60 series reliability/Teenager's First Car

[TRDOffroad03]

I grew up in newhampster driving a 20 year old Volvo (74 144). I learned a lot about driving (rear wheel drive in snow ) and mechanizing at the same time. It took all my money, but I still look back on that car with more than fond memories. Add four wheel drive and the cool factor, I would go for the 60. Between maintenance, repairs and gas, you will be forced to learn how to budget as well!

Ouch! RWD in snow had to of been a nightmare! Overall, as cool as the 60 would be right now, I may choose a 4Runner (1994ish) instead and, save up for using the 60 as a summer toy! By driving the 60 in the snow, it would break down even more with already decaying road salt and, I'd be broke with my commute (over 100 miles each day, 5 days a week!)

 

[Output Shaft]

IMO..
A 60 was a GREAT car to buy..... in 1990.

Gas was cheap
Miles on used ones were low
All parts were still available from Toyota
Rust was not an issue
Interiors were in good shape
Most used ones were still in great condition.

Fast forward 25 years..
Pretty much X off everything on that list above.

All the 60 has going for it nowadays is simplicity, solid front axle and round headlights.

 

[TRDOffroad03]

IMO..
A 60 was a GREAT car to buy..... in 1990.

Gas was cheap
Miles on used ones were low
All parts were still available from Toyota
Rust was not an issue
Interiors were in good shape
Most used ones were still in great condition.

Fast forward 25 years..
Pretty much X off everything on that list above.

All the 60 has going for it nowadays is simplicity, solid axles and round headlights.

Just curious is your 80 reliable? That could be a runner up for me!

 

[Output Shaft]

I have a '86 FJ60
I consider it the most trustworthy and dependable car now that it has been all fixed up.
And it still was the most trustworthy and dependable car even when everything was in shambles.

After reading through a boatload of "My Car Broke Down" threads on MUD, a common theme prevails through them all.... Lack of Maintenance.

IMO... if you take care of the 60, it will take care of you.

 

[HERF0318]

My dad got my sister and I a 62 to share when I was 15-16 (I'm only 22 and that is when gas was hitting the high $4 mark) . I loved driving it and I would still have it if we didn't have some money issues and were forced to sell it. It was mostly stock and we were able to throw it around our property in northern California without any issues. I was pretty pissed when we sold it.

 

[TRDOffroad03]

I have a '86 FJ60
I consider it the most trustworthy and dependable car now that it has been all fixed up.
And it still was the most trustworthy and dependable car even when everything was in shambles.

After reading through a boatload of "My Car Broke Down" threads on MUD, a common theme prevails through them all.... Lack of Maintenance.

IMO... if you take care of the 60, it will take care of you.

Very true. A responsible owner can squeeze more miles out of there car.

However, with all cars, there are two factors that break/cause wear and tear
The user and, the weather.

Up here in New England, we receive so much snow that road salt is used to keep the roads safe!

However, besides that, we take good care of our cars. Our 100 series has almost 300,000 miles and, is 12 years old! We keep proper maintenance too. The only thing we lack is rust proofing it. However, even with New England Weather, my family and our mechanic expect it to last 100k more miles!

The 60 series, 40 series, and the 70 (if you can find one that can be legally imported) are like hidden gems. They are at least 25+ years old and, can't be driven as roughly as when they were brand new. Road salt should be avoided in these vehicles to make them last longer.


I have seen FJ40s that are well taken care of last over 40 years before a major rebuild! As a responsible owner, I'm not going to drive it in the snow under any circumstances to ensure that road salt does not rust out the frame and, I can enjoy one of the best SUV's ever built!

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

You know everyone here it has some great pointers. I think you should go with what your gut says. if you are willing to deal with all that has been said here about the fj60 then go for it. I think this is how some of us started way back when. If it is your passion to own one of these machines pull the trigger and just remember what everyone pointed out. if your good with it go for it. there is a lot of knowledgeable people here and a wealth of information. My daily driver i have owned for the last three years and it still running great! i keep up on the services and listen too any weird sounds i hear and address them. when i was 18 i bought 2 fj40's 22 years ago. didn't know what i got myself into and the cost, Even then parts where pricey and i bought through my local dealer then as i am now! wouldn't trade the experience and the fun i have had with these vehicles for anything. But as every one here has said parts are scares and pricey! but that's also half the fun sourcing them whether new or old.
Good luck on your quest for a fj60.

 

[White Stripe]

Just so you know, a third gen 4runner is a 96-2002. 2nd Gen is 90-95 and will likely be significantly more work due to age and stay away from the 3.0 liter motor. The 3.4 liter in the third gens however is a fantastic motor and very reliable.

 

[Elbert]

a fuel injected 4runner would be a more affordable choice

 

[Captain Sanuk]

I got my 62 when i was 15. It was the love of my life. Daily driving a 60 can be done easily.. i do it. The only problem is, you wont want to wheel it or do any major mods unless you have another car you can use in the meantime. That being said, having the 60 as a DD will force you to baby it and keep up on maintenance. They are good trucks! you definitely wont be getting any speeding tickets in it that's for sure. It will take you to some amazing places and make for great memories. The time has come that i need a more practical truck for long distance trips and what not, but the 60 series will always have a soft spot in my heart. Owning and driving a 60 series will give you feelings that you may never feel for other vehicles.

i am sure you will be happy with what ever you end up getting. The sense of freedom that comes with a first truck is amazing. Maybe get a clean 4 runner or 80 to drive around. Save your money in the meantime and in a year sell that sucker and buy a sweet 60. Buy right with resale on your mind...You never know when a good deal on a sweet 60 will come up!

 

[TRDOffroad03]

I got my 62 when i was 15. It was the love of my life. Daily driving a 60 can be done easily.. i do it. The only problem is, you wont want to wheel it or do any major mods unless you have another car you can use in the meantime. That being said, having the 60 as a DD will force you to baby it and keep up on maintenance. They are good trucks! you definitely wont be getting any speeding tickets in it that's for sure. It will take you to some amazing places and make for great memories. The time has come that i need a more practical truck for long distance trips and what not, but the 60 series will always have a soft spot in my heart. Owning and driving a 60 series will give you feelings that you may never feel for other vehicles.

i am sure you will be happy with what ever you end up getting. The sense of freedom that comes with a first truck is amazing. Maybe get a clean 4 runner or 80 to drive around. Save your money in the meantime and in a year sell that sucker and buy a sweet 60. Buy right with resale on your mind...You never know when a good deal on a sweet 60 will come up!

I would love a 60 series as my first car and DD. However, it would not be practical with my commute and, I'd be afraid of ruining it in the snow! With a 4Runner, at least those can be a snow machine and, come easier on parts (chrome bumpers will be replaced with ARB bully bars)


However, there could be hope. I'm currently playing with numbers of ownership and insurance to afford a 62 series and, a DD for New England's Brutal Winters. (Somehow I'm getting a pretty good insurance rate for a teenage driver [I'm the main driver] with a 94 4Runner )

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Just so you know, a third gen 4runner is a 96-2002. 2nd Gen is 90-95 and will likely be significantly more work due to age and stay away from the 3.0 liter motor. The 3.4 liter in the third gens however is a fantastic motor and very reliable.

Omg I just remembered I might not need a 4Runner as the winter DD after all! My grandfather said earlier that if I'm a good driver and, get good grades in school, he'll give me his low mileage (60k)almost mint condition 2006 Toyota Highlander Limited(it's a automatic though)! He always maintains it and, he is the only owner. Thus, on the bright side, I could save at least 7 grand! (4k if I decide to jack it up)! Lol

 

[Freewheel]

Highlanders are kind of terrible in the snow, the automatic all wheel drive system does unexpected and wacky things when the front wheels start slipping. (according to a friend whose previous truck was a 91 Nissan Pathfinder- she misses that truck a lot in the winter)

I daily drive my HJ60 and spend a fair bit of time in salt and snow and there is one secret to keeping them alive- oil spray. In Canada its called Krown treatment, and is a yearly professional application of light oil inside all the body panels and the bottom of the truck. I'm sure there is something similar in Massachusetts. If not, you can rustproof yourself with Lsp3 or Fluid film. In a 60 you take off all the interior panels which is not hard to do and spray the inside of the metal outer panels so that the truck does not rust from the inside out.
This can make the truck pretty messy but it's the only way to slow down the rust.

 

[Freewheel]

As for a teenagers first car... My first car was a 16 year old Volkswagen Westphalia. It quickly taught me a LOT about owning, operating and repairing vehicles. There's also something to be said for the strange pathways that breaking down vehicles will take you on. The great thing about the Landcruisers is that they are so overbuilt that they tend to fail gracefully with a fair bit of warning. The Volkswagen's engineering, while brilliant in 1947, could not really be regarded as overbuilt- they were kind of a miracle of simplicity, but when any part of the system failed, you were on the side of the road until it was fixed.

The only issue is that you have to heed the warnings and develop the awareness as to what needs work in your cruiser - the problem with many trucks you will see for sale is that, because they are pretty tough, issues can be ignored for a long time and when you buy that "new to you" cruiser, they all end up in your lap.
Good luck in your decision making, not sure whether I've made it easier or harder...

 

[TRDOffroad03]

Highlanders are kind of terrible in the snow, the automatic all wheel drive system does unexpected and wacky things when the front wheels start slipping. (according to a friend whose previous truck was a 91 Nissan Pathfinder- she misses that truck a lot in the winter)

I daily drive my HJ60 and spend a fair bit of time in salt and snow and there is one secret to keeping them alive- oil spray. In Canada its called Krown treatment, and is a yearly professional application of light oil inside all the body panels and the bottom of the truck. I'm sure there is something similar in Massachusetts. If not, you can rustproof yourself with Lsp3 or Fluid film. In a 60 you take off all the interior panels which is not hard to do and spray the inside of the metal outer panels so that the truck does not rust from the inside out.
This can make the truck pretty messy but it's the only way to slow down the rust.

Sweet thanks for the tip. I'll probally sell the highlander then. With the oil, can you wash the chassis?

 

[zcruiser]

While the 60-series is a classic vehicle, fun to drive, easy to maintain, etc, I wouldn't consider it "safe".

My experience with two daughters... Started with the FJ62 because *I* fell in love with it, it's a sturdy vehicle, but still drove and handled like a truck (the OME lift contributed to that). Rollover was a concern, as was no airbags. So... How about a "soccer mom" '94 LC? A little safer, very sturdy, but a bit too large for easy parking and the gas mileage... sucked.

Enter the 2000 4Runner (3rd gen, 3.4L). "Just right" size, airbags, awesome handling, "better" gas mileage, and with the LTD model, a very capable transfer case with push-button AWD without having to mess around with the J-shifter. The J-shifter is still there if you need locked 4WD, but for most applications (rain, snow), the push-button AWD was very handy.

ETA: I wouldn't do the Highlander either. My wife has one, great car, but... It's not an off-road, lift-it, snorkel-it kind of vehicle, no matter how hard you try. It's just not.

Don't get me wrong... I absolutely LOVE the FJ62 and mourn the day I sold my champagne-colored rig. But, for that situation, the 4Runner was a far better choice for all concerned. YMMV.

 

[Heckraiser]

If you can find a 60 in good mechanical order and already a little rusted for a decent price, maybe. I did let my daughter borrow my 60 a few times when she was in HS, but I don't think I would have been too keen to let her own one for a primary vehicle (not that she would have wanted to anyway )

There will be little stuff to fix along the way. These trucks are very simple and easy to work on, but parts can be harder to find than other vehicles, and will cost a lot more for a similar part. Gas mileage is gonna suck and there is nothing you can do about it. Insurance may be high due to the lack of modern safety items like airbags, abs, traction control, etc. Overall, not the most affordable DD and not particularly cheap to own either. But you will learn a lot and you will enjoy it. Spending all your money on gas keeps you from getting in trouble spending it on party drugs and booze.

I'd recommend the 3rd gen 4runner for a good starter vehicle for a teenager looking for a "truck." I've owned two (both 5-speeds with the J-shift t-case) and neither one ever skipped a beat. One saved me and my two best buds in a 45mph rollover. More affordable to own (gas & insurance), more modern safety, and you can get one for pretty cheap. Like the 60, they will run forever if well maintained. DD'ing a 60 or any older vehicle makes you think long and hard about a corolla or civic back-up, which I'm gonna say is probably not feasible on a high school budget. The 4Runner is affordable enough it kind of bridges the gap between car and truck and can be used as a DD/weekend warrior without as much compromise. 60 is mostly warrior and not very DD. Corolla is all DD and no warrior.

 

[TRDOffroad03]

While the 60-series is a classic vehicle, fun to drive, easy to maintain, etc, I wouldn't consider it "safe".

My experience with two daughters... Started with the FJ62 because *I* fell in love with it, it's a sturdy vehicle, but still drove and handled like a truck (the OME lift contributed to that). Rollover was a concern, as was no airbags. So... How about a "soccer mom" '94 LC? A little safer, very sturdy, but a bit too large for easy parking and the gas mileage... sucked.

Enter the 2000 4Runner (3rd gen, 3.4L). "Just right" size, airbags, awesome handling, "better" gas mileage, and with the LTD model, a very capable transfer case with push-button AWD without having to mess around with the J-shifter. The J-shifter is still there if you need locked 4WD, but for most applications (rain, snow), the push-button AWD was very handy.

ETA: I wouldn't do the Highlander either. My wife has one, great car, but... It's not an off-road, lift-it, snorkel-it kind of vehicle, no matter how hard you try. It's just not.

Don't get me wrong... I absolutely LOVE the FJ62 and mourn the day I sold my champagne-colored rig. But, for that situation, the 4Runner was a far better choice for all concerned. YMMV.

Great point. Highlander is off the table!

I originally pushed for a no airbags model because, the DD (off-roader/winter car) might be used for hardcore off-road situations where the airbags would misfire (jumps, rock crawling, ect)

However, on second though, mud abuse = more repairs and more money! (I'm on a limited budget)

Now, I'm debating whether I could save the hardcore off-roader for later (non airbag models are getting rarer every day!)

Or, just create a dedicated car for that situation (later down the road)


This gives me more options (voodoo blue FJ cruiser!)

But, as a DD, I'd be ok with a 3rd gen 4Runner!

 

[Heckraiser]

I'm not sure about the airbag hangup. I have bashed around a lot with my 4Runners and LX450 and haven't fired off the airbag. Lots of 80 series on this board that would qualify as "hard core" and are used as such. I'd 100% rather have an airbag on my rig than not, even if it was primarily an off-road vehicle.

I'm not a fan of FJ Cruisers, and I don't think a kid should be spending that much money on his first car anyway /soapbox

 

[TRDOffroad03]

I'm not sure about the airbag hangup. I have bashed around a lot with my 4Runners and LX450 and haven't fired off the airbag. Lots of 80 series on this board that would qualify as "hard core" and are used as such. I'd 100% rather have an airbag on my rig than not, even if it was primarily an off-road vehicle.

I'm not a fan of FJ Cruisers, and I don't think a kid should be spending that much money on his first car anyway /soapbox

Another good point. I just remembered all airbags are different and, some are more sensitive than others. Jumping off ramps/a bump In the road will trigger them (ie this video: ). However. This guy's Honda Ridgeline's Airbags deployed because he was speeding and, the jump tricked the sensors into thinking there was a crash. Also,isn't it true if the conditions are safe to do stupid stuff like that, the fuses can be removed?

With the FJ's thanks for the advice. I know for a fact, FJ's are hard to come by these days(even when they were still in production). If I remember, aren't they built on the same chassis as the 4Runner or something?

Looks like the off-roader will be a good old 3rd gen 4Runner (95-02ish?)!

Thanks for the help everyone