A four Door soft top FJ would be perfect...
Dedicated 4X4 expedition FJ60 or do everything 100?
- Thread starter KlausVanWinkle
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There are many reasons I will keep the 100 and be selling the 62 relatively soon. Glad to hear you're keeping the 100. Like several have said, I too dressed mine with 285s and sliders. Nothing else yet. It has seen more trail time and camping than the 62 and I've owned them both for about the same amount of time. You will not regret your decision.
- Thread starter
- #43
40 vs 60 vs 80 Question
Since this thread last surfaced I added sliders, OME 2" lift, 285/75/16s NTGs, and more baselining on the 100. I bought a 125mpg Honda Ruckus scooter save gas while commuting and to save the 100 from the mileage and wear of stop and go traffic commuting. Got a tax refund and bought a motorcycle to replace the scooter. Sold the motorcycle and rebought my scooter because the insurance and registration on the motorcycle ate up all the gas savings. And now I'm looking for a second Land Cruiser.
The 100 is great for trips, camping, surfing, exploring, level 3 trails, dates, driving people around LA, etc. But with it's approach and departure angles and IFS, it's never going to do the Rubicon without getting torn up. And as Paul mentioned above, I love the look of my 100 now. And I'm not sure I want to take the plunge into irreversible mods like bumpers yet. There are still some headers, HIDs, new starter, 90k service, and new brakes and skids in its future, but for now I'm looking for a new project while work is slow over the summer.
40 vs 60 vs 80 Question (This is more chit chat than tech):
So I've been driving other mud members cruisers lately trying to figure out what I want and these are my thoughts on each.
What do you guys think each generation is best for?
I looked for an '85 4runner but they're almost impossible to find in decent condition. And I just don't like the seating position of 4runners. I feel like I'm driving my old civic again.
I toyed with the idea of a built 80 (bumpers, lockers, 35s, etc). But then my fiancé(or wife depending on when you read this) started asking dangerous questions like "would you get rid of the 100?" So I thought an 80 and a 100 were too similar to own both. And my fiance didn't like the idea of selling her new car and driving the 100.
Looked at some 60s but ran into the same problem. They look great but I don't think they can do anything my 100 can't aside from eating up lots of money keeping it running.
So I ended up on turn-key 40s. They're the most different from the 100. A soft top would be great for SoCal weather. They have that timeless Land Cruiser look. And they can be built to run the tighter hardcore trails that the 100 can't. Plus the 40 is light enough that the 100 could tow it to far away trails. But realistically it'd be used mostly as a Sunday car and to drive to work once a week.
Since this thread last surfaced I added sliders, OME 2" lift, 285/75/16s NTGs, and more baselining on the 100. I bought a 125mpg Honda Ruckus scooter save gas while commuting and to save the 100 from the mileage and wear of stop and go traffic commuting. Got a tax refund and bought a motorcycle to replace the scooter. Sold the motorcycle and rebought my scooter because the insurance and registration on the motorcycle ate up all the gas savings. And now I'm looking for a second Land Cruiser.
The 100 is great for trips, camping, surfing, exploring, level 3 trails, dates, driving people around LA, etc. But with it's approach and departure angles and IFS, it's never going to do the Rubicon without getting torn up. And as Paul mentioned above, I love the look of my 100 now. And I'm not sure I want to take the plunge into irreversible mods like bumpers yet. There are still some headers, HIDs, new starter, 90k service, and new brakes and skids in its future, but for now I'm looking for a new project while work is slow over the summer.
40 vs 60 vs 80 Question (This is more chit chat than tech):
So I've been driving other mud members cruisers lately trying to figure out what I want and these are my thoughts on each.
What do you guys think each generation is best for?
I looked for an '85 4runner but they're almost impossible to find in decent condition. And I just don't like the seating position of 4runners. I feel like I'm driving my old civic again.
I toyed with the idea of a built 80 (bumpers, lockers, 35s, etc). But then my fiancé(or wife depending on when you read this) started asking dangerous questions like "would you get rid of the 100?" So I thought an 80 and a 100 were too similar to own both. And my fiance didn't like the idea of selling her new car and driving the 100.
Looked at some 60s but ran into the same problem. They look great but I don't think they can do anything my 100 can't aside from eating up lots of money keeping it running.
So I ended up on turn-key 40s. They're the most different from the 100. A soft top would be great for SoCal weather. They have that timeless Land Cruiser look. And they can be built to run the tighter hardcore trails that the 100 can't. Plus the 40 is light enough that the 100 could tow it to far away trails. But realistically it'd be used mostly as a Sunday car and to drive to work once a week.
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KlausVanWinkle said:
40's are really cool, but on the trails I like my modified 100 a lot more than I liked my 76 FJ40. I had a mild lift and an Aussie locker but in off camber situations or really steep climbing the 40 was rather scary. Not that you couldn't build a far more capable 40, you definitely could. Just my opinion from owning both models.
If I was able to choose among the Land Cruisers above, it'd be the 60 hands down. We're in the market for a vehicle to replace my wife's '02 Volvo XC70, and it dawned on me yesterday that I could possibly talk her into driving the 100 leaving me with an opportunity to pick up a 60. First pass was a "no," but I'm not giving up that quickly.
- Thread starter
- #46
What do you like about the FJ60? I love the way they look. But I can't figure out what it can do better than other cruisers. Aside from balancing capability/drivability and classic aesthetics.
I just love their classic look. Not a fan of the 62 though.
Get a 62 but swap the 60 series front grill and headlights on to it.
You get a newer cruiser, the 3FE over the 2F, and still have the 60 look.
- Thread starter
- #49
Ah. I thought of that but the opposite. Buy a 60 and drop a 5.3 vortec in it.
You'd be surprised what a G550 can do. And I don't think the 70s are as cheap as we think.
My $0.02, keep the 100 if you can only have one. But as others have said, don't expect it to do some of the harder trails in CA. After many different iterations, it finally took 6" of lift, 35s, and full armor before it was "easy" to do Rubicon in my old 80, and that was a smaller truck.
Of course, this from a guy who did take the two truck approach.
In south Africa the fj cruiser sport sells for R457 300
76 cruiser R480 700
200 series R925 000
And its about 1$ to 8.30 Rand
Me I would just build the 100 ,I got a 80 also but the 100 is the way to go for long dirt roads .The 60 and 80 will always be classic land cruisers
76 cruiser R480 700
200 series R925 000
And its about 1$ to 8.30 Rand
Me I would just build the 100 ,I got a 80 also but the 100 is the way to go for long dirt roads .The 60 and 80 will always be classic land cruisers
Get a 62 but swap the 60 series front grill and headlights on to it.
You get a newer cruiser, the 3FE over the 2F, and still have the 60 look.
Unfortunately, you also get stuck with the auto tranny.
That is exactly what I'd do. I'm swapping a 5.3/4l60e in my YJ. It is one of the easiest swaps due to the huge aftermarket support and is great motor. lt1swap.com is a great source
Hey Adam,
Thought I'd put my .02 in.
Essentially, what rigs you own will be based on what you want to do.
I personally don't do rock crawling per se. I have traversed some pretty sketchy roads, but I don't seek them out for their own sake...I'm averse to body damage mainly
Originally in this thread I think you mentioned desert explorations type stuff, ghost towns, etc. In my opinion, the more comfortable and reliable you are, the better. Meaning, newer is generally better than older, and comfort shouldnt be ignored. You're already in the TLC family, so reliable is covered...100 more so than an 80, 60, or 40. Comfort because in socal, you are hundreds of miles from the desert and mountains. Try driving the 405 to the 5 to the 14 to the 395 up to the desert in a 40...you will find that the 40 doesn't go on many trips, only the 100 (unless you trailer it). Some may disagree. +1 100-series
It sucks, but age is unforgiving. My 80 has 120k. Mechanically is very sound, but the beast is 18 years old! For instance, yesterday I had some issue with the window switch/regulator I think and my window wouldn't come up last night. Not the end of the world, but an annoyance for sure. Had my front locker fail to disengage in Death Valley 2 years ago. The molex connector had corroded and a wire broke. We were in god's own country and it could have been bad. Managed to jimmy it and disengage, but these are the kinds of electrical issues I deal with now. Again, a vote for a "do-everything" 100. +1 100-series
I originally was looking at a 60. Really, who doesn't love the 60 and its clean utilitarian lines. Problem is, the stuff I'm experiencing on my 80 would be magnified on a 60, plus rust. You're in the realm of a full body off restoration if you want a reliable rig and even then you will not have the apex of capability in land cruiser performance. Your 100 will likely have more ability that a moderately built 60. +1 100-series
My wife and I do desrt/mountain exploring type stuff and I originally got the 80 for a hunting truck so I wouldn't get stuck miles from civilization and have to spend the night stranded (read: this happened w/ my jeep). I still use the 80 for hunting, but my wife and I did a 4 day Death Valley trip, 3 day Mojave Road, going up to Lake Edison in June, winter trips to Big Bear, and other random desert adventures. Plus it pulls daily driver duty since I have a very short commute. Similar to you and your 100. It just "fits" in with our life, without being a specialty item that I have to keep stored somewhere. The 100 sounds similar because it has multiple uses. +1 100-series
I found that a 2-3" lift and 33" tires are more than sufficient for everything I do. Maybe one day I'll get a roof rack so I can get more junk out of the cabin, but for 95% of the west, the mild lift and tire combo will get it done. Lockers are nice as well and I rely on them as security since I go solo often. It is nice to know I can lock it, chain it, and have a tractor if needed.
To conclude, I think you'll find that your 100 as it sits today, will get 95% of your trips done. Throw a tool box, a FSM, and some supplies in the back and hit the road. Hell, I use a bicycle pump to reinflate my tires so I don't have a 10-lb tank in my drawers taking up space. You don't need much.
The rubicon is different, so if you're headed that direction maybe you'll need lockers, but you'll also need to mentally prepare for carnage as well
B
ps- I spent way too much time writing this. This will be my ih8mud contribution for the month
Thought I'd put my .02 in.
Essentially, what rigs you own will be based on what you want to do.
I personally don't do rock crawling per se. I have traversed some pretty sketchy roads, but I don't seek them out for their own sake...I'm averse to body damage mainly
Originally in this thread I think you mentioned desert explorations type stuff, ghost towns, etc. In my opinion, the more comfortable and reliable you are, the better. Meaning, newer is generally better than older, and comfort shouldnt be ignored. You're already in the TLC family, so reliable is covered...100 more so than an 80, 60, or 40. Comfort because in socal, you are hundreds of miles from the desert and mountains. Try driving the 405 to the 5 to the 14 to the 395 up to the desert in a 40...you will find that the 40 doesn't go on many trips, only the 100 (unless you trailer it). Some may disagree. +1 100-series
It sucks, but age is unforgiving. My 80 has 120k. Mechanically is very sound, but the beast is 18 years old! For instance, yesterday I had some issue with the window switch/regulator I think and my window wouldn't come up last night. Not the end of the world, but an annoyance for sure. Had my front locker fail to disengage in Death Valley 2 years ago. The molex connector had corroded and a wire broke. We were in god's own country and it could have been bad. Managed to jimmy it and disengage, but these are the kinds of electrical issues I deal with now. Again, a vote for a "do-everything" 100. +1 100-series
I originally was looking at a 60. Really, who doesn't love the 60 and its clean utilitarian lines. Problem is, the stuff I'm experiencing on my 80 would be magnified on a 60, plus rust. You're in the realm of a full body off restoration if you want a reliable rig and even then you will not have the apex of capability in land cruiser performance. Your 100 will likely have more ability that a moderately built 60. +1 100-series
My wife and I do desrt/mountain exploring type stuff and I originally got the 80 for a hunting truck so I wouldn't get stuck miles from civilization and have to spend the night stranded (read: this happened w/ my jeep). I still use the 80 for hunting, but my wife and I did a 4 day Death Valley trip, 3 day Mojave Road, going up to Lake Edison in June, winter trips to Big Bear, and other random desert adventures. Plus it pulls daily driver duty since I have a very short commute. Similar to you and your 100. It just "fits" in with our life, without being a specialty item that I have to keep stored somewhere. The 100 sounds similar because it has multiple uses. +1 100-series
I found that a 2-3" lift and 33" tires are more than sufficient for everything I do. Maybe one day I'll get a roof rack so I can get more junk out of the cabin, but for 95% of the west, the mild lift and tire combo will get it done. Lockers are nice as well and I rely on them as security since I go solo often. It is nice to know I can lock it, chain it, and have a tractor if needed.
To conclude, I think you'll find that your 100 as it sits today, will get 95% of your trips done. Throw a tool box, a FSM, and some supplies in the back and hit the road. Hell, I use a bicycle pump to reinflate my tires so I don't have a 10-lb tank in my drawers taking up space. You don't need much.
The rubicon is different, so if you're headed that direction maybe you'll need lockers, but you'll also need to mentally prepare for carnage as well
B
ps- I spent way too much time writing this. This will be my ih8mud contribution for the month
- Thread starter
- #58
Good work, Brad.
I should re-title this: If you already have a 100 but want a second Land Cruiser...
I should re-title this: If you already have a 100 but want a second Land Cruiser...
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haha, yep, saw your PM after I wrote most of that, so couldn't turn back
Really though, outside of technical rock crawling trails, not sure why you'd run two rigs. Even then, you could run the 100 on those trails if you can stomach the carnage and are willing to install a locker (I think rear lockers ended in '99?). A beater 80 with lockers, lift, 35's, sliders, bumpers, and skid plate would be a tough rock crawler to beat if you wanted that kind of 2nd rig and don't want to worry about making her ugly.
Unfortunately, from a functional standpoint the 40 and 60 both fall short of the 100 and 80 in my opinion. They have style points and a cool factor you cant price, but they aren't going to get from point A to point B any easier. Except the 40 maybe if you like running narrow trails with steep approach/departure angles. The 100/80 will drag their big butts all over the place on those trails.
- Thread starter
- #60
That's why this thread started. I can't stomach the carnage yet. It's still a 89k mile relatively scratch free virgin 100.
My thinking exactly. Now If I could just get a bigger garage....
That's probably the main point in having a 40. Especially in LA.