The 60s Big Butt

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Ducks

Ducks

Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Threads
90
Messages
1,907
Location
Portland, Oregon
I love my fj60. My wife and kids love the land cruiser. I am currently learning basic maintenance and repairs. I plan to invest in her to make her a quality expedition rig as time and money allows. But there is this gnawing doubt in the back of my mind. She’s got a big butt. What are people’s real world experiences with the departure angle on a 60?

Other than getting stuck in desert mud while hunting, I have pretty limited off-road experience. It seems like the departure angle could be an issue with steep banks after a river crossing or navigating deep ruts. Does it matter in the real world? Before I invest, I just want to make sure I am betting on the right horse.

:beer: Chad
 
If you are really serious you could bob the rear quarters. Lots of threads on that.
 
to answer your question its just something we have to deal with when owning a 60 or a 62. The rear overhang is way to much. Add some lift and tires it will raise it up and make things lots easyer. IT becomes a problen when crossing deep ditchs. or trying to drive up real steep embankments like u mentioned. but that life.
 
As long as you have a real good bumper and tire carrier then its not a problem. I drag sometimes but have had no ill effects.
 
Also if your crusier is stock you may have some old worn out rear springs in there that sag and bottom out easier than new springs would. New springs, even if not lifting could help a little in that case.
 
I've gotten hung up a few times due to crossing bad ditches. Only negative effects are bending the tail pipe closed, ripping the bumper corners off, and of course getting stuck on the darn things.

SO I bobbed the quarters too. But on an angle.....

I also welded in a new lip around the opening. After wards I used a slight amount of POR-15 filler and made it smooth.

My rear bumper is going to incorporate a quarter panel slider just below.
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2ndcoat2ih8.webp
 
My rig has a little bit of a stink bug stance, this helps the tail from dragging. Also re-route your exhaust so it doesn't exit straight out the back.


SO I bobbed the quarters too. But on an angle.....

I also welded in a new lip around the opening. After wards I used a slight amount of POR-15 filler and made it smooth.

My rear bumper is going to incorporate a quarter panel slider just below.
Click to expand...

brownbear - I like your design. Do you have a thread started or more pics? I'm doing the same here very shortly but was trying to decide how to protect the quarter panels, tie into my back bumper and not use some big hoops. Please keep us updated with your progress.
 
cutting the quarter panel is a pretty easy operation that give you some clearance.

building sliders that are either connected to your bumper/frame or the body will help a lot.

But don't bother with either of the above until A) you have a lift and B) you've actually run into problems with the butt. If you damage the 1/4 panel it'll be a lot easier to cut it off! :)
 
Well said Sandcruiser. I've never had a problem exiting anything. Weld some steel slide tabs on the bottom, and go slow - if not it tends to settle into your jaw bone (and both rear quarters are dented -oops). Oh yeah - standard operations, turn the exhuast out the side behind the tire, then you only crush it every third trip or so. Bob
 
I've place my rear bumper down many times.

Part of my idea when I make a new rear bumper is to shorten the frame rails quite bit and tuck the bumper under the tailgate.
I will not however bother with a tire carrier. I just want it a little shorter and higher.

I found on the RH side of the vehicle it is a bit of pain getting around the fuel filler neck. I have to dish out my metal around it.
 
I think that this is the best solution for you ;)
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You get a fantastic handling an a great ride. You can use springs or Firestones air bags. What size of tires would you be running? this has a 38" under it. I don't know about you guys but when I was driving my LC, the big ass was always dancing like hell. when you length the LC the ass get "smaller" and follows the car. You also get ridden of the problem of hitting your bumper, or may I say your ass. If you want I can scats some drawings and measurement if you want . Good luck pal :beer:
 
Lengthing the wheelbase does help the departure angle, but makes it a lot easier to get high centered. Depends on the type of wheeling you are doing, and the type of terrain you are doing it on.
 
Lengthened looks good. Especially for Iceland.

I often thought that would be a great way to solve the overhang issues.
 
As said, lift and bigger tires helps the departure angle. Then drag it, grade a road for the shorties behind you. Honestly it's rare to get stuck due to the butt dragging. The heavy wagon will keep pulling.

The bigger concern is keep going forward. The butt dragging will prevent you from backing up. So you have to commit to going forward. The worst situation is failing a climb and sliding back down burying the bumper in the ground with the rear wheels in the air. You're done then.

Courtesy of Matador98...:D
p1230024.JPG
 
I still think the lengthing is the best solution, even for rock climbing. But I've been thinking if it would be possible to fit 6 pcs of 33" or even 35" under an LC hmmmm.
 
All I can say about it, is THANK GOD for the trailer hitch!
Its taken a TON of abuse on departure and Its a good thing that I always had my tire iron with me so I could re open my tail pipe!:D
I did an SOA not too long ago and Im hoping that it will help with this issue.

Chicago
 
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