Why did you get your 60? Stories?
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My boss picked me up for my first day of work 11 years ago in a '87 HJ60. The first thing I said to him was that if he was ever going to sell the truck to keep me in mind. Two years later, a different job, and a move halfway across the country, my old boss calls me and says the truck is waiting. I fly back to pick the truck up, which has been sitting in a barn for a year, and am surprised at the effects of all of the years of Ontario salt. I drive the truck back to Saskatchewan in a brutal snow storm through North Dakota (never slipped once on nearly bald tires), and gut the entire truck the day I get it home. I was driving a '88 4Runner so didn't mind not driving the 60 for a couple of months. I restored the entire vehicle (my first such undertaking) and have driven it ever since. With 497,000km and still purring, she is due for another restoration. I've spent way too much money and time, but no other vehicle on the road does it for me like a 60.
On a different note. My family went to Australia three years ago for a vacation. To bring back a set of rear sliding windows, I had to ditch all of our clothes for the trip home. My wife still isn't very happy.
My cruiser addiction has now spread. Six years ago I picked up a '77 fj45 and finally completed it last year. Great for going to the beach, but no so great for a family of four. jgoodfellow.photosite.com (under rig for a picture of the 45).
Keep on cruisin.
Jason
On a different note. My family went to Australia three years ago for a vacation. To bring back a set of rear sliding windows, I had to ditch all of our clothes for the trip home. My wife still isn't very happy.
My cruiser addiction has now spread. Six years ago I picked up a '77 fj45 and finally completed it last year. Great for going to the beach, but no so great for a family of four. jgoodfellow.photosite.com (under rig for a picture of the 45).
Keep on cruisin.
Jason
Showing my age...in the early 80's I spent a fair amount of time in the Taos/SantaFe/Red River area. Seemed that the car of choice in Santa Fe was the FJ60. None were to be had in West Texas where I lived, in fact, very rarely even saw one. I began going to the local book store to buy the out of town papers that were a couple days old. (pre internet!) After a few months of searching, in 1984 I found a used 83 FJ60 at Santa Fe Mazda Volvo. Made a deal over the phone, drove up and traded in my 82 Chevy pickup. She was tan with the ubiquitous stripe kit, and nothing else. Had about 42k on it. Kept it for many, many years, bought a 78 FJ40 rustbox that showed up on a local car lot from Ohio the next year, and it was on....
interesting stories gents!
Seems like a lot of folks got into the 60's by default, much like myself!
I was invited on an annual 4WD trip called BLOTCH. Never been 4 wheelin in my life, coming from Chicago...
I was AMAZED at what a capeable rig could do!
Got back with the 4WD bug, and had to have a rig of my own!
Was looking at the jeeps, minis, 4 runners etc. I knew I wanted EFI and solid axels, but everything was priced too high, or it was a mess or BOTH.
I saw a 1988 LC for 2500.00 on Craigslist...I consulted the cruiser forum over on Pirate and they said it sounded like a good deal...they all raved about the rigs! I went and checked it out, and bought it flat out! In hind sight, I could have talked him down a bit, but I didnt know any better!
Now I LOVE MY RIG and am pleased as punch about it!
Its exceeded my expectations and most everyone elses (who dont know LC's)!
Chicago
Seems like a lot of folks got into the 60's by default, much like myself!
I was invited on an annual 4WD trip called BLOTCH. Never been 4 wheelin in my life, coming from Chicago...
I was AMAZED at what a capeable rig could do!
Got back with the 4WD bug, and had to have a rig of my own!
Was looking at the jeeps, minis, 4 runners etc. I knew I wanted EFI and solid axels, but everything was priced too high, or it was a mess or BOTH.
I saw a 1988 LC for 2500.00 on Craigslist...I consulted the cruiser forum over on Pirate and they said it sounded like a good deal...they all raved about the rigs! I went and checked it out, and bought it flat out! In hind sight, I could have talked him down a bit, but I didnt know any better!
Now I LOVE MY RIG and am pleased as punch about it!
Its exceeded my expectations and most everyone elses (who dont know LC's)!
Chicago
Max.Powerzz
Cruisers and Art!
Because I wanted a 55 and the wife wanted an 80, so the 62 was a compromise. Although I must admit I don't mind having A/C and being able to drive and hear myself think at the same time.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
We planned to spend a few months driving south to Costa Rica, from California.
Needed something rugged, and big enough to fit our crap.
Ok.... also, while I was in college, there was this 16 year old girl who lived two houses down from where I lived. Someone in the family had a blue 60 series that she wanted to drive.... she spent A LOT of time washing that truck in a bikini out front. For some reason 60 series cruisers evoke pleasant memories.
Needed something rugged, and big enough to fit our crap.
Ok.... also, while I was in college, there was this 16 year old girl who lived two houses down from where I lived. Someone in the family had a blue 60 series that she wanted to drive.... she spent A LOT of time washing that truck in a bikini out front. For some reason 60 series cruisers evoke pleasant memories.
I already had a 40, a Tacoma and an 80. The local Toyota place had a 60 on the lot. I swung in to check the price-$1200. Too much for me. They called me back later that day-$350. I bought it. It sat for 3.5 years. I just took it for a run last weekend-put a few dents in it and it rode like a dream. The 40 will now sit for a while!
17 jeeps! i think you've got D'animal topped.
yep! at one time i had 7 in my driveway.... man i miss that driveway because i'd have alot more cruisers right now.
Cruiser Family
Saw my first Cruiser at a local Toyota Landcruiser dealer here in my hometown in 1967. He sold only Landcruisers for many years....he never would sell the cars and they took the dealership away from him. I got my first Cruiser in 1968 in Seattle...paid $1600 for a 66 FJ45 Wagon that I used all through college...sold it (yes!, wish I still had it). Bought a 64 FJ45 PU for $1200 in 1972 when I moved to a ranch in the wilds of northern British Columbia, Canada. Used it to pull stumps, logs, hay balers and the front bumper off a stuck F250 Ford PU. Sold it when I left in 1977 to the ranch owners son (yes!!!, wish I still had it), Then got a FJ55 in 1980 for $1100 that was cherry and owned by a mechanic....my hot girlfriend drove it into a ditch...and down the freeway once in low range heating the engine till the heater hoses blew!! Had to forgive her....did I mention she was smokin' hot? Sold it (yes!, wish I had kept it), Bought my 84 FJ60 in 1986 for $9000 with only 10000 miles on it and the plastic still on the door panels and still own it!!! (yes, I will never sell it)....paid $2300 for a 68, FJ40 in 1995, my first 40 (won't sell it), Got my 15 year old son a FJ80 in March 07 for $3800 off Craigslist (just needed front end rebuild, done for $550 by a fellow mudder in Olympia, WA).....but I loved driving it so much I bought myself a 94 FZJ80 last month from a fellow mudder for $7400 and repainted the blistered clear coat on the hood last week.....now it looks perfect . So I own 4 FJ's today and as you can see I kinda love LandCruisers. Figure I have spent less than half of what they want for a new FJ Cruiser for all the LC's I have ever purchased. We own a total of 12 Toyotas (one Ford 3/4 ton pickup and a Chevy dumptruck, and 4 farm tractors too) in our family of 6 kids ....and recently my daughter and her Prius were filmed for a Toyota commercial. I have never owned a 70 series or a 100....but each of the kids will have a landcruiser when I die if I just find two more I like!
Saw my first Cruiser at a local Toyota Landcruiser dealer here in my hometown in 1967. He sold only Landcruisers for many years....he never would sell the cars and they took the dealership away from him. I got my first Cruiser in 1968 in Seattle...paid $1600 for a 66 FJ45 Wagon that I used all through college...sold it (yes!, wish I still had it). Bought a 64 FJ45 PU for $1200 in 1972 when I moved to a ranch in the wilds of northern British Columbia, Canada. Used it to pull stumps, logs, hay balers and the front bumper off a stuck F250 Ford PU. Sold it when I left in 1977 to the ranch owners son (yes!!!, wish I still had it), Then got a FJ55 in 1980 for $1100 that was cherry and owned by a mechanic....my hot girlfriend drove it into a ditch...and down the freeway once in low range heating the engine till the heater hoses blew!! Had to forgive her....did I mention she was smokin' hot? Sold it (yes!, wish I had kept it), Bought my 84 FJ60 in 1986 for $9000 with only 10000 miles on it and the plastic still on the door panels and still own it!!! (yes, I will never sell it)....paid $2300 for a 68, FJ40 in 1995, my first 40 (won't sell it), Got my 15 year old son a FJ80 in March 07 for $3800 off Craigslist (just needed front end rebuild, done for $550 by a fellow mudder in Olympia, WA).....but I loved driving it so much I bought myself a 94 FZJ80 last month from a fellow mudder for $7400 and repainted the blistered clear coat on the hood last week.....now it looks perfect . So I own 4 FJ's today and as you can see I kinda love LandCruisers. Figure I have spent less than half of what they want for a new FJ Cruiser for all the LC's I have ever purchased. We own a total of 12 Toyotas (one Ford 3/4 ton pickup and a Chevy dumptruck, and 4 farm tractors too) in our family of 6 kids ....and recently my daughter and her Prius were filmed for a Toyota commercial. I have never owned a 70 series or a 100....but each of the kids will have a landcruiser when I die if I just find two more I like!
ok so here is my story... My dad bought it brand new in 1982 and since that day it's been with us in every single moments (good or bad) it has take us to many family trips, it took my mom to the hospital so I could get born, and many other experiences lived. back in 97' my dad bought a blazer and left the 60 sit in the garage till 2003 that I graduated from highscool and after many requests for her my dad didn't wanted to sell it and then he gave it to me after all that time parked and never been used since 97 til I got her in 2003.
now it is my first car and my dream car since I was a kid.
now it is my first car and my dream car since I was a kid.
srplus
Walked with the Dinosaurs
Always had cruisers... mostly 40's got a 55 to rebuild and restore as another frame off project and tired of doing it again. I dumped the 55 and got a 62... it got crushed when a limb fell off a large oak in front of the house... totaled... I replaced it with an 80 but was not happy with the mall wagon and it just did not feel right. Opened the classifieds on a Saturday (had not been looking for a car, I just was browsing) and there the 60 sat.
The price was right... and, I knew one of the PO's (who was a very talented Paint and Body man) and I just bought it. I have been happy with it despite some of its little quirks... It is over 20 years old and I love to drive it as my daily driver. Taking one thing at a time and bringing it back to brand new condition which is better for me than doing another frame off.
The price was right... and, I knew one of the PO's (who was a very talented Paint and Body man) and I just bought it. I have been happy with it despite some of its little quirks... It is over 20 years old and I love to drive it as my daily driver. Taking one thing at a time and bringing it back to brand new condition which is better for me than doing another frame off.
60 series stories
My addiction is the fault of my father. My dad worked as a mechanic for a Toyota Dealer when he returned from Viet Nam. After getting tired of the politics he quit in 1973 and opened his own shop fixing imports, LandCruisers were his favorite. When my mother was too big to fit in her celica in 1978 (my fault), my dad ordered her a 78 fj55.
I was born in March of 79 and my mom got a sweet Corona wagon and dad took over in the 55. My very first ride in a vehicle of any kind was a LandCruiser. We have been all over the country in it and loved every minute of it. I grew up wondering why more people did not own cruisers. So I guess for me it was just natural to have a LandCruiser or ten. I have converted three of my closest friends who were all die hard chevy or ford guys.
Don't worry I'm working on the rest of my buddies. Some day the will see the light. Or at least my tail lights when I'm pulling them out or towing them home.
My addiction is the fault of my father. My dad worked as a mechanic for a Toyota Dealer when he returned from Viet Nam. After getting tired of the politics he quit in 1973 and opened his own shop fixing imports, LandCruisers were his favorite. When my mother was too big to fit in her celica in 1978 (my fault), my dad ordered her a 78 fj55.
I was born in March of 79 and my mom got a sweet Corona wagon and dad took over in the 55. My very first ride in a vehicle of any kind was a LandCruiser. We have been all over the country in it and loved every minute of it. I grew up wondering why more people did not own cruisers. So I guess for me it was just natural to have a LandCruiser or ten. I have converted three of my closest friends who were all die hard chevy or ford guys.
Don't worry I'm working on the rest of my buddies. Some day the will see the light. Or at least my tail lights when I'm pulling them out or towing them home.
how i end up w/ a 60 cruiser
here it goes, i'm not sure how old i was when i first got in a fj40 cruiser.ever since i fell in love with the way it looks.we didn't have much during those times but i said to myself some day i will have one.then time comes to move my whole family in the united states,then i saw the light that made me want more to get a cruiser.were i came from all we have is cruisers,nissan patrols and mitsu pajero(montero in u.s),mostly diesel engine.i found out later on that most cruisers here in the u.s are gas engines.still that didn't stop me from looking for one,long story short,the desire to acquire a fj40 some how shifted to a 60 when i saw one at car show,it has more room,at this time i have 2 kids already,i said perfect for the family.it took 2 years of searching and finally i found one 3 weeks ago.found it in pleasanton ca.the 2nd owner thought the engine is ready to expode.i took a look and take a chance,i paid 2300 bucks for it,no rust a few dents.later on after towing it to the shop i work i found that the aalternator has siezed.i already have the new alternator from toyota,will install this week and i will perform a complte inspection.and here comes the list of mods,but that is another story.thank you for reading.
here it goes, i'm not sure how old i was when i first got in a fj40 cruiser.ever since i fell in love with the way it looks.we didn't have much during those times but i said to myself some day i will have one.then time comes to move my whole family in the united states,then i saw the light that made me want more to get a cruiser.were i came from all we have is cruisers,nissan patrols and mitsu pajero(montero in u.s),mostly diesel engine.i found out later on that most cruisers here in the u.s are gas engines.still that didn't stop me from looking for one,long story short,the desire to acquire a fj40 some how shifted to a 60 when i saw one at car show,it has more room,at this time i have 2 kids already,i said perfect for the family.it took 2 years of searching and finally i found one 3 weeks ago.found it in pleasanton ca.the 2nd owner thought the engine is ready to expode.i took a look and take a chance,i paid 2300 bucks for it,no rust a few dents.later on after towing it to the shop i work i found that the aalternator has siezed.i already have the new alternator from toyota,will install this week and i will perform a complte inspection.and here comes the list of mods,but that is another story.thank you for reading.
Butt Ugly Chuck
Fish Biologist
An in-law was looking to unload a non-running high milage 60 and offered to split whatever I could get for it if I sold it for her. I figured I'd get more for a running vehicle than a dead one. Bought the engine manual and pulled the head for a valve job. I buttoned it back up, compression numbers looked great, and it ran pretty good. The in-law was surprized I got it running and she just decided to give it to me. I'd taken a liking to it while working on it and decided to keep it. I liked the fact that it was a rig I could work on myself, especially with a resource like mud to refer to for help! Still a long way to go yet before I'd call it mechanically solid, and my "free" rig has an incredible appetite for cash, but I'm a 60 guy now!
Charlie
Charlie
Hadn't planned on a criuser. Had a 40 when my son was born but it was to rough (lifted and such) for a baby, so the wife talked me into selling it.
Got caught in a huge rainstorm in the bay area one day that flooded the streets. People in cars and mini-vans were literally stuuck, no where to go, with those that tried having water coming in thier windows. I was working which requires travelling and can't let some rain, or a dirt road or whatever stop me.
Decided to look for another mini-truck, a pre-runner or something that I could lift a bit (prefereably a Toyota).
Had taken a friend to the airport and was taking the long way home on a nice cool saturday morning, top down in the Z28, when I flashed by this red 62 with a set of jet ski's tied to it.
Called the guy and the rest is history (no, I didn't buy the skis!).
Previously owned an FJ40, 83 Toyota L/B 4x4, 85 ForeRunner (SR5-Straight axel) and was sold on Toyota reliability.
This thing has taken me down washed out back woods roads, over downed trees, through ditches and on one occasion, over a cinder block wall
. Through rain soaked roads and alleys and given me very little problem.
Now all I have to do is learn to work on it!
Got caught in a huge rainstorm in the bay area one day that flooded the streets. People in cars and mini-vans were literally stuuck, no where to go, with those that tried having water coming in thier windows. I was working which requires travelling and can't let some rain, or a dirt road or whatever stop me.
Decided to look for another mini-truck, a pre-runner or something that I could lift a bit (prefereably a Toyota).
Had taken a friend to the airport and was taking the long way home on a nice cool saturday morning, top down in the Z28, when I flashed by this red 62 with a set of jet ski's tied to it.
Called the guy and the rest is history (no, I didn't buy the skis!).
Previously owned an FJ40, 83 Toyota L/B 4x4, 85 ForeRunner (SR5-Straight axel) and was sold on Toyota reliability.
This thing has taken me down washed out back woods roads, over downed trees, through ditches and on one occasion, over a cinder block wall
. Through rain soaked roads and alleys and given me very little problem. Now all I have to do is learn to work on it!
I have an early memory of seeing the lights on the Strip (Vegas) through the back windows of a 40. Mid-70's maybe?
Fast forward to this century and my subaru wagon is on it's last legs. Time to get something that can haul the firewood and dogs I've been putting in the subie, and still put toys up top... voila, a 60 the same year as the subie, but it holds way more people, k9's & toys. I'll drive it forever!
Fast forward to this century and my subaru wagon is on it's last legs. Time to get something that can haul the firewood and dogs I've been putting in the subie, and still put toys up top... voila, a 60 the same year as the subie, but it holds way more people, k9's & toys. I'll drive it forever!
really liked the look of the 60/62 when i lived in austin back in the mid 90s.
it seems like i saw one every other day. always told myself i would like to have one, not really knowing much about their durability.
fast forward to 2004. needed a car and decided to get a cruiser. glad i got one, but probably would research it better next time as i really needed a car and bought my 60 off of ebay. it has been a good rig, but it has been a
$$$ pit because of the p/o.
it seems like i saw one every other day. always told myself i would like to have one, not really knowing much about their durability.
fast forward to 2004. needed a car and decided to get a cruiser. glad i got one, but probably would research it better next time as i really needed a car and bought my 60 off of ebay. it has been a good rig, but it has been a
$$$ pit because of the p/o.
Allright.
-The old man also happened to have a Porsche 928 in a storage unit. I also hold the keys and title to it, but have been unable to find it for about a year now.
are you serious? do you not know where it is in storage? that is like searching for a needle in a haystack....
I bought a 60 because I ran out of things to do to my 40.
My wife likes the AC.
My wife likes the AC.
searching for all the wrong things
Well I started looking at the 55's cause I wanted a retro 4x4 wagon. had been looking for years at willys wagons but couldn'd get past the two doors. The I found the pigs, way cool very retro, but being a former hotrodder now wimp, I wanted the v8, ps, ac, pdb and that kind of stuff. Looked at a lot of pigs but by the time I got that stuff, i was looking at 10K with a good body, 5K with a (as is normal) rusted out/bondo'd POS. So.....decided to start looking for a 60. still with all the goodies and a 4 speed (remember the hotroder part) looked in mud but since I was in Wa state hit craigslist hard. Then I found it. 86, with wench, v8 fi not rusted too bad. Went to eastern OR where a 70yr old dude had had it for 17 yrs and when the motor blew for the second time, he went to the local chevy dealer, bought a crate 350, ordered a TPI kit on net and installed a AA overdrive adapter between the engine and 4 speed. It had been his hunting/fishing toy forever but now it hurt his back to ride in it. I bought it for the price of the motor and drove it home. I drove it for a couple of months in Wa, then got a new job in SC, and drove it the 3K miles with no problems. Love the power, love the ride, love the ac and really loved the Cruise control that the dude installed. It had "just quit working) on him. I found the box, got on the net and downloaded/printed out the manual, hour later found the problem and fixed. He also had one of those battery splitter to charge his travel trailer battery. Well that thing was a pos and was only letting 12v to to the battery. I had installed a brand new 12" the first day (cause nobody gives up a "good" battery) but noticed as the first week went by that is was starting slower) Got the meter out and found 14.5 to splitter, 12 coming out. Wire chopper came out and it was GONE. Problem solved. This may have been the REAL reason he sold it, couldn't figure out why battery wasn't charging!! Woohoo for me!! LOVE CC, would have had serious cramps otherwise. Just installed new kicking cd/mp3/ipod remote control stereo. It has the original wheels and a bit of the usual tail slump. OME 2.5 kit next on the list. Would rather invest in my toy than make payments on some pos plastic shiny thing that EVERYBODY else is driving. 80yr old father not happy about toyo but loved the firebeathing 350 under the hood. I plan on keep this ride for a long time. Tatortot
Well I started looking at the 55's cause I wanted a retro 4x4 wagon. had been looking for years at willys wagons but couldn'd get past the two doors. The I found the pigs, way cool very retro, but being a former hotrodder now wimp, I wanted the v8, ps, ac, pdb and that kind of stuff. Looked at a lot of pigs but by the time I got that stuff, i was looking at 10K with a good body, 5K with a (as is normal) rusted out/bondo'd POS. So.....decided to start looking for a 60. still with all the goodies and a 4 speed (remember the hotroder part) looked in mud but since I was in Wa state hit craigslist hard. Then I found it. 86, with wench, v8 fi not rusted too bad. Went to eastern OR where a 70yr old dude had had it for 17 yrs and when the motor blew for the second time, he went to the local chevy dealer, bought a crate 350, ordered a TPI kit on net and installed a AA overdrive adapter between the engine and 4 speed. It had been his hunting/fishing toy forever but now it hurt his back to ride in it. I bought it for the price of the motor and drove it home. I drove it for a couple of months in Wa, then got a new job in SC, and drove it the 3K miles with no problems. Love the power, love the ride, love the ac and really loved the Cruise control that the dude installed. It had "just quit working) on him. I found the box, got on the net and downloaded/printed out the manual, hour later found the problem and fixed. He also had one of those battery splitter to charge his travel trailer battery. Well that thing was a pos and was only letting 12v to to the battery. I had installed a brand new 12" the first day (cause nobody gives up a "good" battery) but noticed as the first week went by that is was starting slower) Got the meter out and found 14.5 to splitter, 12 coming out. Wire chopper came out and it was GONE. Problem solved. This may have been the REAL reason he sold it, couldn't figure out why battery wasn't charging!! Woohoo for me!! LOVE CC, would have had serious cramps otherwise. Just installed new kicking cd/mp3/ipod remote control stereo. It has the original wheels and a bit of the usual tail slump. OME 2.5 kit next on the list. Would rather invest in my toy than make payments on some pos plastic shiny thing that EVERYBODY else is driving. 80yr old father not happy about toyo but loved the firebeathing 350 under the hood. I plan on keep this ride for a long time. Tatortot
