Keep the 60 or go 80? (1 Viewer)

[R.E.M.]

Hey everyone, been a while!

I've come to a cross road and wanted to run some thoughts by you guys...

My DD that I got a little over a year ago has met an early demise. Everyone is fine and I have a small check coming in the mail from his insurance company.

Over the last year my 60 has sat in the garage with expired plates collecting dust and leaking oil/grease through the hubs. I charged the batteries and fired it up this week and took it for a spin around the neighborhood. Everything seems to be as I left it. However, it has lots of leaks and needs the turbo replaced and axle rebuilt. The turbo has needed replaced for the last 5 years, so it's fine chugging along for now.

ANYWAY, the question I have to figure out is: Should I sell the 60 as-is, or do some maintenance then sell for an 80 OR fix up the 60 and go back to DDing it?

Background: I have a wife and 3 kids and we like to go camping. On New Year's I asked my kids what they want to do this year and I got a lot of "I want to go four wheeling!". Well, me too.

I know you guys all have 80s, so I can't trust everything you say

If I sold I'd be giving up a turbo diesel, manual, leaf sprung rusty classic and gaining a third row seat, air conditioning, cush ride and other "new" amenities.

At a loss!

 

[cjmoon]

I guess my question is would you have to sell the 60? Maybe do an engine swap to keep the diesel and manual. I love the creature comferts the 80 offers for my growing family. I gave up the old jeep cj to build my 80 when kids came around.

 

[half k cruiser]

Hmm, I know somebody who has always wanted a 60 series, and has a spare 80 to bargain with

 

[2fpower]

Mileage sucks. Put on big tires and then the power is unimpressive on highways. Front seats are terrible to todays standards. AM FM cassette is a little lacking in the iPhone compatibility. Automatic only in US market.

You can fix all those except for mileage (unless your are Mr. Moon)

Everything else is perfect in my opinion.

 

[R.E.M.]

Hmm, I know somebody who has always wanted a 60 series, and has a spare 80 to bargain with

I'm listening...

Well, in the very immediate future I'll have to put some time and $ into the 60 as it's moving from a third to a second vehicle, but I'm sure I'll be continually thinking about an 80.

I don't have the capacity for 3 vehicles, and I doubt the boss would swap her Odyssey for a cruiser.

 

[1MAC]

Fix up the 60 as if you were preparing to sell it. Drive it like that for a while and see how you like it without all the gremlins.

 

[DLPDLP]

This is what an 80 can do with the build most of us have, and what they cannot do. "Stormin Norman". Enjoy.

I love the 60's look but love my 80 for many many reasons. All the things 2F said are true but man, get a tripled locked rig and you can be your own Stormin Norman.

 

[R.E.M.]

Oh yeah. I've wheeled plenty with you 80 guys. To keep things simplest I'll take 1mac's advice and go back to DDing my 60. That means fixing leaks, re-arching my rear 63" springs and other goodies. Maybe even fab up an AC compressor mount and get myself an H55.

If anyone is up for some free suds I'd love a hand on finding a fuel tank leak, replacing engine, trans and tcase seals and rebuilding the front axle in the near future.

 

[R.E.M.]

I've been putting time and $ into this rig and it's almost ready for MO inspection. New Optimas (2!), re arched the rear 63" leaves, installing new gauges.

I'm ordering parts today from Cruiser Outfitters for a front axle rebuild. Question is: what little tools should I buy that I might not already have? I have the big socket. Don't have a scale. Anything else? Haven't fully researched the process lately but I'm confident I can get it done in a weekend.

I have two 4.11 thirds that I'm leaning toward swapping in at the same time too. Not fully committed since it will lower my top speed to Even Slower. But that's a good reason to go H55!

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

Since I have a 40 my vote would be keep your 60, or, just add the 80

 

[R.E.M.]

Oh yeah, the plan now is to keep the 60. I do see a 100 series replacing our minivan in the future, however.

 

[kc_chevota]

I've been putting time and $ into this rig and it's almost ready for MO inspection. New Optimas (2!), re arched the rear 63" leaves, installing new gauges.

I'm ordering parts today from Cruiser Outfitters for a front axle rebuild. Question is: what little tools should I buy that I might not already have? I have the big socket. Don't have a scale. Anything else? Haven't fully researched the process lately but I'm confident I can get it done in a weekend.

I have two 4.11 thirds that I'm leaning toward swapping in at the same time too. Not fully committed since it will lower my top speed to Even Slower. But that's a good reason to go H55!

other than the fish scale, seal installer is helpful both can be gotten at HF

 

[toyotology]

Just my $.02 - sell and buy a JDM 80 series diesel. you can get one for around 10k. Heck, a guy that sells on ebay in PA just dropped the prices on like 10 of his listings.. all 6cyl 1HD's, some auto's, some 5spds.

 

[R.E.M.]

Just my $.02 - sell and buy a JDM 80 series diesel. you can get one for around 10k. Heck, a guy that sells on ebay in PA just dropped the prices on like 10 of his listings.. all 6cyl 1HD's, some auto's, some 5spds.

I did consider this for a few minutes. Not that seller specifically though.

I feel like I bought bottom of the barrel to get this diesel that I have and I don't want to do that again. Probably through Land Cruiser Direct if anything.

 

[2fpower]

do you still need either front headlight trim/turn signals? Side marker lenses? i picked them up from a junkyard for you a couple years back.

 

[kc_chevota]

Also I'm parting out my 84 if you need anything

 

[R.E.M.]

do you still need either front headlight trim/turn signals? Side marker lenses? i picked them up from a junkyard for you a couple years back.

Also I'm parting out my 84 if you need anything

Thanks guys! Kelly, I completely forgot about those lenses! I bought some cheapos from Cruiser Outfitters to pass inspection.

Rob, I'd like to take a look at your 60 to see if I could use anything. Hows the sheet metal around the rear fenders? Mine's shot.

Going to tackle my first front axle rebuild this weekend. Would it be worth it to buy the $50 parts washer from Harbor Freight just for this job?

 

[kc_chevota]

Rear fenders do have rust around the arches, you're welcome to come by anytime and look it over. As for a parts washer last time we did axles we used a bucket of warm diesel worked great.