fj60 or fjz80

[maxafterburn]

I have a 1995 fjz80 (in good condition) and am considering selling or trading to get an fj60. I want to build a mild wheeler for trails, hunting, and the occaisonal job I can't get to with my Sprinter van. When I say mild I mean 1.5" -3" of lift, tires around 33", maybe lockers, bumbers, winch.

Would like to hear the good and the bad about the idea. I like the round headlights so I want to go with 85-87 fj60 rather than the fuel injected 62. Is going from a flawlessly running 95 engine to a carbuerated 87 a bad idea?

Hope to get input from guys who have had both style trucks.

Thanks

 

[Cruiserdrew]

If you can only have one, the 80 is the one to keep. It's a much better truck overall, and way cheaper to modify for offroad use, especially the uses you describe. You would be giving up power, capability, smoothness, and rust resistance. 60s are cool and iconic, and have a manual tranny, but the 80 is still a better Land Cruiser for most people.

Why do you think you want a 60?

 

[maxafterburn]

Cruiserdrew-I like classic stuff and think a built 60 looks cool, BUT....The reasons I hesitate are exactly what you mention. I question if I would be buying a money pit.

 

[jmylie]

Any reason why you can't look for a reasonable 60 and keep the 80?

Either truck could be built but the 80 is a more comfortable platform to begin with.

In todays car market, you will take a beating on the 80.

I would definitely try to work up a budget. This way you have at least an estimate of the cost. This may not change your mind but it may lend some reality to your plans.

Hopefully you are not in an area prone to rust. If you are, a 60 may become a money pit.

 

[DBS311]

I promised myself that I would never sell my 62, so I stay away from the 80 series to make sure I keep that promise. Unless you have driven/owned a 60 series before and know what you are getting into, I think you will be disappointed. The classic look and feel of a 60 rarely convert those who are used to the power and comfort of an 80.

 

[NocalFJ60]

Does your 80 have a locker? Would you have to smog the 60 in your area? You probably can't get much for a 80 nowadays.

Would you be doing all the work to modify the cruiser yourself? I would think a 60 would take more labor to get it up to the level you are describing. You would want to put 4.11's in both differentials on a 60 to get the gearing good with 33's. Also unless you spend more money you will probably need to do some maintenance to get the 60 in shape.

I have driven many 80's and if I was going to start building a cruiser to do some mild wheelin now (like you described), then I would find a good used 80 with lockers and start with that. You wouldn't have to re-gear and would have fuel injection and more comfort on the road.

I would stick with your 80 and get a lift, tires, and front bumper. Then you can decide on other things like sliders and other armor. A good set of tires and the stock setup (especially with dual lockers) can do a lot more than most people realize. If you are not afraid to scratch it up a little and haven't done so, go do some basic trails and just see what your 80 will already do now. Some people lift it and add a bumper and don't even need the added lift for the dirt roads and basic trails they are doing.

 

[REKCUT]

I love my 60, cant stop spending money on my 60, cant imagine getting rid of my 60. That said, the 80 is a more comfortable rig. You can drive your 80 cross country in comfort and still wheel the hell out of it. IMHO 80's are cheaper to modify to trail ready conditions. If you already own an 80 that runs flawlessly then your asking for a lot of extra work taking on someone elses headache. Now before some anal 60 fanatic jumps on here and starts talking about how they drove there 60 cross country, I would like to point out that Lewis and Clark went cross country in a canoe and on foot. I would agree that they may have had a life changing experience, but I believe that if given a choice they would have been more comfortable using a more modern form of transportation if it was available.

I love my 60, but would have to say that the 80 is the ultimate in comfort and usability in the LC family

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Find a local cruiserhead and test drive a built up 60. Then estimate the cost of the whole thing by asking on here and that will give you a good idea of which direction you personally want to take it. My 62 is not a cheap vehicle, the only way I justify it is that it's cheaper than a new one to operate and upgrade.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Everyone says that the 80 is way nicer than a 60 series comfort and otherwise, but I'm perfectly satisfied with all aspects of my 62. So, if you're set on the 60 series you might consider one. When I first saw a FJ60 back in the 80's I thought it was the coolest looking wagon ever-and still do.
For your wants and needs, I don't think you'd need to sink money into lockers, lift or any mods whatsoever. If you're patient, a good deal may come your way. That said, your best bet is to stay with the 80.

 

[Eporter]

"Now before some anal 60 fanatic jumps on hear and starts talking about how they drove there 60 cross country"

Ding, ding, ding...

I've driven x-country in my 60 7 times now. No AC. No cruise control. No breakdowns either, but that's thanks to much $$$ in parts!

Before my carb rebuild it took way too much effort to keep the gas pedal pressed. I almost fell over a couple times from my weak, numb knee, after getting out to get gas.

It still hurts my knee on long drives.

Then there's the time I drove from NY to UT in 36 hours. Not too smart! My buttcheeks went numb from the worn out seat.

How about driving across the desert in July in a brown truck that is a heat machine?

Yeah, an 80 would be a LOT more comfortable.

My girlfriend and I drove x-country in a Buick Century. It was like floating on a cloud while sitting on a comfy couch.

I love the 60, but it's from the 1980s. Trucks were just starting to get comfortable then.

AC, cruise control, better seats, newer, etc. =all good reasons for the 80.

I just love how the 60 looks!

 

[missipboy]

most 60 series come with a/c. there are some seat upgrades available and you can always put aftermarket cruise control on one. that said, i used to daily drive an 80, but it felt a little to plush. it's taken a while(and several vehicles) for me to figure out that i enjoy daily driving my 60 series more than any other vehicle i've had. that's just me, and i do have a compulsive landcruiser trading problem, though.

 

[REKCUT]

Touche exporter! but your not who I am refering to. You may have driven it, but your not trying to sell it. I too have driven mine but and love it but would find it easier in an 80.

 

[Bryan062087]

I really don't know why everyone says this about 60's. Its not like you are thinking about going from driving around in a ferrari to trying to cruise in a tractor.

If you want a 60, get it. Understand that it won't be as refined as the 80, but it is still plenty comfortable. 60/62's can be great daily drivers and for trips IMO. Only issue with the 60 compared to the 80 is that possibly you will have to spend a substantial amount on maintenance right at the start if the previous owner has neglected it. These trucks are getting old now and have gone through a lot of owners, it makes it harder to find one that has been well maintained.

The only issue I can think of is the gas mileage. I would almost feel guilty buying a 60 right now if I did not already have one, just because of the bad gas mileage and the energy crisis. Although many other new trucks do not do that much better.

I drive mine on trips and as a dd and rode in my dad's 62 for family trips for years growing up.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I love 60s, look at my sig line! The OP was talking about trading a perfectly good 80 for one. I don't think I would do that. Fortunately, 60s have become so inexpensive, that owning an additional Land Cruiser is not that expensive a proposition. I think he would love a 60. The problem is that if FORCED to choose between the 2, the 80 is a more versatile truck that still retains that essential Land Cruiser goodness, and is therefor worth keeping.

 

[REKCUT]

As Andrew said, the question is trading a good know 80 for an unkown 60. The 80 is the better choice for what he has stated. Lets also look at the fact that the 80 is the new and improved landcruiser from the 60. Its more refined, more comfortable, more powerful, holds more cargo, is built stronger, drives easier, holds more people, has more aftermarket parts available, and is easier and to modify for off roading. Yes you can drive a 60 as a daily driver, but your are a fan ( which is short for fanatic) of the 60, and no one but a fanatic would ever think that a 60 is more comfortable thatn an 80. Everyone thinks their own kids are pretty, but you sure see lots of other kids that are ugly. Thats a 60. I love mine, but I am realistic enought to know that and 80 is a better choice for most people.

 

[Eporter]

"The only issue I can think of is the gas mileage. I would almost feel guilty buying a 60 right now if I did not already have one, just because of the bad gas mileage and the energy crisis. Although many other new trucks do not do that much better."

Amen. I couldn't really justify buying any type of truck now, or in the future. The gas will keep going up, etc. When I bought my 60 8 years ago, it cost the same per mile to run as a Honda Civic does now!

As for new vs. old mpg, the new trucks have similar mileage, but several times the power. We like trucks that handle like cars here in America!

Though I would love and justify a diesel cruiser!

 

[jvazquez53]

I have both, and they are two different animals. I like the 80 to go on the daily chores, mild four wheeling etc. Now the 60 when things get a little rough, that's the one I drive. My 80 leans more towards the family type SUV (if it was up to me, it would be more like the 60). My 60 leans more to the third world country type, rough, no AC, rusty, paint or what's left faded. If you can keep the 80, buy a 60, if you can't, the upgrade the 80.

 

[maxafterburn]

Guys,
Just got a chance to get online. Thanks for the HONEST input. I really wanted to ask this question on the 80's forum as well as here, but know the rules about double posts. I knew up front the 80 would wheel with more comfort, and with more parts out there. Truth be told, the only reason I wanted the 60 was for the look. I think the answer to my question was obvious to me from the start, but I needed some backup from you guys to set me straight.

My truck runs great right now (except for the damn engine light, which on a 95 doesn't matter here in NY) and I just got my hands on an ARB Bull Bar. I want to move on to a lift and some more aggressive tires, and also a locker for the rear. I am getting a rough 87 FJ60 on a motorcycle trade, so I may keep it and beat around the woods in it, or I might part it out. I think after what I have read I will forget about the trade I was considering with the 80 (a much cleaner 60 than the one I'm getting) and concentrate on the truck that I know.

I might be posting a bunch of 87 FJ60 parts soon, I'll let you all know.

Thanks again,
Ken