FJ60 or 62 & which year is best?

[Esther]

I've had both. The 60 is better. You have more control with the manual tranny than with the auto, it feels more solid. The carb vs fuel injection for me is a stalemate. These trucks are designed to climb steep hills and I never had a problem with my carb konking out on me in a climb. The auto windows and doors work well if you keep the contact pints clean, but the idea of auto windows and doors seems to change the "character" of what an off road rig is supposed to be. I know that is subjective, but in my mind the more basic and manual the vehical, the better it is for off road. Think of it this way, if you want a daily driver that will do very well in a mall parking lot as well as off road, get a 62 with air. If you want a truck for camping and wheeling mostly, get a 60, 1985 or later.
Also, the round lights are cooler than the square ones. And gas mileage sucks on both.
John

 

[jvazquez53]

I had a FJ40, a 60 and an 80 and to be honest I like all three. The 40 was great off roader, lousy on the highway, and lacked of room inside, Now at this time I have the 60 and the 80; the 60 has what I lacked on the 40, except the highway manners, the 80, to me has the best of both worlds. I have never tried a 62, but to me it looks like the link between the 60 and the 80; like someone mentioned here, is a matter of preferences, after all, if it is Toyota is GOOD!!!

 

[igniter3]

Can somebody answer this?

I'm looking at a '88 FJ62 tonight, auto. I don't mind the square headlights, but I'd like to know the answer to the above question 'cuz it is cheaper than the 60's I've been looking at, and in better shape.

Thanks for any help

Get the 62 with 3F EFI engine (1988,1989,1990 model) EFI always better than carb. I have 1989 FJ62 has over 200+ miles on it, still runs like champ..... soon I will transfer every things from my FJ62 to my FJ40 (get rit of the 2F engine and related items out of my FJ40)
I also, have 1997 Lexus 450LX which same as the FJ80 model. They are really good and strong vehicles.....
Good luck....

 

[dp777usa]

Go with the 62

Go with the 62--if you can find a clean one. Harder to find than the 60's. I have always preferred automatic tranny for off road. If you are hung up on shifting, you can still shift the automatic. For driving 'round town, automatic is better too. I did put a tranny cooler on mine, just for peace of mind. Fuel injection is where it's at. 60 ain't bad, but 62 is better. I went round and round on this choice for 18 months before I found a clean one.. Bought the 62. No regrets and it goes just fine in Baja. Either model is a tractor, so get use to it.

 

[BG_TX]

My newb opinion -

If you are test driving a 62, get it on the highway or drive fairly high speeds for a lenghty amount of time (65mph+/30 minutes+). Listen for odd vibrations, odd shift points, ATF tempt light, etc.

You main concern with a 62 may be the auto trans which is dependant on how well the previous owner(s) cared for it.

I am partial to the outward aesthetics of the 60 but the EFI, auto-trans and power options attracted me to 62. I can roll down the rear windows from the driver's seat when I fart... that sold me.

The transmission can be modified for improved highway and towing capabilities as well.

 

[Texx]

Once carb problems stgart,

To me, the ability to modify is moot. with enough money you can do anything to either one. Automatics are not problematic unless abused for well over 250k. You'd probably be doing tranny/clutch work on a 60 by then. The major deal breaker for me on the 60 is the inability to run much over 70 on the highway. There's waaaay to much Texas around me to spend 200k miles unable to break 75 per. 62 comes stock with od tranny and will run 90 all day without hurting. I've had 12 or 15 60's, so I'm not speaking without knowledge. Hell, my very first cruiser was a 60. Since I have to put on a minimum of 200 miles to get to wheel much, I'm done with em. Great trail truck but needs legs. In no way is any carbureted truck comparable with one that's injected. Once carb problems start, they just suck worse and worse. I've had 4 or 5 62's, no problems with windo/lock other than one master switch I fixed myself. My average mileage is 14 and change.

 

[Rigger]

The '60's have them round headlights!! There are not enough o's in "Coooooool" to describe them. Square lamps are marginal. Round ones are just oh-so-sweet. That debate is long over.

But, the '60's also have that danged carburetor and that dad-gum 4 speed, both of which stink. Yukky!!

Now gentlemen, if I had me a '60 with a 5 speed and fuel injection, I'd stop griping. But I have neither, so you guys are stuck listening to me. Sorry 'bout that.

Don't try arguing with me, 'cause I'll win every time.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

This is kind of like arguing politics or religion - the feelings run pretty strong.

IMHO get a 62 and swap in the 60 round headlights.

Can't beat Fuel Injection!

 

[Tofudebeest]

The 62s frame is more stout, especially the spring hanger mounts. The preference for 60s is based on the aesthetics or the fact that there is less to break, so those of us who want spartan prefer the 60, those who want the little creature comforts (pwr mirrors, locks, windows) prefer the 62. What is surely true is that the 62s have better factory rust proofing, especially the seam seals, not much better, but better.

As for the dash style, headlamp style, seat fabric, etc. That's all a matter of taste, on which there is no debate.

As for the 3FE vs the 2F, I have no opinion as I run a 2H in mine and the H55F can be installed in either one.

Vacuum operated transfercase (62) is inferior to a manual one, so people tell me. The automatic transmission is inferior to the H55f for reliability. The H41 and H42 transmissions need an overdrive if you run tires than are less than 33s or if you have 4.11 gears, if you are planning on driving over 70 mph.

Stock vs. Stock, the 62 is a better vehicle. With a few mods, the 60 catches up quickly.

I think the vote is fairly unanimous: the HJ61 is the best J6 ever made. 12H-T, H55F, upgraded frame, third row seats (option), the list goes on. But, they're pretty rare.

 

[hks3sgte]

I think the vote is fairly unanimous: the HJ61 is the best J6 ever made. 12H-T, H55F, upgraded frame, third row seats (option), the list goes on. But, they're pretty rare.

I believe the HJ61 is actually the best 4x4 ever produced.

 

[Max.Powerzz]

I'd love an hj someday. Not all 62's have power options, I have a 1988 fj62 with manual windows, locks, and mirrors.

 

[Tofudebeest]

I'd prefer the manual stuff, but, that being said, whoever was the first owner of that 62 was like my uncle who bought a new Cadillac, in Miami, WITHOUT A/C!!!

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I think the vote is fairly unanimous: the HJ61 is the best J6 ever made. 12H-T, H55F, upgraded frame, third row seats (option), the list goes on. But, they're pretty rare.

Will agree with you on this, even though I've never driven one. Do they have manual or auto windows? I'm assuming the 12H-T has more power than the 3FE for climbing mountain passes.

 

[srplus]

JMHO but if you are going to buy either and can find any model year that you might want, I would go for the last model year for either. The difference is truck feel vs. SUV feel... the 60 is more truck like with the manual... the 62 is a little more like an 80 in sheep's clothing.

The best year is one that you can find that is reasonable in price and is in the best shape.

 

[LCCRUISER]

Hi,

Just freshening up the body on my second 1988 FJ62 that I bought within the last year so thought I'd check in on this thread. I've never had a 60, but I do have three 40's (2 1978's) and an FJ80. Over the last 30 years, I've also owned four other FJ40's. IMHO, the 62 series combines the old with the modern. Fuel Injection and highway travel is FAR superior to the predecessors and you still have the lower axle ratios. If you shift the automatic yourself in a 62 they have nearly the control of the 60 series. If you fiix the inherent linkage/downshift problem or shift them yourself, they aren't that much slower than the 80 series since they weigh much less than an 80. Off road, the 60/62 series has too long a tail making for poor departure angle without a high lift or SOA. But, the 80 series has a poor breakover due to the longer wheelbase and you have those pricey cats to worry about that hang way down below the sill and frame. The FJ62 I have now has the power options, the other one I had was equipped with manual windows and locks. I'm no fan of the square headlights, but having 4 is better than 2 if 1 gets busted on the trail and you have to drive home in the dark. Also, swapping the front grill and support parts from a 60 into a 62 will give you round eyes up front for a lot less than swapping the superior FI motor into the 60. Putting a 5 speed into an FJ62 (or an Aussie 4 speed) is less work than putting the FI engine into the 60 series. Never mnd the added advantages of the FJ62 frame, etc. Local aftermarket support will always be better for a newer vehicle. As much as I enjoy all the LandCruiser specific suppliers, its always nice to be able to pick up a part from a local parts store and not have to wait a week and pay shipping, never mind avoiding the local Toyota dealer.

In the beginning I said it was IMHO, so I expect some replies with another opinion.

LC

 

[daner]

Rereading this thread I realized one of the big differences between the 60 and 62 that noone has mentioned: The 62 is horrible to tow with! I've never towed with a 60, but it has to be better than the 62: I'll never tow over 1500 lbs with my 62 again, it just can't handle it. On the other hand I did recently get a speeding ticket for 74mph in a 55 zone, the 62 is so smooth on the highway it felt like I was doing 55.....

 

[Tofudebeest]

Another minor difference (among the hundreds of differences): the rear heater is centrally located as opposed to under the passenger seat (in a LHD). That means that you'll have to modify it slightly to install a Tuffy box.
I now own both (an '82 HJ60 and an '88 FJ62). The comparison isn't really fair for me because the 62 is in so much better shape, but I can see the subtle little improvements Yota made in that 6 year span. Most of the differences are matters of taste, but again, stock vs. stocK: the 62 has more to go wrong, but had upgrades in many areas.

 

[lowtideride]

I have done frame offs on both 60's and 62's...


And I can tell you the 62 is much better made vehicle in just about everyway. Its all in the little details, or some big details in some instances (frame, trussed axles)..there is a long list saying how the 62 is a better made vehicle.

That being said, the 60 series looks better.

 

[Huhwhye]

Is one easier than the other to do a Chevy V8 swap? Are the transfer cases the same strength or will one hold up better behind a V8?

 

[micnicholasj]

86 w/ round likes its dang good