1984 fj60 hillbilly resto.

[landbruiser60]

Here we have a nineteen and eighty four FJ sixty with a frame off restore in it's future. Although, I have rebuilt several engines in the past; and have always performed my own vehicle maintenance. I have never attempted a complete restore on any car. I do consider myself a noobie in the mechanic world. So I will be relying on IH8MUD members ( that means you!) as my source of "best" advice. I imagine this will be a long and tedious project. I do not expect this vehicle to be like new or better than new when I am finished. With that said, I am going to do everything in my power to make this vehicle last as long as possible. Any advice or criticism during this project would be greatly appreciated. I plan on doing this project by myself, outdoors, with little or no assitance. So please, bear with me as this is going to be quite a challenge. However, I have admit the "cruiser" is one of the "easier" vehicles to tinker with that I have seen. There always seems to be plenty of space for my tools, and I believe the working room and the simplicity of design is bar none! .... So, okay guys this is my plan: (please add any suggestions) I have an ome suspension kit, Carburetor rebuild kit, tie rod end kit, stainless steel brake lines, and two gallons of rustbullet on hand. I guess I willl attempt to rustbullet the frame, and anything and everything that that doesn't move. Then rust bullet "black shell" the outside of body and wheels (has anyone done this)? Then rhino/ line-x the interior of the body. As for all the internal moving parts, (knuckle (front axle), rear axle, power steering, steering gear box, tranny, transfer case,and engine. I don't know if I should wait longer or go ahead and perform the rebuild. Does anyone have the link the to the scheduled maintenance. This rig currently has 127k. miles on it. I have have lost my train of thought so here are some pics:

Day 1: Not a whole lot of progress today: 8" of snow expected tonight, Weeee!

 

[Nolan B.]

I've used rust bullet black shell. Extremely adhesive and hard. Greatest stuff I've ever used. Good luck with the project. Can't wait to see the results.

 

[klinetime574]

Sounds like fun. Nothing is better than beating on those old spring bushings for hours. haha. hopefully not.

About the photos: Just use photobucket.com and embed all your photos, it's free. I use it.

 

[landbruiser60]

I've got one of those jaw puller tools. So hopefully the bushings will come out easy. My main concern at this point is rigging of a strap system to lift the the body from the frame. I will be utlizing A trackhoe for this. So this will make an entertaining project as there is expeted to be fresh snow tommorrow. The body will be pulled from the fame regarless of the weather tomorrow. I will figure out how to post better pics and keep you guys informed.

 

[RYAN BARNARD]

would like to see pictures of your project moving foward. good luck!!

 

[RYAN BARNARD]

would like to see pictures of your project moving foward. good luck!!

 

[acer]

good luck, the trackhoe is a nice solution, post pics

 

[Tvaldriz]

Get a Factory service manual and do basic maintainance for a baseline. (fluids,valve adjustment, plugs, timing, hoses/belts, etc)

Decide what you want to do after that in phases, as time and money permit.

Post pics and ask questions. Have fun!

 

[Spike Strip]

Good luck. Just used the Rust Bullet (automotive formula with black shell topcoat) on my frame, and Chassis Saver on the inside. Hard as nails. Damn bit*h to do, though.

 

[landbruiser60]

The weather has thrown a wrench in my progress. It hasn't risen above 20° F. the last two days. I have the body unbolted and ready to pull from the frame. However, I can't get the excavator to start due to the cold. It's suppose to be nice weather this weekend; So hopefully I'll get some work done on it. I can't wait till this thing is ready to roll again.

 

[landbruiser60]

The steering column is still connected...will this thing come apart with the body on it? Or do I need to lift the body a little first?

 

[landbruiser60]

good luck, the trackhoe is a nice solution, post pics

I've decided against trying to lift the body with a trackhoe. There is no good way to control it. The lifting action is from a single piont and allows the body to sway. I will instead just jack up the body and roll the chassis from underneath. Or take the rig to a shop with a lift, I'm already tired of trying to work outside anyway...

 

[Spike Strip]

I was able to paint the frame with the body on, but God, what a stinkin' mess... I should've lifted the body off. Would've been much easier.

 

[cruiserhunter]

Looks great.

Good luck

Patrick

 

[narpod]

It's the little things

Are you going to replace the body mount bushings? What do you think you'll use? What about little things like exhaust hangers and brake and fuel line clips, will you just look for generic parts and make 'em fit?
Good luck.

 

[landbruiser60]

Nice day!

Well after weeks of no progress on the build and bad weather on my days off. It was finally a nice day and I didn't have to work today . I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours on the cruiser in between yard work and riding motorcycles. I got the body lifted and the frame rolled out then removed the rear spring bushings, drive shaft, and c-channels. Those c channels took a little friendly persuasion, but they were not too bad. I used a reciprocating saw to cut the rivet heads on the outside of the frame. Then used an air chisel to pry the inside of the c channel from the frame. THere hasn'tbeen a lot of progress yet but it's a start. I'll start preping the frame for rust bullet tonight. The newest question rattling around in my head is, GO V8 OR NOT?