FJ60 Question?

[ndcent]

1982 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60

Does this seem like a good deal?

Would this be a horrible daily driver?

Is it correct to think a professionally done V8 conversion is upwards of $30k like I read online?

 

[LandCruiser]

Does this seem like a good deal?

Offer him 7k, don't pay more than 8.2.

Would this be a horrible daily driver?

It's a loud, coarse, heavy vehicle that gets 8-10mpg and probably won't go over 70 mph as it's geared. The clutch and transmission are very hard to operate to people not used the force necessary to use them (your left leg will be twice as thick as the right and your right arm will be like a railroad tie). Despite this, it was my favorite vehicle to own. The seats are squishy, the leafs can be firm to harsh depending on the kind of lift it has.

Is it correct to think a professionally done V8 conversion is upwards of $30k like I read online?

This truck has the 2F engine with new headers and carb, not a V8. Conversion to a V8 will also need a transmission to be done properly. Most people go for the 4.8L GM with a four speed hydramatic AT. I think 10-15k would be more fair for the engine conversion, if done right. Don't waste money on a V8 conversion unless you plan on restoring the rest of the truck.

I would buy this truck if I had the funds and time, but I already have an 80 series I'm working on.

 

[LandCruiser]

FWIW, if you look around you can find a pristine, unmodified FJ62. I'd go with a 1990 or 1991 model.

Fuel injection, power windows, AT.

Most will set you back 12 grand for a cherry example, and you can probably haggle that down to 10k.

 

[Offroader5]

Seems a bit high.

A local buddy of mine has a clean 85 (I think it's an 85 ) with a pretty well documented build (he's somewhat well known on the Cruiser forums like IH8MUD). It has a "done right" injected 350/700r4 conversion, rear quarters professionally cut higher with trimmed OEM rear bumper, gears, lockers, custom interior pieces (center console, rear storage), custom fit Safari snorkel, set up for dual batteries and future on board air & welder, lifted and running 33's...and I'm sure there are tons of things I can't remember.

You could probably get into his for nearly the price this guy is asking. It sat in my back yard for a short time and he just recently came and got it. He had it up for sale for a while and he may have sold it...but I don't know.

EDIT: Just texted my buddy. He didn't sell it yet and is seriously back into getting it sold. It's right around this price point too. You'd be better off talking directly to him about it though since he knows every detail about what he's done to it. He said to email him at empigod..at..yahoo..com. Or, if you can log in over at the IH8MUD forum, he has a classified ad up over there and just recently posted up: FS: 1985 fj60 w/ v8

 

[wallytoo]

nothing wrong with that fj for daily driving. don't expect to get more than 10 mpg, maybe less with the way it's set up

my younger brother had one (an '85) about 15 years ago. i drove it a bit, and i didn't find the clutch or steering to be particularly hard. but, i've owned a cj for 20 years with no power steering, too.

that said, my '87 4r is much better as a dd, especially for gas mileage.