable (unless you NEED cupholders and are taller than 6').

The deciding factors are really: interior comfort (pre FJ80 is sub-par IMO), body style, and coil vs leaf springs. Once you decide those, we can help you pick the best year of the model that has all the best components of the model.

[ranger]

1983 was the last year Landcruisers were made!

[pismojim]

Originally Posted by ranger

1983 was the last year Landcruisers were made!

And yet we still seem to muddle through....

'86 Land Cruiser (two words!)
Carrying some common spares for your pre-'83s too.


'93 Land Cruiser

[afisoldier]

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ling-pics.html

Mostly 80s, but a few other models thrown in. Reguardless of the model you pick, you're picking a Land Cruiser. Welcome to the addiction, herritage, love, lust, hate, blood, sweat, tears and wallet thinning that comes with it. Remember, this is a vehicle that with reasonable maintainance can out-live 99% of all other wheelable rigs.

[zuluzeugma]

You difinately want/need an FJ60 and I have a sweet one I will sell you.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...303&highlight=

[woooody]

Originally Posted by pismojim

Better go for a test drive, on road and off, and report back. If you think body style sucks compare it to a FG Looser... maybe not so bad after all... especially if you pull the flares off.

I have a 40, 60 and 80 on the my driveway, guess which one gets driven most (on or off road)?

Heywood Jablowme....

Fricking wagon purist.

Get the 80. If you want IFS, get the FJ Crusier.

the 80's are cheap, ugly, but well built. The FJ Cruisers are expensive, ugly and built OK.

[pismojim]

Originally Posted by woooody

Heywood Jablowme....

Fricking wagon purist.

It's about time, 10 days go by and I'm starting to wonder where's Wooooooooooody...

P.S. I heard the FJC was being re-badged as a Scion. There's even a TSB for dealers to remove and replace emblems on prior year models.

[woooody]

Yeah, I haven't been online much since before Marlin's roundup... I'm in an Oracle class this week in Sac, so I have some time to find your digs....

Your surf and turf logo looks FJC'ish... The bezel is too wide

[woooody]

And, actually, the FJC is being fazed out in 2010 -- it will some how be combined with the 4runner? Not sure on the details yet.

[Boheefus]

a 94 and up will also get you a FF rear axle with disk brakes as well.