ROTW: sk8salomon '85 FJ60

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Joined
Apr 21, 2006
Threads
147
Messages
2,940
Location
Chattanooga, TN
"The Cruiser"...i know, so original!

I didn't grow up around Cruisers, my dad didn't own one! In fact, I don't think anybody in my whole family has ever owned a LC (what a shame). If you didn't drive a GM family car, my dad didn't want it parked in his driveway. Yes, I'm one of those guys who probably 3-4 years ago, couldn't tell you the difference between a Land Rover and a LC:o

A good friend of mine owned an 80 series and a 76 FJ40. I loved both but really wanted something in between. He showed me some pics of 60 series and I fell in love! I looked for months finding typical rust buckets at high dollar cost. Then I just about quit looking when a guy at work told me about one down the street from his house. I took a look, no rust, great interior, ran decent, had newer jasper engine with 45k on it. About 2 weeks later, it was mine!

So bascially since Jan. 06 I've been doing the usual maintenance on this truck. Rebuilt both front axle hubs. Probably the nastiest job I've ever done but learned a lot. The more I tinker with this truck, the more I really appreciate how tough these vehicles are made. Got a fresh JimC carb, the usual plugs, wires, cap & rotor to get it running smoother, new exhaust, valve job, vacuum lines & change all fluids.

So you ask, why such a stock LC? I don't wheel in this truck. Call me a puss, but its too nice. I like the 60 because I can pack the :princess:, the kid, dog, gear + bikes & tow the boat all in one! I've been wheeling for quite some time now. Still have the late 87 Ford Bronco that I beat to holy hell but she takes it. If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy a 40 to wheel in and use my 60 for the family.
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No, I didn't buy the 60 with that roof rack. I quickly found that I needed something on top the truck to pack the gear in. An 80lb German Shepherd takes up quite a bit of gear space so I started looking. Damn, those racks are expensive. I work for a HVAC sheet metal shop so I've got access to just about any shape of aluminum and steel thought possible. I built this rack at 50 x 60 from all 1/8" x 1" x 1" aluminum square tube, all welded construction with screen & powdercoating. I realized I needed a faring to help keep wind noise & drag down so I welded an aluminum sheet to the front. Looked too boring so I decided to spice it up a bit with the FJ-60 Landcruiser logo. I imported a picture into AutoCAD, traced around the image, trimmed and added some radius and sent to a local laser cutting shop (I ordered 2 incase I screwed up). Then powdercoated the flat faring as close to the truck color as possible so the lettering would match. I have an extra aluminum cutout of this if anybody is interested.:D

I offset the Thule load bars so that I could also fit my bike on the roof. If I had to do it again, I'd buy even longer load bars and have a bike tray on the driver's side as well.
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Lights: I really like what the PO did with the lights. I don't know exactly what model they are, but 7" diameter Hellas is all I can tell you. There are different bulbs in the low & high beams too. Here's some pics I took.

Pic#1 is just the parking lights running. Basically, a low draw running light inside the lamp housing.

Pic#2 is the headlights turned on.

Pic#3 is the headlights and Hellas on.
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So there she is so far. I've got my eyes on some BFG AT/KO 33x9.50's. I really like the pizza cutter look and so far every 60 I've seen with them has given me the :D. As far as other mods, I'll keep it simple. I like my 60 the way it is and for what I use it for it couldn't be more perfect! :beer:
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Sweet, thanks for stepping up!!!


On those headlights, are the parking lights just removeable lights in a H3 style housing?
 
to bad you dont wheel her... i know you would like it more than the bronco... oh well nice looking 60.

and x2 on what mace said.

also do u know what brand the lights are? or where they can be found for others?
 
Here's some FJC floor mats I got for a bday present a while back. Wish they had brown but so far they've been great mats. Just pull out and spray with hose to wash. The mats stick really well to the carpet.
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So do you use air brakes to turn this thing or what?
 
Sweet, thanks for stepping up!!!


On those headlights, are the parking lights just removeable lights in a H3 style housing?

they are just removeable lights in the housing. I'll find out what brand and post some more pics. thanks.
 
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