Project Overland - Page 8

smkymntn · 07-06-08, 07:49 PM

Your rig looks great. Your attention to detail really shows through. She is ready for another 20 years

boombapslappy · 07-10-08, 10:47 AM

Super job, Gehn! Man that looks great. Wanna build my 40?

VTCruiser · 07-11-08, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boombapslappy

Super job, Gehn! Man that looks great. Wanna build my 40?

Thanks!

I don't have much of an update right now. I have been trying to clear out some parts. The old HJ body and frame are getting hauled to the steel yard today. I did get the 62 spring plates and rear shocks installed, and I started on the front shock mounts and rear sway bar brackets which I hope to weld up this weekend. The trim shop is closed this week for vacation, so I hope to get the headliner in first thing next week. Then I can finally get all the glass back in and really start driving it again.

88chevota · 07-14-08, 09:36 PM

Gehn,

Wow what an amazing job. Glad to see those axles will get good use!

Tony

VTCruiser · 07-14-08, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88chevota

Gehn,

Wow what an amazing job. Glad to see those axles will get good use!

Tony

I'll make sure they do!

lowtideride · 07-15-08, 09:25 AM

Looks great...

Awesome job.

VTCruiser · 07-16-08, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowtideride

Looks great...

Awesome job.

Thanks lowtide!

The headliner is finally in, so I was able to get the rest of the glass in. The windshield goes in today at 6pm. Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be able to weld up my new upper front shock mounts, and rear sway bar brackets. I also cleaned up and painted my Smitty built bumper to put back on it for now. I'll get pics later today...

Cruzer_89 · 07-17-08, 01:18 PM

Amazing build, awesome work!

AGreekBoy · 07-18-08, 08:35 AM

hey gehn who did your headliner?

VTCruiser · 07-18-08, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGreekBoy

hey gehn who did your headliner?

Myers on Church st. just because it was convenient. Only about a mile and half away, an easy drive with no windshield...

VTCruiser · 07-20-08, 02:17 PM

Alright, I know I am getting behind with the photos. I'll get some updated shots as soon as I can. I finally got the windshield installed so I have been able to put some miles on it. I drove it to day about 200 miles round trip and it did pretty well. My oil pressure gauge isn't working, so i think I may have a bad sender. It was also running a little warm on the highway. Cruising at about 70mph the temp would creep up to about 2/3rds. Granted, it is in the high 90's today, but this engine is cold blooded. Before I never got it above 1/2 unless I was climbing a mountain, and even then it would barely get to 5/8's. I suspect the radiator is a little stopped up. it's the only thing that's different than before. I also noticed a few pin hole leaks, so it needs to be replaced anyway. Otherwise, it runs great!

Tooth Fairy · 07-23-08, 01:13 AM

Looks good. Nice enough work it makes me really want a 60.

VTCruiser · 07-24-08, 12:50 PM

It looks like the cooling problem ended up being the temp sender. There are two senders on a 2F and I guessed the wrong one the first time. I swapped it out for the other and the gauge now reads normal. I am going to replace the leaky radiator anyway, and then I'll take it on the highway to test it out.

I also finally welded up the front shock towers and rear sway bar bracket to wrap up the suspension work. Handles like a dream now! For the shock towers I started with the ford F-250 towers, cut them down about 4 inches and the notched and bent them in two places to keep the shocks mounted vertical and avoid an outward rake which also required trimming the inner fenders. I am very pleased with the way they came out and I got a couple inches extra travels to boot.

The rear sway bar is 27mm, so I had to fab up some new axle brackets.

ashooter · 07-24-08, 03:29 PM

VTCruiser,

When/if I get my 60 in the next year or two, you can fix it for me!

NICE rig you've got going here, and thanks a lot for sharing all the info and photos! I'm not a 60 guy (yet), but a lot of the stuff you're doing, I never would have thought of... and that could be worth a lot to any Cruiser owner looking to breath new life into an old rig - 60, 40, 55, or 80.

AGreekBoy · 07-25-08, 03:48 PM

those worked out very nice man . are you still in town.?

VTCruiser · 07-28-08, 05:30 PM

thanks for the kind words guys!

I am now back in VT so I have been busy unpacking and visiting with the family. But the cruiser did GREAT on the way home. No issues what so ever, and I averaged about 21 mpg! I also found out a good way to break in springs is to load them down with 800lbs of payload and drive it 900 miles. Sits pretty level now...!

eventhough · 07-29-08, 06:09 AM

did you "break" a spring or did you "break in" your springs?

Glad your trip went well!

VTCruiser · 07-29-08, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eventhough

did you "break" a spring or did you "break in" your springs?

Glad your trip went well!

i meant "break in". fixed it...

Lewis · 08-01-08, 04:47 AM

Some pics! Some pics! Sweet build, almost exactly what I am planning, so now I can just copy you

VTCruiser · 08-01-08, 03:25 PM

Alright here are some pics from this afternoon. I took it out on my parents property and tested out the 4wd a little bit. Everything worked just fine. The new 4.11s make a big difference in L4.

72cruiser · 08-02-08, 12:56 AM

diggin the pics...is that the same area you took the first pics of the old hj when you got it?

ahhhh, still remember that purple tinting and sweet brown tube bumper. at least the bumper is still there, ha ha.

hope home is treatin you well, say hey to nobu and annie for me.

Sput · 08-10-08, 03:47 PM

great job

1tontoy · 08-10-08, 05:33 PM

Nice work, man! You did a hell of a job, and quick too....

I got family in VT and I grew up going to VT and ME for the summers. Love it up there.

lostworldexpedition · 08-11-08, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis

Some pics! Some pics! Sweet build, almost exactly what I am planning, so now I can just copy you

X2 for me...

Thank you so much for this thread it has been very enjoyable. I like that you posted the build summary with links on the first post. Great overland expedition rig.

What are the rest of your plans. The rear storage, RTT, etc.

VTCruiser · 08-11-08, 01:35 PM

Thanks guys! I am glad some people have found it helpful. This is just phase 1 of the build, which covers the "infrastructure" of the truck. phase 2 will be the mods and accessories for expedition. Now that the body and chassis are solid, I can turn my attention to the the engine. I need to calculate the exact mileage, but the 1HZ is right around the 100k mark and is due for some maintenance. I'd like to replace the BEB's as a precaution before I get a turbo which will be the next purchase. I may consider replacing/upgrading the clutch as well when the turbo is installed. After that, I'll work on recovery bumpers, armor and camping accessories. I'll leave my storage drawers for now, but if I go with a rooftop tent, I'll probably replace them with a full-height cargo system.

knorrena · 08-12-08, 08:57 AM

Great thread. I really admire all your work.

Have you had the chance to use your headlight washers? Do they really clean the headlights?

VTCruiser · 08-12-08, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knorrena

Great thread. I really admire all your work.

Have you had the chance to use your headlight washers? Do they really clean the headlights?

No I haven't, the reservoir was busted and i haven't gotten a replacement yet. I suspect they'll l work fine though for rinsing off mud, especially if you spray them before the mud dries.

07-06-08, 07:49 PM	#211
smkymntn Colonel Angus Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: up in the clouds TLCA# 18436 Posts: 646 Blog Entries: 4	Your rig looks great. Your attention to detail really shows through. She is ready for another 20 years __________________ 1986 Toyota Landcruiser FJ60 "The Colonel" 2002 Toyota Tacoma Limited DC 4x4 "Hi-Ho" 1999 Toyota 4Runner SOLD "Marshmellow" Upstate Cruisers TLCA#18436

07-10-08, 10:47 AM	#212
boombapslappy huh? Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate SC TLCA# 17774 Posts: 464	Super job, Gehn! Man that looks great. Wanna build my 40? __________________ J-Bo 1974 FJ40--"Jerry Jeff"--FOR SALE 1989 FJ62--"Ms. Cuban"--Stock, DD 2000 UZJ100--"Elsie"--DD, Slee Sliders, BFG 285's I dyde shyte thre grete toordes. Upstate Cruisers

07-14-08, 09:36 PM	#214
88chevota IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 424	Gehn, Wow what an amazing job. Glad to see those axles will get good use! Tony __________________ 1988 FJ62 - Chevy 350 TBI, SM465 tranny, NP205 t-case, cruiser/minitruck hybrid rear axle, SOA, shackle reversal, 35" Maxxis Bighorns, 14" travel shocks all around. check out the build. All done!!! http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/164109-chevota-gets-makeover.html 1997 FZJ80 - Collector's Edition (wife's)

07-15-08, 09:25 AM	#216
lowtideride Ride On... Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Florida TLCA# 14891 Posts: 6,962	Looks great... Awesome job. __________________ www.NFCruiserheads.org 1983 SR5 Hilux... has had no peers for 50 years...

07-17-08, 01:18 PM	#218
Cruzer_89 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Central Florida TLCA# 14614 Posts: 254	Amazing build, awesome work! __________________ 96 FZJ80 Stock for now... <>< HG Job, silicone PHH, no leaks of any kind.. A proud member of the white non-locked cruiser club.. 89 FJ62 Rust Bucket/Trail Rig 85 FJ60 Sold

07-18-08, 08:35 AM	#219
AGreekBoy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: south carolina TLCA# 18699 Posts: 349	hey gehn who did your headliner?

07-20-08, 02:17 PM	#221
VTCruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vermont TLCA# 15472 Posts: 2,655	Alright, I know I am getting behind with the photos. I'll get some updated shots as soon as I can. I finally got the windshield installed so I have been able to put some miles on it. I drove it to day about 200 miles round trip and it did pretty well. My oil pressure gauge isn't working, so i think I may have a bad sender. It was also running a little warm on the highway. Cruising at about 70mph the temp would creep up to about 2/3rds. Granted, it is in the high 90's today, but this engine is cold blooded. Before I never got it above 1/2 unless I was climbing a mountain, and even then it would barely get to 5/8's. I suspect the radiator is a little stopped up. it's the only thing that's different than before. I also noticed a few pin hole leaks, so it needs to be replaced anyway. Otherwise, it runs great! __________________ Project Overland Build - Updated 8/1/08 UpstateCruisers.net "Goes where the golden trout are."

07-23-08, 01:13 AM	#222
Tooth Fairy IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 578	Looks good. Nice enough work it makes me really want a 60. __________________ At one point we had six cruisers in the family, but, now we're down to five. Two are locked up and all that stuff and those would be mine. (The others we don't talk about. )

07-24-08, 12:50 PM	#223
VTCruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vermont TLCA# 15472 Posts: 2,655	It looks like the cooling problem ended up being the temp sender. There are two senders on a 2F and I guessed the wrong one the first time. I swapped it out for the other and the gauge now reads normal. I am going to replace the leaky radiator anyway, and then I'll take it on the highway to test it out. I also finally welded up the front shock towers and rear sway bar bracket to wrap up the suspension work. Handles like a dream now! For the shock towers I started with the ford F-250 towers, cut them down about 4 inches and the notched and bent them in two places to keep the shocks mounted vertical and avoid an outward rake which also required trimming the inner fenders. I am very pleased with the way they came out and I got a couple inches extra travels to boot. The rear sway bar is 27mm, so I had to fab up some new axle brackets. __________________ Project Overland Build - Updated 8/1/08 UpstateCruisers.net "Goes where the golden trout are." Last edited by VTCruiser; 07-24-08 at 12:58 PM.

07-24-08, 03:29 PM	#224
ashooter IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2006 Location: TEXAS Posts: 409	VTCruiser, When/if I get my 60 in the next year or two, you can fix it for me! NICE rig you've got going here, and thanks a lot for sharing all the info and photos! I'm not a 60 guy (yet), but a lot of the stuff you're doing, I never would have thought of... and that could be worth a lot to any Cruiser owner looking to breath new life into an old rig - 60, 40, 55, or 80. __________________ '92 FJ80, 3F-E Grrrrrrrrrrrrr, 464 Beige paint job, 255/85R16 Toyo M/T's on 70 Series steelies, OME 861/862... dubbed "Old Suzy" by my 3-year old.

07-25-08, 03:48 PM	#225
AGreekBoy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: south carolina TLCA# 18699 Posts: 349	those worked out very nice man . are you still in town.?

07-28-08, 05:30 PM	#226
VTCruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vermont TLCA# 15472 Posts: 2,655	thanks for the kind words guys! I am now back in VT so I have been busy unpacking and visiting with the family. But the cruiser did GREAT on the way home. No issues what so ever, and I averaged about 21 mpg! I also found out a good way to break in springs is to load them down with 800lbs of payload and drive it 900 miles. Sits pretty level now...! __________________ Project Overland Build - Updated 8/1/08 UpstateCruisers.net "Goes where the golden trout are." Last edited by VTCruiser; 07-29-08 at 06:35 AM.

08-01-08, 04:47 AM	#229
Lewis IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa Ont. Posts: 48	Some pics! Some pics! Sweet build, almost exactly what I am planning, so now I can just copy you

08-01-08, 03:25 PM	#230
VTCruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vermont TLCA# 15472 Posts: 2,655	Alright here are some pics from this afternoon. I took it out on my parents property and tested out the 4wd a little bit. Everything worked just fine. The new 4.11s make a big difference in L4. __________________ Project Overland Build - Updated 8/1/08 UpstateCruisers.net "Goes where the golden trout are."

08-02-08, 12:56 AM	#231
72cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: nashville, tn TLCA# 13842 Posts: 2,552	diggin the pics...is that the same area you took the first pics of the old hj when you got it? ahhhh, still remember that purple tinting and sweet brown tube bumper. at least the bumper is still there, ha ha. hope home is treatin you well, say hey to nobu and annie for me. __________________ jonathan malphrus -- 72fj40 the only pinstriping i'll ever have on my cruiser will be after i hit a ny yankee 'these are my awards, mother, from army. the seal is for marksmanship and the gorilla is for sand racing.' ...build-up here (stalled)...

08-10-08, 03:47 PM	#232
Sput IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	great job

08-10-08, 05:33 PM	#233
1tontoy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In the MUD Posts: 272	Nice work, man! You did a hell of a job, and quick too.... I got family in VT and I grew up going to VT and ME for the summers. Love it up there. __________________ ...addicted

08-11-08, 01:35 PM	#235
VTCruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vermont TLCA# 15472 Posts: 2,655	Thanks guys! I am glad some people have found it helpful. This is just phase 1 of the build, which covers the "infrastructure" of the truck. phase 2 will be the mods and accessories for expedition. Now that the body and chassis are solid, I can turn my attention to the the engine. I need to calculate the exact mileage, but the 1HZ is right around the 100k mark and is due for some maintenance. I'd like to replace the BEB's as a precaution before I get a turbo which will be the next purchase. I may consider replacing/upgrading the clutch as well when the turbo is installed. After that, I'll work on recovery bumpers, armor and camping accessories. I'll leave my storage drawers for now, but if I go with a rooftop tent, I'll probably replace them with a full-height cargo system. __________________ Project Overland Build - Updated 8/1/08 UpstateCruisers.net "Goes where the golden trout are."

08-12-08, 08:57 AM	#236
knorrena IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 838	Great thread. I really admire all your work. Have you had the chance to use your headlight washers? Do they really clean the headlights? __________________ 1997 LX 450 190000kms, locked, 285 Revos, Supercharged. You cant kill yourself on a pogostick. (Harry Parker, world famous geostatistician)