fj60 vs fj80

[lovetoski]

I need some advice...I drive an 87fj60 now, and my wife uses the fzj80. I love my 60. For a truck w/275,000 miles, it's pretty strong. Tranny/clutch/transfer are going, and the powersteering pump leaks badly. But, I like the classic, rugged functional (no frills) look and feel. Of course it's loud, the A/C doesn't work, and my daughter doesn't like to ride in it...

I've seen some 91-92 fj80's for $6-8K. I've test driven two, and I like them a lot also. OK, so maybe I love ALL cruisers...

The fj80 is faster (on the freeway), smoother, quieter, younger, fewer miles, etc. I'm really tempted to sell my 60, and get an early 80. It's pretty obvious that either the 60 or the 80 can wheel quite well, so no difference there. Price is an issue, so I need to be careful, but I will have to spend some money (and my time) on the 60, given the things that are nearing the end of their functional life.

If money was no object, I'd keep the 60 and get an early 80. If I sell the 60, I know I'll miss it, but will I miss it less than how much I will love the 80?

Maybe I need a shrink. If any of you have had to work through something similar, I'd love to hear how you eventually resolved it.

Thanks!

 

[Landpimp]

I have both(and then some) but an 80 will out wheel a 60 all day long, even in stock form.

I think a 87 fj60 will hold its value better than an early 80, 80s are still heading down, 60's are already about as far as they will go.

an 80 will need brakes and front end service more than a 60

heck just buy one of each model made.

 

[Rogue]

When I bought my 94 two years ago I considered selling it for awhile because of the amazing deal I got it for (1/3 Blue Book). I would have gotten a 60, 62, or FJ80 instead. When I considered the pros and cons the FZJ80 came out clearly on top. None of the others could have been as streetable and offroad capable as the FZJ80 was in stock form.

Since you are considering FJ80 and FJ60, I would say go with the 80 since it is the better rounded of the two.

 

[landtoy80]

Having owned (and sold) an 87fj60 and now own a 94fzj80, I can help a bit.
I went through both with a fine tooth comb; fixing, replacing, updating, body work etc.

The 60 is cheaper to repair and easier to work on. There are lots of options if you like to modify; HEI dist, EFI, chevy 350 motor, 5speed tranny etc.
The body is more pron to rust.
Value, yes the 60 will hold its value, if you keep it in good shape. I paid $5500 and sold it for $6000 I had it for about 3yrs. I spent $2000 to $3000 on it over that time.

The 80 is very $$$ to fix and harder to work on. Not may modifications for it but the 80 doesn't realy need it.
I paid $8900 and have about $5000 invested and I bet I couldn't get over $9000 for it.


If you are on a budget, keep the 60 as the 80 can and will take your $$$$ for a ride

 

[GXO]

Once you drive an 80 to the trail, wheel it, then cruise it home....

well, you won't have any issues on deciding.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Good god man! 275K! I have a SWEET 85' FJ60 with 109K, just broken in that you should buy Ignore all the posts I have out there about buying a FZJ80 :

Just kidding, well sorta, I'll sell you my FJ60 ..... but I think that as good as they both are, they are "better" in different ways which the others have pointed out. I'm going 80 because I have too, lots of driving daily, but if I didnt, I would go with the "charm" and simplicity of the Fj60.

 

[lovetoski]

Well...I guess if I'd posted this on the 60 board, I'd get some different responses, so perhaps I intentionally tried to bias the "input" in favor of making a switch to an 80...which is what I think I'll do.

What I hadn't counted on is the comment that 80's wheel better than 60's...I know they're better to/from the trail, but didn't realize they're better off-road. Better off-road, better on-road, that's a powerful combination.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[cruiserman]

IMO a fj60 is harder to maintain, especially in smog Nazi territory. 60s are more fun to drive than 80s, and they have more cargo room. 60s are pretty cheap right now, and I suspect you won't get much for yours if you decide to sell.

If you can swing it, keep the 60, and buy an 80. My '93 80 is everything my '86 60 was and more, but there is quite a price difference. I would try to get a fzj80 versus a fj80.

 

[thorvald]

you will miss the 60
if possible keep it and get an 80

I wouldnt pay 6-8,000 for a 91 or 92 though, not unless its in great shape and has records of brakes being done recently, knuckle rebuild, etc.

have seen some for sale on the boards for 5,000 and less, seems like someone picked one up for around 3K on here.

 

[ppc]

I say why replace something ancient with something very old. In a few short years you’re in the same boat. I would look at finding a 93 and above with ~120k. I’ve seen a number going for $8500. If you step up a 94 I think you’d find more that have factory lockers and go for $10500. Newer models are another $1000 per year. Not much money considering that my 94 cost me $46000 with tax and license when new.

 

[ginericLC]

I sold my 60 for a 91 80. If I would have had more time I would have definitely waited and found a FZJ80. We have one of those now too

I like the looks of the 60 better and it did seem to have a bit more room. But I found that owning a 60 was more expensive than owning an 80. Lift springs are a lot more. Lockers cost money, but on an FZJ80 you can basically get them for free. Basically adding a lift and lockers to a 60 costs $3500-4000. Adding a lift to an 80 can be done for right around $700. Tires are pretty much the same, 16" rim tires are slightly more. 80s have the front seal issue, but both of mine were recently done prior to my purchase. Power of an FZJ80 to a 60 isn't even comparable. I would think in stock form a 60 would accelerate almost as fast as a 91/92 FJ80. But I really can't remember because my 60 ended up with a V8 and my FJ80 ended up with 35s. 80 ride is definitely better on and off road. Fatigue in the 80 is a lot less on a long trip. It is quieter and smoother. The 60 market is not as stable as it was a few years ago. I'm seeing some nice 60s in the $2500-4000 range now. The FJ80 market is getting towards the bottom I think. It is near at least. I've seen 91/92s for $4500-6500 on the net, in Idaho they are still trying to get $7-9000 for them. I would hold out for at least a 93, you should be able to get a 93/94 for a reasonable amount $6500-8500. I would not be scared of miles if it was maintained. My 91 has over 200k and the 94 has 187k and it still drives almost like new. Almost as good as my dad's 97 LX450 did at 62k. The reason I pointed out the price of mods is because the savings on buying and installing lockers and a lift on a 60 could easily be applied to purchasing an 80 which would need fewer mods to get to better trail rig.

 

[squeezer]

I have both (kinda...) a 96 FZJ80 and an 82 BJ60, and just sold an 89 FJ62.

The FJ62 was not hard to get rid of when compared the the 80. Not fix it on the trail simple and not what you would class as comfy (again when an 80 is the benchmark).

My BJ is a rusted out ugly brown thing that puts a smile on my face EVERY time I drive it. I have not started the 80 in two weeks because I like driving the BJ so much. It is total peace of mind driving. Not worried about anything when driving that rig. The dog likes it, the wife tolerates it, and 26 MPG is hard to beat.

If I could have only one rig it would be a turbo diesel 5 speed 80... Of course we can't get that here so of whats available in the US this is MY order of desireability.

1: LOCK&#039 FZJ80
2: Manual tranny'd FJ60
3: FJ80
4: FJ62

 

[doctorJ]

Well, I have had my 97FZJ80 for 5 months now; my 84FJ60 has been with us 15 years and 150,000 miles. The 60 was my daily driver when I got the new cruiser and I drive it less and less and less. But I read this post and took it this morning. I still love the feel of the 4speed and space in the back. But my 45 year old back sure likes the seats in my new ride, and for city driving there is no comparison. I haven't yet put it through the off-road antics my 60 has been doing forever; and I keep hearing from everyone on this board that it is MORE capable than the 60. Once it proves that to me - I still won't sell the old boxy 60. The motor cost 4K three years ago and my wife still loves it!
I guess my bottom line is - the more the better - get an 80 and you'll love it, sell the 60 and you'll regret it.
Jay

 

[squeezer]

[quote author=doctorJ link=board=2;threadid=14818;start=msg140167#msg140167 date=1082126250]
get an 80 and you'll love it, sell the 60 and you'll regret it.
Jay
[/quote]


The most eloquent statement on this topic yet !

 

[semlin]

maybe, split the difference and get a 70

 

[Cruisergreg]

One more consideration here that has been hinted at but was a big thing for me: owner fixability. Several years ago I faced the 60 vs 80 dilema but decided to keep (and heavily upgrade) the 60 because I wanted something I could fix myself whether in my driveway or Belieze. The USA-spec 80 is a largely computer controlled drivetrain that is a black box for most people and not someting easily diagnosed or repaired in the field. Simplicity was what attracted me to my first FJ40 and kept me with my 60. Ultimately the 60 mods included:

TBI 350 V8
H55F 5 speed
4:11s
5-way adjustable front buckets from a Diamante
Soon: cruise control

No, it's not as refined as an 80 by a long shot, but I know I can fix it when it breaks

 

[Beowulf]

>> largely computer controlled drivetrain that is a black box for most people <<
>> and not someting easily diagnosed or repaired in the field. <<

While this is a true statement, there isn't any rationale basis for concern of the "fixability" of the ECUs controlling the 80 engine and tranny. I have frequented 80s lists for over 3 years and read thousands of posts from hundreds of FJ80 & FZJ80 owners. To my recollection, there hasn't been a single person that has reported a disabled vehicle from the failure of an engine ECU or a transmission ECU. (The primary 'black boxes' that I assume you are referring to.)

There have been some windows that won't go down, the occasional starter contact issues, and the 91/92 EFI relay, but not a single report (that I can remember) of a disabled vehicle that was caused by an ECU failure. I believe that all of the critical ECU's have a "limp home" mode if they fail.

CruiserDan swapped out his defective ECU a few years ago as the early 93's will throw MIL codes and the only fix is the upgraded ECU. This problem did not disable his truck nor any others with this issue. Several people have had solenoids fail in their auto trannies but nothing that disabled the vehicle.

I can name 4 people that have completely submerged their 80s and I would guess some of these guys had ECU problems as a result, but if they did I don't consider a submerged vehicle as a reasonable test of ECU reliability.

Doesn't that TBI Chevy engine have an ECU errr... PCM for the engine control?

-B-

 

[Riley]

Before buying our 80 last summer, I had a BJ60. I loved that truck and I still like the looks of the 60 better than the 80. However I had both for a few months and never drove the 60 because of the ride ect... The cost of mods is an issue on the 60. I really wanted lockers for it but after pricing them, I decided to get a "new" (to me) 80.

The 80 drives better, has fulltime 4wd, more power (and thus safer), AC and quieter.

The 60 was a classic and a true love but I couldn't stand to see it rust away not being driven. If I was a rich man with a roof for 3 rigs I would have kept it.

My son cried the day we sold it and wept in the back because of all the fond memories (camping, off-roading, fishing ect....). We're both over it now and it's got a good home in another town.

By the way, the 60 does have more room in the back. I'm still struggling with that.

Perhaps there is some counseling available for people that have had to give up their old crusier. :'(

Riley

ps the 60 was a 5 speed with a Fairey overdrive. Very cool.

 

[Zjohnsonua]

Old, useful thread, so I'll add to it rather than start anew.

I've been parsing through the differences between the 60 and 80 and I thought I was set on the 80. Then I found comments about how much more room there is in the back of the 60. I intend on overlanding with this truck so there will be a few nights spent in the back and as I'm 6'4" I'll appreciate all the room I can get. I'll be pulling all but the front seats, so how much of a difference will I find? Enough to matter?

 

[elripster]

Having had a 60 and now a 94 80, there are some significant advantages to the 80.

I found parts hard to find for the 60 even after converting to a 3FE. The 80 parts are easier to get and it is much easier to work on since I don't have 80' of vacuum lines and likes.

The 60 was woefully underpowered, even with the 3fE and 5 speed swap. Where I live I really noticed it, you might not.

The 60 had terrible MPG no matter what I did to it. My 80 is much more built, heavier, etc...and gets 3-4 MPG better (10ish vs 14ish) while producing much more power.

As you mentioned the 60 is loud and harsh. The 80 is much more refined. You can sound deaden the 60 and upgrade to the 5 speed and address a lot of that noise.

The 60 in my own opinion is the better looking truck. If I had the room/time I'd probably get one just to tinker with.

I found the 60 to be very capable but I tip my hat to the 80 off roading. It is more capable.

I am 6' 1" and I find the 80 a little more comfortable. With kids in car seats, the 80's rear seat reclines which means I get a little more leg room when they are in the truck.

The 80 is safer and especially so for the OBDII's with air bags.

If I were you I'd keep the 60 and treat it as the classic that it is. Use it is less and stretch its life. Fix it up nicely and enjoy its history but a bit more gently. Maybe then prepare for a different DD and a truck you wouldn't feel so bad denting.

I would skip the 3FE's and look at the 93-97's.

Frank