Inquiring minds want to know

[datrupr]

OK, I know many of you have seen my other post on what I should get as my next rig. I have been searching and looking and have a few things in mind. I was just looking at some LC's and have a few questions for the LC guys on this board. So, those willing to teach me a few things I would greatly appreciate it. Basically what I want to know is what should I be looking for? Strong points, weak points, etc. on each of the following models. School me on the differences between the different years on the various models too if you have more information. Thank you very much in advance for everyones time. The models in question are:
FJ60
FJ62
FJ80
FZJ80

PLease, discuss.

 

[spressomon]

#1: What will be your application for the rig?
#2: (related to #1) Where/how/type of terrain will you expect this rig to go?
#3: How much, with respect to creature comforts, can you do without or can't do without?

 

[cumminscruiser]

Weapon of choice

My weapon of choice is the FJ60, but an FJ62 is a bit stronger and newer.

 

[datrupr]

#1: What will be your application for the rig?
#2: (related to #1) Where/how/type of terrain will you expect this rig to go?
#3: How much, with respect to creature comforts, can you do without or can't do without?

Overlanding. Rig to get myself and child to the trail, through the trail, remote camping, etc. Capable of tackling 3-3.5 (Expeditions West scale) trails with little modification as needed. Should be a comfortable highway cruiser. The only creature comforts that I could not live with out are A/C.

 

[AndrewP]

I always tell people that if you can only have 1 Land Cruiser, it should be an 80 series. It is the truck that can do it all and most of it very, very well. It has enough power to roll the pavement, and enough capability to go anywhere. It's comfy, safe, reliable and all around a great truck. Inexpensive now too, for arguably one of the best trucks of all time. Live axles, full float rear, modern coil suspension with tons of travel, what's not to love?


Now the old leaf spring trucks (FJ62 and down) do have some advantages in simplicity and style, and make a great 2nd 3rd or 4th Land Cruiser. It's kind of like owning a series Rover without all the down time.:ar15:

 

[TroutBear]

When we were shopping around for LC couple of years back, I drove 62 that a local boy [Ecluid on MUD] had for sale. When I got back from the ride, he began asking me about what I planned to do - our use was similar, fishing trips, mild offroad vs rock crawling. He immediately told me that we needed to find an 80, prefering the '93 up years for the engine upgrade and invited us to the local LC club meeting. We ended up w/ a '94 model and absolutely love it. First year we had it we did the Grayrock mild trails [i.e. minimal chance of rock carnage, but steep w/ spotters required some places] in AL at the club's meet and was hugely impressed w/ what a stock truck w/ AT's was capable of. Get an 80.

 

[kcowyo]

FJ60 - manual trannys. Shifting = meh...

FJ62 - gutless. 0-60mph in a few days

FJ80 - 4.0 V6, weird 2 tone paint schemes

FZJ80 - sheep wagon, lemming hauler


....any other questions?


Be unique as usual. Find a low mile, well maintained Montero or Trooper. Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't.

My 2 cents. Keep the change -
.

 

[spressomon]

FJ60 - manual trannys. Shifting = meh...

FJ62 - gutless. 0-60mph in a few days

FJ80 - 4.0 V6, weird 2 tone paint schemes

FZJ80 - sheep wagon, lemming hauler


....any other questions?


Be unique as usual. Find a low mile, well maintained Montero or Trooper. Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't.

My 2 cents. Keep the change -
.

I wasn't aware Toyota had a V6 in any of the LC's (not counting FJ Cruiser).

 

[spressomon]

I always tell people that if you can only have 1 Land Cruiser, it should be an 80 series. It is the truck that can do it all and most of it very, very well. It has enough power to roll the pavement, and enough capability to go anywhere. It's comfy, safe, reliable and all around a great truck. Inexpensive now too, for arguably one of the best trucks of all time. Live axles, full float rear, modern coil suspension with tons of travel, what's not to love?


Now the old leaf spring trucks (FJ62 and down) do have some advantages in simplicity and style, and make a great 2nd 3rd or 4th Land Cruiser. It's kind of like owning a series Rover without all the down time.:ar15:

This would be my vote too.

 

[ginericLC]

I agree with Andy but I'd go a step further and say get the FZJ80 93-97, 91-92s have smaller brakes, rear drums, no ABS, and the smaller engine.

However, finding a nice 80 is getting harder and harder to do. Finding a nice 100 series is getting easier and easier since gas prices went up. From the sounds of what you are going to use it for a 100 might fit the bill.

I'm going against my own advice though. We have a 100 for light duty trail rides and as a family vacation mobile. I'm building an FJ80 (1991) with a 60 series body (1984). I'm still going to be lacking in the power and brakes department but the build is cheap enough that I can do and still keep the 100.

 

[locrwln]

I own a 80, my second one. I travel a lot with Spressomon, 100 series. My vote, drive a 96-97 80 (I won't get into an arguement as to why), but they are the last and have some improvements that I think are worthwhile, and any of the 100 series in your price range.

Both Spressomon and I are on 35's and geared the same (4.88's), both locked front and rear, the biggest difference is that he is usually towing his AT trailer. We have never hit a spot in thousands of miles of traveling where there was an advantage to either series. They both rock. They both have some weaknesses, (80's HG's; early 100's Front diff) other than that I say drive them both and then make a decision

Jack

 

[upcruiser]

Like I mentioned in the other thread, for your budgeted $'s you could get a decent FZJ80 or a mint FJ80. I've driven both and own an FJ80. I'd buy another FJ80 again without hesitation. The FJ80 is a tad more simplistic and the 4 liter I6 3FE though not powerful, is great on the trail. I've towed over 5,00lbs with my FJ80 and driven across the country a bunch of times absolutely stuffed to the gills. The only time power has been an issue for me is as follows, I70 in Colorado going west out of Denver, I can only pull 50-55mph, passes like Berthoud, Rabbit Ears, Monarch, etc I only muster 45-50mph. Keep in mind though, that is with a loaded truck with stock gears and 33's. Also headwinds on the interstates can be frustrating if you want to drive over 70mph. I can usually cruise 70-80mph no problem at sea level in flatter terrain, but I don't. Mileage really suffers above 65mph, especially with a roof basket. Other then that, I think the power issue is absolutely nill and that the torque properties of the 3FE are well suited for offpavement use. Both the FZJ and FJ are slow, period. The brakes aren't as strong as the FZJ80's but since this isn't a daily driver, its not that big of a deal. I have absolutely no hesitation city driving my FJ80, its not really and issue for me. No lockers, well, if you are doing overlanding type stuff I personally don't think you need them. I've run 3+ and 4 trails with my rig with open diffs and haven't ever had any times where I was frustrated and felt the need to have lockers. The articulation of the 80 is good enough that you can surpass what ALOT of other unlocked 4wd's can go. It does a pretty good job of keeping the rubber down with the stock travel.

I've owned a 60 too and loved that truck and its character but personally prefer the comfortable ride and added features of the 80 better. that said though, the 60 series has a longer rear passenger compartment that makes for easier interior sleeping accomodations. With my 80 and its custom bed I built in the back, I've got exactly 6ft from the back of the front passenger seat rest to the rear gate. If you are over 6 foot it is less then ideal. That's my 2 cents. I'd recomend going out and test driving all of these trucks yourself and finding the right balance of what you like.

 

[bahndo]

I have an '84 fj60 and a pretty modified '94 fzj80. The 60 was stock and was pretty nice, roomy and very capable off road. What it lacked was power and fuel efficiency. I am in the process of swapping in a diesel engine to fix the problems I had with it. In the mean time I purchased an 80 with a 6" lift, 35's, and locking diff.s. The lift was built primarily for off road performance and some corners were cut (I learned after I bought it) to save some $$$. I believe that a proper lift would increase road handling greatly but right now it is a bit sketchy over 60 mph. That and the 12 mpg keep me from wanting to drive it on camping/kayaking/exploring trips. If you can live with 15-16 mpg and are spending lots of time on the highway I would def. recommend an 80 series ('94 or newer) as they are very comfy, reliable and good on various terrain. With some slight mods they are incredible off road and will retain their road manners. That being said I am building a 60 due to the simplicity of the vehicle, lack of electronics, and solid base foundation vehicle. I am planning to upgrade the seats and to build a camper setup in the back so as far as the comfort level goes it should be improved. I personally would be fine driving a stock 60 (with better fuel efficiency and power) but considering the depth of the rebuild I'm doing I figure I might as well make it a little more comfortable. I am a pretty big fan of Suburbans also but when it comes to reliability I prefer Toyota.
-Bahndo

 

[RHINO]

you left out the best cruiser of all, FJ55. i'd have one of those,,,, oh wait.

seriously though,,, my cruiser thing is the 55 and if i couldnt have one, not imported in USA,, whatever. i'd probly only have my scout II.

i guess i cant be much help here except to say if you were happy mostly with your troopy and it could get you where you wanted to go, you will pee your pants owning any of the cruisers on your list, well, except for gas mileage.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

Chuck all those. Go with a 100 series with ARB air lockers front and rear.