Diesel and manual transmission conversions for the FJ62 are available from Toyota Land Cruiser suppliers like Man-A-Fre, as are many bumpers, roof racks, suspensions, and seating and storage upgrades for the 60 or 62. Though not the most powerful trucks, these Land Cruisers are strong and reliable and can run upwards of 300,000 miles with proper maintenance.
FJ80 & FZJ80
From 1990 until 1992 Toyota offered its newly redesigned FJ80 Land Cruiser. The rest of the world was able to order many options of this truck, while the U.S. had to settle on luxury-only units. The 3F engine was carried over from the FJ62 along with an automatic transmission-only option. The transfer case was now fulltime four-wheel drive, and the truck was suspended on a coil-sprung suspension with a longer, 112-inch wheelbase and stronger axles. Unfortunately the FJ80 also gained weight over the FJ62 (roughly 4,600-pound curb weight), thus acceleration and mileage did not improve.
After just two years Toyota upgraded to the FZJ80, a truck nearly identical to the FJ80 but with a much better engine, the 1FZ 4.5L inline-six. This engine is a modern powerplant, whereas previous Land Cruiser engines were closer to something found in a tractor (not necessarily a bad thing when off road). The 1FZ uses seven main bearings versus the prior four and has four valves per cylinder, a twin overhead cam, an aluminum head, and nearly 60 hp over its predecessor. The FZJ80 still uses a four-speed automatic and a fulltime transfer case. Another option in the FZJ80 was a selectable front and rear locking differential, and these are worth searching for.
The Man-A-Fre experts recommend steering clear of the FJ80 and waiting out for an FZJ80 due to its much better engine.
Aside from the engine, another major issue with the 80-series Cruisers is the front axle. After 100,000 miles it is important to spend some time and money giving them a full service due to the constant use with the fulltime transfer case.
Like the 60 and 62, all the 80-series Cruisers can be outfitted for off-road use with suspensions, recovery gear, bumpers, roof racks, snorkels, storage drawers, and engine upgrades for more power to make them excellent daily drivers or world-traveling exploration vehicles.
Cruiser Prices
We spoke to the crew at eBay Motors (www.motors.ebay.com) and got the average selling price for Toyota Land Cruisers over the past 12 months by model year. These numbers are vague since some years encompass multiple models.