I've got the Tacoma for sale now and I've been thinking that I want to replace it witha awagon. I really like the idea of a FZJ80 but just don't like the idea of $10k to $15k for a truck. All the early 80's I've been seeing are from $6500 to $9000 and the 60's are ranging $4000 and up depending on mods. What I need is help weighing the options. FZJ80 vs FJ80? FJ80 vs FJ60?

I'm basically planning on a decent light duty family wheeler. 3" and 33's maybe a rack, a secondary tank, a winch, sliders and bumpers. I'd be haulin my 416 trailer (similar to Henry's) behind it for camping. And maybe flat tow th 40 to some trails. I would driving it 40+ miles daily, so fuel is a slight concern, the Tacoma's gettin about 18mpg so if I could stay close to that I'd be good.

Now here's the kicker my buddy has an '83 60 with 143k on it. Needs a complete interior... headliner is completely gone, seats need recovered, dash is toast and the carpet is shot. The exterior is pretty much perfect except for a small rubdown the passenger side which is barely noticeable. Suspension and drivetrain are totally stock and seem to be unaltered. No rust anywhere and the truck has spent it's whole life in Phoenix. He's asking $3500 but would give me a break on the price.

What do you guys think?

Well if you decide on an FZJ80 I have 2 of them for sale in western Co, which is 8 hours from Phoenix, both with factory diff locks both in the 9,000 dollar range. Might be interested in working out a trade? Dont know just thought I would tell ya.

Justin

Here is the link from the FS section. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=2479334#post2479334

that's a little steep for a beater 60.

no offense to your friend.

my buddy just bought an '86 with 50k miles for 3500. needed tires, that's it.

but, either wagon will get 12-14 mpg in real world driving.

my 60, with stock high gears, and skinny tires (33x10.5) get's about 15.5 (at 75 MPH), but it needs the non-US 4 speed or 5 speed to compensate for the tall tires (burning clutch a bit too much from a sop).

if you really want good mileage... get a 60 cheap, and swap a Cummins 6A in. Motor cost $1200, and you will spend another 1000 on exhaust, motor mounts, adapter, etc... but it will net you about 22 MPG.

I've had both. Your family will be more comfortable in the 80. With diff locks right out of the box it will do all the light wheeling you'll ever need and then some. Don't get me wrong I regret selling my 60 and they are great but the 80 is better. Sounds like USFSIHC has a couple of nice ones and the price is right.

The deal is that I'm tryin to do this on the cheap. 6k or so total if I can. I can get the 60 for $2700 pluss 500 tops for headliner and some seat covers. Haven't priced out a lift and tires yet but I'll figeure a grand there. Then material and my labor for the bumpers sliders and rack 600, a winch 600 plus some extra for the misc shit and I'm 6k into a decent rig. I'd have to drop 6k just for a stock 80 with the same miles then start the mods. Or 9k for a zj80 then mods. If I dump the Taco for just under book I'll make about $2500 and kill my $350 payment at the same time. Those mods would come quick on the 60 then. Don't know...still pondering.

I had a 80 toy 4x4 pickup, 92 2x4 toy pickup, 94 4x4 toy pickup, 96 ext cab taco 4x4, 98 4runner, 86 fj60, and 94 fzj80. Just to give you an idea of the rigs I've had. My DD is 50 miles round trip similar to yours. The 60 did fine in this duty, won't be as comfortable as your taco or an 80 but it's good enough. Neither will meet your mileage requirement. They'll both get around 12-14 with the 80 probably slightly better. For towing the 80 is better. I think flat towing a 40 would be pushing it for the 60. I think Adam Tolman (sp?) had some problems with flat towing his 40 behind his 80. For longer trips there's no comparison. You'll be much more comfortable in the 80. Especially with lift springs on a 60. With lockers the 80 is significantly more capable than the 60 right from the start. To put selectable (ARB) lockers on the 60 is $1400 just for parts. Just sounds like from your description of your needs that an 80 is a better fit. Well, except for the $$. But you might want to get a 60. When we had a 60 my wife preferred to drive our 95 honda accord it was just more comfortable and easier to drive. Now that we have an 80 she refuses drive anything else, unless it's her 82 fj40.