FJ-60 vs Ford Bronco

[OREJADEPERRO]

Hi.
I´m from Colombia, South America.

I want to know your opinions about comparing :
Land Cruiser FJ-60 1984 (I6 2F Engine, 4 speed transmission)
with a Ford Bronco 1984 (V-8 302 Engine).

I want to buy a fullsize that can hold all my family,
but i haven´t decided between Land Cruiser and Ford.

Which one of both engines is better ?
(More realiable and dependable).
Which one of both frames is better ?
Which one of both Transmission, transfer and axles is better ?

Thanx in advance.

 

[Downey]

No Brainer:
(a) Army Tank Landcruiser
(b) Passenger Car Ford Bronco

 

[lehiguy]

These both have pros and cons. You're posting on a Land Cruiser forum, so I think you can probably guess which way the wind will blow here. I have had three Toyotas and loved every one. My last Ford will be my last Ford. They are bigger, which can be good or it can be a pain in the tight stuff. The front suspension/axle on the Bronco sucks no matter how you slice it with the possible exception being that you own a tire store; then it's job security. The Ford will most likely be impossible to find with a manual trans; good or bad, depends on your opinion. The year of Bronco you are indicating will not have the venerable Ford 9" rear axle, but the 8.8" axle that eats bearings and shafts like crazy. The T-case is a Borg-Warner 1856. Not on anybody's short list of good t-cases. A friend of mine owned a Bronco like you're describing. He hated it with a passion, now he drives a Tundra.

 

[NLXTACY]

If you were comparing an FJ-60 with say an International Scout it might be a fairer comparison. Even though there were no new scouts when the FJ-60s were introduced. My best friend went the Bronco route while I went the Landcruiser route. I'm still rocking the cruisers. He is driving a Chevy Impala now

 

[b56tc]

I've had an '86 Full Size Bronco with the 302 since 1987, it has 180K on the same engine and transmission, replaced rear axle/front hubs/re-geared/suspension work/body mounts and various bushings, is about all it has needed. It has been a very durable machine, the 302 and AOD is a good and reliable powertrain. The 302 is problemmatic in that it uses the speed-density EFI, so forget about much engine modification ie head, intake manifold, cam, computer without changine the EFI to mass air-flow or throttle body. The mustang guys have made an existence out of beefing up the 302 with impressive results.

I also have a '87 FJ60 with 164K on a rebuilt 2F and original 4sp, I've had it for 3y and about 30K mi.

The two are worlds apart. The 302/AOD requires virtually no maintenance; the 2F requires constant albeit small adjusting. The Bronco is much nimbler with the shorter wheelbase; the 60 is much smoother on and off the road. The 302 also carries the Bronco much easier than whipping the 2F through the gears. The twin I-beam Ford suspension is a classic mistake by Ford. The solid axle in the 60 is still the strength and reliability standard even today.

They both rust.

The back seat is more than a pain in the Bronco, as is access to the rear compartment. The 60 wins multiple hands down for ease of rear seat and hatch access ie extra people or cargo.

The biggest difference I see in two trucks of similar vintage and mileage is the quality. The Bronco is a rattletrap. I spend an enormous amount of time tracking down the latest squeak or rattle in the dash, windshield, back, suspension - seems like a bunch of parts in formation at times. The 60 remains rattle free, like every Toyota I have owned (7 and counting over the last 20y, all trucks). It just feels so much better put together. It is a pleasure to drive even 20y later. The Bronco, after an hour or less, wears me out.

If your needs are family access, cargo, comfort and you don't need to go anywhere too fast and don't mind tweaking, the 60 is your bet. If you are interested in more nimble, quicker on the road, shorter turning radius, fairly trouble free powertrain, the old Broncos are tough to beat, they don't make anything like them anymore.

 

[D'Animal]

If they can be bought for the same price, I would pick the Land Cruiser. In the long run it is much easier to work on and maintenance is really easy. I believe the Ford you are looking at had the wishbone front suspension. When the bushing wear out, and they will, they can be a real bugger to replace.

 

[35inchoverdrive]

I agree with most of what has been said above. I would think that the only clear, practical, victory that the Bronco would have over the 60 would be towing. I think the 2F is a great engine, but I don't think it would do as well as a 302 in the towing department.

 

[OREJADEPERRO]

Thanx for the answers.
I think i will go for the FJ-60.
In Colombia there are lots of spare parts for Land Cruisers, but
there are not enough spare parts for Fords Bronco.

I actually own a Land Cruiser FJ-43 (Middle wheel base),
2F engine, 4 speed, carbureted, with dual fuel system
(Natural Gas and Gas), and i think it is an indestructible rig.

Now, my family has grown, and i need a more comfortable
rig, but equally dependable and simple to fix it.

 

[ntsqd]

No Brainer:
(a) Army Tank Landcruiser
(b) Passenger Car Ford Bronco

While I don't disagree with the posts above, "(b)" is incorrect. BB's/OJB's are based on the pick-up truck mechanicals. There's nothing passenger car based about them.

 

[Mace]

Merge the two and do a 60 with a 302 in it

 

[DBS311]

IF you went for the Bronco and wanted to stay with the larger size, you could also look at the '78 and '79. They had the 31 spline 9" rear and HD hi-pinion Dana 44 front. No TTB to deal with.

Minuses for the Ford are the access to the rear bench and the leaky top.

 

[151fab]

I own both, a 1994 bronco and a 1984 FJ60. The bronco has 170000 and doesn't leak a drop, NOT ONE SINGLE DROP! The FJ60 has made the road look like a super-fund site. Anyways, the Bronco is definitely not a family vehicle, it's impossible to access the rear seat and it rides considerably rougher than the FJ60, however, it gets the same mileage riding on 37" tires with a roof rack and a 351 V8 burning the wheels as the FJ does running completely stock and at 20 mph slower on the freeway.

They both have their strengths: BRONCO- power, speed, automatic trans, great offroad at higher speeds, better creature comforts. FJ60- easier access, longevity, better ride on the road.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

At the Coal Miners Cruiser Classic, one of the GCLCNY guys brought up his 66 bronco that he had just finished rebuilding. It had the 302, auto trans, doubler, etc. Pretty set up rock rig. Anyway the first day went great on the blue trails, but day two on one of the blue-blacks, his headgasket went. That was a motor with less than 50 miles probably.

Cruisers last forever. Shall we get into the FORD acronyms? Found On Road Dead, etc.

 

[Mace]

At the Coal Miners Cruiser Classic, one of the GCLCNY guys brought up his 66 bronco that he had just finished rebuilding. It had the 302, auto trans, doubler, etc. Pretty set up rock rig. Anyway the first day went great on the blue trails, but day two on one of the blue-blacks, his headgasket went. That was a motor with less than 50 miles probably.

Cruisers last forever. Shall we get into the FORD acronyms? Found On Road Dead, etc.

Sounds like the rebuilder did a poor job.

A 60 would have the same problem if not rebuilt properly.