next rig, FZJ80??

[jeep-N-montero]

What are your opinions on them? I would look at a 96 or 97. Do you think I should stick with the ZJ instead? The idea of 33's with only a 2.5in lift and factory locking diff sounds nice.

 

[Greg]

A Toyota FZJ80 will run circles around a ZJ when it comes to capability, especially factory to factory. What kind of wheeln' do you plan for the FZJ? IMO they're not a 'rockcrawler', more of a family exploration rig. If you want something to beatup of hard trails, I think the ZJ is the better bet. That being said, the FZJ's are amazing offroad.

Our '92 FJ80 is very capable and it doesn't have the factory lockers. You probably won't need to regear with 33's, our '92 with the doggy 3FE 4.0 and 200k miles won't set any land speed records, but it runs great. The newer FZJ's have the bigger 4.5l engine, which will help. Fuel mileage sucks, but probably no worse than a ZJ with a V8.

I think you're on the right track, 2.5" Old Man Emu lift, 33" tires an factory lockers. That rig would take you almost anywhere you want to go.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Yeah, not into hardcore stuff, just enough to hit Kane Creek and PSM. An OME 2.5in lift, 33's, and some protection would go a long way with the factory lockers. Some nice forced induction setups for them as well, that 4.5 is a tad on the weak side for that heavy brick with add-ons.

 

[WayneXJ]

I'm happy with my 96 w/front and rear lockers that I bought last March. I think it's the perfect camping/exploring vehicle for my family of 4. Even with it being stock I've taken it just about everywhere I've wanted to. When I can afford it, the plan is to lift it 2.5 inches with 33's and maybe a tire carrier on the back. I can't wait to see what it'll do then.

Goblin Valley last weekend

Poison Spider

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Did you run all of PSM without any problems?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Also, do you know if you can run 15in wheels on them?

 

[Greg]

Also, do you know if you can run 15in wheels on them?

No, the FZJ's have rear discs which require 16" wheel minimum. I'm running 15" wheels of out FJ80, but it had drums out back.

 

[Tacoma]

you're what?

Are you drunk? On a Sunday????

 

[WayneXJ]

Did you run all of PSM without any problems?

I just made a quick trip up to the ledges past the waterfall and back down. I could have made it to the end If I had wanted to though.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Great rigs for sure, but as with any vehicle they have their fallbacks and weak spots. Built correctly they will take you all over the world (literally) but given their size and weight they are not "rock-crawlers" per say. I work with them on a daily basis... can't think of a better vehicle for exploring the back country of Utah.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Well, I don't have the money to ever have a built rig/crawler, I like power seats and cruise control, ha ha!! But 33's and lockers would get me up most of the trails worth going on with a family for camping and exploring.

 

[dungbeetle]

Great rigs for sure, but as with any vehicle they have their fallbacks and weak spots. Built correctly they will take you all over the world (literally) but given their size and weight they are not "rock-crawlers" per say. I work with them on a daily basis... can't think of a better vehicle for exploring the back country of Utah.

I would be interested to know what you think the weak spots are. I have a ZJ which supposedly has weak axles. That makes me hesitant to go down to Moab with it because I don't feel like having to rescue it from the back country. I've been thinking of switching to a Toyota. Also, which years are the best and how do you tell if it has things like factory lockers?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Weak spots: Low relative power/speed but manageable. OE lockers can be weak links with tires over 35's, head gaskets on the 1FZ but mabey 5/100 has a problem with that over 200k.

That said they are extremely robust vehicles and even in their stock trim are very capable. Add some bumpers/sliders and they can handle the majority of trails in this state and still cruise @ 80mph on the highway with 5 people and gear

 

[Tacoma]

I would add: pricey replacement body parts.

Can't beat the cushy interiors and factory lockers though, and the cargo room! They're like... awesome Japanese Tahoes.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I would be interested to know what you think the weak spots are. I have a ZJ which supposedly has weak axles. That makes me hesitant to go down to Moab with it because I don't feel like having to rescue it from the back country. I've been thinking of switching to a Toyota. Also, which years are the best and how do you tell if it has things like factory lockers?

I have been wheelin my ZJ for 8 years on the original axles, but I'm not one to mash the gas pedal to get up stuff either. It's not usually the axles, but instead the housings, that bend. Is yours stock right now? Have you wheeled it much, or just relaying what you have "heard"?

 

[Cody]

I have been wheelin my ZJ for 8 years on the original axles, but I'm not one to mash the gas pedal to get up stuff either. It's not usually the axles, but instead the housings, that bend. Is yours stock right now? Have you wheeled it much, or just relaying what you have "heard"?

actually, that depends on the ZJ. More often than not, it's is the axles. I've seen 50 shaft failures for ever 1 housing failure.

The fullsize cruisers are great for moderate wheelin and long range exploration. I honestly don't see where it would go with 33's and lockers that a ZJ couldn't with the same setup, but everyone has an opinion.

My ZJ is a bit overbuilt for the type of wheelin I use it for (mostly), and if/when I acquire a buggy again I plan on selling it and getting into a 4 door taco for expedition stuff. I just like how nimble they are and the cargo capacity is key.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

One great advantage is that the Cruiser has a real frame, but also weighs about 1000 pounds more than the ZJ.

 

[Cody]

I tihnk it weighs closer to 2k more than the ZJ. I've yet to run into a ZJ that has unibody issues that hasn't been completely abused for long periods of time. running PSM and Kane creek (or trails of that nature) a few times per year isn't going to turn the ZJ unibody into much anytime soon.

I'm by no means baggin on the cruiser. I think they are cool too, but I would take a ZJ over the cruiser for mixed duty rockcrawilng/expedition stuff, and I'd take a taco over a cruiser for more mild camping and expedition stuff.

Just my opinion.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Is the stock IFS on the Taco good for 33's?

 

[Cody]

Sure. Why not?

I think they make some pretty wicked coilover front suspensions that would work well for pretty decent rockcrawling and soak up high speed bumps like Brett soaks up patchouli.