Toyota Landcruiser 60 Series
FJ60, BJ60, HJ60, FJ61, BJ61, HJ61, FJ62, BJ62, HJ62
Type: 4 door wagon
Years: 1980-1989
Toughness: 9.7/10
Availability: 6.3/10
Capability: 9.6/10
Price: 7.1/10
The Toyota Landcruiser 60-series — which included the FJ60, BJ60, HJ60, FJ61, BJ61, HJ61, FJ62, BJ62, and HJ62 — is an off-road 4×4 icon. Designated as “heavy duty” by Toyota and (in diesel form at least) powered by Hino-sourced commercial truck diesel engines (the 3B 3.4, the 2H 4.0, and the 12HT 4.0 litre in normally aspirated and turbo-charged forms), the Landcruiser 60-series is a 4×4 force to be reckoned with and respected.
Introduced largely due to Japanese domestic demand for a longer, but still simple and tough, diesel wagon, the 60-series Landcruiser became a worldwide hit, and appeared in more model variations and trim levels than any other Toyota Landcruiser.
Engines included the diesels mentioned above, as well as a gasoline F 3.9 litre and 2F 4.2 litre inline 6. In stock form normally aspirated diesel engines (the 3B and 2H) have a tough time getting the Landcruiser up to speed and keeping it there. The gasoline engines do this better than the diesels, they are also thirstier.
The Landcruiser 60-series–especially earlier ones–are about a simple and tough as a 4×4 can get. Base models have very little electronics, the diesel engines are simple, tough lumps, and the leaf-sprung chassis is durable and proven. In many ways, the Landcruiser 60-series is like a street legal 4WD tractor.
Off road, very little stops a 60-series Landcruiser. They are able to put a lot of traction on the ground due to their hefty weight and ample axle articulation, and with even a modest lift or taller 33″ tires, ground clearance is far above average. Approach and departure angles however are not impressive (the 60-series is a long beast) and the rear end often bangs and scrapes when up or down steep, short inclines.
Fortunately, the Landcruiser 60-series is as tough as it is big–and it is big. 15 feet (4.7 meters) long and 5.8 feet (1.8 meters) wide, a 60-series Landcruiser will carry a lot of cargo. And in many parts of the world, Landcruiser 60-series are routinely over loaded with people, livestock, equipment, and anything else, and have proven their ability to take punishment and abuse in stride.
Early Landcruiser 60-series are now considered classics by many insurance companies, and diesel models (not sold in the United States but available in Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, and elsewhere) are increasingly popular for their phenomenal durability, long life, and fuel economy.
Good condition 60-series Landcruisers are becoming harder to find, as any that haven’t rusted out are often bought up by collectors or understandably hoarded–and lovingly maintained and wheeled–by their owners. Fortunately many Landcruiser 60-series were sold worldwide, and many good examples can still be found. And engine and chassis swaps are a common path to building the ‘perfect’ 60-series Landcruiser.
For an all-around “Real World” 4×4, few vehicles can beat the Landcruiser 60-series. While it may not be as modern or comfortable as some of its competitors, it really is in a class all its own.
