ROTW: mtb_rider's 1988 FJ62

mtb_rider · 09-02-07, 03:39 PM

Well where do I start? I first took an interest in Land Cruiser's as a boy. In fact everytime I saw this exact cruiser, I would admire how awesone it looked. I loved the lines and the "classic toughness", and as I grew wiser and became more "car saavy", I learned how durable and able they are. My 1988 FJ62 was owned by the parents of a very good friend of my sisters, who later in life became a long time girlfriend of mine, and we are still good friends today, so I had many opportunities to oogle over it thru the years. They were the original owners, and it was a true kitten. I got the opportunity to purchase it in Oct. of '05, and I jumped on it. She was a true kitten, having only 82k on the clock, bone stock, born in So. Cal before coming to OR, mostly garaged raised, and probably never seeing more than a gravel road as far as off highway use. Included with the purchase was a manila envelope full of receipts from every oil change, repair, and mainteance item ever purchased, the original owners manual, and even more impressive, the original dealer papers! The very night ( a friday ) I went to pick it up, I started my ownership with a 100+ mile trip down the 5 to go the the UO-Cal game, and driving it made me fall more in love with her. Oregon won the game in overtime, on a windy, cold, rainy fall NW day, btw. It made for a good weekend.

The very first thing I had to do to it, which was known at the time of purchase, was replace the turn signal/headlight/wiper switch. Other than that, repair wise, it has been mostly routine stuff, tune's, replaced spring/shackle bushings, and a lot of little miscellaneous's, aside from a few alternators and a starter.

The list of mods in the just under 2 years that I've had it include:
-K&N filter
-3" total lift
-33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's
-15x8.5 2 piece Centerline's
-Pro Comp ES9000 shocks
-Custom Dual battery system (just completed this past week)
-Optima Blue Tops
-De-swayed

For the near future I intend on doing a 1" body lift, which should be happening very soon, then sliders, and I hope to get a rear bumper with swing-away built before hunting season get started. From there I would like to do some exhaust work, then probably will end up re-doing the entire suspension with either an OME, or look more into the custom market, like Alcan, etc. I would also like to eventually get a winch and build a front bumper to house it, and to match the rear. All it takes is money.

Now the pics:

First is a stock shot cruisin' on the beach.
Second is just before lifting.
Third is just after lifting, and a little dirt.

mtb_rider · 09-02-07, 03:43 PM

Some action shots:

First one is my first trip out post lift. Doing a little snow wheelin in the TSF.

The second is playin' in some good ol Western Oregon clay.

The third is the result of the second.

mtb_rider · 09-02-07, 03:45 PM

And I had to post this one just cuz I love my wheels.

Dirtgypsy · 09-02-07, 04:02 PM

that is a very clean and nicely built 62 mtbrider. look forward to finally meeting you and hitting the dirt.

post some pics of the dual battery system when you get a chance.

clint

mtb_rider · 09-02-07, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtgypsy

that is a very clean and nicely built 62 mtbrider. look forward to finally meeting you and hitting the dirt.

post some pics of the dual battery system when you get a chance.

clint

Thanks! It is just the start on what I intend on being a very long term, most likely never ending build. I am already intending on doing a write up with pics on the dual batt. set up. The pics are on the work camera, as that is where I did the labor, and haven't had a chance to upload them yet. Should be this week tho.

brokenparts · 09-02-07, 04:52 PM

Got to see this one in person! Very very clean and nice cruiser! I really dig those wheels too!

Marc311 · 09-02-07, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtb_rider

Well where do I start? I would admire how awesone it looked. I loved the lines of a long time girlfriend of mine, and we are still good friends today, so I had many opportunities to oogle thru the years, was a true kitten. I got the opportunity and I jumped on it. She was a true kitten, and driving it made me fall more in love with her. It made for a good weekend.

Are you talking your ride or you ex? I thought I was reading Penthouse Forum for a second.

(Oh, and nice ride you got there).

mtb_rider · 09-02-07, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc311

Are you talking your ride or you ex? I thought I was reading Penthouse Forum for a second.

(Oh, and nice ride you got there).

Clever, though clearly I am talking about the rig prior to the story of the former regime...

GLTHFJ60 · 09-03-07, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtb_rider

And I had to post this one just cuz I love my wheels.

I love these wheels!! Where did you order them?

PAFJ · 09-03-07, 05:59 PM

Nice story, thanks for sharing. The cruiser looks super clean as well. You plan on running de-swayed permanently?

mtb_rider · 09-03-07, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60

I love these wheels!! Where did you order them?

Thanks! I actually bought them used off of CL. The guy that owned them prior used to work for Les Schwab (local tire chain), and ran them on an old Blazer, and had them stored in his attic for about 10 years. They were in virtually perfect condition. Picked em up for 2 bills. He even had the flush valve stems put in.

mtb_rider · 09-03-07, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAFJ

Nice story, thanks for sharing. The cruiser looks super clean as well. You plan on running de-swayed permanently?

Semi-permanent at least. Whenever I redo my suspension, I will see how it handles. It is plenty stiff now, that it handles fine on road, and the extra flex off road is much appreciated. I did notice a little extra body roll when I took them off, but not enough to concern me. It never was a sports car anyway. And thanks for the compliments guys!!

PAFJ · 09-03-07, 06:27 PM

What type of springs are you using now? I would like to do a "budget" lift until I can afford OME. Other's ideas are always good.

mtb_rider · 09-03-07, 06:30 PM

I am running 3"+, 1.5" lift shackles, and add a leafs on my stock, now 106k springs.

PAFJ · 09-03-07, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtb_rider

I am running 3"+, 1.5" lift shackles, and add a leafs on my stock, now 106k springs.

Thanks, sounds good to me. I was thinking of going a similar route as well.

redcorn · 09-04-07, 07:25 AM

Nice clean rig!!

I love the Simpsonized avatar

sk8salomon · 09-04-07, 10:48 AM

those are some beefy tires, nice looking rig!
can you tell much difference with the K&N air filter than before with OEM?

Mace · 09-04-07, 12:04 PM

Why are you contemplating a body lift?

mtb_rider · 09-04-07, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8salomon

those are some beefy tires, nice looking rig!
can you tell much difference with the K&N air filter than before with OEM?

I think there was a little difference. Not huge, but noticeable.

mtb_rider · 09-04-07, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

Why are you contemplating a body lift?

A couple reasons. The first, at full stuff, I get just a tiny bit of rub on the inner wheel wells in back. Second, I think it will make it easier to mount the sliders. And my understanding is that I can put a one inch BL on without any adjustments to steering or trans linkage. Cheap clearance.

sk8salomon · 09-04-07, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtb_rider

I think there was a little difference. Not huge, but noticeable.

like gas mileage or acceleration or ???

mtb_rider · 09-04-07, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8salomon

like gas mileage or acceleration or ???

A little bit accel, maybe a slight mileage improvement, though I don't notice myself getting any better mileage then anybody else running a paper filter. Like I said, it felt like there was a little improvement, but it may be as much mental in thinking there was improvement, more than actual results. It's arguable. I always like running them. They really aren't terribly priced. I think I paid around 45 bucks for it from Schmucks, and being's that paper filters go for about 10-15 bucks, it pays for itself in a few years cuz you can just wash it out, reoil it (a recharge kit that comes with a bottle of cleaner and oil, enough to do god knows how many washes, I'd say 8-10, is only about 11 bucks), and put it right back in.

sk8salomon · 09-05-07, 04:52 AM

[quote=mtb_rider;2510017]
It's arguable. quote]

thanks, that it is.
i've read so much crap about pros & cons. my 60 is mainly a daily driver so i'm leaning towards the K&N. still a little skeptical because some cruiser heads that know their stuff talk down on them. won't mention any names tho...

love to see white 60 series rigs! too many poo brown ones like mine.

sk8salomon · 09-05-07, 04:54 AM

oh, another question, is there some reason you don't have tinted windows on the drivers & passengers side?

mtb_rider · 09-05-07, 08:00 AM

That's the way it was when I got it. The tint needs to be re-done, and when I have it done, I plan on getting the front doors done to match.

mtb_rider · 09-05-07, 08:40 AM

I did a write up on my dual battery install, and all the pics are there. Check it out if you want.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...44#post2511144

09-02-07, 03:39 PM	#1
mtb_rider IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wilsonville, OR Posts: 703	ROTW: mtb_rider's 1988 FJ62 Well where do I start? I first took an interest in Land Cruiser's as a boy. In fact everytime I saw this exact cruiser, I would admire how awesone it looked. I loved the lines and the "classic toughness", and as I grew wiser and became more "car saavy", I learned how durable and able they are. My 1988 FJ62 was owned by the parents of a very good friend of my sisters, who later in life became a long time girlfriend of mine, and we are still good friends today, so I had many opportunities to oogle over it thru the years. They were the original owners, and it was a true kitten. I got the opportunity to purchase it in Oct. of '05, and I jumped on it. She was a true kitten, having only 82k on the clock, bone stock, born in So. Cal before coming to OR, mostly garaged raised, and probably never seeing more than a gravel road as far as off highway use. Included with the purchase was a manila envelope full of receipts from every oil change, repair, and mainteance item ever purchased, the original owners manual, and even more impressive, the original dealer papers! The very night ( a friday ) I went to pick it up, I started my ownership with a 100+ mile trip down the 5 to go the the UO-Cal game, and driving it made me fall more in love with her. Oregon won the game in overtime, on a windy, cold, rainy fall NW day, btw. It made for a good weekend. The very first thing I had to do to it, which was known at the time of purchase, was replace the turn signal/headlight/wiper switch. Other than that, repair wise, it has been mostly routine stuff, tune's, replaced spring/shackle bushings, and a lot of little miscellaneous's, aside from a few alternators and a starter. The list of mods in the just under 2 years that I've had it include: -K&N filter -3" total lift -33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's -15x8.5 2 piece Centerline's -Pro Comp ES9000 shocks -Custom Dual battery system (just completed this past week) -Optima Blue Tops -De-swayed For the near future I intend on doing a 1" body lift, which should be happening very soon, then sliders, and I hope to get a rear bumper with swing-away built before hunting season get started. From there I would like to do some exhaust work, then probably will end up re-doing the entire suspension with either an OME, or look more into the custom market, like Alcan, etc. I would also like to eventually get a winch and build a front bumper to house it, and to match the rear. All it takes is money. Now the pics: First is a stock shot cruisin' on the beach. Second is just before lifting. Third is just after lifting, and a little dirt. Attached Images __________________ "Where is it we're going again? And why are we in this handbasket?" '88 FJ62. Little over 100k. 2nd owner. No rust. K&N, custom dual battery system, Optima Blue Tops, 3" Lift. 33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's on Centerline two piece alloys. Pro Comp 9000's. My myspace. Last edited by mtb_rider; 09-02-07 at 04:01 PM. Reason: added a little tid-bit

09-02-07, 03:43 PM	#2
mtb_rider IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wilsonville, OR Posts: 703	Some action shots: First one is my first trip out post lift. Doing a little snow wheelin in the TSF. The second is playin' in some good ol Western Oregon clay. The third is the result of the second. Attached Images __________________ "Where is it we're going again? And why are we in this handbasket?" '88 FJ62. Little over 100k. 2nd owner. No rust. K&N, custom dual battery system, Optima Blue Tops, 3" Lift. 33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's on Centerline two piece alloys. Pro Comp 9000's. My myspace.

09-02-07, 03:45 PM	#3
mtb_rider IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wilsonville, OR Posts: 703	And I had to post this one just cuz I love my wheels. Attached Images __________________ "Where is it we're going again? And why are we in this handbasket?" '88 FJ62. Little over 100k. 2nd owner. No rust. K&N, custom dual battery system, Optima Blue Tops, 3" Lift. 33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's on Centerline two piece alloys. Pro Comp 9000's. My myspace.

09-02-07, 04:02 PM	#4
Dirtgypsy IH8MUD Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Newberg, Oregon TLCA# 17541 Posts: 854	that is a very clean and nicely built 62 mtbrider. look forward to finally meeting you and hitting the dirt. post some pics of the dual battery system when you get a chance. clint __________________ It's a Jeep thing I didn't understand. So I bought an FJ60 and now I get it. 1987 FJ60, 2F, H55F, 4.11's, Rear ARB locker, ARB bumper, MAF Safari 4" SR, 33 12.50 15 on old school Mags. ROTW: http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...lver-60-a.html

09-02-07, 04:52 PM	#6
brokenparts IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hillsboro, OR TLCA# 16127 Posts: 2,354	Got to see this one in person! Very very clean and nice cruiser! I really dig those wheels too! __________________ "Just bump it" I am offended by reality all the time. http://www.cascadecruisers.com/ http://www.myspace.com/zachsu ROTW: http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/198064-rotw-brokenparts-fj-60-a.html

09-03-07, 05:59 PM	#10
PAFJ IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kodiak, AK TLCA# 16335 Posts: 1,340	Nice story, thanks for sharing. The cruiser looks super clean as well. You plan on running de-swayed permanently? __________________ Mike S. '85 FJ60

09-03-07, 06:27 PM	#13
PAFJ IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kodiak, AK TLCA# 16335 Posts: 1,340	What type of springs are you using now? I would like to do a "budget" lift until I can afford OME. Other's ideas are always good. __________________ Mike S. '85 FJ60

09-03-07, 06:30 PM	#14
mtb_rider IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wilsonville, OR Posts: 703	I am running 3"+, 1.5" lift shackles, and add a leafs on my stock, now 106k springs. __________________ "Where is it we're going again? And why are we in this handbasket?" '88 FJ62. Little over 100k. 2nd owner. No rust. K&N, custom dual battery system, Optima Blue Tops, 3" Lift. 33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's on Centerline two piece alloys. Pro Comp 9000's. My myspace.

09-04-07, 07:25 AM	#16
redcorn IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: near my girls Posts: 577	Nice clean rig!! I love the Simpsonized avatar __________________ if you can cut a Tcase in half with a cheap circular saw you can do anything. BIG WAGONS RULE

09-04-07, 10:48 AM	#17
sk8salomon IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 706	those are some beefy tires, nice looking rig! can you tell much difference with the K&N air filter than before with OEM?

09-04-07, 12:04 PM	#18
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,984	Why are you contemplating a body lift? __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

09-05-07, 04:52 AM	#23
sk8salomon IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 706	[quote=mtb_rider;2510017] It's arguable. quote] thanks, that it is. i've read so much crap about pros & cons. my 60 is mainly a daily driver so i'm leaning towards the K&N. still a little skeptical because some cruiser heads that know their stuff talk down on them. won't mention any names tho... love to see white 60 series rigs! too many poo brown ones like mine.

09-05-07, 04:54 AM	#24
sk8salomon IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 706	oh, another question, is there some reason you don't have tinted windows on the drivers & passengers side?

09-05-07, 08:00 AM	#25
mtb_rider IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wilsonville, OR Posts: 703	That's the way it was when I got it. The tint needs to be re-done, and when I have it done, I plan on getting the front doors done to match. __________________ "Where is it we're going again? And why are we in this handbasket?" '88 FJ62. Little over 100k. 2nd owner. No rust. K&N, custom dual battery system, Optima Blue Tops, 3" Lift. 33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's on Centerline two piece alloys. Pro Comp 9000's. My myspace.

09-05-07, 08:40 AM	#26
mtb_rider IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wilsonville, OR Posts: 703	I did a write up on my dual battery install, and all the pics are there. Check it out if you want. http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...44#post2511144 __________________ "Where is it we're going again? And why are we in this handbasket?" '88 FJ62. Little over 100k. 2nd owner. No rust. K&N, custom dual battery system, Optima Blue Tops, 3" Lift. 33x12.5 Firestone Destination MT's on Centerline two piece alloys. Pro Comp 9000's. My myspace.