New Member Intro - deciding between 62 and 80 (1 Viewer)

[LLTB]

Hi everyone, new forum member here. Just want to introduce myself. There is a ton of good info on this site. I’m impressed.

Not new to land cruisers. Did a frame off resto on a 78 FJ40 25 years ago. Have regretted selling it ever since.

Currently we have a factory supercharged 2002 Tacoma in pristine condition, pushing 300,000 miles, my wife is on her 2nd Sequoia, and I’ve had a Tundra and 5th gen pro 4Runner. We’ve owned a bunch of other Toyotas as well. You could say we are acquainted with the brand

Looking now for my next project. I’m trying to decide between an FJ60-62 and an 80 series. Want to build it up for outdoor adventure. Mostly weekend camping deep in the backcountry but I’ll probably run it as a daily driver as well.

I see some nice rigs for sale that have already had a lot of work done to them, for anywhere from $30k to well over $100k! Since I need something I can run as a daily driver, starting with a good running engine is important to me for now. Being in Utah, I’d prefer to start out with something that’s not already rusting through.

I’m not stranger to turning a wrench, and have done quite a bit of rebuilds.

Looking forward to learning from you all. Cheers.

 

[greentruck]

There you go, you've been officially greeted in 80 Tech Forum style.

For both subjective and objective reasons, I gotta say go for an 80.

I owned an FJ55 when the 60 arrived. I just wasn't taken by the styling and, while they solved some of the rusty issues the 55 series had, I think that was never really well addressed until the 80 series came alone. And while the performance issues were really not significantly improved on until the 80 got the 1FZ, the later years of 80 production produced a pretty satisfying all around vehicle. The 95 to 97 versions were classics and they spawned the LX 450, which you can often find a bit cheaper than the Land Cruiser-badged version.

Good luck in your search, whichever way it goes.

 

[Kernal]

FJ62: reliable but under-powered engine, parts getting harder to find, first gen A440F auto trans (some replace with 5-speed manual), leaf spring suspension.
FZJ80: More power but potential head gasket issues with the 1FZFE engine (sooner or later), most parts still available, coil spring suspension, turbo kit available.

 

[White Stripe]

Sounds like you need a 200 series honestly. 62 is very very prone to rust. The Utah ice melt chemicals will destroy it. Its also very underpowered. 80 is better at handling rust but will still be underpowered as well.

 

[FJ404345]

Go for a 80 series turbo diesel !

 

[60 toy ota]

Grew up in both a 60 and an 80 (in Utah). Poured my heart and soul into both. The time came when my dad wanted to get rid of both and I had to pick which one to buy from him. I liked the 60 way more, but for every reason I could put on paper the 80 won and easily. Sometimes I wonder if I regret my choice but deep down I know I'd do the same thing over again. I'll get my own 60 someday, but I'll always have the 80.

If you are near box elder county I'm more than happy for you to look at and drive mine

 

[jpoole]

ODB2 80's create few, if any, regrets in my experience but I'd definitely avoid rust and probably also earlier (pre-odb2) US market versions. The 80 will still be old and slow enough to scratch the vintage Toyota itch but it is comfortable/functional enough to enjoy as a primary vehicle year round. A 62 seems a little better suited as a more limited use, vintage forward, option in my opinion and once you mentioned daily driving the 80 seems like the clear winner of the two.

 

[LLTB]

Thanks everyone. I have been going back and forth with the seller on this one (negotiating a much, much lower price) but it sounds like I should abandon this deal and focus on finding a solid 80.

I’ve seen some 80s (even one or two currently listed in the classifieds) with a motor swap. I don’t know enough yet to know which motor swaps are more preferable.

I do like the idea of a turbo diesel 80. Aren’t those only RH drive imports?

 

[CharlieS]

60 Body on an 80 chassis and drivetrain. Check out Proffitts Resurrection Landcruisers for some sweet examples.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I do like the idea of a turbo diesel 80. Aren’t those only RH drive imports?

Mostly. There's a handful of LH drive imports

 

[mudgudgeon]

For a daily driver I'd say 80 for sure.
80s are at an age where they need regular attention to stay reliable as s daily driver.
60's are just that much older, and lower tech.

With either, be patient to find one that's been kept maintained, but still be prepared to spend several thousand catching up on deferred maintenance, replacing rock hard rubber parts, brittle electrical connectors etc etc.
Pay for a well maintained example up front, or pay in nickels and dimes tinkering with a rough one for ever.
If you're paying a shop, swap nickels and dimes with 100s & 1000s.
If you go diesel, add in the " we've never seen one of these" mark up.

If you're looking at an engine swapped 80. You're looking at a Frankenstein of some sort. Whoever has to trouble shoot an issue in the future is likely to be left guessing at exactly what's been done. No complete FSM to follow.

 

[LLTB]

For a daily driver I'd say 80 for sure.
80s are at an age where they need regular attention to stay reliable as s daily driver.
60's are just that much older, and lower tech.

With either, be patient to find one that's been kept maintained, but still be prepared to spend several thousand catching up on deferred maintenance, replacing rock hard rubber parts, brittle electrical connectors etc etc.
Pay for a well maintained example up front, or pay in nickels and dimes tinkering with a rough one for ever.
If you're paying a shop, swap nickels and dimes with 100s & 1000s.
If you go diesel, add in the " we've never seen one of these" mark up.

If you're looking at an engine swapped 80. You're looking at a Frankenstein of some sort. Whoever has to trouble shoot an issue in the future is likely to be left guessing at exactly what's been done. No complete FSM to follow.

Great advice and points

 

[Broski]

The 80 all the way around. better ride, better wheeler, better DD

 

[western flyer]

I had a 60 for 20 years or so. Went to super remote places. Great times. I got my 80 almost a decade ago. Same deal. Had both rigs together for a while. What folks said above is accurate. I think you would be happier with an 80 or newer LC.

 

[Brindleboxer]

Like Charlie said, Do a 142 (62 body and interior on an 80 frame and suspension) and have your cake and eat it too. If I were to do another one that is the direction I would lean.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

I have a 89 fj62 165k dd it for years then picked up an 94 fzj80 with a blown head gasket repaired the 80 been driving it and my 2wd taco . I can tell you the 62 is a pig in comparison to the 80. 80 is pretty hard to beat I do like the older look of the 62 tho.

 

[LLTB]

Like Charlie said, Do a 142 (62 body and interior on an 80 frame and suspension) and have your cake and eat it too. If I were to do another one that is the direction I would lean.

That sounds like a huge project! How often does something like that come up for sale?

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Very and very expensive

 

[Brindleboxer]

Very rarely (Hen's Teeth rare) have seen for sale...actually posted because it would fill the role of a cool older looking body but give the advantages of the 80.
The execution would be very expensive and I have only seen three of these and two were high dollar builds by some of the bigger companies (TLC has done several and as stated above Profitts), the third was a homebrew and trail rig so a lot of the "features and amenities" were non-existent as the focus was reliability off pavement only.

Back to reality, the 80 would be great. The 95-97 Toyota or Lexus being the better years if you want to upgrade the powertrain (I have had several and currently have a 94 but because it is OBD-I there are limiting factors).

 

[ikarus]

Thanks everyone. I have been going back and forth with the seller on this one (negotiating a much, much lower price) but it sounds like I should abandon this deal and focus on finding a solid 80.

I’ve seen some 80s (even one or two currently listed in the classifieds) with a motor swap. I don’t know enough yet to know which motor swaps are more preferable.

I do like the idea of a turbo diesel 80. Aren’t those only RH drive imports?

I have a RHD diesel 80 in Draper if you want to check it out. I think it’s great and I really enjoy restoring/wrenching on it with OEM parts. There’s still a good amount of parts available new