newbie. don't know if I should keep the fj60 (1 Viewer)

[speedmaster]

i bought this truck last week. it runs fine. there are some fender rust but overall good.

i know this is my first post so be easy on me. I really wanted an fj40 for more character or a fj80 for more refinement. was the fj60 just a compromise? this won't be a daily driver and i don't know what to invest in. i am thinking new tires, a SOA lift, new seats (I don't like the interior in the state it is in).

Wife wants me to get rid of it. So, I''ll be lurking for parts here, craigslist and ebay.

later
speedmaster


here are picts attached

 

[Bradley]

Sounds like you are not happy with it so is is something you want to sink money into but it sounds like you really want a 40.

 

[hj60]

With a name like "Speedmaster" the 60 might not be for you.

Seriously, though. I moved up to the 60 series from the 40 by accident, and have never looked back.
You can haul things in a 60. With passengers!
Most of the drivetrain/running gear is shared with the same year 40, it's just in a station wagon body.
Search this forum for a boatload of interior mods, seat upgrades, etc.

And take it out wheeling, as is, before you make a decision on whether to keep it. It might just grow on you like mine did me.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Yeah. FJ60 Land Cruisers are a labor of love, and if you don't love them with your whole heart, then you are just wasting your time. Time for some soul searching....

 

[speedmaster]

well, i like the fact it has solid axels

I got into wheeling because we have land rovers and believe it or not, we'll probably end up getting new range rover or lr3 in 3 months. lr has introduced us to exploring and wheeling. i guess I bit the bug.

however, the wife won't even let me scratch a new car. hence, i have been on the look-out for a trail rig. the fj60 cost less than the extended warranty on a new rover (which is often well advised).

i've always had great respect for toyos and their reliability. i've always been leaning toward a fj40. i don't need practicality because i already have brand new cars for that.

basically, how do parts cost compare with a wranger, fj40, or even SR5 1980s toyo trucks.

I've been googling for fender flares, safari racks, snorkels and always notice that there are lots more accessories for the fj40s and newer cruisers (80s and 100s).

Since I the original post, I got my Haynes manual in the mail. The Fj60 looks like an easy car to work on. I also like the fact the 60 has a manual transmission and a solid axel. It seems that all new 4wd SUVs are now going IFS/IRS with gizmos like terrain response (LR3) and KDDS (new FJ Cruiser/LX470/Prados).

I guess, the real complaint is space. We don't have the space for another car. I guess it is time to look for a bigger place and larger garage!(waiting for the housing bubble to burst 1st). If that was the case, I wouldn't even hesitate and just keep it and work on it whenever i have time.

 

[cruzerfetish]

feel better yet? okay, now get a 40. sounds like you have everything else you need, except the balls to take one of your rovers off road.

 

[andrew7elk]

Well heres my story..... I have always wanted a Land Cruiser, didnt like the interior of the FJ40, and didnt even take into consideration the FJ60, (station wagon look through me off). So i bought a FJ80. Loved the truck and still do, but it was almost imposible for me, in my case, to pay for the truck and modify it at the same time. I happened to be on ebay, and just hapened to click this Fj60. I found out that this FJ60 had almost everything done to it that i wanted to do to the FJ80. I was instantly sold. So i got the Fj60 and took her home. The 60 actualy turned out to be more reliable than the 80 (so far...in my case). So basicly with a little bit of time and money that Fj60 can be a better truck on/off the road than any jeep or land rover. (and i have not always been a toyota fan, at one time i was interested in buying a range rover) And just to add to what HJ60 had said, it might just grow on you, also like mine did!

Just to add a little more... Almost every friend i have likes the Fj60 more, they all say it looks more mean. The Fj60 has turned more heads on the street than the Fj80 ever did. Every single guy with an off road truck (lifted bigger tires) looks and waves.

So if i were you, i would stick with the 60

 

[thorvald]

well, if your looking at parts, far as lifting it, an fj or fzj80 is cheaper in kit form.
find one with lockers and you dont have to pay for that mod, etc.

that said, no toyota parts are cheap. 80's are nice- the rover might be converted after driving/riding in one, then shed be all over you getting a 40 or keeping the 60.

hell, get a lx450 with some pink panties

 

[Cruiserdrew]

They grow on you. I originally bought it to keep miles off the 80, and now I use it as a daily driver. There is something basic and primative and satisfying about an FJ60. As far as drivetrain strength, the 60 wins hands down with the nearly bulletproof split transfer, and fine spline pinions. It's got all the good features of an FJ40 and none of the bad ones. Go on a couple of camping trips out in the boonies before you decide to sell. They are very stout trucks.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Speedmaster,
IMO, you've stumbled across the land cruiser best suited to your wants and needs. Keep the 60 and enjoy!

 

[Adventure Teq]

Just consider it your FIRST cruiser. Don't get rid of it, you'll wish you still had it someday. What you need to do is build it up a little, make it a badass 60 like some of these others on here, then buy a 40. And so on, you get the picture.

This truck doesn't have to be the end all truck. It might take a while, but you can just get more.

I can't wait til I have more than one cruiser.

 

[gnx7]

If you want a great wheeler and not have to worry about the dings/dents/scratches and have a truck that is near bulletproof when in a good state of tune.... you have it! My truck is the same color aka Mr. Hanky!

Working on a budget and having the ability to do all the wrenching.... put in some used FJ62 4:11 gears (yours are 3:70 stock), 33's with a SOA conversion, ARB locker out back and you can go nearly anywhere! If the budget is a little looser do an OME lift kit (springs/shocks/shackes/bushings) as the stock stuff will be pretty tired.

As stated before they are very primitive with roll up windows, and very basic engines.... probably a reason why people keep them forever and there are plenty on here with 250K+ miles.... Expect 12-15mpg on the freeway .... and fast acceleration just isn't what these are about. But put in 4Low and you can go just about anywhere and carry a ton of gear!

I say keep it.... it looks to be in good condition and just have it as a toy. If you don't want to sacrifice garage space either get a cover for outside... or just put it outside . It is a truck and not civilized little wimpy Range Rover.

 

[RoddQLD]

I reckon that a 60 series cruiser is a 4WD that you can make your own. By not buying new you can customise it to suit yourself, without a huge overall cost. By working on it and customising it you get to know it very well and you can get to trust it when you go exploring the bush (countryside).
I was nearly going to say that they become your mechanical mate, but you lot in the northern hemisphere have a different interpretation of the word 'mate', and I don't want to embarrass myself!!! LOL

 

[dogboy2]

I got into wheeling because we have land rovers and believe it or not, we'll probably end up getting new range rover or lr3 in 3 months. lr has introduced us to exploring and wheeling. i guess I bit the bug.

however, the wife won't even let me scratch a new car. hence, i have been on the look-out for a trail rig. the fj60 cost less than the extended warranty on a new rover (which is often well advised).

basically, how do parts cost compare with a wranger, fj40, or even SR5 1980s toyo trucks.

I've been googling for fender flares, safari racks, snorkels and always notice that there are lots more accessories for the fj40s and newer cruisers (80s and 100s).

if you can afford to drive Land Rovers, you can afford to buy parts for your Cruiser the key difference to your Rover is that once you've mechanically dialed in your "new" Cruiser, you won't really have to mess with it or worry about it's reliability for years -- they are bomber....

an FJ60 is essentially an FJ40 with a bigger body, read: you can haul more people and gear plus it can accomodate a serious roof rack which combined with a rooftop tent, makes it a superior long range/extended tour/adventure rig as compared to a '40. i have owned both over the years and while i love the '40's, my first choice with family/dog/hunting buddies lies with the '60.

as far as accessories go, with very little exception you can find everything for the '60 that you can find for the others. you can customize these things to your heart's/wallet's content.

keep it,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[Fearnofish!]

Food for thought: I drove a RR county LWB for 6 years before getting my FJ60. There is really no comparison. I never had one problem with the RR but it had sort of a sterile feel to it. And being mod free it was a mall cruizser as well as an mild off roader. My 60 on the other hand is a tank in comparison. I am also not afraid to get it a little dirty. The 40's are cool and I happen to know that FJnotCJ on this forum has one for sale but my 60 has allowed me to expore the moutnains like no other vehicle could, IMHO.

 

[speedmaster]

Thanks for the comments.

I'm going to try and keep on to it as long as the wife lets me. insurance is cheap and maintenance is like nothing so far. I've even found used 33" wheels locally for 2 bills.

I guess another motivation of mine to get an older car (fj40) was that I wanted something before 1977; meaning, I don't ever want to deal with CA smog.

So far,the only real complaint is the color and the seats. I'll probably end up painting the truck white and getting new seats. There is a local 4x4 scrap yard by where I live so I'll check it out this weekend for parts.

And yes, I look at it as a toy for wheeling. Wife thinks I'm better serve with an ATV. I told her a new ATV will cost as much as the truck.

 

[et3surge]

I have a second cruiser and both the first and second needed work but I think they are so customizable, easy to work on etc. Parts are easily available but not always fromt the same place some palces have one thing others have the next. Write me if you ever need anything, I can help you dig whatever it is up. Or I posted alot of the usual links on my blog at http://bloggingsurge.blogspot.com/ not much of a blog really but scrool down to a post with the links. There are many more I need to update it. I don't think you have an income issue if you are buying the LR3 so spend the right money and build another or larger garage and get the keep the cruiser...or give it to me!

 

[gnx7]

Where are you in CA?

If you want to keep it a manual transmission a '99+ LSx style motor from a truck would be great. They came with 5.3 and 6.0 engines mated to an NV4500 which is about the best 4Wheeling transmission you can buy. Keeping smog on these engines will not affect power much at all. This is what I'm looking at doing once my truck needs a major repair. You get 2x the power and better economy to boot.

With 130K miles on my truck I fully expect it to go 75-100K more miles. With the frequency I drive it (about 500-1K miles month) that may take some time ;p

I'm in SF and people get the hell out of my way a lot more than when I'm in my RX-7.

-Mark

 

[Tinker]

Regarding the capabilities of a 60 vs the "butch" 40, quite a few folks think the 60 is better off-road (even some who own both).

A friend of mine has the new supercharged Rover, & he actually takes it off road. Probably 1 in 10,000.

I have 2 60s: one day my wife caught me working on the 1st one & said "you must really like that thing". I replied "I never thought about it, but I guess you're right". Then I started wondering why. Concluded that I like the simple, logical engineering & stout build quality. Already had 2 Toyota pickups for my business, primarily because of their reliability.