zigglemeister replied:

For under 30K you ought to get either a good 80 series Cruiser or a good fairly late GQ Patrol. If your HJ60 is standard (no turbo) you'll probably appreciate the power increase from either the Toyota or the Patrol std 4.2 diesels. They're both very good engines, some will probably suggest one or the other. I have a cousin with the 80 series and a brother with the GQ and would be happy with either. The cruiser is a bit more comfortable than the Patrol but both are probably better than the HJ60 in that regard as they're both on coil springs. You'll pay a little more for the cruiser for an equivalent age and km's compared to a GQ.
For that money you might also want to consider an early GU 2.8 litre turbodiesel. It'd go better than a std HJ60 too, I'd imagine, and there are a few around now and then for that price. One other alternative to take a good look at if you're not doing much bush driving is the Jackaroo. Their turbodiesel is quite nice and they're a very comfortable unit.

Tim Z
Tanna Island, Vanuatu
Much abused Toyota 4Runner 2.8 litre diesel

tristjo replied:

Danny,

You have heaps of options when you are shopping with 30k. Probably the best options would be the GQ Patrol and 80 Series 'Cruiser, as mentioned above.

My pick would be a mid 90's 4.2ltr diesel GQ Patrol. A good one could be had for around 20-25k, which would leave you enough money for a few accesories.

The GQ, in my opinion, is stronger in the drveline department than the 80, and the TD42 motor is extremely reliable and pretty much bulletproof. I reckon the only advantage that the Cruiser has is the slighly better build quality, and a better ride.

Both of these vehicles are a long way ahead of the 60, and will make exploring alot more enjoyable.

Tristjo.

Member - Willem replied:

Danny,

Keep your old truck and buy a nice town car. Your HJ60 would be all set up for bush trips. Let it have a rest and do small repairs on it to keep it up to standard. Then when you go bush you wont mind if you scratch it and also you will know every inch of your truck. If you have to buy a newer 4x4 then always buy one at the end of the production run...like 1988/1989 or 1998/1999. Just have a look at this forum and see the complaints about new edition 4x4's.

Cheers, Willem
Never a dull moment

Danny B replied:

What about Discoveries? Are they any decent or should I steer clear? A later model disco can be bought around the mid $20k...are there any deisel prados around under the 30k - and are they any decent.

Ta - Danny :)

Truckster (Vic) replied:

Sounds like you have some ideas in mind, looking at a Disco.

What do you want to do with the car??

A 60 Series will go anywhere if setup correctly.

Look at Willems G60 Patrol, much older than a 60 and goes anywhere in Aussie.

Wheelerdog replied:

I did what you are talking about 4 months ago. I have an 82 60 series with 470,000k's on it (now has a 250 ford motor on gas). I bought a very nice std diesel 80 series with extra's and 175000 kms on it for $21000. It had only been used for highway and family duties never offroad, a guy i knew owned it since new, always serviced etc. if you look around there are some good vehicles around but also some that i got a bit nervous taking for a test drive!!! You have to be patient to find the right vehicle.

I have kept the 60 series as my shooting/camping rig and my wifes daily driver up to the shops etc. I don't like the diesel doing short trips.

When you say it is expensive to have 2 vehicles i figure that it costs about 600 to 800 bucks for rego insurance etc, but for what i use the 60 for i can quickly depriciate the 80 by that much through any damage sustained (scratches, dents, mud inside etc). We use the 80 for long trips and travell etc towing van etc.

After driving an 80 you will realise how agricultural the old 60's are, I don't no how i did so many long trips in the old girl.

geoff replied:

G'day,

just last week I collected my "new" (well it's new to me) 96 GXL Turbo diesel, I too upgraded from my faithfull, ever reliable 2H 60 series, (295000). Yoiks, who would have thought a diesel could be so sweeeeet. The new one drives like a dream, and sure enough we have the worrys about scratches, dirt etc, but we bought it to do the same job our old one did and I know we'll get over it the first time we use the Lo range in anger. My old 60 still looks sweet, cause we maintained it well, and I have no doubt the new one will hold up as well after we've banged it round the country too. If you love the old 2H diesel, (i certainly think they are great), then try the 1HD-FT, you'll not be able to look at the old one in the same way again, and that is the problem, dont drive one of the newer ones unless you are commited to buying one, because it'll make it sooooo much harder to get back into old faithfull once youve been pushed back into the seat, accelerating up a hill, and you start wondering when the fuel tank is going to actually start going down.....

Clauspeter replied:

Hi,

I have an 1979 FJ Landcruiser. I spent 30K in restoring it in 2001. Beside the fact of having an uncapable mechanic (especially bodywork turned out pathetic) I tried to think of everything. BUT I STILL HAVE AN OLD CAR. Next time in life I would spend the money into a 'better second hand car'.

Have fun. cheers Cepe

Member - Oskar(Bris) replied:

Danny
Don't be a boofhead.
You can't know much about 4X4's if you want to go upgrading your 60. Just 'cause your mates all have better looking cars doesn't mean that you have to have a better one than them.
They won't want you to go out with you if you keep upstaging them. Besides that you have to be able to drive one properly anyway.
Learn to drive the one you have.

Eric from Cape York Connections replied:

Danny I upgraded my 1983 60 to a 1985 60 with a turbo on it . It took me a while to find it . I paid alot under 30k and it had 100,000 on the clock I spent about another 2000 on it .
All the best
Eric
www.capeyorkconnections.com.au
4wd Tag Along AdventuresCape York Connections