[smkymntn]

My passion for toyotas began in high school. It ran throughout the line from the AE86 Corolla and Starlets, to the Hlux and 4runners. I never considered Land Cruisers at the time as I didnt see many 60 series around. It was the early 1980's in Florida and there just werent many to be seen.
As the years went by I owned many different Toyotas.I saw the ad for my truck on TTORA which led me here to mud. I saw something in that truck. It needed me or better I needed it. The ad was well written and even though it was across the country I bought it. Hindsight being what it is, I should have had a mudder check it out and give me an honest assessment of the condition. I think someone even offered, but I didnt know about how most people into cruisers are stand up guys that would look out for a new owner. So after a long wait for shipping, the truck arrives, I am less than happy, it ran like crap, drove like crap, stopped like crap and was downright dangerous to steer. I made it home and started looking at it.
I had no idea what I got myself into financially. So I Made a plan and then took the truck down to a recomended mechanic. The first drive on the highway was very sketchy the motor had no power and I was really surprised to make the 2 1/2 hour drive in one piece. The bad news came in that the motor indeed was dead. The mechanic was Peter Merriam whom I now consider a friend. I left him with the direction to make it like new. There was a fellow at the shop that day ( seems he's there almost everyday) he said he was going diesel in all his cruisers (apparently he has a collection) and had a low mileage 2f (15-20 thousand kilometers) that he would sell me. Said it was from a JDM FJ60 firetruck. I now had my engine. This was February 2008.
I drove the truck home in July and fall in love with this thing every time I drive it. No vehicle I have ever owned has the distinct personality of this truck. In my town there are about 4 other cruisers ( 3- 80 series and a 62) I look for them everyday just to see someone who is familiar with what owning a cruiser is like. My addiction is complete, and my wallet is completely drained. I dream of lockers, roof racks, drawer systems, Ham radios and snorkels. I have always meticulously maintained my vehicles and I now realize I need a trail only rig. I use the Colonel for Daily driving, camping, and when time and work permit I intend to take it on more than a few expedition style trips. The people I have met as a result of owning this truck are great and always ready to lend a hand. I drive my 60 every day and find excuses to drive it even when I dont have to, gas prices can get to 10.00 a gallon and I will still drive it (albeit very slowly).
I have a lot of pictures so 56k will want to pass. Hope you enjoy.
Here is a list of everything I have done so far :H55f 5 Speed, 15k original miles 2F, Full desmog, Hellroaring Dual Optima Batteries, Hella black magic lights, IPF Headlights and harness, FJ62 grab bar,Procar seats, VDO gauges in stereo din, Dual voltmeters, Tuffy Stereo console with Kenwood USB/Satellite receiver, Bazooka tube 8" 200watt, Damplifier sound deadening, new carpet, Lecarra steering wheel, OME Heavy/Heavy 3" suspension, ARB front bumper, Solid Rock Off Road rear bumper (coming soon...right Jim?), BFG AT 32x11.5-15 on old school enkei aluminum wheels, ARB Slider steps, Eastwood coated undercarriage, FJ62 rear sway bar, Rebuilt transfer case, JIMC rebuilt carb, Non-usa distributor, Flowmaster 40 series exhaust, TEQ shifter ball , lev o gage, from Cruisercrap, Hand throttle kit from SOR, Power antenna from fj62, Upgraded ground straps, , Amsoil everywhere.

Pictures are in somewhat random order: The latest undercarriage pics are after a year of driving including multiple saltings of the roads.


Power Antenna and Hand Throttle

Closeup of IPF Heacdlights



Rear passenger compartment

SOR Smog pump delete

Full Desmog

Engine bay Dual Optimas


Hellroaring Isolater

Taskled Dome Light

[smkymntn]

Tuffy Box with Stereo Pocket, Kenwood Satellite, USB, CD player, Pro Car Seats

East La Porte



62 Series Grab Bar and Misc Cruisercrap

Tuffy Center Console

Lecarra Steering Wheel, SOR dash cover

Another Interior Shot

Undercarriage




Dusk




Stereo Din Gauges with flash

Guages without flash

[smkymntn]

Voltmeter in Vent location

Yellow Guage bulbs

Dual Battery Installation





Damplifier Sound Deadening Install





Installing New to Me Carpet




Undercarriage and Frame Cleaning and Treatment

[smkymntn]

Original Rear Carpet

Polishing Ancient Enkei Aluminum Wheels- helped a little

I dont like Jut


More Frame Pictures






Just to prove the truck gets dirty



Just Cleaned

Camping with Upstate Cruisers

Blue Ridge Run with Upstate Cruisers

[smkymntn]

enthusiastic kids


Pics from the Blue Ridge


After Clay Bar



Before I did anything- New BFG's

Downtown Sylva

Peter Merriams

Lift is on OME Heavy Heavy

Motor getting installed


More Lift Pics

New Brakes and rebuilt Birfs

Motor before Install

[smkymntn]

Motor cleaned


Video of Flowmaster exhaust

YouTube - FJ60 Flowmaster exhaust

[smkymntn]

I hope you guys dont mind all of the pictures it just combined many threads into one.

[mrlocksmith]

Let me be the first to say that is one SSWWEETT !!!! Ride !!!!

Mark

[90FJ62]

Adam
As always the truck looks awesome. Everytime i see it i find something else i want to do to mine.....


Dave

[Lost]

holy clean, nice rig

is that t-case skip plate custom made?

[smkymntn]

Thanks all, the tranfer case plate is OEM.

[Cruiserdrew]

Great looking truck.

Amazing attention to detail.

And no rust!

Very nice job.

Would you like to put Dynamat in mine?

[Dirtgypsy]

great looking rig! very well cared for and thoughtful upgrades.

btw, that is dusty not dirty

Clint

[klinetime574]

Very good write up.

Awesome cruiser!

[Nemesis Gnat]

its so clean its giving me stage fright for next month...

[GLTHFJ60]

That truck is immaculate.

[Ducks]

What that is amazingly clean and awesome.

Where did you put your overflow reservoir for the radiator? Where did you get your bracket for the second battery?

Thanks.

[kcowyo]

That's about as good as it gets. Nicely done!
.

[smkymntn]

Reservoir is on passenger fender liner in engine bay. The battery tray is OEM. It fits perfectly. Thanks all for the kind words.

[AKcruiserfreak]

Man! That is one heck of a good-looking rig! Better than new. Good job!

TK

[Coyote808]

Would you care for a partially exploded, fully rusted out hulk that is my FJ60? Didn't think so, because I would never give up my cruiser now. As mentioned earlier, cleaner than Mr. Clean, clean. That is a spotless rig. Wish mine looked half as good, but all cruisers look awesome in their own way. From bone stock, run hard, put away soaked to clean show truck. Yours is just the awesomest in cool, clean, precise thought put to FJ60 canvas. Love the dusty shot with the little paw prints on them. Brings a bit of homeliness to your photo there.

[smkymntn]

I agree they all have a character of their own. I rubber neck any 60 series I see, well any series for that matter. I love the soccer moms in the hundys looking confused as to why I am waving at them.

[Carp]

Excellent Write-up! Everytime I see your pictures of your truck or see it in person, I swear I hear my 60 cry a little. Great job!

[rchalmers3]

Great truck and pics! I especially like how well your truck takes a cleaning. Those underside shots really show the detail of your work.

The paint really has a shine. Is it newer paint or does she respond well to waxing?

And that photo of your daughter dancing in front of the truck in the yard is a winner!

Congrats and thanks for posting up!

Rick

[smkymntn]

Thanks. It was repainted. I had it wetsanded after paint and it took all of the orange peel out.

[askeyey]

Bravo. Nicely done. Absolutely beautiful truck.

[jibberMT]

I feel like I just kinda cheated on my rig by merely looking at your pics! I'm really amazed you did all this work in one year. Very inspirational!

[bergerob]

Smkymntn,
You have a great looking ride. So many fantastic upgrades.
This has been a great inspiration for my FJ.

[cody c]

Super Clean ride!
That must be great for a dependable expedition style vehicle, Nice work.
Thanks for posting all the pics!

How much sound deadener did you use? How much difference did it make? Did you line the doors as well?

[cody c]

what method did you use to clean the underside of your cruiza? how long did it take?

I should leave my vehicles at your place for a year... JK!