Topic: fj60 or fj80??

[81yotalove]

so my dad is looking into getting a rig of his own and he likes the cruisers. which one fj60 or fj80? whats some pro's and con's that you guys have ran into with both? thanks appreciate any info.

[the dude]

go 80.  Every 60 wants to grow to be an 80 anyways.  Smother ride, better suspension, everything newer.

unless he needs more room in the back.  80 all the way.

[Cheesemaker]

I like the looks of the 60 better.  And the 80's are frickin heavy! 

[baxter650]

Rust in the 60 series frames and bodies so look it over carefully. The 80 is heavy but is built tough, rides smooth, gas mileage.. well.. not good.
Part time kit makes the 80 drive better but don't look for any real improvement in the mileage plus you loose the antilock brakes. Because of mileage they can be had at a good price. Head gaskets on the FZJ80 93-97 are an issue but have more power than the earlier fj80, they also have better brakes and a full float rear diff.  You can expect to pay a fair chunk for a 60 in the same condition as most 80s.
I have both and i love the looks of both.
It really comes down to YOUR taste and the deal you can find.

[wanabecruisen]

Find a 93-97 FJ80 with factory lockers and don't look back. FJ60's are great for what they are but carbed and no factory lockers(in the US) and they just are not as "nice" if comfort is a factor. Fuel economy is poor on both.

[81yotalove [OP]]

well we have been trying to find a deal for a 93-97 with the factory e lockers for months now, but nothing to good has come up. we are in phx and now have been looking in cali for them too. but we like both body styles. and arent 1988-1990 fj60's fuel injected? cause ive seen them but most of those are asking the same amount as the newer fj 80's.

[Cheesemaker]

The 81-87 FJ-60 had a carb, manual tranny, and a 4.2 liter OHV inline 6 cyl.  Round headlights.
The 88-90 FJ-62 had EFI, automatic tranny, and a 4.0 liter OHV Inline 6 cyl.  Square headlights. 

Thats pretty much the difference between the two. 

I love the body lines of the FJ-60/2 versus the FJ-80/FZJ-80.  But the 80's had the e-locker.  But they were big and heavy, vs the 60 series were big but lighter. 

[themainjam]

the 80 is definately nicer ride but it is heavy. i love the ac in my 80 though... turn dial lockers are also sooooo nice... just need more money for metal.... i want to build some bumpers..

[Aussie_Redneck]

I am in Oklahoma and I have found several. Also, there are many of both in Colorado Springs. I just bought a 95 with the factory e-lockers and 180k for 3600. It had a salvage title but no frame damage. State says it is worth $6150 and taxed me for that. My point is that they are out there. When I was looking there was a FJ62 that could have been had for $2500. It was in very good shape and all of the history was known. I would have considered it but I have 4 kids and need the space of the 80. Both are out there, and as there aren't as many offroaders in this part of the world, you might look this way.
AR

[81yotalove [OP]]

so last month we found a few in socal drove from phx and found a nice fj60. started when we poored fuel down the carb and has no rust so we loaded it up got a hell of a deal too. cleaned the carb up put new fuel in the tank and it runs. my dad is pretty excited about it. plans are spring over, 35's. the rest is up in the air. but in a few years probably a small v8 or a diesel so not sure on the engine trans and t case combo yet. but we have plenty of time to figure it out  we are moving so it wont be touched for a few months.

thanks for the info guys.

[Dooner]

Sounds like a cool project, post up a few pics in the Registry when you get a chance!

[Burl]

Check for factory recalls on that 60.  I just got a new tank for my 84 60 two weeks ago for free!

[Wiscolandcruiser]

Go with a 95-97 fzj80 dont let high a mileage scare you away I traded my 01 rover disco2 with 90k on it for my cruiser that at the time had 225k, she has 260k on all original motor

[sempertoy]

I would also vote 80. I started my search for a 60 but bought an 80 after lots of research. Better power and a very comfortable suspension

[sempertoy]

any luck finding a rig?

[ucdzombie]

I'm a off-road newbie but I would vote for FJ80, although I love the FJ60, because of its look. FJ60 has an awkward departure angle (long rear overhang). And the leaf springs system has limited suspension travel compared to coil spring. Its carburetor makes it difficult to pass emission test in California. And its body is more vulnerable to rust. The 80 is reliable, rug, comfortable, and well balanced. With its OEM diff locks it's almost unstoppable. Remember only few civilian vehicles offer manual front-mid-rear diff locks option: FZJ80, Mercedes G wagon, Audi Quattro, etc (help me add more to this list if I miss any).

[mtb fam]

we sold are 05  tacoma to buy a fj60. so as for what the fj80 comes with its kinda like the tacoma more stuff to let you down. the fj60s are great real strong and sturdy  we have been real happy with are fj60. there are a lot of them out there with lots of rust but if you look around  you can find a good rust free one we paid 2,000 for are 60 and its rust free.