Fj62 speed on hills? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Grog420
- Start date
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I have a 60, but this is how hills go;
1- right lane
2- 3rd gear
3- floored
4- 45mph
5- flashers on
6- watch all the car blurs pass you in the left lanes.
7-smile
1- right lane
2- 3rd gear
3- floored
4- 45mph
5- flashers on
6- watch all the car blurs pass you in the left lanes.
7-smile
Back in 1988 I was looking to buy a brand new FJ62 Landcruiser. It was my dream car, or so I thought.
Although at the moment I didn't have the $23,000 in cash to buy one, I took one for a test drive to get a feel for it. I drove it off the dealership lot for a test drive. It was brand new.
I cruised it carefully with the dealer riding shotgun along the streets and it was fine cuz I was cruisin. We then took it on the freeway a very short trip but I cruised and took it easy there too. It was fine.
Then when we got to a wide open residential street, I asked him if I could accelerate hard to see what sort of power it had. He said sure.
I stomped on the gas pedal...and was appalled how gutless it was. It was a joke for a $23k flagship Toyota. It was hard to believe how slow it accelerated.
There was no way I'd buy one of those at that price.
So I shopped around on Truck Trader looking for a used FJ60 (manual transmission) and found a cherry one for 1/2 the price, 2 years old and bought that instead. It's not a fast vehicle either, but there's something about the stick shift and direct connection with the engine that makes it feel a lot more fun to drive. I loved it.
Although at the moment I didn't have the $23,000 in cash to buy one, I took one for a test drive to get a feel for it. I drove it off the dealership lot for a test drive. It was brand new.
I cruised it carefully with the dealer riding shotgun along the streets and it was fine cuz I was cruisin. We then took it on the freeway a very short trip but I cruised and took it easy there too. It was fine.
Then when we got to a wide open residential street, I asked him if I could accelerate hard to see what sort of power it had. He said sure.
I stomped on the gas pedal...and was appalled how gutless it was. It was a joke for a $23k flagship Toyota. It was hard to believe how slow it accelerated.
There was no way I'd buy one of those at that price.
So I shopped around on Truck Trader looking for a used FJ60 (manual transmission) and found a cherry one for 1/2 the price, 2 years old and bought that instead. It's not a fast vehicle either, but there's something about the stick shift and direct connection with the engine that makes it feel a lot more fun to drive. I loved it.
BGarcia88FJ62
SILVER Star
^ Truth! The A440F turns the 3FE into a dog. When mine takes a final dump it will be replaced with a 5 speed or 4 speed even.
Hojack
♠️Project Snowball❄️
I always wanted more power on mountain grades. Did the 4BT swap and have a 5 speed. It now cruises up hill even at 65 mph, it’s like a dream now.
Gretsch
SILVER Star
Not to be disrespectful here, but I saw the title of this thread and chuckled a bit. FJ62+speed+hills...….funny.
I would definitely suggest you drive one of these before you ever think about purchasing one. I am used to it now, but the first test drive of one almost made me bow out altogether on the idea of owning one. Was shocking how different they are to a modern vehicle. Not just the slowness but the stance, the vision out the windows, etc. They sure look cool but driving and owning one is a different experience. Its a lot of fun but just a bit different. Mine (FJ60) is a real dog on hills and at some elevation. It will get you there eventually but takes some commitment. I drove a 62 once and hated the automatic experience. Maybe try the FJ60 and see what you think. If you just accept its limitations then these are great trucks. If driving up hills at 45 watching even trucks pass you will bug you then it might not be the right setup. An Engine and transmission swap to something modern will transform them though. HTH.
FJBen
SILVER Star
A440F
There are times I don't mind automatics. 150hp and 1980's technology automatic transmission in a 4600lb rig are NOT one of those times. I owned one for a short while...I stress short. I could not get along with that setup at all. Try before you buy.
There are times I don't mind automatics. 150hp and 1980's technology automatic transmission in a 4600lb rig are NOT one of those times. I owned one for a short while...I stress short. I could not get along with that setup at all. Try before you buy.
Well, FYI, my '84 BJ60 (with 100lb roof rack, Roo bar and hydraulic winch and steel cable, and me, the dog and a bunch of tools in the back) has the stock, 94hp 3B engine (with almost 500k on it) with the manual 5 speed gearbox, will easily exceed freeway speeds on the level, and in third, at 3000rpm will march up most mountain hills at 50mph. It's not quick, but I've been driving it hard (and somewhat in excess of posted speeds 
) for the last 35 years with very little issue. That's what it was made to do!
) for the last 35 years with very little issue. That's what it was made to do!
lol - yes...speed on hills? what is this you speak of?
they'll run away out of control on a steep downhill descent once the brakes overheat for sure.... have fun with that!
uphill - there is no speed to speak of. i will say that the 5 speed swap makes the FJ62 feel downright snappy...but on long road trips loaded with camping gear - the truck can maintain 65/70mph on the flats...but I still lose speed on the inclines if they're long, or it's really hot, or at elevation.
150 horses / 220 torques - not a lot of power for such a heavy rig...even totally empty.
find one that has had the 5 speed swap - you'll not regret it.
they'll run away out of control on a steep downhill descent once the brakes overheat for sure.... have fun with that!
uphill - there is no speed to speak of. i will say that the 5 speed swap makes the FJ62 feel downright snappy...but on long road trips loaded with camping gear - the truck can maintain 65/70mph on the flats...but I still lose speed on the inclines if they're long, or it's really hot, or at elevation.
150 horses / 220 torques - not a lot of power for such a heavy rig...even totally empty.
find one that has had the 5 speed swap - you'll not regret it.
They're pretty bad, but still drivable as long as your expectations are reasonable. I drove mine to Eastern Kentucky and back this spring with a big load of camping gear on 33's and it did pretty well. 65-70 on the flats was no big deal, slower on the big hills for sure but not too bad. Keep in mind, this is on a 280k mile drivetrain with (probably) no rebuild work done at all.
I wouldn't want it to be my primary road trip car, mainly because I don't feel too confident with the auto with this many miles. A manual swap would add a lot of confidence and significantly decrease the parasitic drag on the drivetrain, but I'm going to try to hold out for a 5.3/4l60. Kind of hard to throw a $3k manual trans behind a 280k mile engine without rebuilding it, and after that I'll be near the cost of an LS.
I wouldn't want it to be my primary road trip car, mainly because I don't feel too confident with the auto with this many miles. A manual swap would add a lot of confidence and significantly decrease the parasitic drag on the drivetrain, but I'm going to try to hold out for a 5.3/4l60. Kind of hard to throw a $3k manual trans behind a 280k mile engine without rebuilding it, and after that I'll be near the cost of an LS.
also keep in mind if you really love FJ60's & 62's and want to build one into your perfect adventure rig, there's plenty of options for swapping in a diesel engine, or find one that has already had that done.
diesel swap is in the future for my 88 FJ62. I love it enough and plan to own it long enough (forever hopefully) to make the cost more acceptable.
diesel swap is in the future for my 88 FJ62. I love it enough and plan to own it long enough (forever hopefully) to make the cost more acceptable.
Gretsch
SILVER Star
A440F
There are times I don't mind automatics. 150hp and 1980's technology automatic transmission in a 4600lb rig are NOT one of those times. I owned one for a short while...I stress short. I could not get along with that setup at all. Try before you buy.
This is genius. Been laughing for about 20 minutes off and on.
FJBen
SILVER Star
I've seen that one around before and this is about the perfect place for it. Makes me chuckle everytime.
roughly $5K. I did all the wrenching on my swap - save for a few things. it took me 2 weeks start to finish. I worked on it 2 full weekends + most evenings after work. i made a checklist of tasks to help organize my scatter brains and it helped me slowly tick items off the list. some things took me several attempts to achieve victory - but that was really satisfying.
my local cruiser shop did the t-case rebuild for me and attached it to the new 5 speed. I wasn't confident tackling that myself - and it would have required me to figure out the bearing press tasks - I wasnt interested in figuring that out and/or spending $$$ on tools...so I have some additional labor in my list that could be saved. i had to buy a 2nd rear main seal after I ruined the first one - but that's only $80 ish...not a big deal.
could find a used H55 and/or transfer case but they don't pop up all that often...so you could be waiting around for a while. $3K for a brand spankin new transmission is not that bad.
forum.ih8mud.com
link above has another link to my google spreadsheet - view only, but feel free to copy/paste the sheet into your own.
not sure where you are - your sig says NorCal - you could contact Georg at CruiserBrothers - they're in Stockton - he'll be a great resource for you to acquire parts should you want to do your own 5 speed swap.
cruiserbrothers.com
my local cruiser shop did the t-case rebuild for me and attached it to the new 5 speed. I wasn't confident tackling that myself - and it would have required me to figure out the bearing press tasks - I wasnt interested in figuring that out and/or spending $$$ on tools...so I have some additional labor in my list that could be saved. i had to buy a 2nd rear main seal after I ruined the first one - but that's only $80 ish...not a big deal.
could find a used H55 and/or transfer case but they don't pop up all that often...so you could be waiting around for a while. $3K for a brand spankin new transmission is not that bad.
paul dinapoli - H55 swap thread
going to use this to document my A440 to H55 swap. here's a link to my google spreadsheet i've been using to keep track of parts and such H55F cost sheet Thanks @orangefj45 for many phone calls and the shipment of parts to get me rolling. Josh at Willamette helped me out by doing a t-case...
forum.ih8mud.com
link above has another link to my google spreadsheet - view only, but feel free to copy/paste the sheet into your own.
not sure where you are - your sig says NorCal - you could contact Georg at CruiserBrothers - they're in Stockton - he'll be a great resource for you to acquire parts should you want to do your own 5 speed swap.
Contact - CruiserBrothers
cruiserbrothers.com
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Cruising speed on level grade? 70 easy. 75-85 also attainable but doesn't feel real safe IMO.
Hills? You will slow down, that's the nature of the beast. I've never had a truck that could maintain the speed limit on hills, whether it was a Scout, '85 4Runner, '85 BJ70 and currently '90 4Runner and '89 Land Cruiser. So what? I don't really care.
If you want HP, buy a truck with the 4.0 V6 or Toyota V8.
Hills? You will slow down, that's the nature of the beast. I've never had a truck that could maintain the speed limit on hills, whether it was a Scout, '85 4Runner, '85 BJ70 and currently '90 4Runner and '89 Land Cruiser. So what? I don't really care.
If you want HP, buy a truck with the 4.0 V6 or Toyota V8.
oh - also since no one has mentioned it yet - but if you're shopping for a 60 series, check out the faq for buyers guide - there's a good link about 60 vs 62.
FAQ - 60-series FAQ
This is a permanent (sticky) thread which will attempt to categorize and post discussions on commonly asked questions about the Landcruiser FJ60 and FJ62 series trucks. I am NOT the expert here, but will be reviewing posts. gathering and combining information from members responses to questions...
forum.ih8mud.com
and - fair warning - these trucks get horrific fuel "economy". like 10 to 15 at the absolute best. i've seen 16.7 once - because i was on a long slow descent downhill...truck barely working. around town 10mpg is typical.
Living in Oregon I traverse the columbia river gorge regularly to get wherever I'm going. The gorge is a godforsaken windtunnel nightmare - I've seen 9 to 10MPG pushing into a headwind. it's always blowing in the gorge so either coming or going there's no way to avoid getting only 200 miles range on a 22 gallon tank.
Right, the only think worse than a 3FE is a 1 or 2F.
And a Unimog, of course.11mpg around town is possible. I once recorded 17 mpg on road trip through Banff/Jasper.
