How much do you have into your rig so far?

[Cruiserdrew]

I've actually been surprised how cheap it is to keep an FJ62 road worthy. I bought mine in 2008 from a friend at work who was the original owner. I baselined it pretty well then with axle rebuilds, resealed a bunch of stuff, complete new brake system etc. The only big ticket item was an H55f which I already owned and had run for 20K in my FJ60. I don't think I've turned a wrench on it in 4 years or so. *correction, I replaced the horn contact last month*. These are really solid dependable trucks. If you want less over-all trouble, get an FJ62, because the fuel injection and more powerful motor beat round headlights.

Last bit of advice-the amount you have in your truck is OK to keep track of in your head. It is never to be spoken or written down. Practice this answer: "Oh, about $100 because I found it used....." This will cover all items but a motor rebuild.

 

[WHG423]

I'm in around $9500-$10,000 at this point and climbing. It will never end.
But like most here, I don't mind. I love this truck and I love making it better.
Guys at work spending $60k on a new loaded pickup off the lot with a $700 a month
payment will never be as Happy as I am with my Cruiser. You know How much
$700 a month on Cruiser parts could do!

 

[vipergrhd]

I would love to tell you how much i'm into it but i manage to lose the receipts and i pay mostly cash so the can't track down my expenses.

 

[88Retired62]

Bought my 62 new in 1988 and currently have three 5-inch three ring binders filled with receipts and maintenance records. Do a lot of my own wrenching but when it's a daily driver and you want it right, you spend a great deal of time, effort and $'s to make it right. To start out...you better be single !

 

[Tarmo]

to me it seems really pricey to be messing with `Yotas in the states, for example a new windshield is 104€ in Europe, having 20k in it would mean its totally rebuilt and ARB etc all around

 

[The Phoenician]

to me it seems really pricey to be messing with `Yotas in the states, for example a new windshield is 104€ in Europe, having 20k in it would mean its totally rebuilt and ARB etc all around

Probably means you got a diesel engine swap, New transmission, rebuilt transfer case, Humvee wheels and tires, full floating rear axle swap, axle rebuilds, 3rd member swap, bumpers, roof rack, roof rack tent, winch,replaced all brake components, another set of 37 in tires, custom air box, snorkel, 2 optima batteries and a few other pricey things. Most of the actual cost is labor, it pays to do your own thing.
At the end of the day it's still cheaper than buying a stock BMW or new xterra

 

[Tarmo]

I have personally only seen one petrol 60 so far, everyone starts out already as diesels in my neck of the woods. Also zero automatic, its all manual and bulletproof. By law you can get away with max 35" wheels. 37" would mean SOA and it is forbidden.

but ofcourse, you grind/weld/ paint yourself

 

[The Phoenician]

I grew up over seas where everyone drives diesel. That was the first thing I changed when I bought my rig.

 

[Chester]

about $130K in gasoline, $4K in oil and filters, so far.

 

[Str8Razor]

A dollar two ninety eight.....

 

[norsk]

I'm in around $9500-$10,000 at this point and climbing. It will never end.
But like most here, I don't mind. I love this truck and I love making it better.
Guys at work spending $60k on a new loaded pickup off the lot with a $700 a month
payment will never be as Happy as I am with my Cruiser. You know How much
$700 a month on Cruiser parts could do!

EXACTLY my line of thinking - and I can work on it myself

dougbert

 

[aggiecruiser]

I refuse to add mine all up. I have them all very nice and tidy in a binder, but they will forever remain unsummed....Everytime a new part comes in, and my wife asks how much, I tell her "20 bucks....."

-Chris

 

[NEFJ60]

Man, I love this thread! Should make this a "Sticky" in the FAQs. haha. I also refuse to add mine up, but each dollar I spend is worth it.

 

[rrv333]

18-22k easy, including the purchase price.

 

[KeepCruzin]

Truck from LA craigslist: $5,000
OME suspension : $2,300
H55 5 speed trany : $3,000
Front Knuckle rebuild : $300
Toyota 12HT Tubro Diesel
Imported and pulled : $8,000
After parts, install etc: + $200

Grand total= Every penny I have (Im 17 and still in high school)
$20,000 +

The feeling I get when I drive a car that I love and labored over to get it to where it is: Absolutely Priceless

The feeling you get KNOWING you have the baddest rig in the school parking lot...... also priceless

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I wish I had $20k in high school, jesus.

 

[NEFJ60]

I wish I had $20k in high school, jesus.

Screw high school, I wish I had $20k for the truck NOW!

 

[gregnash]

I'm looking into buying an FJ60 or 62. I'll be using it as a semi-daily driver (bike commuter here), driving in snow, and off trail.

For those of you who've got yours to run reliably, or are complete with refinishes inside and out, how much have you spent so far? Pics encouraged!

Very subjective question and really depends on what YOU PLAN TO DO with the truck. From there what your budget is. I am in the same situation, purchased my truck for $1500 almost 2yrs ago now and not counting things like registration and licensing I have put approximately that much into it in small repairs and odds and ends. However, when I was looking for a truck the main criteria was that it had to be mechanically sound while the aesthetics could be negotiable. Mine has typical body rust but otherwise needed a few tune-up items and has never let me down on multiple trips.

View attachment 926098

Yes, lots of this. Especially from the hands and knuckles oh and the sweat always runs into your eyes if you wear glasses.

Or, I guess if I really had to put an accurate number on it:

View attachment 926099

Pretty accurate.... LOL

 

[87CRUSR]

As stated maintenance could easily be $1,000/year. Upgrades....depends on preferences.

My wife suggested trading in the 60 for a couple horses and we could save money. Worst suggestion I ever heard!

FJ60 rides are priceless!

 

[60Works]

I've kept my reciepts but have very purposefully not added them up. My DD 60 has over 300,000 miles on it. I used to budget $1,500 a year on parts and maintenance. After 3 years I had the truck groomed well enough that I was down to less than $500. For 150,000 miles I only had to change batteries, alternators, belts, and a water pump. All I had to do was change the oil occasionally and put gas in it. A LOT of gas.


A couple of thoughts:

If you have a long commute, Land Cruisers are not economical - 12-14 mpg. Get a beater econobox for your DD.

If you will have to pay someone to work on your Cruiser and had to ask your original question - you probably should reconsider owning. Or be willing to get some tools and dive into learning to wrench. We'll help you. And get a different DD because your LC won't always be ready.

When I was younger, I set up my accessory fund by budgeting $300 a month (a cheapo car payment), then subtracted maintenance expenses for my Cruiser and beater DD, then subtracted another $100 to put in a rainy day savings fund (for costly items like a transmission or engine work). What was left could go to toys. It kept my desire for lockers, bumpers, roof racks, etc in check.

If you wheel it hard you will break expensive parts.


It's difficult to put a price on the enjoyment of camping in and driving a Land Cruiser vs. a Corolla. I wouldn't trade some of those experiences for anything.