40 or 60??? i need help!!!

[cgall800]

say hey guys,

so im a new member here, and currently not a cruiser owner. but my obsession has been growing for years and financially i am able to afford a second rig now! so here is the big question???? do i go with the 40 or the 60? it doesnt need to be a daily driver but i dont want to tow it to go play. i like the creature comforts like a.c. and more storage of the 60's, but i like the tough who cares if the inside is dirty side of the 40's. im a mechanically capable person although i dont know much about cruisers because ive never owned one, but i consider the learning process half the fun. i know either way i go i will be happy, im just looking for some help of current owners directly comparing some of the positives and negatives. anything you can tell me would be great, thanks!


cgall

 

[cavemancaleb]

I think you will find that they both are equal in the who cares if the intiror gets muddy department.

One big question you should ask is how many trees are there were you go wheeling.
Will it be more moab or more washington oregon?

Or maybee in the middle like the rubicon.

Were I hail from there are alot of trees so size is a big consideration, if i were to choose and storage wasnt as big a concern i would definatly go 40 for this reason.

 

[lovetoski]

A 60 carries way more gear and people. The longer wheelbase is more comfortable on long road trips (though comfort is relative on a leaf-sprung 25+ year old truck). You can find 60's for less money typically.

A 40 should be a wikipedia example of what the word iconic means. It's nimble, cool, tough.

Both are rugged and reliable (if you build/restore them with patience and care). Both are a good choice, but are different.

Consider your needs and preferences, one of these will be a better choice for you than the other.

 

[Itsadryheat!!!]

Go with the 60 if you want a/c most of them had it factory...lots of room..wheel base is perfect..or do like most of us and get them both! Enjoy

 

[cavemancaleb]

t..or do like most of us and get them both!

AMEN!

 

[Kynot62]

Had a 40 and now run a 60. A built 60 will go virtually anywhere a 40 will go (perhaps with more body damage) so it really comes down to room and where you want to wheel. And how many people you have with you. Someday I may once again have a forty but currently kids the dog and camping make the 60 my rig of choice.

Tony

 

[mwalls54]

I have both and both are capable trucks. The 40 is smaller and is easier to wheel harder trails than the 60. I have my 60 set up for camping so it probably weighs 3k more than the 40. Both are great to me. I couldn't pick one or the other.

 

[shotgun12321]

I have a 60 and I know eventually at one point I will own a 40....it's just a matter of time and money.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Drive one of each and see how they strike you. From my perspective, the comfort difference between a 40 and 62 is night and day. 40's are pretty darn noisy and rough riding for much highway use. Even worse gas mileage than the bigger wagon, at least in my experience. As a previous poster mentioned, though it's a non issue for me, AC isn't common on the 40's. A decent 40 will cost much more than a 60 series, if that's important. However, take a look at Pinhead's 40 listed in the vehicles for sale. Pretty tempting! I'd love to own a bikini topped 40 in a warm place with off road action.

 

[Methusalem]

It depends on what you want with it, what you expect from it, and if you care about comfort or not. I own a 60 and I have driven a 40, both with the same lift and exactly the same tires, and both diesel, but the 60 is more comfortable and more 'luxurious' inside. However, you attract more attention with the 40

Wim the bush whity

 

[cgall800]

diesel?

thanks for the info guys. so how does everyone feel about diesel vs. gas? and what are the chances of finding a diesel in the u.s.????


cgall

 

[Methusalem]

Before this cruiser I had a Silverado 5.7 V8 gas. I loved the power and the smootness of the engine, but I feel more comfortable with diesel. Less electrical stuff, less problems with water, and, and... it just feels better, more solid, more manly, more, more... I don't know, just more. Although I just have 105hp (less I guess, because the 105hp is when it's new). And diesel is less inflammable, and it gives you more MPG. In my case, kílometers per liter.

Wim

 

[shotgun12321]

Diesel also (in most cases) gives you a better compression ratio.

 

[tucson_sailors]

D vs G

I have the 60, and its pretty darn hardcore. Since they were never really meant to be speed demons, the bulletproofness and long life of the diesel over the gas 2F is something to consider.

And I agree with the earlier poster - why not have one of each? I suspect that the 40 owners who are shivering in the cold this time of year (the ones that don't have the hard cabs) envy the enclosed 6x owners. I envy them during the summer when I would love to go up to the mountains in a rag top.

$.02

Glenn in Tucson

 

[Spike Strip]

I tell ya right now, since I have both, no power-steering in the 40 is really a bear... And with no top, it's friggin' cold. I really love both, but it's kind of a Sophie's choice... If you really want an all-season great truck, the 60 is the way to go. But I love the 40 for its simplicity.

 

[Tofudebeest]

A diesel 60 (3B, 2H or 12HT) will be a vehicle you will fall in love with. Use this in your search, they're around: AutoTempest - Find your next car... Faster.

 

[Kynot62]

thanks for the info guys. so how does everyone feel about diesel vs. gas? and what are the chances of finding a diesel in the u.s.????


cgall

Depending on where you live you can bring a diesel from Canada into the US. It's easy to do in WA don't know about other states. But the rig does need to be 25 years old to avoid emissions and other more expensive requirements.

On a side note my diesel wagon (with a 3B and a 5 speed) gets 23mpg on the highway.

As for wheeling I took the diesel to Rubicon last august. Had a blast even with my manual steering. I even posted a couple of video's on youtube. Just search Kynot61 and they should come up.

Tony

 

[darthvincor]

I agree with the others: get both.
Start with a 60, and then save up some more for a 40 down the line.

(me personally, the only downside to a 40 is the lack of a 5th gear, driving everywhere in a 1:1 gear)

 

[patride71]

Kind of like comparing apples and oranges.

I have both...older model 40, but with disc conversion on the front and Saginaw power steering.

If you are looking for a somewhat quiet, comfy ride, with A/C, power steering etc, then go with a 60.

If you want to drive a really loud and generally uncomfortable vehicle, then go with the 40.

Both will give you a teeth rattling ride for the most part.

They both have lots of mojo of course.

 

[Tofudebeest]

If your 60 rattles your teeth, you're doing it wrong...