Wanted WTB Turnkey Daily Driver FJ62 or potentially FJ60

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Year
1988
Vehicle Model
  1. 60 Series
My wife has finally given me the green light to purchase my dream vehicle, with a few conditions attached. She wants it to be turnkey ready to go with no major issues. I live in wyoming and travel approximately 20 miles to and from work. Roads can be bad and weather can be brutal. Really just looking for a solid reliable ride that I can enjoy and work on as issues arise with my 4 boys. If anyone has any leads or looking to part ways please reach out.
 
Check out mine that is my daily driver.
 
Check out mine that is my daily driver.
Looking for a 62, need/want the "extra power" for driving on wyoming highways
 
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Looking for a 62, need/want the extra power for driving on wyoming highways

thanks for the laugh.
have you ever driven a 62 series?

there are lots of descriptive words to describe a US spec 62 series, but having extra power is not one of them.
somewhat slow on hills and passes, 65-70mph is about it on the highway and it doesn't appreciate it

I daily drive my 1990, only running 5 miles to work
 
thanks for the laugh.
have you ever driven a 62 series?

there are lots of descriptive words to describe a US spec 62 series, but having extra power is not one of them.
somewhat slow on hills and passes, 65-70mph is about it on the highway and it doesn't appreciate it

I daily drive my 1990, only running 5 miles to work
I have not driven one but am familiar with their capabilities and limitations. It's about 7.5 miles to my work and about 4 to 5 is highway and it does have a long hill. Was leaning towards the 62 for the little extra help in power
 
Was leaning towards the 62 for the little extra help in power

I think you need to get over the thought of the 62 series having more power.
the 3fe may produce more but then it is lost thru the auto

now a 3fe with an H55 would be a nice choice
 
3F or 3FE?
 
Hi Ernie,

I've got an HJ60 with a 12HT/H55 that I'm getting ready to list. Would you like the details? Feel free to DM me.
 
What are your thoughts on a 2F with an H55?
My 84 has a 2F with an H55. It’s also been desmogged with a carb rebuild and distributor recurve by Jim C. Basically, it’s well optimized and people still honk at me until I hit 3rd gear. Something resembling acceleration can be experienced in 3rd gear with my set up. Nothing in the driveline wants to be rushed, so you just sit back, relax, and know you’re going to get there, but slowly. Leave earlier.
 
I am looking for advice or input with what you would do

I have found two turn key rigs although both look outstanding, both were professionally restored approximately 6-7 years ago and since each has less that 10k miles on it since the restoration. Both vehicles were part of individuals collections and were only used occasionally.

1st vehicle 1988 that is restored as closes to original as is possible minus upgraded stereo and new suspension but has the original look and was sourced with many OEM parts

2nd vehicle 1989 that has restomod with new LS3 motor and transmission it also very close to stock minus suspension and radio (does have a few extras like modified front and rear bumper, rock sliders

To me the main issues is one is classic and plenty of manuals to follow to work on and keep running, where as with the restomod you have the modern convience and reliability. The price is essentially the same.. neither vehicle has rust and look very close to new from restorations

What would you do?

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Here is the constant dilemma with the 60/62. Keep it Toyota and a real, actual Land Cruiser, with solid reliability and all the benefits of the original design, BUT be painfully (almost dangerously slow) in modern traffic and get 10mpg?

Or, have most of the original design, but with a modern drivetrain that has no problem keeping up with traffic, shaves a couple hundred pounds off the front end and almost doubles mpg’s. Brakes on the other hand…

I see you’re in Rock Springs. I-80 is a beast. While living in Denver and working in oil and gas, I spent sometime in Rock Springs, Evanston, and Cheyenne (as well as Vernal, Grand Juction, etc and traveled all around the WY/CO/NM region). If you’re local around RS, and have a modern vehicle to travel along I-80, then I’d go for the 1988 gray one. That’d be my choice overall, no matter what. If I wanted a Chevy drivetrain SUV, I’d buy a Suburban or a Tahoe. Nothing against the swaps, it’s just not for me. I wish it didn’t bother me as it is the best bang for the buck. I’m in Houston, so I’ve definitely considered this option.

If this will be used for anything more than local driving, go for the 1989 LS3 swap. You’d have to given the surrounding topography of CO and UT and the vehicle cruising speeds across Wyoming.

Also, just about any accident on I-80 in a 60/62 will be….bad.

Either route you go, make sure the chassis/undercarriage is protected with fluid film or ceramic coating, etc. so you don’t have a Flintstone’s mobile in a few seasons.
 
Here is the constant dilemma with the 60/62. Keep it Toyota and a real, actual Land Cruiser, with solid reliability and all the benefits of the original design, BUT be painfully (almost dangerously slow) in modern traffic and get 10mpg?

Or, have most of the original design, but with a modern drivetrain that has no problem keeping up with traffic, shaves a couple hundred pounds off the front end and almost doubles mpg’s. Brakes on the other hand…

I see you’re in Rock Springs. I-80 is a beast. While living in Denver and working in oil and gas, I spent sometime in Rock Springs, Evanston, and Cheyenne (as well as Vernal, Grand Juction, etc and traveled all around the WY/CO/NM region). If you’re local around RS, and have a modern vehicle to travel along I-80, then I’d go for the 1988 gray one. That’d be my choice overall, no matter what. If I wanted a Chevy drivetrain SUV, I’d buy a Suburban or a Tahoe. Nothing against the swaps, it’s just not for me. I wish it didn’t bother me as it is the best bang for the buck. I’m in Houston, so I’ve definitely considered this option.

If this will be used for anything more than local driving, go for the 1989 LS3 swap. You’d have to given the surrounding topography of CO and UT and the vehicle cruising speeds across Wyoming.

Also, just about any accident on I-80 in a 60/62 will be….bad.

Either route you go, make sure the chassis/undercarriage is protected with fluid film or ceramic coating, etc. so you don’t have a Flintstone’s mobile in a few seasons.

Here is the constant dilemma with the 60/62. Keep it Toyota and a real, actual Land Cruiser, with solid reliability and all the benefits of the original design, BUT be painfully (almost dangerously slow) in modern traffic and get 10mpg?

Or, have most of the original design, but with a modern drivetrain that has no problem keeping up with traffic, shaves a couple hundred pounds off the front end and almost doubles mpg’s. Brakes on the other hand…

I see you’re in Rock Springs. I-80 is a beast. While living in Denver and working in oil and gas, I spent sometime in Rock Springs, Evanston, and Cheyenne (as well as Vernal, Grand Juction, etc and traveled all around the WY/CO/NM region). If you’re local around RS, and have a modern vehicle to travel along I-80, then I’d go for the 1988 gray one. That’d be my choice overall, no matter what. If I wanted a Chevy drivetrain SUV, I’d buy a Suburban or a Tahoe. Nothing against the swaps, it’s just not for me. I wish it didn’t bother me as it is the best bang for the buck. I’m in Houston, so I’ve definitely considered this option.

If this will be used for anything more than local driving, go for the 1989 LS3 swap. You’d have to given the surrounding topography of CO and UT and the vehicle cruising speeds across Wyoming.

Also, just about any accident on I-80 in a 60/62 will be….bad.

Either route you go, make sure the chassis/undercarriage is protected with fluid film or ceramic coating, etc. so you don’t have a Flintstone’s mobile in a few seasons.
I really appreciate your response, funny thing is my daily driver is a 2013 Suburban, thing is a tank never had one issue with it. I also have 5 kids so it’s very practical in that sense as well. Second vehicle 2017 Escalade also a tank no issues with it either, so definitely covered with reliable modern vehicles. I would love to stay with the timeless classic, but the modern engine (and brakes) I might get more use out of it..how do you think the original engine would handle some of the highway hills in Wyoming. I don’t see myself driving it much on I-80 except maybe to and from green river and rock springs, but can see myself driving on back highways from time to time. I am definitely concerned about this any input would be appreciated
 
I don't own a 62, but I do own a 60 with the 2F/H55F combo. I daily drive it through town but avoid any interstate travel. Even with the H55F 60-65mph is about as fast as I'll push it and I am on flat Illinois land. Merging onto the interstate is dangerously slow especially when everyone around you is doing 80mph. I can't imagine mine trying to keep up on the highway uphill.

If you're definitely wanting a 60/62 I would look at an LS truck, otherwise consider an FZJ80. They have classic looks and can do interstate travel 75mph+ easily.
 
If you will be driving hills regularly, a 2F or 3FE will be painful, regardless of the transmission. Especially if coming from vehicles w a V8.
 
My wife has finally given me the green light to purchase my dream vehicle, with a few conditions attached. She wants it to be turnkey ready to go with no major issues. I live in wyoming and travel approximately 20 miles to and from work. Roads can be bad and weather can be brutal. Really just looking for a solid reliable ride that I can enjoy and work on as issues arise with my 4 boys. If anyone has any leads or looking to part ways please reach out.
You might consider the second generation Lexus GX460. It is the Lancruiser Prado sold through the world, easily lifted..(I did a 3" lift, Bilstein 5100's, ADO springs, freedom off road UCA's, Falken Wildpeak 275/65r18"s..quiet compared to TA's). The original owners usually take good care of them....considering what FJ60's are going for...
 

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