Sell the Tacoma for a 60 series cruiser?

[Youngunner]

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I have had my 03 Tacoma for about 4 years and many mods later I am thinking of selling and looking for a 60 series cruiser as a replacement. I am trying to work through all the pro's and cons of the vehicles. I guess the biggest question is why?

1. I love older vehicles (hence my other multi-year project and money pit):
-easier to work on and modify (everything from basic tune ups, interior modifications, to swapping various engines and transmissions)
-less electrical components (no power anything!)
-styling and robust-ness (no crappy plastic body panels, they look better with more dents and paint chips)
-blends in with the locals. I think you are just asking for theft with one of these fancy mall crawler expedition rigs, the Tacoma included.
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2. 4 seats versus 2.
-the day you buy a 2 seat vehicle is the day you will need to take more than 2 people. Never fails.

3. The dog needs A/C.
-After my 1800 mile trek to the Overland Expo and back, the big dog was suffering in the heat.
-I actually enjoy being able to interact with him while travelling. The truck shell is complete doggie isolation and he really is a big baby.
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4. Sometimes you need to sleep in the truck rather than the RTT.
-I was looking at adding some military stretcher cots in the truck bed, but I like being able to get to the driver's position if I need to in a hurry.

Furthermore...

Why Toyota put a 4.0 or V8 in the 4runner and not the Tacoma in 2003 models kills me. The little 3.4 struggles with any weight. Now I understand the 60's are tanks, but there are more performance and engine options for the 60 series that. Chevy v8, various toyota motors, turbo diesel, etc.

Any ideas?

[Sempertoy]

I was in the same boat and ended up selling my taco and buying an 80 series. Have not regretted it one single day since. 60's are awesome and would have been my first choice but my wife cant drive a manual. Looking back at my decision I am glad I got the 80, its so nice off road on those coils!

edit: you do have a sweet tacoma and I'm sure you would be very sad to see it go. I love toyota's and for me I just really really wanted a land cruiser.

[Caoboy]

I was in the same boat and ended up selling my taco and buying an 80 series. Have not regretted it one single day since. 60's are awesome and would have been my first choice but my wife cant drive a manual. Looking back at my decision I am glad I got the 80, its so nice off road on those coils!

That's a problem you can fix pretty easy



OP, Get what you want. I ended up with a 4Runner, and it's bugging me that I can't just take off and go haul something if needed. Just my experience.

[Sempertoy]

That's a problem you can fix pretty easy



OP, Get what you want. I ended up with a 4Runner, and it's bugging me that I can't just take off and go haul something if needed. Just my experience.

haha you would think wouldn't you? several attempts and lots of tears later I gave up. At least until the 1HD-T and 5 speed swap happens to the 80! (i.e. never)

[devortex]

My $0.02. I had a built FJ60. Vortec V8, decent suspension mods, etc. I also had an F-150 for when I need to haul stuff, hay, feed etc. for my animal rescue. Had to sell the FJ60 during my divorce. Decided to sell the F-150 too and replaced them both with a 2012 DC Tacoma. It does everything my FJ60 did, only better. It hauls everything I needed to haul in my F-150, with slightly better mpg. This past weekend I hauled a trailer full of fencing, 2 weeks before that I spent 5 days off the pavement on the north rim of the Grand Canyon overlanding. My only complaint so far with the Tacoma...why don't we get a diesel option in the states. The 60 did have the cool factor but it also needed constant wrenching.

[1911]

60's are great trucks and wheelers, but realize that you'll be taking a giant step backwards in terms of power, comfort, noise, A/C efficiency, and especially fuel economy. Since you already know and love older vehicles you will probably be fine, but it always surprises me how many people think they want a 40 or a 60 until they've driven one for a while. Don't get me wrong, I love mine and never get tired of driving them, but they're definitely not the ideal vehicle for everyone.

[Main Line Overland]

I ran an 89 FJ62 for a number of years. The thing could go anywhere. I drove it to Northern Maine from Philadelphia without a problem. We find a number of them and post them to our blog

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If you plan on doing the usual mods like I did, (OME suspension, sliders, rear tire carrier, ARB bumper, winch, roof rack) it all adds up to some significant weight. I would recommend finding either a diesel (check these guys out) or a V8 converted vehicle then going from there. I prefer the FJ62 axles, and you can always convert the front end to a 60 if you prefer the look as I had planned.

My wife drove the FJ62 as a daily for a number of years. She loved the looks she would get when she hopped out of it. But we ended up parting it out down the road due to some serious chassis rot. Make sure you start with one that has a clean rust free body, and make sure to check the inner chassis C-Channels in the back where the spare mounts, as it can hide some serious rot.

[Kermit]

I would say if you have the time, toss a 60 series body on a 80 series chassis, with a Chevy LS motor.

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I dunno if 60's blends in with the locals, since so few are on the road, they kinda stick out (to me at least) A Tacoma without all the "Expo-Bling"
blends in better...say with fiberglass topper, no aftermarket bumpers...keep it as stock as possible, and since just about everyone has one, they really don't stick out.
With all the mods on yours I can see why it sticks out, spot that thing a mile away.

I get more tourist asking me for directions when I travel, I guess I look like a local in my plain jane Tacoma.

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My buddy has a 60, he praises my Tacoma for its' power, handling, and what not...but because he thinks the 60 is cooler looking he stays with it...and is constantly working on it. That and the 60 has awfully poor fuel economy for being so underpowered.

TLC has the right idea...classic body on a contemporary chassis/motor is the way to go...but won't be cheap.

You could always install a small RV roof mounted AC unit for your dog on your existing setup.

Wonder if an Aqualu FJ body would fit, on the Tacoma chassis. Maybe a 4 door Troopie...

http://www.aqualu.com/land-cruisers.html

[Flagster]

I have a 60, 80, and a Tacoma...the 60 is currently in the middle of a rebuild so I don't really drive it much but as far as comfort, speed, and efficiency there is just no comparison between my LCs and the Tacoma...
In my Tacoma I pulled close to 20mpg on a road trip from Flagstaff to Durango last week with four bikes on top...fishing and camping gear in the bed... all while sitting in quiet, cool, comfort...
My 80 can barely hold 65mph on the hills...AC cuts off in AZ heat...and the SFA really beats me up on long forest road excursions...

I love the 60 and 80 for certain reasons...but I don't think I will ever not have a "modern" vehicle for my longer road trips...my cruisers are pretty much "toys"...great for summer cruising and some overnights

[dustboy]

I used to think I was an 'old' car guy--gimme crank windows and a reliable 5-speed, I'm good to go.

Now I have a modern truck that is quiet, efficient, reliable, comfortable, handles corners like a sedan...I'd have a hard time going back, especially for a daily driver.

Ask Cabrito, he traded a beautiful, nicely built FJ60 for an FJC and he says the same.

If you can only have one car, stick with the newer one.