Looked at a '99 tonight with 43K on it...Immaculate $27K
Tomorrow, a '93 and a 94. $13K (106,000 miles)-$14.5K (123,000 miles)
I'm pretty interested in one of them. I'm getting nervous reading the 4Runner threads on '95's and 3.0 engines. Did some checking at the local dealers and they don't offer 3.0 rebuilt engines anymore because of the high number of warranty jobs they had to do.

So...what are the achilles heels of these big cruisers? What do you think of the prices? Seem about $3-5K higher than what I think they should be (according to KBB).

 

I've some experience with both series (FJ80 and FJ100), so I'll list random thoughts. I've posted before that the '99 FJ is the best in that series, IMHO. It was the last year for mechanical driveline controls. From '00 on, the electronic controls just aren't as predictable and controllable as mechanical drivelines. The 2UZ V-8 is becoming famous for durability, however premium fuel is recommended in the L/C application. AFAIK, there are no issues with FJ100's. Look for the optional rear locker and rear A/C. The brakes are phenomenal with an electro-hydraulic pump and efficient pads that stop well and last 3X longer than FJ80 brakes. That's a good price for a low mileage '99. They're amazingly versatile vehicles.

FJ80 strengths are the optional FF/RR lockers and live axles. For that price, they should have them. Shortcomings are leaking head gaskets (sound familiar?) that occur randomly, short brake life (12K or so on pads) and weak brakes generally. The '95's got OBDII emission controls and a new, beefier ECT auto transmission. The '96's went from twin side-by-side cats to inline cats that reduced floorboard heat while improving fuel economy. There's no recall for the head gasket, but Toyota will assist in the repair depending on mileage.

For comparison, I recently bought a '96 with every factory option, Manik brush guards FF/RR, bling chromed wheels, no-rust Arizona rig, a factory new engine (head gasket) installed by a Toyota dealer @ 80K miles ($4,500 repair 100% covered by Toyota), 108K miles, $14K. Great rigs that typically go 280K-300K between major overhauls, and the blocks have enough meat for two overhauls I've read. Good all around, but the third row isn't removable like on FJ100's and cut into load space when folded.

So, I'd suggest looking through AutoTrader or eBay for a clean one out of AZ, NV, CA or in particular TX (big supply, low prices), hop on a plane and drive home. Good luck!

Edit: I just saw your sig...TX! Those prices seem too high for there. Look in the Houston and Dallas classifieds for some good deals, too.

 

I agree the price is high. The '94 was in getting new brakes and rotors yesterday. The owner says the dealership always does the work. I was thinking maybe $9K. At that price, if it runs like my 4Runner (I have 208K on my 2nd gen), and it still looks great, I think it would be a great deal. Maybe even $10k.

At those prices, I could afford the gas for it also. 15mpg...sheesh. But then again, my 4Runner only gets 19 in town.

Lady Hayduke is looking at econoboxes, which we drove for years. But after seeing the results of her taking a ladder through the RF turnsignal on the 4Runner, I don't think I want us driving a Corolla anymore.

 

Ok...I saw the one with 106,000. It had obviously seen a lot of action...in parking lots. Scratches and dings all over. My '95 4Runner with all it's Creosote bush & Mesquite scratches looked better. Add in the bumper dings and cracks and it just wasn't that great.

I haven't looked at the other one yet.

 

Maybe you should define the "why" as in why you are getting the LC - and "what you plan to do with it.....For my money you can not beat an 60 series - no prestige just guts!

Lors

 

To begin with...I have 1 wife and 350 lbs worth of dawgs. That's five of them from 110 lbs, 90 lbs, 85 lbs, 30 lbs and 25 lbs. It's a tight fit in the 4Runner with the gear on the roof. But we've done it for several years now. The 4Runner has 208,000 miles on it now and I've always wanted a LandCruiser full time 4wd and lockers. Plus either that great inline 6 or the new V8.

Yep, a 60 would do it. But I haven't seen a clean 60 down here. In fact, all the 60's I've seen have been pretty beat up. The 80's and 100's were bought by rich folk, never went offroad, were maintained pretty well, and were washed regularly. Even the '94 I looked at, really wasn't that bad...but not for $13K. Still have a '93 to look at that from the pics looks veeery clean. Just higher mileage (123,000).

 

I'm on the east coast, but my dad is selling his 95 LC with 116k for 13 grand. He's the original owner, but unfortunately didn't get the factory locker option, other then that it's fully loaded, and is the rare blue exterior, with gray leather.

I've taken care of it like no other mechanically and cosmetically all of it's life.

Pics can be seen here

http://community.webshots.com/album/128485684lOYkAo

 

Thanks Jugg...
But I'd really rather buy here close. Mechanics I can handle. Rust is another thing. Vehicles out here can be 30 years old and rust free...Of course everything that was plastic has long since dryrotted away.

 

Juggalo -

Any rust on the LC? Maryland isn't as bad as Pittsburgh with the salted roads IIRC.

I'm in the market to dump my 2000 JGC and get a 95-97 LC. Third row seats? Any interior pics? How's the driver's seat leather holding up? 95 was the 1st year for the 4.5L I6, right?

Any problems with it? Nice "markings" on the front bumper...

 

No rust whatsoever.

I'm not sure, but I think 91 or 92 was the 1st year for the 4.5 I6. No interior pics, but the driver seat is showing cracks, and could use some extra support (foam padding, or whatever it is). And yes, it has the 3rd row.

No problems, it's going to get new brakes very soon, it has brand new 275/70/R16 Michelen street tires, with allignment. It has 1 or 2 blow factory speakers, but who the hell keeps factory stereos anyways? (besides my dad)

And the "markings" on the front bumper have been taken care of 2 days before this post.

And it also has a K&N cone filter that I made for it.

Anything else I can answer for you?

 

The 4.5 I6 has been around since 91. The early years only produced about 155 HP which was updated to 212 in 93. Better injection, engine management made it possible. I've never heard of 96's getting better gas mileage,hmmm. I am now considering an 80 series as it is larger than the 4th gen 4Runner, has similar power (less torque), 3rd row seating, more storage, and has serious 4wd potential: solid axles with available lockers, etc.

EDIT: went to Edmunds and looked up the specs on later FJ80s. No MPG listed for 96 but 97 lists 13 MPG city and 15 MPG highway. Hardly worth worrying about (1 MPG), and someone posted their personal review that they get 13 city 18 highway with their 93, but thats all considering how they calcualte their mileage, tires, driving conditions etc.

 

15mpg is the most I've heard folks getting. But when you consider the cost of entry for a 93-97 LC vs. something new.... You can buy an awful lot of gas.

Everything I've heard/read about LC's says the same thing...100K miles is nuthin'. Maintain the birfs and brakes and it'll go for 200-300K. The ones I'm seein' are in pretty good shape...compared to 4Runners of similar vintage. So I'm thinking there might be some truth to the "LC's are made better" opinions.

Anyway, I'm still keeping an eye peeled, but have to take save for a trip this fall and take care of Lady Hayduke's grad expenses this summer.

 

Victor...I'm really considering selling my 'Runner and getting an FJ80. I'm in the process of doing research; I thought the 4.5L I6 wasn't available until '93. Also, does the 80 Series have any imfamous mechanical problems such as the head gaskets on the 2nd gen 4Runners?

 

I fudged up. 93 IS the first year for 4.5 I6. Previous engine was 4.0 I6. All apologies.

I think beyond the bad gas mileage the biggest problem area for these trucks are their brakes. They wear quickly according to what a lot of people post. Since they are solid axle the birfields may be a weak point. They allow the front tires to turn while still transmitting power so they perform the same task as CV joints in IFS trucks. Birfs have always been a weak point for the Toyota 8" axle in the minitrucks. A few model year changes:

91-92 4.0 gas engine. R12 A/C. 31x10.50r15 standard tire. Front disk rear drum braking system.

93-94 4.5 gas engine. R134 A/C. Locking diffs available. 275/70r16 standard tire. A new transfer case is available with full floater rear axle with rear disks for ABS trucks. Non ABS trucks don't get the full floater axle, new transfer case, or disk brakes. Essentially same driveline as 91-92.

95-97 Airbags are standard. TOYOTA removed from grill and new symbol replaces it. A few trim updates inside.

96 Exhaust rerouted. OBD II controls on engine. MAP sensor on engine replace by MAF sensor.

93-94 have a TRD supercharger available. 95-97 also have a different TRD SC available.

All models: Stock gearing in diffs is 4.10. Slee sells a speedo gear that corrects the speedo if you install 285/75r16. A bigger tire will require a wire-in module to calibrate the speedo.

whew!