New to Landcruiser's, looking to buy FJ60/62

[NewbieCruiser]

Hi, I'm new to the landcruiser forum, and I'm looking to buy a FJ60/62. Any advise on what years are best and which to stay away from? Engine/transmission/transfer case options to look for? Best lift to put on after I purchase one. I would like to do some decent wheeling with it but no extreme rock crawling. I'm in North Carolina, and I'm keeping an eye on Craigslist for a purchase. I would like to pick one up for around $2,500-$3,000, but if I found one mostly complete like I would like I would splurge for about $4,000. Any help would be appreciated, and dumb questions may follow.:whoops:

 

[2mbb]

You should start by looking through the FAQ sticky.

FJ60 has a carburetor and a 4 speed manual transmission. The FJ62 is fuel injected and has an automatic transmission. If you want a manual transmission, one of the best upgrades for the FJ60 is the H55F 5 speed transmission. This is practically a bolt-on modification for the 1985 and later FJ60's. you can still do the mod on an earlier FJ60, but you will have to adjust some of the drive train to adjust for the longer H55F transmission.

Once you decide on the carb/MT vs. EFI/AT choice, I think more important than year is to find a vehicle that is in sound condition--no rust, no frame damage, etc.

The old man Emu lift suspension is considered one of the best. However, do a search and you'll find owners very happy with other suspensions. With the OME 3" suspension you can easily fit 33" tires. If you want larger tires you need to think about a bigger lift, spring over, etc., however, you will also have to think about new differential gears, too.

Good luck.

 

[NewbieCruiser]

Thanks for the info 2mbb, I will check that out.

 

[IndianDoc]

Hi, I'm new to the landcruiser forum, and I'm looking to buy a FJ60/62. Any advise on what years are best and which to stay away from? Engine/transmission/transfer case options to look for? Best lift to put on after I purchase one. I would like to do some decent wheeling with it but no extreme rock crawling. I'm in North Carolina, and I'm keeping an eye on Craigslist for a purchase. I would like to pick one up for around $2,500-$3,000, but if I found one mostly complete like I would like I would splurge for about $4,000. Any help would be appreciated, and dumb questions may follow.:whoops:

I might suggest looking up the old state TLC club in North Carolina it can be found under the TLCA/Clubhouse listing above. The club enviornment can give you direct guidance and assistance in checking out a potential LC possibly saving you some serious bucks in the process. Also the Upstate Club in SC (I am a member there) is very active on this forum and usually someone is nearby and willing to help newbie's. The LC division of Upstate Cruisers is having a shrimp/crab boil in Hunting Island near Beauford SC Oct 3 thru the 5th. You might want to run down to meet some great cruiser people there or check for the next Old State Meeting in Nc or one of there events. Again welcome and good luck on your search.

 

[cbmontgo]

You should start by looking through the FAQ sticky.

FJ60 has a carburetor and a 4 speed manual transmission. The FJ62 is fuel injected and has an automatic transmission. If you want a manual transmission, one of the best upgrades for the FJ60 is the H55F 5 speed transmission. This is practically a bolt-on modification for the 1985 and later FJ60's. you can still do the mod on an earlier FJ60, but you will have to adjust some of the drive train to adjust for the longer H55F transmission.

Once you decide on the carb/MT vs. EFI/AT choice, I think more important than year is to find a vehicle that is in sound condition--no rust, no frame damage, etc.

The old man Emu lift suspension is considered one of the best. However, do a search and you'll find owners very happy with other suspensions. With the OME 3" suspension you can easily fit 33" tires. If you want larger tires you need to think about a bigger lift, spring over, etc., however, you will also have to think about new differential gears, too.

Good luck.

That is right on the money. Also, keep in mind that there never was a "bad" year for the FJ60 or 62. If you find the right deal on either, buy it and don't look back.

 

[Heartworm]

Glad to see you asking questions and shopping carefully. The best work that you can do right now is to be patient and learn all you can. Over time, there will be plenty of cruisers out there for sale, particularly with the gas price crunch; nobody gets much better than 15mpg with these things.
The dream machine is a stock, rust-free cruiser that has been owned by a responsible adult and has been pampered all its life...regular maintenance and no abuse. If you can find one of those, you should consider paying as much or more than your maximum price. It will pay out in the long run. Unless you really get lucky, you will spend at least as much on needed repairs and overdue maintenance as you spend on your initial price of the typical $3000 FJ60. Then, there are the $mods$ to which there can be no end to the cost.

 

[TLCAddict]

The dream machine is a stock, rust-free cruiser that has been owned by a responsible adult and has been pampered all its life...regular maintenance and no abuse. If you can find one of those, you should consider paying as much or more than your maximum price. It will pay out in the long run.

once you buy, know that you're buying into an ADDICTION

we bought our FJ62 from a family that regularly had it serviced & stock (which is rare, so we lucked out) - rust-free, no seat tears & no frame or body damage...be patient & don't rush

GOOD LUCK!

 

[NewbieCruiser]

Thanks for all the advice, in regards to manual vs automatic transmissions for the 60/62, is that just a personal choice, or is one considered better than the other? I wanted the manual transmission, if I could find a total cruiser in good condition.

 

[D'Animal]

I know of two for sale.

One is a white one in the San Fransisco Bay area. It is truly the cleanest stock FJ60 you will ever see. PM Tvaldriz here on the board. It is his rig and he is asking $7,500. You could fly San Fransisco adn drive back home to Raleigh.

The second one is the Beagle Chariot. Is is my FJ60 that has some mods. It is located in central CA.

 

[90FJ62]

Lots of good advice on the differences and what to look for, so i will not add anything there. Since your in NC check the iwanna. It usually has a few listed in the different sections. I know of 2 that where on it last week and one was for $1850. Now that sounds cheep and would need someone to go look at it to see what it would cost to get it running and DDable. I am not a member of Upstate or ONSC. But there is alot of them in the Raliegh area. Definatly talk with them and they can help out. If you find a truck on this side of the state and want someone to look at it, let me know and I would be glad to help out.

Welcome to the addiction

Dave

 

[NewbieCruiser]

Thanks Dave, if I end up coming that way to look for a FJ I'll let you know. I got a couple guys I work with that are good mechanics, so if I find one I'm interested in they will come check it out with me. One is a member of ONSC, he is the one getting me hooked on these things.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Thanks for all the advice, in regards to manual vs automatic transmissions for the 60/62, is that just a personal choice, or is one considered better than the other? I wanted the manual transmission, if I could find a total cruiser in good condition.

Personal preference. The auto has an overdrive, making it more friendly to today's highway speeds. However, it is more inclinded to failure and much more expensive to overhaul or replace.