FJ60 or 62 & which year is best?
 

I am looking to buy an FJ60 or 62 very soon and would like to get the opinions of those who are in the know about which series is better (I am tending to the FJ60), which year is considered the best and anything in particular to look for if the rig is reaching 200k miles?

It all depends on what you need. If you need a rig that you can drive a lot on the street get a later model 62, because they have fuel injection, overdrive automatic, and power stuff in the interior. However if you only want to ofroad with it get which ever you can score at a good deal to save money for the build up. I'm partial to the 62 cuz I've had two of them. They are very reliable and tough but not very fuel conscience. Both are easy to lift and modify. However if you do get a 62 plan on keeping the engine becasue only Marks adapters in Australia has aadapters for the tranny (mega $$$$$). Hope this helps.

Andrew

The FJ60 have 3.9 gears, fj62 has 4.10. If you are going to offroad the 60, plan on gears (might not be a bad idea anyway, on the 62 either))

True about the gears, but in the 62 you have an automatic that makes things much easier to drive offroad with (no slipping on the clutch). But both need it to help push big tires.

Andrew

You can also eventually swap out the 4spd for a 5spd for the FJ60. Which, from what I understand gives you a good (low) first gear.

There also is a Landcruiser only forum over at
www.ih8mud.com

those guys could give you a lot more info about differences etc.

Also
www.off-road.com
has a landcruiser section that lists specs on each series



good luck and have fun

I've heard(too late) that the '85 FJ60 is the best(easiest?) for the 5 speed swap....

No crossmember or driveshaft mods?

I haven't done a LOT of off-roading yet but so far I still like the clutch and manual gear selector:dunno:

Ummm I dont know about swapping a 5 speed in a 62. This is because all 62s use automatics as far as I know. My father and I swapped a 5 speed into a 40 and it worked well. Nice first gear and overdrive. It was a lot of money to bring it in from Australia. Just stay with the auto they live for about 300000 miles and have a great gear spread.

Andrew

Yes...the FJ62 came with automatics only

the FJ60 as I mentioned came only with a 4spd which makes hwy driving, especially on the highways (racetracks) in So. Cal. The 5spd is as good of a direct bolt-in replacement for the transmission as you can get. From my understanding some of the Toyota dealers have the part number on file and could possibly order it. Or...companies like Man-a-Fre in Simi Valley sell 5spd trannys. Both rebuilt and new for right around $2000. Which is pricey, but I am sure is well worth it.

Whatever you decid the FJ60 is a good solid truck.

The FJ-62 has power door locks, windows, mirrors, push button 4H. The FJ-60 doesn;t. The FJ-60 is the 4.2L carburated motor. The FJ-62 is 4.0L tuned port EFI. The FJ-60 has 3.70 diff ratio, and the FJ-62 has 4.11. This doesn;t matter unless you change the trannies because the ratios in the trannies are different. But if you take an FJ-60 and put larger tires on, then you could take the R & P out of a FJ-62 and be closer to stock gearing. The early FJ-60 has the H41 4 speed manual tranny, the late 85' and newer FJ-60 has the H42 4-speed manual tranny, the FJ-62 has the A440F 4-speed auto w/overdrive. They have very similar axles and steering components. The 87' 86' and late 85' FJ-60s can change to the Toyota LC 5-speed (H55F) without any adaptation. the FJ-60s need driveshaft and mounting mods. I am planning on the H55F swap in my FJ-62 because my A440F (4-speed auto) has 300K on it and it is expensive to replace. It is not as easy as the later FJ-60 5-speed swap, but that is half the fun for me. The 5-speed can easily be purchased at you local Toyota dealer, the one around here sells it for $1600 with TLC discount, $2100 without. Do not get the tranny from Man-A-Fudge or SOR unless they can beat that price, and it is new. Part number for the 5-speed is: H55F #33030-60450. If you go the 5-speed route do not buy used. I have heard too many horror stories. Both FJ-60/62 should last a long time. I love both vehicles, but I am partial to the FJ-62. Good Luck.

The 85 up tcase bolts right on to a toy 5speed. You have to cange out your tcase if you do the conversion on an earlier model. If you were to do an engine swap on either the 60 or 62 go with a gm tranny and use an AA adaptor for the tcase a good 700r4 would be great for dialy and the low first would also be desirable off road. If you want to keep the stock motor get a 62
just my .02