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I know you wanted people to respond who have driven an 80 and a 62 but I can answer a few of your questions based on my experience with my 1988 FJ62.
1- Mechanically, which is easier to work on?
Can’t comment on number one because I have no experience to compare to on an 80.
2- What is the parts availability like for the 62 and are lots of parts interchangeable.
Parts are generally not interchangeable on an 80 vs a 62. Example: The ECu’s are different. Scarcity of parts has never been a problem. Mud classifieds coupled with SOR and other suppliers make it easy to find replacement parts.
3- Drivability.... most likely the 80 will be a better ride from the coils, but is the 62 zippier than the 80 since it is lighter?
Mileage is crappy and won’t be different enough from an 80 to quantify. How the vehicles are tuned will make more difference. A 62 is not zippy and does not have a nice ride as the 80’s do with coils.
4- Will the 62 comfortably, and most importantly easily (for the engine's sake), hold 60 or 65 on the highway?
My 62 has never had trouble holding 65 mph on flat roads. I live in L.A. and the only thing I hate are passes and up hills because the 62 does slow down a bit.
Edit: Thought of one more question. The semi-floater on my 80 is extremely trouble free and reliable. Is it the same axle as the ones on the 62, or is it at least similar in strength and how trouble free it is?
The rear 62 axle is a semi-floater (U.S. version) and works flawlessly for most people’s needs. If you plan on carrying heavy loads a lot then a full floater rear axle would be a good upgrade. I have torn down both front and rear axles on my 62 and they are easy to work on and simple to do field repairs on once you’ve had practice.
My question in return after answering your questions is; Why would you want to switch? An 80 is a great vehicle and can be modded in the same ways as a 60. Selling your 80 and getting a 62 will cost you more money and time in the long run. Fit, form, and function over looks. You have a comparable vehicle to start with. Why change now? Maybe you can’t handle all of NLXTACY’s tech threads on how to make expensive jumper cables? Is that why you’re coming to the dark side? You want real tech and ODBI instead of ODBII and fancy scan gauges? 62’s are the hybrid between 60’s and 80’s. We get fuel injection and an auto trany but still get the great rugged looks of a 60. Doesn’t get much better than that.
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