Mechanic says no to FJ62 (1 Viewer)

[213]

I joined this forum in hopes of learning about LC and learning from its members.

This morning I went to go look at an '88 FJ62. It had been sitting for some time so I couldn't bring it to a shop for inspection, so I snapped some pics hoping I could get some info based on what I can catch with my phone. On the way home I stopped by one of the more reputable LC shops in my area - they work mostly on Toyotas and had three 80's sitting on their lot.

When I asked the mechanic if he could give me his opinion based on the pics, he immediately said, "I hate them, don't do it". I let out a big laugh. He gave me at least half a dozen reasons why I shouldn't buy anything before 1998 (poor performance, hard to work on, parts are scarce, etc). I couldn't believe it - he was actually talking me out of buying the FJ62, and this is coming from someone who works on them all day five days a week.

Has anyone else ever had the same experience? I'm thinking of going back to look for a K5.

Also, sorry if this post doesn't belong here.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Maybe he wants to buy it out from under you

 

[BlackCat]

I love mine. I hate working on it. I assume they’re like children (I don’t have any kids). They always need something, but you love them anyways.

 

[mattressking]

As far as vehicles to work on, i see them as pretty high on the easy list, that ‘mechanic’ wouldn’t be one I’d use as a good resource. Toyota makes their vehicles easy to work on and are well built. But it’s a 30+ year old car. I don’t care how well built it is, it’s going to need maintenance and care. I love the fit, finish and quality of Japanese vehicles/parts compared to everything I’ve worked on.

Get it if you are a tinkerer, enjoy working on things, problem solving and either have enough $ to cover labor for someone or capable of spinning a wrench often and learning.

 

[REKCUT]

He gave me at least half a dozen reasons why I shouldn't buy anything before 1998 (poor performance, hard to work on, parts are scarce, etc).

Sounds like almost all land cruisers. If you have to pay someone to work on one for all your problems then he's correct but if you are willing to do yourself then he's wrong.

 

[Hojack]

Perhaps he has worked on that particular 62 and knows to stay away from it.

 

[FJACS]

I wouldn’t buy a 62. A 60 sure, but between the obd1 fuel injection and the notoriously bad auto trans... I agree with him.

 

[franklin40]

i love mine but it has required a bunch of work mechanics seem to be scared to do because they’re just not that common so they’re unfamiliar with them. i’ve done some major mods to mine that make it even better but i like the comforts of power windows a locks and air conditioning.

 

[Elbert]

maybe you should check the math to find enlightenment, LC is not on the low side of the scale on ownership cost..

 

[partytime]

I wouldn’t buy a 62. A 60 sure, but between the obd1 fuel injection and the notoriously bad auto trans... I agree with him.

This seems crazy to me. 220k miles and the trans and the “obd1 fuel injection” are about the only things that havent broken yet. I’ve never heard of either of these things being the pain points on a 62. Corsetti is literally giving away an auto trans right now, no takers yet.
Edit: if you arent comfortable with doing the work yourself, or paying tens of thousands of dollars to a mechanic, I would advise against buying ANY 30+ year old car...

 

[FJACS]

You’re really saying that you’ve seen no reports of A440 transmissions failing?

I’m not surprised someone is giving one away and no one is taking it.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Hard to work on? No with an FSM and this forum.
Fun to work on? Yes with and FSM and this forum.
You can, and I have at times, exhaust yourself fixing things that aren’t really that broken or “may break sometime”. More of an addiction that a quality of build issue
Transmission is terrible? Yes and no. Inefficient, sluggish...absolutely. Quality problem, no. It’ll last a long time with basic fluid maintenance if you aren’t rock crawling regularly. ALSO...the 62 is geared to get you to real highway speeds (mine runs fine at 75mph)
Zero problems finding parts (SOR.com, cruiserparts.net, eBay, aftermarket etc.

 

[OSS]

He looks at cars from a mechanic's perspective. That being so, he's absolutely correct. I wouldn't recommend a 30 year old FJ62 to anyone either. It's a vehicle that the buyer needs to know they want - fully aware of the pitfalls and challenges involved.

But I've heard of mechanics who've told owners of FZJ80 cruisers never to bring their cruiser back to their shop again - they'll refuse to work on it.
Not sure about mechanic love or hate for the 100 series, but the 200 series is pretty much off limits to non Toyota dealership mechanics.
So all & all, land cruisers are definitely not one of the vehicles that mechanics like working on

 

[213]

I appreciate everyone's replies.

I would like to add that he wasn't being a jerk about it - I actually wouldn't mind having a beer with the guy and picking his brain. He was just really passionate about why he thought the FJ isn't practical as a DD.

He did suggest going for something '98 and newer (mainly because of the V8) if I was set on buying an LC.

 

[gt7058a]

If it’s rust free, you have money to do an engine conversion, patience to fix other stuff; then you should buy it.

 

[Gretsch]

just really passionate about why he thought the FJ isn't practical as a DD.

As to that he is dead on. I love mine as a daily driver but these trucks are really not good at being daily drivers. They are cool for sure but very expensive to operate if done correctly. From a purely mechanics point of view, its not surprising at all why he would talk you out of owning one. Easy to work on and well engineered, yes. But the 30+ years on it make all that less of a reason to own one. Simply finding parts is getting to be a real PITA. Hasn't stopped me though. I don't even bother with mechanics anymore with mine. Cost too much. Sometimes what we do doesn't make sense. We do it anyway. You'll be hard pressed to find something that puts as many smiles per mile on your face as these beasts. Practical it ain't. But fun? You bet.

 

[LCnAZ]

For many years our 62 was a reliable and fun vehicle for daily driving and adventures. Although it's been a lot of fun to restore ours and drive a bit more again, it seems that a 60 series with its 30+ year age serves best as an adventure vehicle rather than a daily driver...meaning occasional/weekend fun use. Two hours a day of commuting is just going to be expensive. For a daily driver with a significant commute I'd look for a 100 if you are sticking with a Land Cruiser. If you have a short commute, a 60 series is still viable, in my opinion.

I am also blessed to have a local shop that only has 60 series experience maintaining ours for the last two decades or so. But they love that vehicle and are game for just about anything short of transmission or engine swap. They are doing knuckles (Kurt's kit with MC seals and bearings), rotors, pads, and master cylinder in a few days. They are very receptive of my input which comes from what I learn here and they use videos, etc, to help them get up to speed if it's something new to them. I also provide the FSM for them to use. It's not uncommon for me to have to dig up the parts, but they are totally cool with that. They back their work 100%. In return, I give them all the routine maintenance and tire business for our newer vehicles, including our adult kids' vehicles. And for customers like that, a discount is also common. For what it's worth.

 

[lcwizard]

He's right it's much easier and more fun to change the starter on a 98 and later Land Cruiser...
Don't know what Toyota was thinking with the 60 series..they put the pesky thing right out where you can get to it



Outside of having OBD to diagnose everything for you old Land Cruisers have to be the easiest to work on. Pretty sure
that Toyota engineers expected half the repairs to be done in the field. Old cars , without OBd, do require the mechanic to understand
what makes the engine go round. I find fewer and fewer mechanics that can diagnose problems without computer assistance.

 

[gmr76]

He was just really passionate about why he thought the FJ isn't practical as a DD.

I had a 60 as a daily driver back in the late 90's but at that time it was only a decade old car and even then people were amazed it had a manual choke and how rough it rode. I am back in a 62 after 20 years of not owning a LC and I am surprised to see people on here still using their 60 series as a daily driver. It's fun for me today as a project and drive around on the weekend - not something I would expect myself or family to rely on daily. I think anyone (mechanic or not) would give you the same advice for any 30+ year old car.

 

[SteveH]

I wouldn’t buy a 62. A 60 sure, but between the obd1 fuel injection and the notoriously bad auto trans... I agree with him.

I drive an '89 FJ62 that my neighbor bought new, and I have most of the service records. Zero work was ever done on the EFI, and the transmission might have had 1-2 fluid changes. It still shifts just fine. 30 years and 254K miles. These are literally the only un-touched parts on the truck. The truck has essentially had PM most of its life, save for a head gasket (leaking to the outside world), a water pump, a fuel pump, and a starter, alternator, etc. I added 1 can of R12 to the A/C. Hardly a lemon.

This mechanic must done a water pump, thermostat, or cooling system work on an FJ62 - that'd be enough to sour anyone on the 'joy of working on an FJ62'. The whole front end of the engine is a mess, as far as being able to do anything quickly or easily. It's like an annuity for a mechanic! That part of the truck is very '1980s' in a bad sense.

When it's not hailing or a blizzard, I drive mine frequently. Gotta drive a 12 MPG rig while gas is only $2.40/gallon!