FJ60 VS FJ80 advice

[SUP Dude]

Sorry if this is a tired subject.. I am realy having a difficult time choosing between an 87 FJ60 with 205,000 on it... some rust of course, rebuilt front end and new brakes and tires. The carb was also rebuilt. Or my other option is a 1991 FJ80 with 205,000 and has a small oil leak i guess "dosnt require aditional oil between oil changes" It also has an exhaust leak. He did replace the front drive shaft due to rattling. newer tires plus an extra set of tires and rims. Again sorry if this is a tired subject but I am about to make the switch from Westfalia's to Landcruisers and I really want it to be a pleasurable transition.

Thanks for any help or suggestions on what to look for before purchasing. I am hoping to buy one of these no later than Wednesday!! Wish me luck!

 

[Viggen]

Depends upon what you want. Im not a fan of 80 series trucks at all and think that they are too big. They do ride better but they are really wide and long. The 60 is about the same size as a current 4Runner. It will not ride as nicely because its leaf sprung versus the coil sprung 80. Ive had, and sold, a 60 series. Nice trucks but just too long in my opinion.

 

[Flagster]

They both will be slow pigs but you are used to that if you are driving a Westy...I have never driven a 3FE powered 80 series but the IFZFE engine is no speed demon so I can only imagine the FJ80 with the 3FE is as slow as the FJ60...

I would take the one without rust...

 

[xCSx]

I've thought about this too for my future vehicle purchase. FJ60, while it looks so much cooler, is going to have more rust problems, etc... I wouldn't get either of those to be honest, I would wait and get a 1995-1997 FZJ80.

 

[fowldarr]

I have owned both. Well, almost, I had an fzj80, but for daily driving comfort, get the 80, hands down. If you want a cool vehicle get the 60, they have a lot more soul than an 80. A personal dream of mine is to some day have another fj62, with a modern drive train and an upgraded interior with some modern conveniences.....some day.

 

[redthies]

I have owned both (2 diesel 5-spd 60s, 1 FJ62 auto, and a 1FZ 80 series). I love the 60 series, and would lean this way depending on how much rust there is. Is it a little surface rust, or is the thing rotting to pieces? Pull up the carpet under the rear seats by the wheel wells and check out the floor. It is an area prone to nasty rust, as is the frame between the rear spring mounts.

Some pictures of each of the rigs would be super helpful for us to see overall condition. You will love either model, but rust is not a good thing.

If you haven't already, check out Slee Offroads website for their info on what to look at when buying. Christo Slee is one of the most knowledgable guys on the planet when it comes to Land Cruisers, and his website has tons of info on all things TLC.

Good luck, and welcome to ExPo. Post pics on this thread of whichever one you end up with!

 

[1911]

I own or have owned both (both are still in my family); both are great trucks in their own way.

As has been said, the 80 is much better riding and is the superior road vehicle of the two, due to its coil springs, overdrive top gear in the auto tranny, and cruise control.

The 60 has a manual transmission and part-time (selectable) 4WD and the 80 only came with auto transmission and is full-time 4WD.

The 80 is fuel injected and the 60 is carbureted.

The 80 is heavier than the 60.

The 80 is quieter than the 60.

The 80 has third-row seats and the 60 does not. The 80 seats fold up out of the way easily though.

The 80 has cruise control and the 60 does not.

The 80 has a better air conditioner than the 60, and is better insulated.

It just comes down to personal preference and what you want to do with either. I love(d) them both. My '91 FJ80 is still going strong at 300,000 miles; it has needed one radiator and one alternator in all that time. The head has never been off. I would drive it across the country tomorrow without a second thought; it has been one of the most reliable and dependable vehicles I've ever owned, though I could say the same about my 60 and my 40 (and every other Toyota I've ever owned).

 

[NM-Frontier]

What are your overall goals for the Cruiser? Seeing that your coming from a Westy I would assume some traveling is in this trucks future? If that is the case then you may what to do what is suggested above and pass on these and hold out for a 95-97 FZJ80. This would get you a lot of benefits over the two you are looking at now. The 80 handles better both on and off the road if your doing more overland trips the extra size is not really a bad thing. You may get lucky and find a FZJ80 with diff locks also, not realy necessary for these trucks to go just about any were but nice to have if you get in a bind and you'll sleep better the night before going down that unknown trail. The 1fz has less smog plumbing on it and also less other vac hoses, this leaves a cleaner engine, easier to get at a few things. Pulse the benefits mentioned above. Make sure to go to 80school on the Slee site before you do anything LOTS of good info on there.

I just moved from a FJ60 to a FZJ80 and the 80 will never look as good or have that classic feel it dose travel better and handles the rougher trails a lot smoother then the 60 ever could.

To answer the original question though, depending on the rust situation I may go with the 60 due to the fact that, if your going to get one that old with out the 1fz then you might as well go all the way and cruise in style!
Good luck and keep us posted!:sombrero:

 

[SUP Dude]

Wow! Thanks for the input! I really have had a love for the 60's for a very long time but believe the rust will be the decision maker. I am leaning a little towards the 80 as I have 2 boys still in car seats. As was stated above speed does not bother me as I have been driving VW vans as my daily drivers for years now. Are oil leaks pretty common with LandCruisers? I was told the 80 has a pretty insignificant leak. It also seems as though the owner of the 80 has done a pretty good job with the maintenance. I had no idea this was going to be such a hard decision to make. Thanks to everyone for the input! I think I am going to like this site!!

 

[kletzenklueffer]

80's leak, but the leaks are repairable. One thing I'll say about TLC's- they're great trucks to own if you like/can work on them yourself. To me, the DIY work makes for familiarity and therefore a greater ownership experience. Eventually, the 80 is going to need it's front end rebuilt. The rebuild is PM every 30-60,000 miles, not necessarily negligence. The oil leak on the 80 could be many things. The exhaust leak is easy, whether it's at the manifold or at the pipe joint.

I've had several toyotas and the 80 seems to be more rust resistant than the others I've had. Don't take that as golden though. It could be age and not metallurgy.

 

[mattafact]

I've had 3 80s and 1 60. I can't wait to get another 60 for a part time vehicle. I daily drove the 60 an hour each way and it was tough on the wallet with $4 gas. It had so much soul that it was hard to not drive it. It just felt good to row through the gears. The small steering wheel, the manual trans, the steel dash, etc all added to the charm.

 

[1911]

Are oil leaks pretty common with LandCruisers? I was told the 80 has a pretty insignificant leak.

The most common leaks on any F-series engine (the 60 has a 2F and the FJ80 has a 3FE) are the oil pan gasket, the pushrod gallery side-cover gasket, and the rear oil seal, in that order. Less common is the front oil seal and the cam bore plug and oil gallery plugs in the rear of the block behind the flywheel. The good news is, the first two are easily replaceable by any home mechanic and Toyota makes and sells these gaskets. The bad news is, the rear oil seal and the gallery plugs behind the flywheel all require the transmission and transfer case to come out to get to them. Still doable at home with the right tools.

None of my F-series engines leak oil, but I had to replace some of the above mentioned things to get them that way.

 

[Flagster]

I usually don't worry about a little leaking oil...
My 80 leaks a bit...slowed it down by replacing the oil pump gasket...but I still find a drop here and there...just don't park on the pavers...
My 60 before I tore into the engine was leaking oil from every major orifice...a bit past reasonable...

 

[Fergie]

Sorry if this is a tired subject.. I am realy having a difficult time choosing between an 87 FJ60 with 205,000 on it... some rust of course, rebuilt front end and new brakes and tires. The carb was also rebuilt. Or my other option is a 1991 FJ80 with 205,000 and has a small oil leak i guess "dosnt require aditional oil between oil changes" It also has an exhaust leak. He did replace the front drive shaft due to rattling. newer tires plus an extra set of tires and rims. Again sorry if this is a tired subject but I am about to make the switch from Westfalia's to Landcruisers and I really want it to be a pleasurable transition.

Thanks for any help or suggestions on what to look for before purchasing. I am hoping to buy one of these no later than Wednesday!! Wish me luck!

Perhaps some advice from someone that has gone between Westys and LCs?

I would skip the 60 series, 80 series, and Westy and go to a 100 series. If you cannot afford the UZJ100, then at least go with a 93 and later FZJ80.

I really loved the rock solid reliability of my 1991, but it was so damn slow, and the gas mileage sucked. I'm used to drving SUVs with less than stellar fuel economy, but the FJ80 sucked. I did a lot of work on it, most of which you can see in my link for the GWB.

I just recently sold the Westy too; an 84. I had done an EJ22 conversion on it myself, but still, there were so many issues on it from being close to 30 years old that it wasn't fun or worth the effort.

Go with the newest, least work needed vehicle you can get. Aside from that, go for a 93-97 FZJ-80 that has good documentation, or is the Lexus version that has been pampered. Contrary to what you see on MUD, the 4.5L does not spit head gaskets and PHHs like they are reported to do. The extra power, and similar as good as gas mileage is worth it for creature comfort.

Or, like I said previously, go for a UZJ100 and enter nirvana(a bit of an exaggeration....but only mildly). Imagine V8 power, better fuel economy, and comfort...fabulous!

EDIT: Flagster said "orifice"...made me giggle.

 

[MarcFJ60]

I had an '87 FJ60 and have had my '95 FZJ80 for a few years. The above comments are pretty much spot on. I miss my 60, but it was a 3rd vehicle. I wouldn't want to daily drive it. I may get another someday, but it would definitely be an FJ62. Mostly for the FI and auto tranny, but the lack of power locks with kids is a real PITA. I can handle roll up windows, but the long reach to unlock a back door is no fun.

The other thing about 60s is what a mess the engine bay is. I think the FZJ80 is a lot easier to work on