FJ60 Design Flaws, practical solutions? (1 Viewer)

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Well you certainly ain't in any hurry, that's for sure! I don't like to run it that hard so I limit my speed to about 60-65 max. That puts me in the 2800rpm ballpark. I'd prefer it around 2500 but that's something like 55MPH. It'll go faster but the fuel mileage suffers and I'm sure the engine does too. I just finished a couple thousand miles pulling a trailer across the country and for the most part I was getting a little over 16MPG. When I hit the mountains it would drop to around 14.5MPG but it never felt weak. The slow trip over Raton Pass, I did a while back when my cat was clogging up (I don't have that problem anymore ;) ).
So yes, the engine is stock 2F (except for the K&N filter). I keep it in pretty good tune and run decent gas and frequent oil changes. I used to run Syntec but recently switched back to regular dino oil (because I was changing it a lot after letting the truck sit for a while). I'm thinking about running Mobil 1 Synthetic in it (I run it in all my other cars).
I currently have the stock 4 speed but I am going to order a new 5 speed in the next week or so and rebuild my T-case myself. I'm also thinking of getting a valve job and maybe going ahead an re-ringing it while I'm in there.
I've put over 100K miles on my Cruiser since I bought it and it's been the best vehicle I've ever owned (currently about 168K miles on it). Sure I've cussed it (even tonight as I changed my u-joints). Sure parts can be difficult to get and expensive when you find them. It's not the fastest, prettiest or most fuel efficient thing around but let me tell you something...

I left my FJ60 alone in the desert for 4 years and other than repairing 2 wires and a 6 inch section of fuel line the mice ate. I changed the oil and drove it across the country pulling a trailer (2,870 miles). You tell me another vehicle you would trust to have that kind of reliability!

so you are running a 2f, 4 speed, with 33's, and 4.56 gears, and doing 60mph @ 2800rpms? sounds great to me. everyone i have talked to said that I shouldn't go higher than 4.10's.

I really want a better crawl ratio, even if it means 55mph top speed. I have no qualms being the slowest turd on the road.

I just want to be the slowest turd off the road, know what I mean???:grinpimp:
 
The FJ60 was/is far better then my FJ45LV or even a FJ55 (brothers) when I purchased it back in 81.

I have a Jan/81 FJ60, sure it is slow, but it was made for the entire planet not just the USA.
Toyota made a few changes after the early 1981/late 1980 models relating to the steering.
Never driven another FJ60 then my own, maybe they were changed for a reason.

An FJ60 drives like truck because it is a truck not a car made ot look like an early SUV.
Except for the smog gear ( when tests are required) and easy to keep on the road.

Over the years it has rusted but keeps on running and sucking down lots of fuel.


How many early 1980's 4x4 wagons from other companies are still on the roads ?
 
Jeeze! Jim C. must be holding something back on my carb rebuilds. I sure didn't get the extra 100hp that Toad got!
 
so you are running a 2f, 4 speed, with 33's, and 4.56 gears, and doing 60mph @ 2800rpms? sounds great to me. everyone i have talked to said that I shouldn't go higher than 4.10's.

I really want a better crawl ratio, even if it means 55mph top speed. I have no qualms being the slowest turd on the road.

I just want to be the slowest turd off the road, know what I mean???:grinpimp:

H41 Non-US and your done. 33's and there is your over drive. I can still beat the fastest city transport with the lower first. 2f's rule set the hand throttle and roll over what you want

210 ft-lbs. @ 1800 rpm is still hard to beat on the trails I run.

B
 
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so an 80 without lockers and a 3Fe is that much better than a 60 without cable lockers and a 3Fe??

Mace

I think he was saying that an FZJ80 with lockers and a 200+ HP engine is better than a FJ60 with no lockers and a 120 HP engine. Since I have owned and driven both extensively, I have to agree with him.

My complaint is the the FZJ80 lacks the simplicity and classy vintage look of the FJ60. I am getting over it, however.

Mike S
 

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