Best model for expedition base?

[BillyGHusk]

I am in the beginning stages...ok, really more of a thinking for the future stage...doing some expedition travel. I have a FBJ60(3b conversion) that is my DD. I am looking to get a rig to build up to an expedition vehicle. I am looking for suggestions as far as what is the ideal platform to start with, 40,60,70,80.

I realize this is very subjective. How important is comfort(80 vs 40). Included in this question would be power train. I am planning on diesel unless I can be convinced differently. So assuming diesel(Toyota) which engine? Again, new=more readily available parts old=less electrical stuff to go out.

Thoughts....

Thanks in advance,
Tim

[D'Animal]

Look at my sig line for th Beagle Chariot.


I am partial to 60's

[REZARF]

78 series troopie... nuf said

Otherwise, late modle 80 series, with lockers, arb fridge, rtt, and a gas card, it'll get you anywhere you want in the country.

Just a short .02

[450 DUDE]

Im also bias on the 80, but that might be a little harder to come by in diesel form.

btw did you purchase your 60 in Pine Grove CA.

ken

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by BillyGHusk

new=more readily available parts

old=less electrical stuff to go out.

This statement right here rules out the FJ62, 80, 100 ect.

FJ60 is the choice, unless of course you can get you hands on a Troopy.

[BillyGHusk]

Originally Posted by 450 DUDE

btw did you purchase your 60 in Pine Grove CA.

ken

The couple I bought it from lived near Reno, so....I'm not sure where Pine Grove CA. is. I bought it this Aug.

Tim

[BillyGHusk]

Originally Posted by REZARF

78 series troopie... nuf said

Otherwise, late modle 80 series, with lockers, arb fridge, rtt, and a gas card, it'll get you anywhere you want in the country.

Just a short .02

HELL yes!! I would love a 78 troopie.....however I would like to have the truck here in the US as well as the rest of the world...

[mrlocksmith]

I would go with a FJ60, but then again I am biased.

Check out my ride '85 FJ60


http://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/189160-my-expidition-style-85-fj60.html

Cheers

Mark

[BiG BoB]

+1 for a diesel troopy OR trayback depending on what style of body your after. I'd have a stock 1HZ rather than the turbo or new V8 diesel due to their simplicity. Unfortunatly the US doesnt get these vehicles - so my suggestion is to imigrate find some new trails a heap more different cruisers to enjoy


Sean

[cruiser_guy]

Where are you planning to go? That alone will have a big influence on what I'd recommend.

A Toyota diesel for use in the U.S. is not as good as say a Chevy 350 but then go out of the U.S. and that recommendation is reversed. When I go to the local wreckers here in Guatemala there are 4-5 Toyota "B" diesels for every small block Chevy. In the states you'd be lucky to find a Toyota diesel at ANY wrecker in your state!

[Brian894X4]

Of course I'm bias, but to me any trips inside the USA, I would want nothing less than my 80. Figuring that lots of time would be spent on the open highway and high speeds, I want the extra power, comfort, handling, etc. Personally I don't see much difference between the 60 and 80 off road in stock form, lockers not withstanding.

But the 60 seems to have some advantages that might make it better for other countries, including simplier mechanicals, absolute bulletproof reliability, i.e. no headgasket, or PHH issues to crop up when you least expect them.

But I have no experience outside the US, so I really don't know. I just know that when I went from my SAS pick-up to this 80, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven! Best rig I've ever owned.

[p8nt]

As Brian984x4 suggested, there can be some suprises with the 1fz-fe. However, there is no debate when talking about a properly PM'ed 80 as far as im concerned. The HG and PHH can be done by most shadetree mechanincs in a few days time and ~$500. Once these hurdles are out of the way, the comfort, power, reliability and off road prowess rule out all others IMHO.

[cruiser_guy]

Not to rag on the '80 lovers but I wouldn't be too quick to take any U.S./Canadian smogged vehicle into the developing world, especially ones with computer controls. What I've seen the first thing mechanics in the developing world do when something doesn't work right is start snipping wires and disconnecting smog stuff without any real idea of what it all does. As you may or may not know, a smogged engine cannot be de-smogged simply by cutting wires or pulling vacuum hoses. Usually that results in an engine that runs like crap and uses even more fuel!

To me the computer controls and smog crap put the newer vehicles out of contention for third world travel unless you're doing the mainenance and repairs yourself and have the code readers with you.

New doesn't mean easily available parts. Here in Guatemala you can find Toyota 22R parts ANYWHERE and every mechanic knows that engine well but it's NOT a new engine. It would be the Guatemalan equivalent of the Chevy 350 at home, ie: universal parts availability.

[nat]

I fail to see why a 55 series was not listed

[BillyGHusk]

Originally Posted by nat

I fail to see why a 55 series was not listed

Funny you should mention that as I was thinking that route but, well I don't know why I stopped thinking that route. I guess if my goal is to find a base to build from, why not go with a 55? I like the look and the room.

I will have to look into this more....

[lovetoski]

[quote=BillyGHusk;2771361]...I realize this is very subjective. How important is comfort(80 vs 40).../quote]

I have a lifted 60 and a stock 80, and can speak the the "comfort" difference between the two. I'm not a "wussy" - I can ride my bike for hours in the cold rain, ski in a blizzard, but I can tell the difference between comfort and discomfort. I love my 60, it rocks. But after 10+ hours on the road I am numb from head to toe. I also love my 80, and after 10+ hours on the road, I'm still good to go. I have driven 16 hours at a stretch in my 60, so it can be done. But the 80 would have been more comfortable.

Lots of variables to consider in your question...but no question on the comfort vector, coil springs are superior.

Personally, I would create a list of attibutes and rank each vehicle accordingly, based on where I was going. Attributes that come to mind: inititial cost, cost per mile, comfort, reliability, ease of repair, load capacity, fuel range, etc.

[sprocket3]

Then there is the 100 series that didn't even make your list for some reason. That is an expidition machine if you ask me.

The 40 if just too rough. Why would you do that to yourself? The 60 sounds borderline for long trips. I like my 80 and 100, but the 100 beats the 80 in a lot of areas. All of those areas making it a better expo rig than the 80 in my opinion.

That being said i am setting my 80 up to be the expo rig as my wife drives the stocker 100 series and i couldn't see buy a 2nd one to mod...

[landcruiserjunky]

If you drive a 100 series to South America, you'll have every eye staring at you and your ride both good eyes and bad eyes. I've been to many remote villages and sketchy towns throughout South/Central America, a 100 series will bring too much attention IMHO

55/60 maybe a scratched up or dented 80 is what I'd go with.

[Teebag]

Nothing wrong with the 60


or the 80


but now I am going back to our roots

[sprocket3]

That is true! Though even in the dented 60 you better have tinted windows down there if you don't want lots of attention. I think anything with US plates and a white guy from seattle is going to get lots of attention down there. Comfort is a huge issue for long trips on the highway and dirt roads. In power and road manners the 100 rules in my book!

That's just what i would do if i had a 60 and was looking! I don't want to start a 80 vs 100 debate. You can put down 12+ hour days of driving in either rig and feel fine, you will just feel a little better in the 100. Steering is much more precise on the highway. The 100 Just feels more like a heavy BMW than a truck. To me the 80 handles like a truck and the 100 handles like a nice car. You can really cruise on a windy highway in the 100 and relax.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by landcruiserjunky

If you drive a 100 series to South America, you'll have every eye staring at you and your ride both good eyes and bad eyes. I've been to many remote villages and sketchy towns throughout South/Central America, a 100 series will bring too much attention IMHO

55/60 maybe a scratched up or dented 80 is what I'd go with.

I'll second that! As a white guy driving a '60 with Canadian plates in Guatemala we do get looks though I doubt it's as bad as it would be if we had a '80 or '100 series. We have also heavily tinted all but the front and drivers/passenger window as well to keep prying eyes out.

I actually think that our '55 gets more looks than the '60! Maybe because it's in such nice shape compared to what's down here, not that the '60 is bad.

[hks3sgte]

HJ61



Land Cruiser of choice for veteran Saharan traveler, Chris Scott...

[Cruiserdrew]

Is the question about expedition travel for inside the USA or out? If inside the USA a stock or mildly lifted 80 would be the choice.

If it's world wide travel you want, then a 60 would be a much better choice. Obviously you give up a lot of power and comfort, but you make it up in simpler mechanicals, far less electronics, and less of a truck that screams rich and foolish Americans inside.

Re 55s. The drive train is not as strong, and they tend to be much more rusty. One could be built into a fine expedition machine, but a 60 starts closer to the ideal.

Everything else being equal, a diesel would be more desirable than a petrol fueled vehicle.

[Sherpa 60]

Back door import of a 70 series troopie would be it for me.

80 series? in U.S. form IMO it is way to complicated to be a serious expedition vehicle. I loved the ride and power of my 80, but electric glitches really put me off...and the cost to repair was astronomical. Thank god for extended warranties. And, remember you gotta flat tow those beasts, or pull the driveshafts (as I had to do coming out of Canyonlands!).

Sold the 80 ten years ago and built my 60. Properly set up it is a decent long range vehicle and dead nuts reliable. Can't cover ground like my 80, but it is a whole lot simplier and that can be big plus.

The 70 series is kind of the best of both worlds, newer technology, but simple as well...and readily available in North America with a diesel.

[BillyGHusk]

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Is the question about expedition travel for inside the USA or out?

both but in the end more outside the US

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Re 55s. The drive train is not as strong, and they tend to be much more rusty. One could be built into a fine expedition machine, but a 60 starts closer to the ideal.

I can envision part of the build being a drive train swap, mainly to get the diesel....

[BillyGHusk]

Originally Posted by Sherpa 60

Back door import of a 70 series troopie would be it for me.

The 70 series is kind of the best of both worlds, newer technology, but simple as well...and readily available in North America with a diesel.

By readily available in NA you mean Canada?

Back door import?
Don't know exactly what you mean but I like the way you think...