1986 60 Series Landcruiser
1986 60 Series Landcruiser
Engine - 2H 4.L w/ AIT Turbo
Transmission - Manual
Suspension - 2 inch suspension
Tyres - Dunlop Road Gripper 225/95r16
Equipped for - Long Distance Touring
Hey Andrew, we have been frothing on your 60 series for awhile now, so glad we got it on the site. What’s the story behind you getting your hands on this imported 60?
After realising my 1st gen 4runner was way too small and loud for long distance trips, I started eyeballing LandCruisers. I was looking at 60s, 80s and Troopys’ when this car popped up on gumtree. The stripes, colour and sunroof immediately had me wanting it, and it had some choice mods such as the 190L tank and tire relocation. I believe the car was imported sometime in the early 2000s, so it had only done 250 thousand Km’s when I got my hands on it. Thankfully the previous owner had taken great care of it, and I was able to get it for a decent price considering the 60 market these days.
We are massive fans of how you have modified the car, we feel its a nod to its classic past. Can you talk us through it?
The car was definitely put together with the original aesthetic in mind, while still being able to be capable and comfortable on the bigger trips. Not long after buying the car I moved to the south west of WA. After driving it on some pretty average roads I realised how much the 12.5 inch wide tires that were on the car were making it tramline. So I found the split rims off a 75 series, and got the Roadgrippers on the cheap from a tire shop that was swapping them off brand new fleet cars for the mines.
Instantly the car was transformed, finger tip steering, no more tramlining and she had the original look I was chasing. Since then, there have been lots of little changes to make the car usable for week long camping trips, as well as heaps of maintenance.
I added the Colorado bonnet scoop to feed the BA falcon intercooler to bring the EGTs down on the highway. I've removed the rear seats and started to build out a camper setup that includes 200ah worth of gel batteries, two fridges and water storage while maintaining a flat platform so I can roll a mattress out in the car if I want. On the outside I kept it simple, as I love the lines of the 60 and didn't want too much hanging off it. The ARB Safari Bar and Warn winch up the front have been put to use plenty of times. While the Howling Moon swing awn was the final piece of the puzzle that gives me shade and protection while being able to access all the essentials in the bush.
We know you Western Australians love putting your 4wds through lots of beach work, is the 2H giving you enough gusto through the sand?
If you get the tire pressures right and commit to some momentum, it will take you anywhere. I've had it fully loaded up on some seriously long sand dunes and haven't yet had to turn back. That said, another few more pounds of boost would definitely help…
60 Series seem to only get more popular as the years go on, do you have any advice for anyone looking to buy one in the future?
If you're going to get into 60 Series the first thing you should do is hunt down a copy of the factory service manual. Every problems you'll come across can be fixed with a little bit of guidance from that book, and learning the ins and outs of the car mechanically has made driving and owning this car such a pleasure. They really are simple but effective machines, so educate yourself and you'll get twice as much enjoyment out of it.
Any future plans for the 60?
There is pipe dreams of a full rust removal and respray, as well as a 80 series chassis swap with turbo'd 1HZ. But in reality I'm probably just going to keep driving the wheels off it and fixing it when it breaks. I've got plans to take it on the full lap of Oz once this border stuff blows over, but if that doesn't happen soon it's going to be a long summer camping around the southern part of WA.
Also if you don't mind, would I be able to shout out to my dad for all the time he's put into the car with me. He's probably got as many hours into it as I do!
Photos by Zac Lindley
Owner Andrew Sargeant
P.S If you wanna get your hands on the Sunday Garage 60 Series tee, click here