Been on this board for quite a while, but over at the 4runner section. I may be looking for an older landcruiser, most likely the FJ60 model. Needs to be a solid daily driver/family bus, while keeping my offroading habit satisfied. What is the best years to look for and years to look out for. I would like a 5 speed. And I am looking to do some lifting to fit 33'x12.5x15 Dirt Grips, and hopefully lock it up.

I am looking at a very limited buget of $5400. Is it possible? Thanks for your opinions. A search didn't give me OPINIONS :flipoff2: So save those comments.

thanks

That's low for a decent truck on the East Coast, especially the more desirable 1985-1987. I'm hoping that's your budget for initial purchase, or did that take the lift into account?

5-speed is a pipe dream unless it's been retrofitted, FJ60's in the US only came with 4-speed manuals. If someone added an H55F, expect to pay a premium for it.

Good luck!

go look at www.jtoutfitters.com then look under vehicles for sale you may find what your looking for but its about 2K more but....:D

Originally posted by 60seriesguy
That's low for a decent truck on the East Coast, especially the more desirable 1985-1987. I'm hoping that's your budget for initial purchase, or did that take the lift into account?

5-speed is a pipe dream unless it's been retrofitted, FJ60's in the US only came with 4-speed manuals. If someone added an H55F, expect to pay a premium for it.

Good luck!

You know....I knew they only came in a 4-speed and pulled a brain fart. Thanks. Are the 4 speeds decent for highway speeds of 70-75? I imagine the RPM's to be through the roof.

Are you saying the 85-87 FJ60's are the most favorable? Why is that? And what is the price I should expect for, because yes, $5400 was my total budget. And to sound like an idiot, I don't even know of any lifts yet (other than custom springs) because I am only about 8 hours into my research. 6 of which I have been sleeping.

thanks

It is doable, but you have a hard time finding one with low miles. There are lifts available, and they are somewhat reasonable being a leaf sprung truck, and there is always the springover option- which most people will tell you is the way to go if you are wheeling it hard. For a family rig, a mild lift (4" or so I think) should clear the 33's without too much hassle.
Please direct all 60 questions to 60seriesguy.
:D :D His is bad-ass.

Originally posted by viking
go look at www.jtoutfitters.com then look under vehicles for sale you may find what your looking for but its about 2K more but....:D

Yeh, I see the prices. WOW. I really like the one that is about 3/4 the way down the page:

1985 BJ70, H55f 5 Speed, 3B Deisel, New 33x9.50 Tires, 2.5" Ironman Lift, Black, 12 volt, clear title, suspension seats, knuckles rebuild, two new Interstate batteries, affordable. $7500

Looks very nice. Looks perfect for a crawler/family truck.

Originally posted by MudShack


You know....I knew they only came in a 4-speed and pulled a brain fart. Thanks. Are the 4 speeds decent for highway speeds of 70-75? I imagine the RPM's to be through the roof.

Are you saying the 85-87 FJ60's are the most favorable? Why is that? And what is the price I should expect for, because yes, $5400 was my total budget. And to sound like an idiot, I don't even know of any lifts yet (other than custom springs) because I am only about 8 hours into my research. 6 of which I have been sleeping.

thanks

You should be able to fit 31's (I ran the 31" x 10.5" BFG AT's on the stock rims with flat springs for years) and I think you will do OK in the 70is range, but when you get up to75+ you will start to get high in the RPM dept.

I think the 85-87 are just more desirable because they are newer (which usually translates into lower mileage and better overall condition)?? Or maybe because the H55 is a bolt in swap with no driveshaft mods??

There are a variety of lifts available (Old Man Emu, Dobson, Ironman, Man-A-Fre, Specter, Alcan, etc...)--don't think you'll have a problem there.

Beware though, a FJ60 will likely not provide good gas mileage, and depending on the maintenance history and age you may find that there are some costly things to fix once you get it. I've seen before where people on other lists had a tight budget and bought a FJ60 only to get pissed/dissappointed because there were initial maintenance issues that needed to be taken care of.

you can run 32x11.50 in BFG on stock wheels without any lift or mods. Highway speeds in the 75 mph range at about 3k RPM getting 12-14 MPG (on a good day).

Items that usually need maintenance after purchase.

1. Rear main seal
2. Exaust (leaks at manifold)
3. Cooling System (flush block and radiator)

I found mine locally for around $8k and spent about another $1,000 initially for valve adjustment,gaskets, oil sending unit, belts,hoses and a general tune up.

There are several brands of lift available in 2-1/2" and 4" the 2-1/2" will allow 33x12.50's but anything larger than a 32" tires really needs re-gearing from the stock 3.71 gears ;) AND THERE GOES THE BUDGET:D

Best of luck on your search.

Great info guys. Keep it coming.

The reason for the need to fit 33's is because I spent about $1000 on a set of Parnelli Jones Dirt Grips and have only put on 4000 miles. I want to move them from my Tacoma (which I hope to sell this week) and put them on my next rig, whether it is an 85 4runner or an FJ.

I have heard that the repair bills on FJ's are crazy. But I plan on doing a gear swap on either vehicle (4runner or FJ).

I think the main problem with repair cost is associated with people that don't know cruisers and jack up the price for the learning curve OR they screw you on the price because they think RICH people drive cruisers:rolleyes:

I have had some horrible experiences at my local dealership, even Toyota certified guys don't necessarily know cruisers and their inexperience has cost me time, money, and parts. After getting burned more than once I realized that MY knowledge of cruisers had to increase and my need for these types of mechanics had to decrease.

I still won't attempt alot of repairs myself due to time constraints or just plain fear, but my knowledge increases daily and there are so many dedicated cruiserheads out there with information and advice that costs nothing but a little reading.

OH, I AGREE!!

I learned so much about my Tacoma from Tacoma Territory Off-road Association that the dealers hate to seem me come in. I told them once that the clutch throw over bushing was gone (little plastic piece between the clutch pedal and spring), had to take it back 3 times until they replaced it.

I have learned a TON on POR about early 4runners, and am probably going to buy an 85, but I want to look at the FJ's also.

hey mudshack, looking at 60's now eh.

the 60 is really big for wheeling so depending on the types of trails you want to run you might be doing some rocker/rear quarter damage. (i sure did at paragon in the fall).

rust is the biggest problem with the 60 where we are at. even if it doesn't seem to bad look underneath. the frames are the same as the trucks and have problems right around the spring hanger mounts in the rear. also i had the brake lines(hard)fail due to rust right at the fitting( this also happened while on the trail at paragon).

i think you can get alot more bang for the buck with a minitruck, also the mpg in the 60 isn't very good, around 11-14 depending on how it's maintained and what has been done to it. they sure do fit alot of stuff though. remember that low gears for the t/c and doublers aren't as cheap as for the trucks, in fact nothing for the landcruisers is. i know where a set of 4:11 diff's are if you do end up getting one.

my buddy just bought a 84 in virginia beach with 175k on it for 2400. needs the rear crossbrace on the frame replaced but other then that it's in pretty good shape so there are some deals out there.

dave

Yeh man. (can't believe you are still a "newbie")

Just looking at the 60's because the wife likes the look, and the added room for the family. But it is looking more and more like a much bigger investment.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MudShack
[B]Yeh man. (can't believe you are still a "newbie")

yea, i do more reading then talking on here. i actually like the search feature.

dave

(hey, another post for me):beer:

Mudshack,
I have an 84 fj60 that I'm going to be putting up for sale soon. It has about 13K on a rebuilt 2f motor w/ a big cam & higher commpression. It also has 2.5" OME suspension. no 5-speed though. Right now its running 31's but 33's will look better & give you a better highway drive. it's real quick (for an fj60) & has ZERO rust as it was a Nevada truck from the beggining. a couple small dings & the passenger fender is crunched buit other than that its real clean. I'm thinking of asking about $5k but I'm open to offers. I'm still not finished swapping it back to SUA but I hopefully will be in the next few weeks. Let me know if your interested.

Thanks

Sixty:
Send me pics and specs to my hotmail account (jessetrd@hotmail.com)

I would be interested. Alothough the distance between the two of us may be an obstacle, I am willing to look.