Are fj60's worth it?

[Front Range 4x4]

If you have to ask then I have to say NO. For most it's love at first sight. If you are not totally committed to the idea, then it may be the wrong truck for you. Yes, its an old truck with a ton of miles and most probably RUST. It will do weird things that will drive you nuts. The beauty is in their simplicity and utility. It will take work and some $$$ to get an old and most likely neglected truck to a point where it will be a fun, useful, and reliable vehicle.

my$.02

Dynosoar

x3

Well stated Dynosoar!

 

[MDH33]

There are still plenty of 60's out there with minimal rust and less than 200K on them.

Just be prepared to drive slow and pay a lot for frequent fill-ups. Not to mention the cost of some of those often needed OEM parts... PS pump, smog pump, starters, carbs. And then you'll start wanting to mod it...$$$

Positive thing is that with the price of gas they seem to be found pretty cheap these days. I've been seeing nice ones on Criagslist between $3000 - $4000 and amazing ones for $5000 - $7000.

Once you have one running right, they are the best all-around cruiser IMHO. I love mine, we take it all over as a DD and a camping rig and it has never let us down.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Nice truck there MDH33.

Excuse the hijack... HDM33 are those round bars (yakima) or (thule)you got for your roof tent ?
I got a set of yakima towers but want to purchase another set for my soon to purchase roof tent.

FJ60 are worth it !!!!!

 

[Nemesis Gnat]

i grew up with mine (literally... it was my older brother) and i still drive it all over the country and its my dd... 175k ish (hard miles) and running like the stubborn ass it is

i never even considered any other car when i turned 16 (and convinced my mom to pass it down)

still wouldnt consider any other car (maybe a trophy truck but only as a back up car to my 60), ive been offered all sorts of trades at stoplights (including a built lil rally car and tons of new cars) and id prolly rather die than give it up (hell my mom might kill me if i gave it up, she wants to be buried in it...)

god help you if you hurt my baby or try to steal it

ya id say its worth it...

 

[CruisinFJ60]

mine had 200k when i got it it now has 237k and i just lost a cylinder on #3. still runs and drives... just has a dead miss....

 

[IndianDoc]

Woorth it?

Economically No Way

New and Trendy No Way

Lots of Bling No Way

Would I part with mine No Damn Way!!

So it's up to you It's worth it to me!

 

[Texx]

There are still plenty of 60's out there with minimal rust and less than 200K on them.

Just be prepared to drive slow and pay a lot for frequent fill-ups. Not to mention the cost of some of those often needed OEM parts... PS pump, smog pump, starters, carbs. And then you'll start wanting to mod it...$$$

Positive thing is that with the price of gas they seem to be found pretty cheap these days. I've been seeing nice ones on Criagslist between $3000 - $4000 and amazing ones for $5000 - $7000.

Once you have one running right, they are the best all-around cruiser IMHO. I love mine, we take it all over as a DD and a camping rig and it has never let us down.

Looks like my buddies old 60, that come from Texas?

 

[Zack1978]

Economically No Way

New and Trendy No Way

Lots of Bling No Way

Would I part with mine No Damn Way!!

So it's up to you It's worth it to me!

I think that in fact the 60's are VERY trendy! And chicks dig em!


Zack

 

[Nemesis Gnat]

ya i think as people realize how much of a waste of time most new cars are, theyre looking at older cool cars... and 60s seem to be gaining some popularity

like i said, ive been offered some very fancy trades at stop lights... and chicks do seem to dig um

 

[MDH33]

Nice truck there MDH33.

Excuse the hijack... HDM33 are those round bars (yakima) or (thule)you got for your roof tent ?
I got a set of yakima towers but want to purchase another set for my soon to purchase roof tent.

FJ60 are worth it !!!!!

Thanks! Yes, I'm using three Yakima round bars with 1A towers for my RTT. Works great.

Looks like my buddies old 60, that come from Texas?

I believe so. Originally from Arizona, then Texas, then it went to Chicago for a short time, then a guy in Boulder had it for a few years, and now I've had it for about 3 years. Just getting ready to turn 200K.

 

[Texx]

I'd nearly swear that was it, he had the tape stripes applied, I picked it up in Az, brought it to Tx, think he sold it to a guy in e. Tx, small world!

 

[Nigel]

You could make the argument for the FJ60 - or any old LC - being more sustainable than a new car. The sustainability anthem is reduce, reuse, recycle. If you get an old FJ60 you're definitely going to be reusing and if you buy used parts your recycling (sort of).

 

[MDH33]

I'd nearly swear that was it, he had the tape stripes applied, I picked it up in Az, brought it to Tx, think he sold it to a guy in e. Tx, small world!

Yup, probably is it. He should have kept it, it's been a great rig.

 

[twstrchasr]

I love my 62. I had it sold last fall to the people who I bought it from back in Sept. '01. I came to my senses and didn't sell. Mine has a somewhat low 140,000ish miles on it and is in excellent condition. Except for a new starter and a few leaks recently, doesn't cost too much to maintain, except for gas crybaby !! Anyway, the enjoyment it returns far outweighs the cost to run. I get tons of compliments on it constantly. I sure can't say THAT for my good but oh, so boring '01 100 series !!

Even though mine is a 62 I am sure the same wisdom will apply to a 60. Shop around and don't get in a hurry. There are good one still out there..A little patience will pay off if you are really interested !!

 

[151fab]

Worry more about the rust and less about the mileage. You can find strong 2Fs to replace the high milage one and the axles and t-case could use a rebuild on any FJ60 you buy anyways. YOU DON"T WANT TO DEAL WITH RUST!!! Buy a so-cal truck that's been here all it's life and you won't have rust even in the places a new-to-the-60-world wouldn't think of.

Angry rant on

As far as the fuel mileage and pollution goes; the $30,000 I saved by not buying a Prius will get me around for a hell of a long time in a $1100 car that gets 13 miles to the gallon. And I'm not polluting the earth with heavy metals by buying batteries, I'm not burning coal and oil in a foreign country that builds my plastic car without any regard to the environment either. I recycled 3 tons of metal and will keep it useful for 20+ more years to come, I employ Americans by buying used parts and services from FJ specialists. AL gore can kiss my azz from his three 10000sf homes that stays a comfy 72f all year around while he flies around preaching from a wasteful learjet!

Angry rant off
(I actually like Al, but still, come on?)

 

[jvazquez53]

I have a 60 and an 80, and my favorite is the 60. Feels more powerful than the 80. My 60 rust bucket is my daily driver.

 

[twstrchasr]

Angry rant on

AL gore can kiss my azz from his three 10000sf homes that stays a comfy 72f all year around while he flies around preaching from a wasteful learjet!

Angry rant off
(I actually like Al, but still, come on?)

Well said !!

 

[tomcolins]

Man, hell I drive the bejezus out of mine and it has 240 some grand on it. I have been putting off some things to keep it up which is a bad habit. However, the truck has put up with that BS and continues to serve, just ever less subtly reminding me that she too, has needs.

I am completely convinced that cars just break, new or old. It is up to us as owners to keep them from doing so or caring enough about them to keep them up when they do need attention. New cars seem to get a few "get out of jail free" cards when a crap alternator is enough to turn some off of an old one. My dad's car (under warranty) had the rearend fail. It was replaced, but when my ignition switch bonked and I was seen cranking the motor under the hood with a jumper wire to the starter, he 'bout sh--t his pants telling me the truck was worn out and old! Nonsense! I just drove it from Texas to Oregon!

I paid 2k for my LC and jeezus, what do you want? It's super reliable and I'm in love with it. You will take far better care of some rig that makes you happy than some beater you hate. And, I think that's the ticket. If you care enough to work on it, drive it, use it, love it, that will keep it going until you drop it thru the ice or roll it off a cliff or burn it up completely. I mean really, no payment, no money down... pay on the back end and as needs be. You end up happy, not gyped. Buy a truck like that to use and be happy that you can use it. Drive it, sleep in it, learn to work on it and it's a part of you. Screw worrying over maintenance. Save your $$$ for the inevitable and pay out when you need to realizing that at Subaru payment prices ($250 - 300 a month) you can save up plenty and fix what you need when the time comes as long as you are not a total tightwad or have some massive drug/gambling/unemployment problems. Pick your battles and YES buy the friggin 60. AND drive it like you mother____n mean it! The Toyota gods will thank you.

 

[lubedude]

I sold my BJ42 to go out and get a FJ60 for the body style and capabilities. My 42 had just about 160,000 and the 60 has 128,000 with a perfect body all for $2300. The driveline is another matter, that is why I'm looking at a swap. But if you do your homework and spend the time looking there are still nice units out there.

As for your thought is it right, that all depends on what you want to use it for. if you are thinking it might be okay to drive to work everyday with a 100 mile rounder, forget it. To use it what it is designed for and take out to the mountains to go camping with the family you won't find a better unit for the money. only you can answer your own question.

I think that by the time I'm done, I'll be into mine for about $8000-10,000, about the same cost of a quad. Think about that.

Dean.

 

[60LCConvert]

Kinda late I know, but gotta say--------are they worth it? run away while you can, i have had mine an 82, for 2 years i love it would trade it for the world..... but at night it calls to me wanting more and more it says buy my bretheren the 40 the 55 the 80 the 45 bring us together bring us home resurect us OH doctor breath life back into our pistons we will consume your garage your shop your bank account aaaahhhhhhhhh help me they are calling me again.....

no just kiding i would say absolutly, no matter the miles if they are in your price range and you can handle not getting anywhere fast go for it, mine had 156K when i picked it up as well as all of the mayjor parts in the back seat, and love it to this day