FJ80, a good buy in today's market?

Looks a little roughed up.

Real talk- if 8k is stretching your car budget, this is going to murder you on mileage and maintenance.

 

Are they known for manifolds cracking and/or bolts coming loose? My 3rz had a badly cracked exhaust manifold and I'd like to avoid that again if I can lol.

Also, are they known for valve issues like the 3rz? I wasn't sure if it was essential to check and maintain clearances on the 1fz to avoid burnt valves etc.

 

True but mint ones are going for 20k and up with this mileage. also, it's not so bad that it couldn't be freshened up relatively easily. the paint is decent, and there's no severe body damage. I'd think frame condition would be the bigger concern.

And yea, the running cost is the main factor that might end up scaring me away, but I figure I might get some of that back with appreciation. I don't plan on taking many long trips with it anyway.

 

Manifolds are solid. Never heard of any cracking. Valve stem seals are probably going though which will cause oil burn. Once clearances are done on this engine they are good forever. Usually no need to even check. Only if the head comes off do you need to redo clearances.

 

Ok, I gather timing chain/guides are mighty solid as well on this motor since I haven't seen many complaints about that.

The exhaust leaks must come from loose bolts then which shouldn't be too hard to detect and fix I imagine.

 

All in all. If money is tight this truck wouldn't be the best choice. Just the exhaust can get close to 7-8 hundred in no time

 

I"m pulling mine because the previous owner neglected oil changes and wore the TC guides. I didn't have the $$ when i did the head gasket and now the guids are bad so it all has to come apart again. Guides should be done with the head gasket.

Cat converter leak issues are the biggest problem.

 

Yeah I'm in grad school now so I'm not exactly rolling in dough. If it passes muster on Monday though I'll seriously consider it anyway though, since it seems like it might pay for itself in the long run. And if I get really in over my head on it I figure I could cut my losses and get most of my money back with them being so in demand.

 

Good luck, post back on what happened.

 

In 2006-ish I had my first post college job with an okay-ish income, first house, starting to get established. My grandad decided to get rid of his 79 Bronco with 125k on the odometer. It was mint except for a nickel-sized spot of rust on the tailgate, and a dime spot on the passenger door. Engine was perfect, interior was spotless, transmission and lockers all worked as they should, frame was solid. Paint was even good despite the two rust spots. Green and white with a green vinyl interior.

He wanted 5k for it. I begged and pleaded for that machine, I learned to drive on that bronco, I told him I would match any offer he got on Autotrader.

He looked me straight in the eyes and said "the price tag isn't the reason why you can't afford it. Only after you own it for a year will you realize that it sucked your bank account dry. So no, son, you can't have it."

He was probably right. I'm still mad about it tho.

 

I'm with the general crowd consensus here. I love my 80 series and it is my daily. But to keep em in nice condition and especially to make one that needs work get into nice condition... It takes some financial stability.

Rewarding though and you can't ask for a more reliable vehicle. I've overloaded it and towed an also overloaded trailer up mountain passes with the I6 singining the sound of it's people at 4k RPM and it didn't dare overheat or complain about the next mountain pass haha. Really couldn't ask for a better vehicle.

 

Y'all are probably right it wouldn't be the wisest financial move lol. Even my 98 Taco turned it to more of a money pit than I was bargaining for.

But I figure any vehicle I could afford to buy outright will need a fair bit of love, and I'd rather put that cash and heartache into something that's worth it. Besides, I think I could stomach maintaining the old beast more than a car payment on a depreciating minvan from the stealership.

My Subaru is mechanically totaled so that's not really an option either lol.

 

She's a beauty! Yeh once they are all fixed and running they are spectacular. Mine is set up for rock crawling and not a DD. I lucked out, 10 years ago when I got mine the market was low. I got mine, triple locked, armour, and 33's for $5,500 with 260k on it. But I'm the same amount in it fixing the neglected maintenance from the previous owner.

 

Thanks! Mine only poses on rocks, my Tacoma gets the actual work in the dirt and rocks. I've stalked your build on Mud, really dig it and the color. Wish mine was the dark green, reminds me of my first Tacoma.

 

I tell people on here an LC on all season tires can out crawl a Taco with grippy tires and I get scolded. lol But the Taco is still very capable.

 

Those are both spectular trucks!

It's too bad this isn't Australia, where they can be had for a fraction of the price, and with the 5 speed instead of the slushbox.

I wonder why they never offered the manual in the US?

 

My LC could absolutely outperform my Tacoma and likely most of my wheeling buddies Tacomas too in rocks and boulders. And indeed it has on ATs too haha. But the rocks are just part of what we do and the comfort for long trips and over lots of other terrain is hard to beat with the Tacoma, and they're more convenient to pack I think. I don't feel so bad putting dents in the taco or cutting parts of the frame out for suspension modification.

 

You don't need a manual in this truck.This auto is more indestructible than the engine probably. It's perfect for offroad. Manuals offroad are overrated IMHO after experience offroading with both. Plus it has PWR mode (ETC) and 2nd gear start.

 

I think here in the US, most people get SUVs as family haulers and don't really want a manual transmission to go along with that. I'd love one too, but even the 4runner stopped getting a manual in 2000.

 

Tacos might be better in some situations like deep sand or mud since they're so light though.