We’ve all (sadly) been on the wrong end of a deal that is of our own creation. Translation: we spent too much money, and now we must sell the vehicle for less than what we’ve invested into it. There’s no shame in this; it happens. In the case of this 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser, the seller acknowledges that $19,000 has been invested into it in recent years, but it’s now for sale at just $15,000 here on craigslist. While prices for these FJ62s have settled in a bit, this is surprisingly low for a vehicle that was riding high not too long ago.
As much as I love old SUVs, there’s an intriguing – and somewhat abstract – quality that makes them fun to own. My 1989 Isuzu Trooper RS, a short-wheelbase rarity of which only 800 were imported that year, is a hoot to drive because it is so compact. You just turn the wheel and – zooop – away you go in the opposite direction. It also plows through heavy snow and mud with ease, no doubt thanks to its short wheelbase. The Land Cruiser shown here is a big beast, with plenty of room for your family and friends but also a bit cumbersome to drive around in. If you’ve got passengers, it may still seem practical, but it’s hard to justify against a later FJ80 which is definitely faster and arguably more comfortable.
The only real advantage the 60-series has is you can find one with a 5-speed manual, which wasn’t possible on the U.S.-market 80-series. However, taking a peek inside this Toyota reveals a tidy interior with clean carpets, but the seller does point out it could use new cargo bay carpets and fender liners. Still, the big story here is where the money has already been spent, which includes an engine rebuild and rust removed/repaired. The seller points out some minor cosmetic flaws, but nothing major – and we love seeing the original decals going down the sides.
The original inline-six produces 155 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. It is a reliable engine, but one that is not immune to needing a rebuild. My old 80-series needed a significant overhaul, and is one of those cases where it was borderline silly to keep it and repair versus selling it was known head gasket issue. Alas, I embarked on a substantial mechanical rebuild and surely lost several thousands when it came time to sell. In my case, it went to my uncle, so at least it stayed in the family! For the seller of this FJ62, the need to move it along clearly outweighs the need to recoup his investment. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mike F. for the find.
Great find and an excellent write up on another classic! These are nice vehicles however at that price I’m opting for something newer with more conveniences.Too often people place an emphasis on nostalgia and then the receipts come in and they realize just how much those dreams actually cost. I guess at some point we’ve all been there or maybe we will be but this seller obviously has with this rig and it’s time to move on.
No. The FJ62’s are fantastic SUV’s. I’ve owned 3 (one from new) and currently have 2, including one with 300,000 miles. These trucks are mechanically indestructable. The engines are absolutely bulletproof: I’ve never even HEARD of one needing rebuilding. (There is an oil plug that might pop out.) The automatic tranny can be a weak point, but not on any of mine. Other than that, their Toyota parts are essentially permanent: think of a Camry version of a truck. The only weak point on these is the body: they riust like a Fiat. Still, I’d never even consider an 80 series, much less a Trooper. The FJ60 and 62s are true classics. Oh, and as for the goofy decals? I made the dealer spend an afternoon with a hair dryer removing them before I would take delivery.