Likes
- Toyota reliability
- Spare parts are plentiful
- Excellent off-road abilities
- No-nonsense adventure vehicle
Used Toyota LandCruiser 60 Series review
1980 - 1990
Dislikes
- Very very slow
- Rust, so much potential for rust
- Compromised on-road driving characteristics
- Lacking in tech and safety
Stuff you should know
The Toyota LandCruiser 60 Series marked a transition point for the LandCruiser, visually moving away from the quaint old FJ55 with its separate front fenders and cross-eyed headlights, providing a more refined, comfortable and consumer-friendly package.
The 60 Series retained the FJ55’s overall proportions and ladder frame-chassis construction with the body bolted on top, as well as carry-over suspension from the 55 including leaf springs front and rear, and live axles at both ends meaning that while it was now a far more sophisticated four-door, five-seater truck, it would still tackle even the toughest terrain you could throw it at.
What goes wrong
- Rust. Look everywhere but especially the bottom corners of the windshield, top drip rails, the tailgate, rear frame rails, the inner rear wheel well, behind the front tyres and outer rear wheel wells
- At this age, the carburettor may require rebuilding
- Check vacuum hoses for wear
- Check for front axle sludge
- Check for steering wobble or if the 60 Series has been fitted with a steering damper
- If the 60 Series has over 200,000kms, have its compression tested
- 2H petrol engine can burn out valves
- Axle seals may require work
- At this age, all bushes will require replacement
- Rust. Look everywhere but especially the bottom corners of the windshield, top drip rails, the tailgate, rear frame rails, the inner rear wheel well, behind the front tyres and outer rear wheel wells
- At this age, the carburettor may require rebuilding
- Check vacuum hoses for wear
- Check for front axle sludge
- Check for steering wobble or if the 60 Series has been fitted with a steering damper
- If the 60 Series has over 200,000kms, have its compression tested
- 2H petrol engine can burn out valves
- Axle seals may require work
- At this age, all bushes will require replacement
- Rust. Look everywhere but especially the bottom corners of the windshield, top drip rails, the tailgate, rear frame rails, the inner rear wheel well, behind the front tyres and outer rear wheel wells
- At this age, the carburettor may require rebuilding
- Check vacuum hoses for wear
- Check for front axle sludge
- Check for steering wobble or if the 60 Series has been fitted with a steering damper
- If the 60 Series has over 200,000kms, have its compression tested
- 2H petrol engine can burn out valves
- Axle seals may require work
- At this age, all bushes will require replacement
Should you buy it?
If you are happy to deal with 30-year-old truck-like driving dynamics, the lack of safety and tech and all the idiosyncrasies that come with a vehicle of this age, the size and are planning on actually using its immense off-road and adventure abilities, yes.
Good condition 60 Series are either going to hold their value or increase in price and many mint examples are being snapped up by collectors right now so our tip is get in while you can, but please remember these things are getting very long in the tooth so make sure you get it inspected by your local qualified mechanic before you hand over your cash.
If you are happy to deal with 30-year-old truck-like driving dynamics, the lack of safety and tech and all the idiosyncrasies that come with a vehicle of this age, the size and are planning on actually using its immense off-road and adventure abilities, yes.
Good condition 60 Series are either going to hold their value or increase in price and many mint examples are being snapped up by collectors right now so our tip is get in while you can, but please remember these things are getting very long in the tooth so make sure you get it inspected by your local qualified mechanic before you hand over your cash.
Should you buy it?
If you are happy to deal with 30-year-old truck-like driving dynamics, the lack of safety and tech and all the idiosyncrasies that come with a vehicle of this age, the size and are planning on actually using its immense off-road and adventure abilities, yes.
Good condition 60 Series are either going to hold their value or increase in price and many mint examples are being snapped up by collectors right now so our tip is get in while you can, but please remember these things are getting very long in the tooth so make sure you get it inspected by your local qualified mechanic before you hand over your cash.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech specs
Body style:
- 5-door SUV wagon
Engine & outputs:
- 4.2-litre inline 6-cyl petrol (2F), 101kW / 271Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl petrol (3F, 3F-E), 116kW / 303Nm
- 3.4-litre inline 4-cyl diesel (3B), 67kW / 217Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl diesel (2H), 80kW / 240Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl turbo-diesel (12H-T), 100kW / 315Nm
Transmission:
- 4-spd manual, four-wheel drive (All Variants)
- 5-spd manual, four-wheel drive (All Variants)
- 4-spd automatic, four-wheel drive (Post-1985)
Fuel use:
- 13L – 13.8L/100km (2F)
- 10.5L/100km (3F & 3F-E)
- 15L/100km (3B)
- 13L – 14L/100km (2H)
- 12.8L/100km (12H-T)
Dimensions:
- Height: 1750mm, 1950mm (with high-roof extension)
- Length: 4675mm
- Width: 1800mm
Ground clearance:
- 225mm
Towing capacity:
- 1133kg (braked)
Payload:
- 670kg
Body style:
- 5-door SUV wagon
Engine & outputs:
- 4.2-litre inline 6-cyl petrol (2F), 101kW / 271Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl petrol (3F, 3F-E), 116kW / 303Nm
- 3.4-litre inline 4-cyl diesel (3B), 67kW / 217Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl diesel (2H), 80kW / 240Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl turbo-diesel (12H-T), 100kW / 315Nm
Transmission:
- 4-spd manual, four-wheel drive (All Variants)
- 5-spd manual, four-wheel drive (All Variants)
- 4-spd automatic, four-wheel drive (Post-1985)
Fuel use:
- 13L – 13.8L/100km (2F)
- 10.5L/100km (3F & 3F-E)
- 15L/100km (3B)
- 13L – 14L/100km (2H)
- 12.8L/100km (12H-T)
Dimensions:
- Height: 1750mm, 1950mm (with high-roof extension)
- Length: 4675mm
- Width: 1800mm
Ground clearance:
- 225mm
Towing capacity:
- 1133kg (braked)
Payload:
- 670kg
Body style:
- 5-door SUV wagon
Engine & outputs:
- 4.2-litre inline 6-cyl petrol (2F), 101kW / 271Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl petrol (3F, 3F-E), 116kW / 303Nm
- 3.4-litre inline 4-cyl diesel (3B), 67kW / 217Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl diesel (2H), 80kW / 240Nm
- 4.0-litre inline 6-cyl turbo-diesel (12H-T), 100kW / 315Nm
Transmission:
- 4-spd manual, four-wheel drive (All Variants)
- 5-spd manual, four-wheel drive (All Variants)
- 4-spd automatic, four-wheel drive (Post-1985)
Fuel use:
- 13L – 13.8L/100km (2F)
- 10.5L/100km (3F & 3F-E)
- 15L/100km (3B)
- 13L – 14L/100km (2H)
- 12.8L/100km (12H-T)
Dimensions:
- Height: 1750mm, 1950mm (with high-roof extension)
- Length: 4675mm
- Width: 1800mm
Ground clearance:
- 225mm
Towing capacity:
- 1133kg (braked)
Payload:
- 670kg
Warranty & servicing
Warranty:
1-year/20,000kms
Servicing:
10,000kms or every 6 months
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of March 19, 2021.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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