60 vs 62 Which do you prefer and why?

[TDanley]

Looking to add a weekend rig to get out and play in the beautiful high desert we live in. My husband has concerns in the fact that I like to have the ability to drive quickly. While I know these rigs aren't made for speed he has mentioned we have speed limits of 65 mph to get to our home. His thought process and research is showing FJ 60 = 60mph capped. I love the looks and manual transmission of the 60 however the ability to go at a little higher speed and ability to take a road trip uo the mountains is appealing too. Thoughts and real life experience? I currently have a 200 series but want something cooler to explore with.

 

[Gimme a 60]

You’ll be disappointed with the power output of a FJ60 or 62.

Otherwise, they actually drive well on road if they are in good condition.

That being said, I wouldn’t let this stop you from buying one. For an adventure do anything vehicle a FJ60 is a great platform. Consider a re-power if you want the modern convenience of HP, and rugged looks.

 

[Old Nick]

I'll second @Gimme a 60 's comments re: power.

The 3FE in the 62 is underpowered for a truck of its weight, but it is, similarly to the 2F in the 60 series a tractor motor. They run and run and run... it just takes a little longer to get where you're going. But, that's part of the charm of these trucks.

If you go the 62 route, dropping the A440F automatic transmission and swapping in an H55F 5-speed manual gear box will really wake of the 3FE.

 

[White Stripe]

The 200 series has about 400 horse power and is similarly sized as a fj60. The fj60 or 62 has 150hp. 0-60 will take you about 15 seconds. You probably need a fj60 or 62 with a LS swap.

 

[70 FJ40]

With 31" or 33" tires on a 60 65mph is very doable on the highway. It wil take a good 12 to 15 seconds to get up to that speed. I have a 5.7 in my Tundra so I know the power you've got in the 200. Unless I'm towing, hauling, or in a hurry, I'd rather drive my 60. And I have plans to drive a 1200 mile round trip adventure with it in a couple months. If you can drive a manual transmission and don't mind the fiddling it takes to get the carburetor sorted, I think a 60 is a better adventure truck and way more fun to drive. Its getting difficult to find a mechanic that kows their way around a carb, though, especially a Toyota carb. The 62 has a safer back seat because most have shoulder belts and head rests. The 60s only have that in the front. It can be retrofitted into a 60(l was able to do it), though it takes a little doing. That may be a consideration if you plan to take kids along.

 

[AndersBror]

The only issues I have with the performance of my 62 is steeper grades on trips...slow lane. Cruises great at 65-70 on the highway with 31" tires, auto trans and I've never had a problem merging on to freeway. It wasn't built to be a speed demon. Enjoy the cruise part of Land Cruiser.

 

[Lead Head]

They're both pretty comparable. The 62 typically has power windows and locks (which can be a plus or a minus depending if they work or not), and a slightly stronger front axle. The 62 also has safer back seats as mentioned.

The 60 was only available in manual. The 62 only automatic, which likes to short shift and get into top gear as quicky as possible so it can feel "doggy". It's more reasonable if you manually shift it.

The 62 is EFI, so it doesn't have a carb that needs fiddling. The 62 EFI system is genuinely very realiable.

Both are very slow.

Subjectively, I think the 62 has a nicer dashboaed that feels more "modern". It is also easier for it to accomodate things like aftermarket radios with screens.

Additional subjective things include the 60 series have round headlights and the 62 being square. I think they're both fine, but the 60 series definitely feels a bit more old-school with the roundies.

I have no issue getting up to highway speeds with my 62, although some really steep hills it does slow down a bit.

 

[nab856]

Looking to add a weekend rig to get out and play in the beautiful high desert we live in. My husband has concerns in the fact that I like to have the ability to drive quickly. While I know these rigs aren't made for speed he has mentioned we have speed limits of 65 mph to get to our home. His thought process and research is showing FJ 60 = 60mph capped. I love the looks and manual transmission of the 60 however the ability to go at a little higher speed and ability to take a road trip uo the mountains is appealing too. Thoughts and real life experience? I currently have a 200 series but want something cooler to explore with.

What you are really asking is why Toyota did not build a 3JZ-GTE in the 80's for the Land Cruisers? A 3.5L turbocharged straight six solves all your concerns! Alas, we'll never know.

 

[TreadingLight]

Buy both. Swap the 3fe head and fuel injection over to the 60. Then swap the 4spd for an h55 5spd for some overdrive on your interstate stretches.

Enjoy your round headlights, easy maintenance dash (getting behind the dash trim on a 62 is a pain), manual cranks and locks that never fail, manual antenna that doesn't break, manual mirrors, etc.

Sell the leftover 62 bits to someone with poor taste

Personally I think the 62 is where Toyota USA started to lose it's way.

 

[Godwin]

Looking to add a weekend rig to get out and play in the beautiful high desert we live in. My husband has concerns in the fact that I like to have the ability to drive quickly. While I know these rigs aren't made for speed he has mentioned we have speed limits of 65 mph to get to our home. His thought process and research is showing FJ 60 = 60mph capped. I love the looks and manual transmission of the 60 however the ability to go at a little higher speed and ability to take a road trip uo the mountains is appealing too. Thoughts and real life experience? I currently have a 200 series but want something cooler to explore with.

FJ60 for the simplicity and a good 2F will handle mountains fine, and run 70 on the flats if you want.

Thread 'Road trip'

Jul 20, 2024

I have an upcoming meeting in Tucson and since I don't enjoy flying I'm going to drive. I'll be rolling out from Alabama, passing through Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico to arrive in Arizona. The FJ60 is loaded as I intend to camp along the route as much as possible. I'm carrying 10 gallons of water and 10 gallons of fuel. I've made this trip before so have a good idea of what to expect. Over the next, just shy of two weeks, I'll be racking up 3500-4000 miles. Daily mileage totals will be from 300 to 700.

• Godwin
• Replies: 79
• Forum: 60-Series Wagons

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[bhsdriller]

Fj60 all the way

Would never own an automatic 3fe

 

[John McVicker]

I’m in the 60 camp. Have had both for decades. Sold the 62 to a fellow Mudder. Both are Great but the Mrs’s & I both prefer the 60.

 

[NYNick]

Original owner here. My FJ62 does 70 MPH + on the highway noproblem. Uphill is another story.

 

[chptuls]

If the engines are in good shape, they can do 70-75. Even with 33” tires. Can they get there quickly, no. Do they have issues of slowing down on long grades, yes….

If you don’t have a ton of hills to contend with or don’t mind being in slow lane, they do fine at highway speeds.

I have an fj60 with 33” tires and it does fine even going 74-75 on Arkansas highways. I have a stock 2f desmogged.