Who’s had personal experience using a shop for a complete FJ60 restoration? (1 Viewer)

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Feb 24, 2014
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Hi guys: I’ve owned my 60 for a number of years, and there are just so many things that need fixing at this point that I want to completely overhaul the truck. I am looking for a V8 swap, complete new interior, new exterior paint, new suspension, and an electric window retrofit.

I was wondering if any of our forum members can share their firsthand experience using a shop for a complete overhaul. I have talked to a couple different outfits, but it's hard to know who to trust with my truck

Thanks in advance for any advice or experience you can share.
 
I had a horrible experience doing this. Spent lots of money and most of the work had to be redone. I researched the shop and thought that they were qualified and trustworthy. Very few shops are qualified to do restoration and upgrade work. Be very careful in choosing a shop and monitor expenses. Mike
 
I had a horrible experience doing this. Spent lots of money and most of the work had to be redone. I researched the shop and thought that they were qualified and trustworthy. Very few shops are qualified to do restoration and upgrade work. Be very careful in choosing a shop and monitor expenses. Mike
Mike: this is the exact scenario that I am worried about and trying to avoid. Are you willing to tell me who I should avoid?
 
I would rather not give the name of the shop. Just say an East coast shop. Nothing good to say about them. Mike
 
I would rather not give the name of the shop. Just say an East coast shop. Nothing good to say about them. Mike
I understand. Appreciate the words of caution, I'm definitely holding off on making a decision until I get some personal recommendations from forum members.
 
I understand. Appreciate the words of caution, I'm definitely holding off on making a decision until I get some personal recommendations from forum members.
Ewright, no one knows where you are in order to determine whether to chime in or not.
 
My rig is currently with @kelly saad getting Body+Paint done. He has done several Mud members rigs and I can say it has been a smooth experience so far. If you ask him i'm sure he will say I message like a teenage girl...but, thats on my end...not his :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: I'm a Vehicle idiot and sometimes need things explained more than once to understand AND I like to be very clear with communication. Again, Kelly has been a gem to work with.

After the Body + Paint is complete...my Rig will travel to @TRAIL TAILOR for a LS3 Erod transplant and BUNCH of other things:

-Frame off lizard skin underneath
-Frame blasted + painted
-Coil+Axel Conversion
-Engine bay repaint
-LS3 transplant
-Trail Taylor Front+ Rear Aluminum bumpers
-Aluminum Long Range Gas tank
-Sliders
-New carpet

and things i'm sure i'm forgetting. Altho My rig hasn't made it to Jasons spot...this has required ALOT of back+forth (prlly wayyy more than J would like) I've seen enuff f Js fnished product to be EXTREMELY EXCITED and expect my rig to be as awesome as anticipated. Dealing with J has been nothiung short of awesome.

When I booked with Kelly I didnt realize Jason also did Body + Paint or I may have just done a 1-stop shop. But I also have zero regrets sending my rig to Kelly...as his work is also Top Shelf!!!

#BestOfLuck!


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My rig is currently with @kelly saad getting Body+Paint done. He has done several Mud members rigs and I can say it has been a smooth experience so far. If you ask him i'm sure he will say I message like a teenage girl...but, thats on my end...not his :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: I'm a Vehicle idiot and sometimes need things explained more than once to understand AND I like to be very clear with communication. Again, Kelly has been a gem to work with.

After the Body + Paint is complete...my Rig will travel to @TRAIL TAILOR for a LS3 Erod transplant and BUNCH of other things:

-Frame off lizard skin underneath
-Frame blasted + painted
-Coil+Axel Conversion
-Engine bay repaint
-LS3 transplant
-Trail Taylor Front+ Rear Aluminum bumpers
-Aluminum Long Range Gas tank
-Sliders

and things i'm sure i'm forgetting. Altho My rig hasn't made it to Jasons spot...this has required ALOT of back+forth (prlly wayyy more than J would like) I've seen enuff f Js fnished product to be EXTREMELY EXCITED and expect my rig to be as awesome as anticipated. Dealing with J has been nothiung short of awesome.

When I booked with Kelly I didnt realize Jason also did Body + Paint or I may have just done a 1-stop shop. But I also have zero regrets sending my rig to Kelly...as his work is also Top Shelf!!!

#BestOfLuck!


View attachment 2908187

Incredible build! This is basically what I’m looking to do.
 
Incredible build! This is basically what I’m looking to do.
Thanks...im stoked. Kinda just evolved into this...opened a can of worms:worms::worms::worms:that kept getting larger. lolol...Hopefully ends with New Scheel-Man seats :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Going to have a small fortune into a 35 year old truck...oh well, just $$$ #YOLO!
 
+1 for working with Kelly Saad in Flagstaff, AZ. He worked his magic on my 60 and it came out great and now he is working on my 40. I think something to keep in mind is the rust you see is only a fraction of the actual rust buried in your rig. The cost of repairing your rig will be pretty dynamic depending on what is found when she is down to bare metal. I think it is easier to find a shop to drop a V8 into your rig than it is to find a body shop artist willing to do your rig right.
 
I have no personal experience with these shops (actually these are user names) but they have posted their detailed work on the forum and may be worth talking to or at least do some searching around on the forum and look at some of their work. I'm pretty sure the first 3 do V8 swaps.

NCFJ, SNLC, TRAIL TAILOR, not sure if wngrog is a pro shop but he's working on a rig for another right now here:

Builds - C Brown Sixty Build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/c-brown-sixty-build.1274213/

and is doing amazing work. cruisermatt has a shop in FL not sure if he paints though.
 
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1.I have seen several massive builds at Ozarkoverlandoutfitters.com in west pains mo. I don't know of a actual 60 off the top of my head but a frame off 40, several 80s with a toyota diesel transplant, a 4runner they just put in diamond read 80 axle and 200 front suspension, Several 200 form all over the country. Jason is a 1 man show with his father helping some so you get personal service. Lifetime toyota mechanic.

Give him a call and he can send you some work pics and references. Warning though. Any of the quality shops will require a long wait and long process. They are not working with an assembly line and the prices are reflective of the work done.

2. I have seen several truck that Mosely motors in memphis has done and know he does quality work. He also builds some interesting rigs.

3. Voodoo Cruisers in Marion IL.

ALL these shops have instagram pages and you can browse through some of there work but in the end I would want to personally visit and talk before spending $$$$$
 
I sent my 60 series rig to @TRAIL TAILOR for a complete overhaul - 80 series suspension and LS3 swap along with other goodies. The experience and communication with J was fantastic. No complaints. I have had my local mechanic, a muffler specialists and 4 other onlookers gawking at the rig. Everyone of them told me it was the cleanest motor swap and muffler configuration they have ever seen. I can't speak for other Custom Fabrication/Motor Swap shops, but all of my future purchases will come from Trail Tailor Customs.
Here is a link to my review with photos.

<
 
I sent my 60 series rig to @TRAIL TAILOR for a complete overhaul - 80 series suspension and LS3 swap along with other goodies. The experience and communication with J was fantastic. No complaints. I have had my local mechanic, a muffler specialists and 4 other onlookers gawking at the rig. Everyone of them told me it was the cleanest motor swap and muffler configuration they have ever seen. I can't speak for other Custom Fabrication/Motor Swap shops, but all of my future purchases will come from Trail Tailor Customs.
Here is a link to my review with photos.

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Doug: your build is incredible! Exactly what I’m looking for. I just reached out to Jason. Thank you for posting.
 
This is Jonathan Ward’s shop.
Proven LC restorations. Very expensive but excellent work (I’ve heard). I never used them but if I was rich I would have dropped my cruiser off there for the full makeover.
Personally- I’d have no qualms or worries leaving my cruiser with them for months. My main concern would be if I could afford it.

Contact them and search the internet.
Also search Jonathan Ward

 

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