4x4 Pickup vs. FJ60

[wampum]

I am contemplating selling my truck, and I've taken a little interest into the Land Cruiser world again. Anyone have some persuasive opinions on why or why not I should consider an FJ60. I really like the people room, but I am losing out on potential fuel injection and gas mileage. What are my options as far as building an FJ60.
Calling out the Cruiserheads.

[freds40]

FJ62. Injected and the same body as the 60 (with minor changes). You're definately not going to get huge MPGs out of it though.

[bigarms23]

my brother has a 82fj60 it has enough room to fit 5 people hes done a soa and for fuel economy he is dumping the 2f and putting in a 5.3 vortech v8. It is a heavy vehicle.

[wampum]

Yeah, I'd definitely like to do a SOA and a v8 motor swap.
I'm hittin' up the ih8mud.com forums they definitely have the info on land cruisers.
This is a tough potential decision.

[THK Matt]

FJZ80?

[94MtnYote]

 my brother had an FJ80 the thing got horrible mileage. it did have three rows of seats and alot of luxury options though.
If you could get one with the factory electric lockers it would be a whole different ball game.

[THK Matt]

FJZ80's have elockers.

my buddy had one and stuffed 35s on it stock.

[germ]

I think it depends on what your priorities are. If haulin people into the back country is what your after, then it's a no brainer. The FJ's are well respected for their strength and durability, but parts suppliers are also pretty proud of their stuff, and charge a pretty penny. IMHO that hasn't hit the small truck/4runner market quite as hard yet. I've had a FJ40, and couldn't kill the thing even though I tried (rolled it). The gas mileage issue is certainly a consideration if it will be a DD. I've seen some pretty wicked builds of both, so I think it comes down to personal preference. There is also the whole 4Runner world to consider, as well as the Tacoma (kinda the best of both worlds thing). You could also buy one of each, then figure it out. I've got (1) '05 Tacoma, (1) '99 Landcruiser and (2) 4Runners ('85 & '96). (hmmmm think I like Toyota's??? )

Erik

[wampum]

an FZJ80 would be awesome, but I am still a student =\. I don't have that kind of money. So I mean I don't think the FJ60 would be too expensive to build. SOA offers good lift for an affordable price (if I did most of it myself). I think FJ60's look cooler than the 80's. the 80s look more like a luxury SUV. which is cool, but I like the lines on the 60.
I don't think I can afford a Tacoma really either.
I am torn between worlds.

[Hilux92]

I had a FJ62, exspensive to get it to perform like a pickup offroad. Crawler gears are expensive and the ratios are not vast. Sold it and built another Hilux.

[germ]

Not to beat a dead horse, but consider the 4runner, it's not as expensive as the 60, parts are easy to get, and they do very well off road as well as on road (dd). I totally get the lines thing though. I think they look sweet.

[wampum]

Yeah after a couple nights of thinking...I've decided to stick to the pickups/4runners. They are cheap enough to maintain and build. Maybe down the road I'll consider a land cruiser. Plus I drove my truck around last night after it had been sitting for a while. Felt good.
Thanks for the input though.

[46&2]

I have always wanted an FJ60, I thought long and hard about building one over a 4runner, but in the end being a college student as well the 4runner was much more up my alley. Like it has been stated, a lot cheaper to build a pick up or 4runner VS a Cruiser. Don't get me wrong I love FJ60s but the initial cost VS the build up cost of the FJ was much much higher than that of a pick up or 4runner on both counts so I went with the 4runner for extra interior space and passenger room. Someday I would like to build an FJ60 though, I love those things.

[bigarms23]

if it helps t put costs into view we spent 10k on my brothers fj60 motor was 5k itself and gears with lockers was around 2400 and tires were 1300 tranny fix was 200 and so on

[tryn2Crawl]

FJZ80's have elockers.

my buddy had one and stuffed 35s on it stock.

Not all fj80's !!!!!!!!! Thats an optional feature!!!!!