range rover classic vs. fj62

[jgallo1]

Hello,
I am looking at 2 different trucks, and always appreciate all the advice from the expo board. before I dive in.
I have done some research and it seems most prefer the the the toyota's. With that being said I do have a friend who has a 1991 range with 160+ miles on it and loves it, uses it as a daily driver 30+ miles a day.
hardly has issues.
I just want to here some opinions from anyone who has any experience with these trucks.
I owned a fj60 a while back, and it always ran, but never ran well, ( mostly on me, b/c i bought it cheap). I was running out of money trying to do minor repairs all the time. Like I said, had I spent more on the front end, I would not have been in that situation.
Thanks as always,

 

[zelatore]

Since you're on the Toyota part of the forum I'm guessing you may have already made up your mind. And it should be about 13 seconds before the first Rover bashing starts.

I won't address the Yota - I don't know much at all about the fj62 so I'll leave it to others to heap praise upon it.

The RRC though is a genuine classic. Prices are on the upswing for nice stock trucks. Even beaters and trail rigs are going through the roof these days. I don't know which year your looking at or the details of it, but a LWB RRC is a keeper. Lots of room, decent performance on the road (OK, pretty underpowered with the 3.5 compared to anything new but that's typical of the era for any 4wd), good off-road performance, lots of aftermarket support, a massive and loyal owner's following to support it, and classic good looks.

I won't kid you that it will be a totally trouble free 'put gas in and drive' sort of vehicle but the faults are well known and readily overcome.

In short, you won't go far wrong with an RRC.


toyota guys- note I'm not bashing the fj, I'm just pointing out some pros of the RRC since I doubt many here will do so.

 

[Arktikos]

The two best looking SUVs ever made, in my opinion. You will need to provide more info on each one, including price, to get some informed feedback. I would guess that the Range Rover can be had for a lot less than the FJ62, which is a major factor in my book. All else being more or less equal, the Toyota would be a much more dependable vehicle. For a so called expedition vehicle, turn the key and go, the Toyota in pretty much stock condition would be my choice. If you're in for a Mr. fix it experience and it's the right price, get the Rover.

 

[AndrewP]

Having driven an FJ62 almost daily for 8 years, it would get my vote. It's a well built, solid, dependable truck. It and the FJ60 are about the best looking most iconic wagons of all time. Parts and aftermarket availability is still good. Power is only fair from the I-6 but miles better than an FJ60. (It's only 20 more HP, but it's a critical 20HP). I probably spent $1500 base-lining the truck when I got it and have spent almost nothing since. It gets the best gas mileage of all my Land Cruisers (with the 5 speed transmission I swapped in). Basically it's been a problem free truck for 50K miles-it's nearing 150K now.

The weak spots:
The automatic transmission, while robust, and lasts 300K miles with normal care, is expensive to rebuild
The Transmission output shaft can wear quickly and cause a "thunk" in the driveline after 150K or so-there is a fix for this available
They are rust prone if there is road salt used in your area
Slow uphill, adequate on the flats
Prone to oil leaks at the pan gasket and side cover gasket -easy fix, but still
Gas mileage is poor in town-at times very poor 10-12mpg. Fuel economy is OK on the freeway, and also improved with a 5 speed transmission swap
Paint is prone to oxidation-typical of all Toyotas of this era
Forget about towing


The strong spots:
Very durable and long lasting drive train
Very robust fuel injection-mine is all original including the fuel pump, regulator and injectors.
Typical well built Toyota front end that is simple to service
Good auto electrical-Logical, well protected, problem free in my experience
Excellent visibility/lots of glass
Good A/C (able to cool the green house even on a hot day)


By reputation a Range Rover Classic will not be as "bullet proof" as your average Toyota, but if you get the right one, maybe it will be OK.

 

[redthies]

This is the most civil I've ever seen a thread be on a LC vs Rover or Jeep question. I best not add my sarcasm... I'm a Toyota guy. That's all I'm going to say. Well, that and 60>62 in my opinion.

 

[Josie'slandcruiser]

Hi all,

The FJ62 is very durable, and parts can be sourced in many areas. Rust can be an issue, as well as a saggy suspension after 25+ years.

The early Range Rover has excellent trail performance (read: flexy suspension) out of the box. The 3.9L V-8 offers decent power. The axles are weak though (10 spline vs. 30 in the TLC), parts are expensive, and reliability is a poor second to the FJ62.

The important thing, whichever vehicle you purchase, is to allot $$ for basic maintenance and potential repairs, which both will likely need.

Good luck,

Alan

 

[zelatore]

l would be curious to know how pricing runs on the Cruiser. I've never looked at them and they seem to be fairly rare, though that may simply be that I don't pay attention to them.

On the RRC, I'd spitball it about like this:
<$5000, beater/trail rig
~$10,000, nice driver, maybe some light mods
~$15,000, very nice rig, likely stock, maybe some minor mods OR highly mod'ed to a high standard (you'd likely end up in this price range to build out a fully kitted rig from scratch)
>$20,000, museum piece, totally stock and like new

That's pretty broad and generic of course, but I'm shocked how many I've seen with asking prices in the $15K+ range. It seems like over the last 2 years prices have really started to climb on these trucks. As you might expect from a collectible, the highest prices seem to go to the totally original examples.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I love the Range Rover and I have always tried to find room in my stable for one, but all the ones I have ever looked at (for sale) have interiors that are falling apart. I can't imagine it would be cheap to restore a RR interior. Iff I could find a nice two door Range Rover from the early 70's, I'd be all over it.

FJ60/62's are great too, but I can't get past the motor. All that 6 cylinder for not much HP.

If I bought either one, I would go into it knowing I would do an LS swap, but that's just me. Tough choice.

 

[zelatore]

Good luck with that - a 2-door RRC is a bit of a unicorn. Tough to come by.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

There was one for sale on the east coast about 6 months ago. It was clean, but needed a lot of TLC. They are out there, but not really for sale...

 

[zelatore]

One of the guys in our club sold his 2-door to a guy on the east coast earlier this year ... go figure! It was supper clean though, not exactly a trail rig.

 

[Mountainhound]

http://cruiserparts.net/parts/fj60.html

l would be curious to know how pricing runs on the Cruiser. I've never looked at them and they seem to be fairly rare, though that may simply be that I don't pay attention to them.

On the RRC, I'd spitball it about like this:
<$5000, beater/trail rig
~$10,000, nice driver, maybe some light mods
~$15,000, very nice rig, likely stock, maybe some minor mods OR highly mod'ed to a high standard (you'd likely end up in this price range to build out a fully kitted rig from scratch)
>$20,000, museum piece, totally stock and like new

That's pretty broad and generic of course, but I'm shocked how many I've seen with asking prices in the $15K+ range. It seems like over the last 2 years prices have really started to climb on these trucks. As you might expect from a collectible, the highest prices seem to go to the totally original examples.

 

[MarcFJ60]

I owned an FJ60. But if I ever get another older SUV as a camping truck, it will either be a LWB RRC or an FJ62. While I agree the Toyota may be the more reliable of the two, they are getting to the point where I think it matters less and it will come down to the specific vehicles. In other words, if you find a nice example of either at the right price, I would go for it. Both have weaknesses and I don't think either will be one that you can just change the oil and go.

Both have rust issues (which is odd with all the Aluminum in the RRC), but the FJ62 is probably worse.
RRC has coils whereas the FJ62 has leafs (although the RRC will need to have the air suspension removed, if not done already)
FJ62 will probably be more expensive in the same condition.
The FJ62 has legendary Toyota reliability and the RRC has, well, nevermind . . .

I would be proud to own either and love them both. I would expect to work on both regularly.

 

[jgallo1]

Thanks for the input as always.
I have not exactly found the ONE yet, just feeling them out. I loved the fj60 I had. I am leaning towards the fj62 b/c of the added power. If I find a good RRC, I would jump all over it.
I will the keep the board posted, when I find something

thanks

 

[jgallo1]

Hello,
I found a good one, any recs. on car shipping company
thanks