60 or 80 series for touring?

[Frankenyota]

Would you guys buy a 60 series turbo diesel auto for towing a van and long distance touring?
Or is a 80 series with coils a heaps better truck, than a leaf sprung 60?

I'm thinking a cheap 60 with some money spent on good suspension and offroad gear might be a better option than a overpriced 80.

cheers
Matt

[75 cruser]

i wouldnt even look at a 60 series, go the 80 for sure, they have come down heaps in price, and the 80 will tow a heap better, and leave a 60 for dead on hills

rob

[MissDrew]

Yep as he said.
80 can be got as cheep as $8000 now. Just don't be in a rush to buy and you'll find something.

[Suspension Stuff]

80 or GQ.
Don't get a pop top, it becomes a pain. In fact the whole Caravan can be a pain sometimes, it costs more in fuel and it takes more concentration so don't plan so many K's per day compared to no Caravan. Do this with a 60 series and it would be more taxing I would think.

Shane

[Frankenyota]

Been looking at buying a car for a while now. Always liked 80s but not too many good ones up here in Qld for the money.
If you see any down your way guts let me know. Could use it as an excuse to catch up with my brother, he lives in Wodonga.

Already got the van 4wd stuff just need a good tow vehicle.

matt

[MissDrew]

Ebay buddy Ebay.

[PeterInSa]

Have a HJ61 Turbo Diesel 1988, pulling a 21'6" Van done 300,000k and its a great combo. Thing that I miss is cruise control and I think the 80 series can pull a bit more than 2500KG which is my limit. Have a false floor in the back of the cruiser for more gear have also had all the leaf springs beefed up and added additional springs in front and 2 pers side at the back. I think the 80 series has to have the timing belt changed every 100,000k.

The problem with you getting a HJ61 is you will not know the history and most will have done over 300,000ks.

Mate bought a 4.2, 89 Petrol Patrol for $4,600 (260,000Ks) and has probably spent 200 hours doing it up, to pull a 23' van also plans to put it on gas. This manual 4.2 Patrol I think can tow a 2800KG van, ditto the 80 series I think.

Somewher I saw a check list on what to look for when buying a 60, 80, or 100 Series Cruiser, this is probably worth following up.

Peter

[cruiser60series]

If you've got the money get an 80 series .... though a rigged up 60 would be cool. Coils and a better engine just shight on it

As for PeterinSa get an aftermarket universal cruise control unit for about $200 and bang it in youself easy as pie.

[Froon]

Go the 80... much more comfy ride, not to mention fuel economy, power and pretty.

[Harrow]

mmmmm well lets see if you dont mind having the crap shaken out of you go the 60 but if you want to be comfey go the 80 or even better a 100!!

[nads]

Would you guys buy a 60 series turbo diesel auto for towing a van and long distance touring?
Or is a 80 series with coils a heaps better truck, than a leaf sprung 60?

I'm thinking a cheap 60 with some money spent on good suspension and offroad gear might be a better option than a overpriced 80.

cheers
Matt

Leaves ride pretty good provided they are set up right for the weight you are carrying, and you are running close to standard height.

Drive both and be your own judge. If you're coming from a car, a 60 won't feel as nice to drive as an 80.


Personally i'd go the 60 price wise. Plenty of money left over to make it better. I would add an intercooler, exaust and a good tune. As well as sound deadening, decent front seats (cheap from a commodore) and new rear leaves at least. Then you're looking at a good start.


On a side note I have a 60 and an 80. The 60 when it worked was a more interesting/fun 'truck' to drive (onroad) for me. Especially if you drove it like a car


Ps. if rust makes you spew go the 80!

[flyinwall]

i got a cheap 80 series not too long it is a 90 model diesel with 33" muds and 5" lift and all i paid was $5500

[Frankenyota]

Would only ever consider the 12ht engine in a 60 series.

They were my thoughts nads some good seats and suspension, with winch and bar, rear wheel carrier, sliders / steps, air lockers, exhaust and intercooler. And still have some change.

Where as an 80 to buy would be the cost of all this?

I know the 80 is a nice truck to drive but a good turbo diesel in auto is stil dear.
The truck i buy will only get a 2-3" lift as it will run standard tyres.

Matt

[shanegtr]

I'd go an 80 series, just that little bit more comfortable in stock for for touring, but theres nothing that cant be changed in a 60 to make it comfortable also

[Thylacine]

All depends on your requirements re ride-comfort etc.
I won't buy anything newer than a 60 for the following reasons:
1. Near-impossible to kill
2. Simple mechanics - no computers etc, and not much you can't patch-up with sticky-tape and fencing wire (and maybe a few saplings if you somehow manage to break a spring)
3. Parts are cheap and available everywhere.
4. Tons of room

You'll trade most of the above, to some degree, for ride-comfort in an 80. As stated above, they handle much more 'car-like'. I rarely get in anything short of a light truck, so not that noticeable to me.

Dunno about the auto, never had experience with them, but I'd *think* that they were 'old technology' and possibly not as suited to harsh off-roading as a manual. If you're only looking at touring this is not important.

I do a lot of solo hunting/fishing for extended periods in very remote locations, hence my choice of the 60.
Unless you're thinking of doing something similar I'd probably go the 80 series.


ed