FJ 60 as a daily driver?

A very good friend of mine is going through a financial reversal and eliminating debt across the board. She needs something uber dependable and she drives a fare bit on the highway. She has a dog, lives in the mountains and must have a 4x4. This will be a rig she'll have for a couple of years.

Do you folks think an FJ-60 would be a good recommendation? There is one really close to me - 1989, auto, dark gray, 225K, very little rust, no smoke and no leaks. It sits a lot and the owner said if I wanted, he would sell it for around $3k - a perfect fit for my friend. When she is done with it, maybe I'll buy it from her!!!

I appreciate your thoughts.

There lure of an FJ-60 is great, however as a daily driver, it's quite heavy on fuel in comparison to some others. This is especially the case if a lot of highway driving is involved.

Unless she is specifically looking for an SUV and wants an LC, I would recommend something else. A late 90's Pathfinder comes to mind or Jeep Cherokee.

Pete

whats her budget? 3k? or more?

Thanks guys -

Her budget is no more than $3K.

Having owned an older Jeep Cherokee, I could not make that recommendation. It's a little small for her needs anyway.

No car payment and low insurance will make up for the gas consumption. While she drives on the highway everyday, it's only about ten miles each direction with occasional trips (~3x a month) of about 200 miles round trip.

She wants an SUV.

This is not a forever thing for her. Just something she can depend on while she saves up some money and gets things back on track. Also, I think the fact that having a "cool" older rig will help her pride quite a bit during this tough time.

If the highway travel is only 10 miles, then fuel mileage isn't as big of an issue as I thought. I was thinking hundreds of miles per week...

What does she think of the FJ-60?

Pete

I had an FJ60 as a daily driver and offroad rig for a number of years. The ride is a bit choppy compared to more modern SUV's but I really found it to be quite comfortable despite the stark appointments, even for long hauls. The interior space is hard to beat. My biggest issue was the low gearing and the fact that 65mph was the sweet spot on the highway due to the gearing. The FJ62 (like the one you are descrbing) has the the 3FE and auto tranny used in the early 80's and it makes for a much better driving experience on the open road. I'd just watch out for neglected upkeep items that might nickel and dime her on a 200k+ mile rig. I think that the mileage isn't necesarily something to be concerned about depending on the upkeep.

mountainpete said:

If the highway travel is only 10 miles, then fuel mileage isn't as big of an issue as I thought. I was thinking hundreds of miles per week...

What does she think of the FJ-60?

Pete

Click to expand...

I am not sure - she does not know I am trying to "help" her, as it is...

She has commented on them in the past as "cool" and since I know her pretty well, think that a cool rig will in fact ease the pain of her losing a 2005 Exploder... err, I mean Explorer.

I also meant to say that she drives 20 miles round trip a day with occasional long trips. If she gets this, one of the first things she will do is drive to Georgia from Colorado for Thanksgiving. Yet another reason for a "cool" rig - family approval vs. pity...

The rig really does appear to be in top order - good body, nice interior, the fellow has an older jeep in great shape and does his own wrenching. If I suggest this to her, I'll take it to an independent Yota tech and have them go over it.

I just don't want to make a poor recommendation to a friend, hence the query.

You might look into some smaller toyotas that get better gas mileage and the 22r engine is about as reliable as they get. Not sure how much room she needs....

I would recommend an older Toyota 4runner 4x4 with the 4 cylinder. If it has to be auto trans, they are out there. You can find these for around $3000.

It will be slow, but they are just as dependable, cheaper to work on, and get much better gas mileage. She could probably expect to see upper teens to lower 20s in the 4runner, or very, very low teens or even less with the FJ60.

With oil near $100 and gas prices going nowhere but up, I wouldn't recommend a gas guzzler to anyone. Especially anyone on a budget. Otherwise, the FJ60 is an awesome rig, no doubt. I personally just think that gas prices are going to be an issue in the coming months and years.

My second choice would be an older Subaru AWD. They are just as reliable and last just as long as Toyotas. A little less room and less ground clearance, but better gas mileage.

This is all assuming the $3000 budget.

Thanks for the input fellas! I really do appreciate it. :jumping:

To keep this on the FJ62 track, here is some more data on the situation:

She has a 100# mutt that she wants to haul with her. She is an older dog and Nancy - the lady of whom I post, is already unhappy with the Exploder's size and floor plan.

She is currently paying around $600 a month in payments - not including insurance. That is a lot of money for her. The good thing is her income will be constant. So instead of paying that for a depreciating asset, she can squirrel it away.

She is looking at an older Range Rover, of which I have a lot of experience. Deep down, I want her to have the Yota only because of their legendary reliability and ability. She likes to go hiking and exploring on the weekends and snow thrills her to the point she WANTS to go drive around in it! I for one would worry about her less in a Toyota LC. Despite swallowing a big chunk, she still has her pride - hence the 'cool' or nostalgic feel is important. The LC embodies both with reliability and ruggedness in a not-everyday package. I think...

There are a ton of options for her to consider. Because I live so close to a nice FJ62 that is 'buyable,' I would like to keep this thread focused on those rigs.

Again, I really appreciate your input!
:chowtime:

Wile I am a Land Cruiser nut, especially the 60 series (or 62 in this case) I very rarely recommend them to prospective buyers.
A 60s wagon is something that almost has to find you, and you have to be ready for it.
There is a chance that this 62 has been very well maintained, but typically they are far from it. The fact that you said this gentleman did all his own wrenching is actually a good thing. In my experience, unless the mechanic is a Land Cruiser specific one, they rarely maintain even the basic components as Toyota intended.
I would suggest you take look at it for her with someone who really knows these rigs, not necessarily even a "mechanic" and ask some pointed questions about the rig: specifically, "Do the FSMs come with the truck?" If the answer is yes, and you check to make sure they are actually the Toyota manuals, not a Chilton book, you are on the right track.
They can be great daily drivers, not much on power, but they never quit, drive very smooth, fun to cruise around in and in general put a smile on your face, but you have to be ready for the maintenance investment to bring an old rig up to snuff.
I have driven more old neglected Tacomas and 4Runners that still run like a champ, than I have Land Cruisers.
They are tractors, not cars. :smiley_drive:

Boy, I guess the Cruiserhead in me is going to come through. I would definitely recommend a 60 or 62 somebody in the situation you describe. The 3FE was the pinnacle of reliability of Toyota's big straight 6 motors. No headgasket issues. An EFI system that was quite reliable. The auto tranny can't be beat for reliability. The thing I would worry about on a 62 is whether or not the vacuum shifter worked for engaging the 4wd. And then look at other electrical things, power mirrors, windows, etc... I had a 91 80 series with the same 3FE that I beat the snot out of and it just kept ticking. Pulling a trailer, 35" tires, and mountain roads at redline. It never went fast but I never worried about getting there and back. I bet it has over 300k on it now and the motor hasn't ever been opened up for anything other than a valve check. A properly tuned stockish 62 should be able to get 12-15 mpg. I had an EFI Toyota 5 speed 4wd pickup that would only get 16 and one time it got 18 so going to a 4 cylinder 4 Runner wouldn't probably net that much savings in fuel. And if it was an auto 4 cylinder the mileage might be the same and the power would be less. I've moved on from the 60/62s to 80 series and now I'm driving a pretty plush 100 series. But there is something about the boxy old wagons that I'm drawn too. Now, if she were going to build this for expedition rig I would give it a two thumbs down. The leaf spring suspension is very expensive to lift and in my opinion will never ride as nice as a Cruiser with coils, the lack of lockers from the factory in the US, etc... makes it a poor value when compared to an 80 series. Another advantage to the early Toyota EFIs when comparing to other makes is the simplicity and reliability of the fuel system. Rarely do you hear about people replacing fuel pumps in these early Toyotas, and when they do it is after a 1/4 million miles.

Pic's of the LC in question!

Here are some photos - every square inch looks nice for the age. Perhaps I can drive it this week.

Heck, if Nancy doesn't get it, maybe I will...

Hey, I didn't realize the FJ60s were C-channel frame?:Wow1:

Is it just that way the entire frame or only the back half?

Just the very back bit, very prone to rust right there.
I would have to say that looks like a very nice truck.