FJ60 or FJ80 - Same Miles Same Price

[Royal 7]

So I'm brand new to the forum and to the Land Cruiser scene. I have been interested in owning a Land Cruiser for over 20 years and finally have the ability to purchase one. I have been a Toyota owner my entire life and currently have a 4Runner and Tacoma. The 4Runner is set up as a mild expedition build with dual batteries, fridge, rack....etc. So now I find myself in a position where I would like to purchase a Land Cruiser that my son and I will wrench on, he will drive for a couple of years, and then I will do a full expedition build on. This brings me to my question.....all things being equal what is the general consensus on which would be the best to buy for my immediate and long term goals....an FJ60 or an FJ80, both have small surface rust only? I can get either for about the same price with the same miles. The 60 is a 1987 and 80 is a 94. I have spent a fair amount of time working on cars, but by no means am I an expert. I am willing to do the research and spend the time to learn though. As a general rule are the parts to fix one less expensive and easier to install than the other. I realize that this is subjective and an opinion, I'm just hoping to hear some advice.

Thanks in advance for your attention.

Matt

 

[JayDoc]

As you note, there is a lot of subjectivity involved in answering this question.
On this site there are really nice examples 60s and 80s upgraded to exped rigs and my brain says for long road comfort the 80 is the winner but the 80 will never invoke the same visceral response in me as the 60. So drive both, maybe own both, but buy the 60 first.

 

[Output Shaft]

Read this:

Ultimate OEM 60 series parts still in stock

The decision is easy

 

[rusty_tlc]

I've owned a 60 and still own a 100 series. The 60 is a very cool ride but not very comfortable, ultimately I decided it would never be a truck I wanted to cover hundreds of miles driving, this after several long trips.

While not as comfy as the 100 the 80 series is a lot better than the 60 series and every bit as capable. The ride in the 80 is smoother, it has much better sound proofing and in general offers more creature comforts.

While drive train / chassis parts are still available for the 60 series the little series specific bits and pieces are hard to find.

In your shoes I would go with the 80 series hands down.

 

[Output Shaft]

Its interesting to note that almost every FJ60 on the road today has (or had) over 200,000 miles in it. That's a lot of driving. A lot of hours behind the wheel over the years.

The 60 is not that evil to drive. Sure it's not as comfy or peppy as the newer cars, but comfy kinda takes the fun and adventure out of the thing (IMO).

I currently drive mine about 10k miles a year as a dd and drive it down to southern Baja every year. A 2500 mile round trip. Several hundred miles of them on "out-in-the-boonies" dirt roads.
I've owned it for 28 years.

When I'm way the heck out there, there is no other cruiser I would want. The simpler the car the better (IMO). There's NO way I would trade my 60 for an 80.

I would like to own both, but if I had to chose one, (personally) it would be the 60 hands down.

 

[george_tlc]

The 80. 7 years younger than the 60 so all the rubber bits (that rot/fall to bits) will be 7 years younger on the 80.

Coil springs, much cheaper to lift 2-3", much easier to deal with. More comfortable, especially on bumpy/uneven tracks.

The 94 80 gets you the 4.5l so more pep for the long haul drives.

Both will need maintenance and $$ put into them to get them baselined to a point where you can just head out and enjoy them, unless the PO was meticulous and/or an ih8mud fanatic

Both have a great following and subforums here, so support from fellow mudders will be easy to get. The decision of course will ultimately be which vehicle you would find more fun to drive and work on...

cheers,
george.

 

[GW Nugget]

Wheel the 60 & DD the 80...

 

[MCTurman]

I would suggest the FJ62!

 

[ScottT]

Depends on what kind of off- road you do. Fj80 entry and departure angles are better. If I were to get an 80 I'd want a 1996 or 1997. Phh is an issue. Also the 80 has a black box, roll over cut out for fuel, air bags, and many powered items like windows. While mechanical things break, they don't break as often as old electro- mechanical things. Both are underpowered and gas mileage suxs. The 80 is more comfortable on the road. Hth

 

[slacker24-7]

I voted a 60 based on my expo / overland , or what ever you want to call it use I don't cover a million road miles to get to dirt, if I did then maybe a 80 would offer more comfort. I want things as simple and reliable and bulletproof as possible and if it does break or fail I want to be able to fix it on the trail. I guess it depends on your over all use , but I like things like roll up windows , a manual tranny and a heck of a lot of room in a rig that I can work on

 

[Hiace4wd]

80 series because of comfort, and more power depending on engine choice.

60 series is probably a little bit more easy to work on with basic tools, but you also need to do more work probably.

Rust should also be less of an issue (but still there) on an 80 series.

 

[MANUCHAO]

When you going/coming from a 4runner/Tacoma....world
Yeah, you be better off on an 80.
Unless you willing to give up those comforts you are used-to, the novelty (looks) of the 60 will wear out (under power and not as comfy) really fast....

I own a 60 and one of the things that I absolutely love is the smell of it every time I get in on it...
After years of ownership it has gone from bone stock to "something" and I have loved every single mod...

I hope you get a 60...
They are fun to drive in stock form, but awesome once you make it your own...

Good luck..!!

 

[Dixiedog]

I have a 60 and plan on never selling it. I have owned 3 80 series trucks and would recommend a 80 for your needs. If my 60 did not have emotional ties to me it would be gone and another 80 would be in the garage.
The 80 will be quieter, more powerful, handle better, has better A/C and may come with factory lockers. The 80 will also be safer in a crash ( you posted your son will be driving it)

 

[cwwfj60]

I'd go with the 60, 80s just don't give you the same satisfaction when driving them, they are both old and both will need things fixed but the 60 is just more fun all around. They both make excellent long distance expedition rigs, I love driving my 60 and wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country based on comfort reasons. A fresh set of seats out of something newer would go a long way in making it more comfortable.

I also feel a solid fj60 will prove to be a better investment in the long run.

 

[Rugy]

60 over the 80

 

[dcoy]

Another 60 fan/vote if you're still taking votes.