HJ60 chop is COMPLETE

loomis · 04-24-06, 03:30 AM

Some or you may remember around February I posted some pics of my HJ60. I also mentioned it was getting some treatment with a 9" grinder.

Well...With just 3 days short of a month gone since the first cut was made...it is finished!

Will give you all a brief rundown on events before I post some pics for you.

The chop and tray were completed within the 5 days that we allowed, everything went off without a hitch...and any hitches that did pop up were easily sorted out. We used the top half (hatch) section but manufactured to plates (inside and out) for the bottom section where the tailgate normally is.

Didnt bother with a side window in the new "B" pillar as visibility is not affected. With the hatch being used at the rear it allowed us to keep the rounded corners, and not have the flatback look that many others have. This IMHO is much better looking! And I even left the windscreen wiper on the back, not too many utes have a rear windscreen wiper afterall.

The back of the cab lined up beautifully with a body mount, so there was no need to move or add any mounts.

We also cut just over 400mm off the chassis rail at the back. Which leaves about 100mm hanging out passed the rear hanger. When you look at it from side on, its looks like a short wheel base now

Just in case it is needed, a need tow section was put in at the back. But it was made to suit the hayman reece tounge that is on my 02 dual cab hilux. So if I ever need to tow anything, its all good.

There is still some external bits to go back on, and the interior is still pretty much gutted...but over time it will all be done!

Thats pretty much it...I mean I could go into wicked details, but I am sure there will be plenty of Questions anyways...so I will wait till they come.

Heres some pics of the finished product.

GLTHFJ60 · 04-24-06, 05:46 AM

WOW that looks good. Good job on the chop!

Have any rear view pics?

timbercruiser · 04-24-06, 08:24 AM

So much for trimming the fenders to clear bigger tires!!

VTCruiser · 04-24-06, 10:10 AM

i hate seeing such a good looking body get chopped but it looks good. my HJ body is all rusted out.

bigndn · 04-24-06, 10:17 AM

Nice work!! In the 'before' picture, were the rear windows sliders? If so and you want to get rid of them, PM me. Thanks! It looks really sharp!

agent orange · 04-24-06, 01:32 PM

We need shots of the tailgate man. Looks cool, its really really yellow though, you gonna cage the rest of it?

import silvia · 04-24-06, 06:06 PM

Looks great, but I can't help this slight feeling of sadness.

lonelydriver · 04-24-06, 06:19 PM

me too...

kevinmrowland · 04-24-06, 07:31 PM

Sad indeed

Blythg · 04-24-06, 07:52 PM

That is a crime!

GLTHFJ60 · 04-24-06, 08:07 PM

If that's what floats his boat, then let him be, just sell me your sliders!!!

daner · 04-24-06, 08:16 PM

I kinda dig it!-if 60 series were rare, it might bug, but I'd take a small fortune to do all of the mods on a fj40 (especially an early one) that are already part of a 60 series.

calfj60 · 04-24-06, 09:32 PM

I think I will pass...but if the bed was longer than maybe I would like it...but it does look like good work...

fowldarr · 04-24-06, 11:05 PM

i saw a 60 the other dayhat was driving down the road but it looked like a tree had dropped on the back end i was thinking that it would look cool with the back window/cargo area chopped off into a four door pick up style, anybody done this?

loomis · 04-25-06, 01:20 AM

Dont know why you guys are saying "its a crime"....or "I feel a little sad"

The 60 series have never been what I would call a good looking vehicle...so I chopped the ugly bit off.

anyways...that all comes down to personal preference I guess...we cant all have trucks that look the same, otherwise the world would be a very boring place.

Here are some more pics for you guys.

I cant post too many, as I am only a new member. Limited picture space apparantly.

GLTHFJ60 · 04-25-06, 05:23 AM

That definatley looks like awesome work!

stinkyfj60 · 04-25-06, 05:25 AM

Buy a star and you get posting space.

I dig it, not sure if I would do it to one with a nice body, but its really cool. You also have to think that most of us are in the US, and 60s are fairly uncommon here.

If mine is ever involved in an accident, I am chopping.

Exiled · 04-25-06, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loomis

Dont know why you guys are saying "its a crime"....or "I feel a little sad"

The 60 series have never been what I would call a good looking vehicle...so I chopped the ugly bit off.

anyways...that all comes down to personal preference I guess...we cant all have trucks that look the same, otherwise the world would be a very boring place.

Here are some more pics for you guys.

I cant post too many, as I am only a new member. Limited picture space apparantly.

I think it looks GREAT, love the color, love the tray, can't wait to see some action pics!

Russ in California · 04-25-06, 08:12 AM

Wow. Nice job.

Rig of Mortis · 04-25-06, 08:34 AM

Nice work, I love the tucked away spare tire/tyre.

I suppose those of us who live in the rust belt of North America are constantly fighting with rust issues and that's why you have people piping up regarding choping up a nice clean 60 series.

Would you consider any horizontal bars for protection across the back of the cab (might save your rear window) if you decide to haul anything on the tray/bed.

I do love the fact that you kept the rear squirter for the wiper (it's the little details).

Again, nice work, have fun!

andrew7elk · 04-25-06, 09:22 AM

I really like that, and i too also like the tucked away spare. Do you have any interior pics of the back section???????

(but i do have to agree with some of the guys...... its sad to see such a nice cruiser like yours be chopped, but it turned out very well and its your decision)

Cracker · 04-25-06, 11:28 AM

Nice work...

Kinda looks like a short, but on-steroids FJ75...LOL

Gus · 04-25-06, 03:36 PM

Very cool, I started a very similar build up on my 83 FJ60 but haven't any time to work on it lately. Do you have any pics of the floor area behind the seats, this is where I'm running into problems with mine.

NorCal60 · 04-25-06, 03:57 PM

I like it, more ideas for a future project!

Max.Powerzz · 04-25-06, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loomis

Dont know why you guys are saying "its a crime"....or "I feel a little sad"

The 60 series have never been what I would call a good looking vehicle...so I chopped the ugly bit off.

anyways...that all comes down to personal preference I guess...we cant all have trucks that look the same, otherwise the world would be a very boring place..

I have to agree with you that everybody has different taste (and that's a good thing!), but as a supposed "art expert" I have to say that, aesthetically speaking, the 60 series are fine-looking trucks: well-balanced, nice lines, good proportions. And you are definitely right, we don't want to all look the same, that would be boring--so bring on the hot-pink cruisers!

lowtideride · 04-25-06, 04:56 PM

Awesome work...Time for some bigger meats. Kinda looks like the slee short buss. Very nice work and its cool to see somthing new...

norcalvws · 04-25-06, 08:06 PM

It's called sectioning the body (You took out a section of the body). A "Chop" is reserved for rooves. Anyhoo,
I love it

five nannas for your work

.
Dave.

loomis · 04-26-06, 12:22 AM

With the rear section (at the bottom), a panel was fabricated to weld to the bottom of the hatch, and then welded to the floor from underneath. This panel also has 2 H channels tacked onto it (inside) for extra strength and support. We rolled the sides to match the rounded corners at the rear.

With the inside panel, a bit of fabrication was done here also. But this was just a 90 degree fold at the top, and another 90 degree fold on the bottom (going the other way though). Another piece was welded in the corners just to neaten things up a little.

Dont know if these pics show what you want to see, but here goes anyway.

P.S Didnt realise the 60's were uncommon over there...I always thought they were a dime a dozen type thing.

loomis · 04-26-06, 12:30 AM

The placement for the spare is a common thing over here...keeps it out of harms way, and helps keep C.O.G down low as possible.

Yer, they are tie down rails....I guess...mainly they are there for a bit more protection from trees and so on. And they look BLING!

As for bigger meats...I am already running 35" now. In the state I live in SOA are illegal. So there isnt much more I can do to fit bigger tyres.

The rear windscreen wiper and squirter still work! they aint just there for show. I wanted to keep the button to open the hatch as well...but before I new it a plate was welded over the hole and it was gooooone.

Theres a few 60's dual cabd getting around here actually...but I dont like them. I dont know if its because they used a flatback panel to close it out, or just the general shape.

theres all the other replies done :-)

roscoFJ73 · 04-26-06, 04:56 AM

Im a little disapointed too ,I like them chopped to look like this one

Oh and nice work by the way,we got plenty of good rust free 60 so keep choppin