Land Cruiser 60 Series vs Newer Tacoma

[mhutchinson477]

Good afternoon all,
Since this is my first post on this forum (and please let me know if it is not in the correct forum) I figured I'd give a quick introduction. Right now I drive a 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 4x4 and it has been a great truck for the most part but over the past few years I've started to become a Toyota guy. For a few years I've been thinking about getting rid of my Silverado for a Tacoma because of the size, better off-road capabilities, and seeming indestructibility of Toyota pickups. After spending some months in South America I've especially grown fond of Land Cruisers as well.
When I get back to the states and start working again I think I'm finally going to make the switch. I've caught the disease. Originally I was thinking I would just sell my truck and buy a Tacoma, modify it a little, and it would be my only vehicle. Especially after seeing so many in South America, though, I really like the Land Cruiser 60's. Perfect size, I love the body style, and it wouldn't break the bank. It just seems like it would be a great project rig and I could have a lot of fun modifying it without spending too much. That said I don't think I would want one as my only vehicle, so if I go this route I'll probably get something else for a daily driver.
So my question for you guys is, what do you think of the 60 series as opposed to a newer Tacoma in terms of how much it would cost to get a good one and turn it into an expedition rig?
Another concern I have is engine options. The stock inline 6's that came in the FJ60's look a little weak to me. Would it be something I have to pour a lot of money into?

Any opinions or advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mtnbike28]

One thing to ask yourself. Do you like to tinker? Or are you a gas and go guy (I know I am) and when going, do you want to jump in the left lane at 80 MPH or happy to be in right lane at 60ish... A sorted out 2F motor are not weak, but do like tinkering.

 

[MarcFJ60]

I think you have the right perspective in that you realize if you have a 60/62 it wouldn't be a primary vehicle. I'm sure a lot of people will chime in that they daily drive their 60s. It isn't that it can't be done, but it is a very crude vehicle by today's standard. Great vehicle and can be very reliable, but crude compared to a newer vehicle. I really liked my 60 when I had it, but couldn't fathom that being my only vehicle. Between the 4 speed, manual locks and windows (which stinks if you have kids), and the lack of EFI, I would probably get a FJ62 if I go that route again. Remember too, these vehicles are all over 25 years old, prone to rust, have a leaf spring suspension, and 37.8 miles of old rubber vacuum lines.

But you can also find a decent one for a fraction of the cost of a newer vehicle and it will get more compliments than a newer vehicle. I'm a big proponent of "garage therapy" as well and like having a project to tinker with. But not when it means relying on it to get to work or take the family several hundred miles on vacation. Can't tell you which one you'd like more, but seeing as I have gone from a 60 to an 80 to a GX470, I'm clearly getting soft and like a quiet ride.

 

[1911]

40 and 60-series Land Cruisers are really fun to drive and fantastic off road, BUT you have to really want to drive one. They are heavy, slow (by modern standards), get horrible gas mileage, ride rough (leaf springs; especially when lifted), have funky 1940-technology steering, rear drum brakes, and have primitive air conditioning (if they have any at all).

But having said all that, few other trucks are as rewarding to build and drive off-road in my opinion. Done right, you will have a nearly bulletproof truck that will take you anywhere, reliably and in style to boot. I drive mine all over the western U.S. for weeks at a time; they have never left me stranded. I would jump in one or the other tomorrow morning and take off for anywhere without a second thought or any unusual preparation.

The keys to having an old Cruiser like this are: 1) buy the best-maintained, lowest-rust truck with the best documented maintenance history that you can find, 2) do all your own mechanical work on it, or at least as much as possible, and 3) keep it maintained. There are all kinds of maintenance these old trucks need that modern trucks do not: re-packing the wheel bearings, re-building the Birfields, greasing a ton of zerks on the steering, frame, and etc. If these things are (or have been) neglected, you will have a problem truck. If all of the maintenance items are/have been religiously done, you will be rewarded with a reliable and fun truck.

The main thing is, you have to be able to appreciate them for what they are, and also what they will never be (a modern truck with all comforts and safety features). Many (maybe even most?) people these days are not able to come to terms with that.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[dogsled]

Really you need one of each. I set up the wife with a 2005 Tacoma, and I've got the HJ60. Perfect harmony.


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[temple]

I don't even know why the complete opposites? Tacoma or 100 series would make more sense or an 80 series for the most off-road capability and more comfort than a 60 series.

 

[Quill]

Get what you like. Older vehicles are not bad if you don't have to commute far. I would definitely think about a second vehicle unless your wife is in love with driving older stuff.

 

[mhutchinson477]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I really appreciate it.

Sounds like the 60 Series route would probably be best if I have another daily driver and keep the 60 as a project rig. That's kinda what I figured would happen if I go that route. Ya, my two proposed options are very different but that's the debate for me right now. Basically one vehicle that does it all or a daily driver and a project.

I honed in on the 60 in particular because I do like old cars (used to work in a shop restoring cars in high school) and I love working on them as much as driving them. I think a 60 would make a better weekend adventure rig than a 40 for me mostly because it has more room for gear. I can tell right now that 75% of the trips I'd be using the rig for are for camping and fly fishing or long road trips so gear capacity is important. If I do go this route it would also have to be something cheap because I don't anticipate having much money in the near future (I'm just out of college, getting my first "big boy job" in the near future) so the 60 seemed like a good bet. Plus, having something old and durable that can handle a little abuse would be nice for my adventures. Something that can get a couple dings and scratches without being a big deal.

Looking on craigslist and other websites it seems like I could get a decent 60 series stock for under 10 grand. A lot that I've seen are in the 5-7k range and I imagine would need some work. How much do you think I would need to put into a 60 to make it expedition worthy?

A lot of the things I'd want to do to it like a lift, new bumpers, winch, etc. are things that I don't absolutely need and could acquire over time. But is there much I would need to do to a stock 60 to make it off-road worthy initially? Any modifications to the drivetrain that you would consider necessary? For reference, my current truck (07 Silverado) with good tires is definitely good enough for most of what I would want to do. Ya, I'd like to get into some more serious off-roading some day but that will have to wait until I have the time to outfit a vehicle well.

To put things in perspective given my choices, how would you stack a stock 60 series up against a new Tacoma? If it is behind (and I imagine it is) what would you have to do to a 60 to get it up to par with something like an 80 series or Tacoma?

 

[mhutchinson477]

Oh! And one last question. Thoughts on the diesel version? I know it'd be hard to find in the states but a pipe dream of mine would be to buy one in another country and bring it back to the US. It looks like Australia got its fair share of HJ60's and they can be had for a reasonable price (under 10k).

 

[Arktikos]

Stock 60 series in pretty decent shape should be available for 4-6K. They're very basic, straight forward to work on, so what you see is what you get. If it runs well, drives and stops straight then you're golden. Rust is a problem, of course, so look carefully for it. No mods necessary for these heavy duty beasts to take you just about anywhere. A diesel would help with the terrible gas mileage but would add a lot to upfront costs. Plus, parts would be more expensive and hard to come by. RHD isn't for everybody. Maybe try it out one someone else's rig before going for it.

 

[redthies]

Newer Tacomas for some reason don't seem to have the "real" Toyota feel or quality to them. I'm not sure where it all went wrong, but after 2004 things went downhill in my opinion. I've owned a couple of Tacomas and a couple of diesel 60s. If I had to choose between an '05 and newer Tacoma or a 60 series with another dd vehicle I'd go 60 and maybe a TDI VW for a dd. If you'd be happy with a 01-04 doublecab Tacoma, then the waters get a bit muddier.

Look in the classifieds on ih8mud for a 60/62 and maybe CL in western Canada for a potential score on a diesel 60 with LHD.

 

[cumminscruiser]

FJ60 vs Tacos

Ok there is the tech stuff but one thing no one is mentioning is that FJ40s and FJ60s are beautiful :drool:. Tacos are not .

 

[Quill]

I think some of the newer Toyota's might lack a bit of their old quality because of their push to out sell Ford in numbers. Just my hunch.

 

[mhutchinson477]

Ok there is the tech stuff but one thing no one is mentioning is that FJ40s and FJ60s are beautiful :drool:. Tacos are not .

That's part of what interests me in a 60 series. Though I do think the new Tacoma's are awesome looking rigs and it would probably do everything I need it to, there's just something about the old LC's that I really love. Maybe its aesthetics, I don't know. I do also enjoy driving a stick shift and just the feel of driving an older vehicle. Plus older vehicles seem to be a little more rugged on the outside. If I get a Tacoma it would be 50% daily driver and 50% expedition rig. If I go the 60 series route I'd be able to make it a dedicated adventure vehicle.

 

[toylandcruiser]

I think some of the newer Toyota's might lack a bit of their old quality because of their push to out sell Ford in numbers. Just my hunch.

I'm not sure if I agree that they are not well built anymore. They sure are built better than anything that comes from this country.


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788