V8 Fj60 Vs. Fzj80

[Cruiserhead05]

Alright, i wanted to see what kinda of replies i would get from this face-off. I will post it on both sections to balance out the opinions. So what do you think would be a better DD/4-wheeling truck? Oh and also, i know this isnt totally technical but i couldnt help myself, trying to get a pretty decent discussion going.

So i DD a locked 80 and love it, but after looking at some really nice V8 FJ60 i am beginning to wonder which would be a better truck to own. Now as we all know the V8 will kill the 1fz as far as power goes. The way i see it is..the only real thing the 80 has over a 60 is comfort, power and lockers, and yea maybe the boex frame and whatnot, im sure we could go more indepth about all that.
Ok back on track, so if you had a v8 fj60, the power issue would be out the window, and if the 60 was locked front and rear that would also be out the window. So now for comfort, i personally think a 60 isnt all that bad to ride in, took one from Colorado to Va without to much of a problem and i also love the older styling of the 60's...so i think i would be willing to sacrifice a little comfort for added power, possible capability, and the older "cruiser" styling. Now as for price, not totally sure what i would pay for a really nice V8 FJ60 with FF and RR lockers and a bigger susp....etc etc. Well...tell me what you guys think, im dieing to hear any and all opinions.
Brandon.

 

[stuck in GA]

I love 80's of course its what I drive. But I also love the 60 series and I almost bought a 62 series this summer. I like the 62 more because it is automatic of course. So if I had to choose between the two I would probably go with a v8 62. The one I almost bought this summer had a SOA conversion, 35's, but no lockers. I would have bought it in a heart beat except for all the rust and drive shaft alignment problems and stuff. So to answer your question I would love to have a v8 62 not 60 (im not a big manual guy) over the 80 but they are hard to find with out rust and I need a daily driver that is dependable right off the lot because I don't have a garage to work on it. But Yeah they are both great. Hey what can you say they are both cruisers of course they are great.

P.S. Oh im off to college next year in Virginia and we ought to go wheelin together sometime. Im 18 and I think I heard you were 17 so it could be fun wheelin with someone my own age instead of a lot of old guys I sometimes wheel with. But old guys rock too. So I hope to do some wheelin with you next year!

 

[wb1948]

Im 18 and I think I heard you were 17 so it could be fun wheelin with someone my own age instead of a lot of old guys I sometimes wheel with.

Damn, I thought you were a maximum 16 and 1/2.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Brandon,
the initial cost factor is the lesser facotr if you plan to wheel and dd it for a while. the 60's are cooler looking and in a looks contest beat the 80's (IMHO) but 60 parts are more expensive (springs in particular) and wiht a chevy conversion the "cruiser reliability" is out the window. also you are young and sounds like you live in a part of the country where the smog police have not set in too hard but they will. it is only a matter of time. as a general rule smog police do not like engine conversions. I am not sure where you are planning on going to school (or if) or where you plan to live after school but this is a facotr to consider.


the other issue here is the safety aspects of a fzj. fzj will have disc breaks and depending on the year will have air bags as well. I might be mistaken but I believe the 80 has wider axles as well.
Dave

 

[concretejungle]

hey stuck, the 80 is automatic too bud! You were also comparing an unlocked truck to a locked truck.

Brandon, i may be a little biased, but i would take the reliability, room and coil suspension over leaf springs and a chevy motor any day. Cool factor might go to the 60, maybe . Still, if your saying DD with some wheelin' thrown in, 80.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Alright. thanks for the opinions. its making me think more about it. Also, stuck, i am 18 right now and will be 19 in may so we are close enough. So where are you planning on going to college in Va? i am either doing James madison, George mason or Hamped-sydney....still waitin on two of them. cant wait to hear from you and am exicted to possibly get to know a young fellow cruiserhead as they are few aroound here.

 

[White Shark]

Go for an 80 with a 350 and lockers!

 

[stuck in GA]

Im going to Hampden Sydney go there! It's amazing. I can't wait. Oh and I know the 80 is automatic. I don't think I ever said it wasn't concrete?!

 

[concretejungle]

Stuck, sorry you are correct. You were comparing the 60 to the 62 with the automatic comment. I missread it.

 

[Hltoppr]

Having owned both a 350 efi 1984 60 and my current 1992 FJ80, I'll take the 80 any day.

-H-

 

[ginericLC]

I had a 350TBI V8j60. I loved that truck. But it doesn't even compare on the road or on the trail to my 80. I definitely miss the exhaust and the acceleration. Leaf springs will never flex better than coils. An FZJ80 with a Supercharger would probably take a 350 powered 60.

 

[wob]

So where are you planning on going to college in Va? i am either doing James madison, George mason or Hamped-sydney....still waitin on two of them.

Dang, that's twice now that these kids can't spell the name of the college they are going to attend.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Dang, that's twice now that these kids can't spell the name of the college they are going to attend.

True. True. Can't really chalk it up to a typo...the 'd' key is nowhere near the 'n' key...
But point goes to Sparky for getting it right in his reply!!!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have a TBI 350 in my 60 and a SC on my 80. The ONLY place the 80 will pull the 60 is on the steepest of grades. I look foward to a V8 in my 80.

 

[reffug]

Try a TURBO as opposed to an S/C, it kinda changes the equation. Or consider a truck such as Robbie's with his overbored engine it too will really get out of its own way. Had both and would not trade the 80 for anything.

 

[Gumby]

I've been driving my VJ-60 around for the last couple of days. It rides far better than the 40, but nothing like the 80. There is no way it could touch the 80 off road. It's cool. It's different, but it ain't no 80.

and, um, manuals suck.

That's my FSIMIG comment for the day.

 

[lowtideride]

and, um, manuals suck.

.

oh dude, your gettin old

 

[cc93cruiser]

Both great wheelin rigs; however, the obvious winner fzj80- locking diffs & center, plus the fuel injection is much more drivable as a daily driver than a carb.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Stuck, i am considering HSC but the cost is an issue and i just havent made up my mind. I know a few guys there that have cruisers and another good friend going there with a RR. Nevertheless, HSC really isnt that far from me, about 2 hrs.

 

[reffug]

I've got a great . Why don't you 2 love birds pm each other about your college selections. I'm sure any institution of higher learning will have its image enhanced from your attendance but it ain't tech.