Official SD Cruisers Introduction Thread

[jerdog]

My turn. Call me JD. I’m a veteran ‘cruiser going back to my ’71 FJ40 back in college up in LA—2F engine, full Rancho suspension, 11x15s, soft top (but mostly just had the bikini on it), diamond plate quarter panels, double-tube full cage, and good ol’ sheepskin seat covers. That’s dating myself. Prior to that, it was a Datsun King Cab while at So Pasadena high school (remember those??). Elephant Hill between So Pas and El Sereno was the proving ground. Angeles Forest was fun too. I did a nice end over roll at Azusa Cyn, right after rebuilding the brakes and replacing gaskets/seals on the drive train. I picked up my ‘40 in 1986, and I brought it down to North County. I used it mostly just to tow my Hobie, although it came in handy when my buddy crashed his Hobie 18 at Camp Pendleton near Red Beach during the 95 El Nino. It was fun recovering it, then doing a little wheeling on those trails you can see off I-5…before the bugs and bunnies guys closed them. But I had to sell it when I moved to Mission Beach—no place to park it. I’m looking for it on this board…sand color, had minor body damage from the roll. I sold it to a Lt Commander with the deep submergence unit at NASNI. Not sure it is even in the county still. My other car was a convertible sports car, so no dirt for that thing. Mountain biking was my mud fun replacement.

Then comes the car show at the convention center just after New Years 2006. “Chula Vista 71 FJ40” and his brother took me there, and I had no idea the FJC was in prototype and ready for production. The specs sounded too good to be true. I was on the list for the first shipment arriving that March. I first got on the Mossy Toyota list, but they were going to tack on another $5k popularity surcharge, so I picked it up from the gold standard of Toyota dealers, Longo in El Monte. I drove it down that first Saturday, and man, did heads turn. I stopped at the 7-11 in Carlsbad for a 12-pack before meeting a friend, and I must have had 4 guys in 5 minutes come up to check it out. Certainly not old school, but A/C, sound-proof freeway speeds, and satellite radio in the middle of the Mohave Desert is a definite step up!

I’ve kept it basic. No carpet except a remnant piece for my cargo area. I got a dash board cover to hide that black plastic that is bound to crack with some desert heat (that’s a dumb idea). Got full Donahoe suspension, an ARB front bumper, custom rock rails, and still waiting to burn thru my stock 31s to get 33s. They gave me new tires after 5k miles for some kind of recall, but they wouldn’t let me buy up. I don’t commute with it much, but I’ve had it in Sedona the first month, Mammoth soon after, Moab, Pismo, Old Mohave Road, Indepencia for watching/pre-running a Baja race, Big Bear, and not gotten stuck even with the smaller tires. Being new to wheeling in SD, AB has got some awesome stuff, but I’m still learning. The season is sort of short out there too. I wish the local mountains had more open trails. But then again, they closed all my old trails in the Angeles Forest too, as well as closing down the open shooting range areas too.

Not enough time to enjoy the FJC. Love mtn biking, racing sail boats, diving and fishing on my sports fisher Twin Vee powercat (yeah, ****ed off all my sailing buddies when I bought that), hiking/backpacking, golf, traveling with my wife, and general beach going. I have an ’02 2WD Tundra to tow my Twin Vee around SoCal, and to pick up new parts to throw on the FJC (Icon lower control arms next!). New dad in 2008, so I can’t wait to get him up and out on the trail…after he learns to dig his own hole! I work for NAVFAC SW taking care of our Sailors and Marines. I need to make more time for the FJC. Hope to see you out there…

Some pics:

[crusherboy]

My name is Mike. My first cruiser was my dad's when I was 2 in Okinawa in 1972. He bought his 40 new with PTO winch & LH steer thru a military program. He shipped it here on a aircraft carrier and after many adventures around north county, stuck it on the beach on Camp Pendelton where the tide got it. He got more from salvage than he had into it (likely because he avoided import duties and shipping). I got my first 40 in '95 and after much time, money and adventure sold it in '02 to get something practical. I got over that bit of stupidity and now have an '85 fj60 and a '67 fj45lwb I bought off Cruiserbrett. I did a frame off on the 45 and now can't do the trails I want to so I am building up the 60 because I could not care less what body damage that thing gets, it just looks cooler. I am in the Beach n Toys Toyota 4x4 club that regularly is doing meetings and runs but I am not a recuiter. I enjoy getting together with anyone who is into cruisers, wheeling, and modifications.

[landcruisnman]

OK. I'm new and old to the Landcruiser scene. I've owned FJ55's since 1983. I've had 4 of them. I bought my first(1971 FJ55) with a blown engine for $600 and pulled the moter and had a local guy in Huntington Beach(where I grew up) put a 305 chevy in it. It was a rust bucket. I ended up cutting the roof off and putting a soft top and roll cage in it. I took it to mexico and many other little trips for a few years. I found a 1972 with a clean body about 4 years later and decided to put my lift and motor in it. Once all that was done, it sat for a while. I had bought a new(in 1989) izusu Trooper and drove that on my trips. I ended up selling my 55 and was without a cruzr for a couple of years. In 1989 i saw something I couldn't pass up. Two FJ55's for sale in the local paper within 5 miles of my house. One had a V8 and some good body panels, the other(from a junkyard) had no drivetrain, but the body, floorboards were in great shape. It was just missing the roof skin. I decided to buy them both and put together another wagon. After some work, time and money, I once again had my FJ55. The one I put together back then is the one I currently owen and will own forever. I drove it everywhere. I move down to Carlsbad in 1995 and it was my only vehicle. Living near the beach has taken it's tole on my rig. I was driving back from Santa Crus last November and noticed a shit load of landcruisers heading north. It got me pretty fired up. I found out it was the anual Surf-n-Turf gathering. It really motivated my to get my rig back in shape. I've since decided to do a frame off and modify the suspension. I'm in the middle of that now. Also, after seeing Dom's and MIke's FJ45,s, I had to get one. Now I also own a 1967 FJ45 LWB. It will be my project after the 55 is totally done. I've got some pics here. Glad to be back into it.

[landcruisnman]

More pics

[landcruisnman]

more pics

[landcruisnman]

more pictures

[landcruisnman]

more of them

[landcruisnman]

Heres some of my body on 73Guppie's rotisserie

[landcruisnman]

Last ones. My 45 getting home from the trip from Wyoming. Future project.

[1973Guppie]

Pat, you got a 45! nice bro, very jealous, I have to come by the shop sometime and poke around, looks like you have a few rigs there......

Noah

[landcruisnman]

Anytime brother. Bring your daughter. Mike, Brett and Dom came by last week to check it out. I really won't be able to do anything but look at it for a while, but couldn't pass it up. Let me know.
Cell 760-419-2590
Later

[Plum Crazy 72]

Hey guys, It has been a while... I just wanted to say hello and tell all of you who have posted pics, that they are all awesome. I love checking in here every now and then to see whats up, whats new, and who is in the area.

I am still looking forward to meetinng more of you, I really want to make it to a get together. The Navy has me so damn busy that I don't know when that will be, but I will do all I can to meet as many members as I can.

Elwin