'90 4Runner vs. '83 BJ60

[Rusted]

howdy folks! i'm new to board and have been browsing around for a while 'cause i got the TLC bug again. i used to have a really nice 71 FJ40 http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/kuladog/cruiser2.jpg. now i have a 90 4runner that i'm currently building up, but i can't get my mind off of the BJ60/62. i've always wanted one and am considering trading in the 4runner before i spend any more on it.

idealy, i would like to get a 1985 60 series. i want a diesel engine, but know nothing about them. is a high milage carbed diesel easily maintained by a non-mechanic like myself or will it be a constant headache? what about other parts and maintenance? thats the big one reliability and maintenance! i'm hoping the only big expense will be the SOA. anything else (tires, lockers, gears, armour..) i would be spending on the runner anyway.

anybody here own(ed) both a 1st or 2nd gen 4runner and an 80's 60/62? how do they compare? performance, upkeep, parts.. any advice would be greatly appriciated.

i know i have to spend more time researching, especially on what they're worth these days. i found this one and looks like a fairly good deal.

1983 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER BJ60, 5 speed, 350000 km, diesel, ps, great running cond, 1 yr old 31" tires, rebuilt front end. Regular Toyota body rust, frame good, excellent 4WD truck! 30mpg!, $6900. CANADIAN.

hmm.. 30mpg?? is it worth $6500 CAN??

so i would be trading in/selling this 4runner http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2161506 sorry no decent or current pics.

sorry for the long winded post, but i'm just looking for some advice, biased opinion, presuasion, support.. its a pretty big deal for me considering what i have planned for the runner. but will i ever be truely happy with it? after all it ain't no Landcruiser..

 

[stinkyfj60]

I dont know if the 30mpg is accurate but they do get great milage, far better then the gas powered 4Runner. Plus the 60 is a bigger truck, but not so much bigger that it wont fit down difficult trails. I know the life expectancy of the diesel is higher than the gas engine, and 3Bs are very durable.

If you havent already, ask this question on the international side, there will be more diesel heads over there.

If it were me though, I would take the BJ60 for the cool factor and performance of the diesel.

 

[David*BJ70]

Go for the 60.

Look better than th 4Runner.
More durable.
Good fuel economy (for the size).


... and I let the other one show you the other good reason.

(post it on the intl. forum)

 

[hks3sgte]

oh... and no carbs on the diesel...

 

[masteryota]

Well.. I did'nt owned both of these trucks, but kind of own something similar..
I used to have a 1990 toy pick-up 4x4, with the 4 cylinders.
And then I got a 1985 bj70 (Wich share the same engine "3b" as the 60 series)
Ok.. so for confort, I'd have to say the pick-up was more confortable since it had IFS. Even tho the '70 had suspension seats the solid axle in front was a bit rough.
The 3b was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay stronger than my 22re was, even though it was a diesel, I had better fuel economy too, out of 70 litres I could make 600km easy.
Also, you have to chek out the 3b's weak points, I know one in particular, the head gasket would fail if over heated. You should chek out for that.
What else? ... um.. I don't know about winter start up since I sold my '70 before it got cold.
All in all I think both are great ride, but the cruiser is just one step ahead of the 4runner, imo.
Have fun!
Matt

 

[Tapage]

Hey dude .. go with HJ-60 hehehehe ok okok ok ok ..

in a FJ-60 chasis you can use 3B, 2H, 13B-T, 12H-T etc etc etc .. keeping your tranny for sure, if you are interested in a drivetrain swap .. well you have a lots of optioins ..

So .. my HJ-60 it the better plataform that I can buy, so with Turbo engine so better, it will be my next step.

Mine around 22 - 24 km/g ... but keep in ming the dimension of mine, when was stock, so better with 36 km/g aprox.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Hey dude .. go with HJ-60 hehehehe ok okok ok ok ..

in a FJ-60 chasis you can use 3B, 2H, 13B-T, 12H-T etc etc etc .. keeping your tranny for sure, if you are interested in a drivetrain swap .. well you have a lots of optioins ..

So .. my HJ-60 it the better plataform that I can buy, so with Turbo engine so better, it will be my next step.

Mine around 22 - 24 km/g ... but keep in ming the dimension of mine, when was stock, so better with 36 km/g aprox.

Tapage, the engine mounts are different, aren't they?

 

[vdubster]

I'd rather you buy mine for $6900! Did you check that one out already?
I have 270,000 km on the clock.

Mike.

 

[Rusted]

I'd rather you buy mine for $6900! Did you check that one out already?
I have 270,000 km on the clock.

Mike.

that would look real nice on 35's!! i will be in Kamloops for a while next month so if you still have it.. no, i haven't checked out the other one because its on the mainland and its really the first one i've seen. i'm going to do a lot of research to figure out the best series/year for me and then will be fairly picky to try to get as close as possible to what i want. as of right now i don't really know the differences between BJ60, BJ70, HJ60... so i've got some work to do.

i have decided that i have always seen myself with a cruiser so why waste anymore time with the 4runner. i'm in no rush to buy, it could take a while before i find the right one. i see the 4runner as something you have for a few years, but the cruiser is for life.. or close to it.

thanks for all the opinions. is there an average milage that these diesels usually need to be overhualed by, 350000km+?? and are they pretty much trouble free or are there constantly things to be done to them? honestly.. hehe

i bought my FJ40 in Colorado and it was an absolute mecca for that style there.. lots and lots for sale!! anybody know if its like that for BJ60's and similar?? i love road trips and if there's a smokin' deal at the end of it..

 

[Rusted]

ah haaa... now i see why you guy's suggested me posting this in the international section. i was assuming all 60 series cruisers were diesel. not in the US though.. sorry guys. well that makes life easier and narrows my seach to within Canada. After a quick review of body styles its definately the 60 that i'm after BJ or HJ..

 

[Tapage]

Tapage, the engine mounts are different, aren't they?

between 2H and 12H-T yeap .. the same, I thought no with B series engine, coz theire are more short.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'd rather you buy mine for $6900! Did you check that one out already?
I have 270,000 km on the clock.

Mike.

That color looks like money. I love it. I am going to have my cruier repainted relatively soon, so what color is that called?

Nice wheels too.

Thanks Tapage.

 

[vdubster]

Olive drab paint and old wheels from a BJ40

 

[ngasi]

guys i need your assistance. I have bj60 with 3b engine in my yard. I stripped down the engine and found it is in pretty bad shape. The push rods were like snakes and the geartrain completely damaged. I want to bring it back to life but not with 3b engine since it is very difficult to get a 3b engine in good condition. Mind you am in East africa- TANZANIA.Need your assistance

 

[David*BJ70]

guys i need your assistance. I have bj60 with 3b engine in my yard. I stripped down the engine and found it is in pretty bad shape. The push rods were like snakes and the geartrain completely damaged. I want to bring it back to life but not with 3b engine since it is very difficult to get a 3b engine in good condition. Mind you am in East africa- TANZANIA.Need your assistance

post a thread on the Diesel tech forum.