This is my first post so I would like to say hello to everyone. I plan on purchasing a TLC around the beginning of 2011. So I am taking this time to read everything I can. I have been glued to numerous websites for the last several months reading everything I can. I have a serious soft spot for the FJ40s and FJ60/62. When I found out my girlfriend loves the 60/62 platform the wheels started turning in my head.
We are both avid travelers and do a good bit of backpacking, climbing, biking, paddling and road trips. I will be in a position in a few years to take a travel position in my career. I could relocate every few months if I choose and have housing stipends to cover living costs. The idea crossed our minds that we could load up the LC with us and the two dogs and basically relocate every 2-4 times a year as we see fit to wherever I want to work. This would of coarse include time off between assignments to enjoy camping and exploring. We try to keep a simple life, no kids, mortgage paid, no car payments, everything we own is paid for. The plan is the girlfriend and our two small dogs pilled in the LC enjoying the drive.
So now that I come down off of my day dream, I have to be realistic. Our first choice by a LARGE margin is a FJ62. But is expecting to drive a 20 year old vehicle every day and cross country just unrealistic? We don't need a comfortable ride or nice stereo but we do need reliability and good A/C for the dogs. I can wrench on things but I prefer not to do it on the side of the highway. Also I don't mind spending some money on building the truck and maintenance. But I would rather not dump $20,000 into an unintentional “restoration” project. Is a FJ62 realistic for my needs?
I would really like a 62, my girl friend is just about deadset on a 62. She is almost not willing to consider other options. She has just always like the 60/62 and feels like “you only live once”. But I have spent more time on the side of the road in broken down cars in my past then she has. I am willing to consider a FZJ80 and maybe a 98-2000 4Runner if it is big enough. I keep going back and forth in my head that I am just asking for trouble by picking such an old vehicle when there are other newer and cheaper that will work just fine.
Should I get off of the FJ62 idea and move on to something newer? If I stick with the 62 any idea of a realistic purchase/ build budget? Could it be done for $10,000, 7-8 would be better. What do you think?
We are both avid travelers and do a good bit of backpacking, climbing, biking, paddling and road trips. I will be in a position in a few years to take a travel position in my career. I could relocate every few months if I choose and have housing stipends to cover living costs. The idea crossed our minds that we could load up the LC with us and the two dogs and basically relocate every 2-4 times a year as we see fit to wherever I want to work. This would of coarse include time off between assignments to enjoy camping and exploring. We try to keep a simple life, no kids, mortgage paid, no car payments, everything we own is paid for. The plan is the girlfriend and our two small dogs pilled in the LC enjoying the drive.
So now that I come down off of my day dream, I have to be realistic. Our first choice by a LARGE margin is a FJ62. But is expecting to drive a 20 year old vehicle every day and cross country just unrealistic? We don't need a comfortable ride or nice stereo but we do need reliability and good A/C for the dogs. I can wrench on things but I prefer not to do it on the side of the highway. Also I don't mind spending some money on building the truck and maintenance. But I would rather not dump $20,000 into an unintentional “restoration” project. Is a FJ62 realistic for my needs?
I would really like a 62, my girl friend is just about deadset on a 62. She is almost not willing to consider other options. She has just always like the 60/62 and feels like “you only live once”. But I have spent more time on the side of the road in broken down cars in my past then she has. I am willing to consider a FZJ80 and maybe a 98-2000 4Runner if it is big enough. I keep going back and forth in my head that I am just asking for trouble by picking such an old vehicle when there are other newer and cheaper that will work just fine.
Should I get off of the FJ62 idea and move on to something newer? If I stick with the 62 any idea of a realistic purchase/ build budget? Could it be done for $10,000, 7-8 would be better. What do you think?
Darn!!
