Should I Trade My 60 For a 55?

Should I ditch my 60 and get an Iron Pig?

  • Hell yes. Iron pigs are the best.

    Votes: 8 50.0%

  • Yes, but absolutely not for a daily driver.

    Votes: 5 31.3%

  • No. You'll probably regret it.

    Votes: 3 18.8%
  • Total voters
    16

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Since we're trading pics here's my favorite after nine years of the Swine Flu. Out on the White Rim trail.

If you'd asked me weekend before last while I was stuck in Baker CA awaiting an exhaust manifold transplant on my SBC, you might have owned it. Now that the 2,600 mile trip through CA, NV, UT, AZ and back to CO is complete, not so much.
In reality, your 60 is a much better daily driver and all around vehicle...just an extra bit of refinement on a still basic adventure machine. If you're in the "built, not bought" school, you'll have fun with a Pig.

White Rim 5.webp
 
Tough call. I've had both (currently have the pig). Both 2Fs. Without suspension/seatings upgrades or engine swap, both slow as molasses and ride like a horse and buggy compared to modern vehicles. While others may disagree, my 60 was not remarkably more comfortable.

Deciding Factors:

a) Lots of 60 parts also NLA, but there were (and still are) a bunch more of them in circulation making used parts easier to come by.
b) The reliability/condition of the engine and accessory components (cooling, etc..) makes a huge difference - I would trust my pig 2F to take me across country (albeit slowly) whereas my 60 2F (with far less mileage) made me nervous driving to the grocery store.
c) You have 5 speed in your 60. That's a huge and expensive upgrade and definitely a plus for a DD.
d) Your 60 is pretty damn sweet and in great condition.
e) A 60 body will withstand the elements much better in varied weather conditions that a DD will see (unless you live in the desert).
f) If you ever need to replace a window in a pig, the gaskets are so pricey that they are often traded for kidneys on the black market.
g) This may sound random or trivial but the I view the center console (60) - as opposed to bench seat (55) - as a material plus factor for a DD (place to store stuff, hide stuff from plain site, etc..). Yes, you can convert seats in pig, but this is one of the endless rabbit trails you can chase on a pig trying to make it more "user friendly."
h) you can only open the rear hatch on a pig with the window down. If you haul stuff back there frequently, this can become annoying fast. Some of the later models can do it with the key, but what usually happens is you turn the car off, go back there, realize your window is still up, go back, turn key, hit switch to roll down window, go back...

As much as I love my pig, I must vote for keep the 60, save your dough and buy a pig as a toy. When DDing a relic rig, you have to pick and choose your battles and i feel like the pig is going to give you more battles.
 
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Damn! 3 pages of comments already. I'll add my 2 cents. I love my pig. I recently bought a 40 and compared to that, the pig is a Cadillac. I also have a friend who owns a 60 and have ridden in it numerous times. Yes, it's quieter and a bit more refined, but every time he rides in the pig he can't stop commenting on what a great rig it is. I followed scrapdaddy's build and put a lot of the sound proofing that he used in my build, as well as some better fronts seats. It's a great ride! My advice, come to the pig party in June and take a gander at all the cool rigs that will be there and then make your decision.:beer::beer:
 
pmccraney said:
. Without suspension/seatings upgrades or engine swap, both slow as molasses and ride like a horse and buggy compared to modern vehicles. While others may disagree, my 60 was not remarkably more comfortable.
Click to expand...

Exactly right. Look underneath. See that? They are the same.

60 wins with better brakes and more robust drivetrain.

But if you love the looks of a 55, get one. It's OK to have 2. I asked the OP's wife and she said it's fine.;)
 
Short version of previous rant.
A very nice condition and well tuned 55 is a superb creature to behold. To get one to that condition is very rare, pricey and time consuming. As forum members who have brought their rigs to this level can attest it is not for the faint of heart or pocket. A 60 in good condition to trade UP to a nice 55 will not be economically easy. Beware of the swine flu.
 
Regarding comfort:
16 years ago I drove a 60 1200miles in 6 days through Borneo. 8 months later 5500 miles through Australia in 10 days (the Australian Safari) Don't remember being uncomfortable. Today age has set in, but in the last 2 years I have spent numerous 12 and 13 hour days on the bench seat of my 55 arriving at my destination not feeling bent. My Passat computer car is a horrible long distance ride and my Denali Yukon XL is only a bit better then the Passat. The bench seat in the 55 is an amazingly comfortable ride. Maybe it's just me.
 
are those golf pants?
 
Lil'John said:
You forgot the also important: $$$$$$$$

If I got an offer with enough zeros on it, I'd risk the wrath of my wife and get rid of the green 55.:eek::censor:
Click to expand...

never collected enough of those; that's why all the :cry:
 
riderjgs said:
Since we're trading pics here's my favorite after nine years of the Swine Flu. Out on the White Rim trail.

If you'd asked me weekend before last while I was stuck in Baker CA awaiting an exhaust manifold transplant on my SBC, you might have owned it. Now that the 2,600 mile trip through CA, NV, UT, AZ and back to CO is complete, not so much.
In reality, your 60 is a much better daily driver and all around vehicle...just an extra bit of refinement on a still basic adventure machine. If you're in the "built, not bought" school, you'll have fun with a Pig.

View attachment 1444299
Click to expand...
That's a Toyota Ad photo right there my friend!
 
Well this has made me rethink my game plan. I'm going to keep the 60 for now. Mostly because I don't have time to look for another vehicle right now (it usually takes me up to 6 months to find the right one). One day, I'll have the ideal line-up - FJ40, FJ55, FJ60, and a full size truck. I know I'll kick myself if I get rid of the 60. I just need to be patient and wait til I have the dough to do both.
 
you almost got my vote...why do you hate fj62s? :flipoff2:

keep that 60.

dial it in. it has AC and PS. fix the interior, make it comfy and pretty. redo the seats and door panels, make the sound system worth listening to...one day, get an old 55 that needs put back together and don't set a time limit- or budget. 55s take full time attention, unending compromise and 100% devotion otherwise...

if you want it to be enjoyable, it needs to be unconditional.
 
Here here
Well put lambcrusher
 
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