Builds 1984 Lost American Twin

[dr_dobro]

Kid and I got the bug on getting a 60 series project since last year. In the process, we got to buy some cool old abandoned and some running 60/62 series for parts only until last week when we struck gold!

Couldn’t believe I found the same year and color of my first FJ60 I bought in 1990 with 16,000 miles. I sold this 60 in 1997 to a local friend of mine after putting over 250kmiles on her. This 60 took to the Amazons multiple times back and forth as well as many other incredible unexplored territories. She wheeled pretty much almost every weekend, 7 years later, stupidly sold her to buy a 70 series that couldn’t do what she did (didn’t know that at the time) so gave that 70 series to my older brother when I moved to the states….. too many hijack attempts

This new to us,1984 FJ60, is almost rust free with an amazing interior chassis body and paint found in NY that originally came from Montana.
The goal is to keep her stock for a few years or until I finish my 40 series. Thereafter would like to bring her back to what she once was but with more modern suspension/axles/brakes while keep the COG low this time. Already have a few spare late bocks to rebuild as well as a clean chassis to start modifying.

Kid will keep her as I know I won’t be able to drive her at some point in life!

Documenting it all for any change events in life, here she is along with her twin

 

[cruisermatt]

So cool. Something about growing up with a red Land Cruiser just sets you on the right course for life. The confidence to do anything, it’s real. The archetypal color of adventure and bravery.

 

[DrRock]

Congrats on the purchase! Where in NY are you located? There are lots of off road opportunities in VT, NH etc. Enjoy the new truck and ping me if you need any assistance. I'm just completing a full powertrain rebuild and Sniper installation.

Cheers, James

 

[CruiserTrash]

@dr_dobro Great story. Congrats on finding one that brings back good memories!

 

[dr_dobro]

@cruisermatt when I first bought I was not crazy about the color, I was hounding my neighbour to sell it as he barely drove it anywhere as he was a bit old. Kind ok knew the cruiser since I was a kid. Then it really grew on me after a few weeks of driving her

The time I did a SOA circa 1992, truck stud out for sure as there were just a handful of them (mostly by all close group of friends). Wherever I went, I was instantly spotted by them. Sometimes was for the bad as they tried to gun me down in broad daylight with heavy traffic, unfortunately on a country like that, youhave to defend yourself the best you can. I just simply ducked , cut to second gear and smashed right trough the thieves Old Ford. Completely bent the bull bar …. And got away but not after a few plying bullets
Only if that truck could talk all the stories….

@DrRock i am in Suffolk county Long Island, what about you ?
I haven’t wheeled much lately, my kid kind of took over about 8 years ago. Just can’t wait for my 40 to be ready …. The 60 would just be a cruiser

@CruiserTrash Yes, every time I pull in from work and see that 60, the memories just comes back.

I do have some cool photos from back then somewhere in a folder I have to look.

 

[dr_dobro]

Kid and I are planing to baseline this 60 as it sat in a barn for 8 years, occasionally local drives.

Found a clogged rusted fuel filter, while emptying the tank, finding a lot of rust and water. Had a new tank ready to go…
We also hear a pump style noise, we thought it could be either the sump, water or air pump?
Found out was the water, phew !!!

Have a spare engine that’s kind of ready to go in case this one gives trouble. Truck has about 220,000 miles

Some photos attached

 

[CruiserTrash]

Kid and I are planing to baseline this 60 as it sat in a barn for 8 years, occasionally local drives.

Found a clogged rusted fuel filter, while emptying the tank, finding a lot of rust and water. Had a new tank ready to go…
We also hear a pump style noise, we thought it could be either the sump, water or air pump?
Found out was the water, phew !!!

Have a spare engine that’s kind of ready to go in case this one gives trouble. Truck has about 220,000 miles

Some photos attached

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Engine bay is pretty clean for what it is!

 

[OGBeno]

Did this come from Upstate near where I lived Daniel? Great score for you and Dean.

 

[dr_dobro]

Did this come from Upstate near where I lived Daniel? Great score for you and Dean.

Hi Onur !

It came a bit farther north from you , Chazy NY.

Dean and I super exited. Hopefully I can bring her to field and forest this Columbus Day weekend. Will see….

 

[dr_dobro]

A first question out there, as I haven’t seen or remember what a 60 looked like when it was new: I’ve been finding a lot of original yellow zinc hardware (some cleaner than others) while working on her. Leaving on the east coast, it’s something that super rare to see. It almost look like some one did it at some point, overall does not feel like much of it was tampered ….
Here’s the front splash example

 

[dr_dobro]

While concentrating on spark and fuel, found a typical cracked intake, heavy carbon deposits at both sides, indicating an old fracture.
Some progress photos…

 

[dr_dobro]

She was able to fire up after doing a complete cooling system, fuel, spark and smog delete.
also replaced most of of the oil gasket and seals except for the rear main and oil pan, hopefully the oil consumption will be less that’s what I was before !

PO had a local mechanic do all maintenance for the past 8 years, found too many bad and unsafe hacks while doing this baseline reminding kid why to do it yourself or pay someone specialising on land cruisers….
Kid is for sure learning old school tech, but at the same time, he is teaching me new tech that I still don’t understand and never will…. He mentioned, while checking the fresh oil he poured into the 2f, “Dad, you are lucky to have a dipstick in order to measure oil capacity, unfortunately we can check any of it in any BMW car i work on”. That just blew my mind away….

Here are some photos, still need to adjust the timing, carb and then later valves….
We really need this 60 on the road as soon as possible, his LX450 headgasket failed a week ago. Being coating all accesible openings with fluid film, including the top of gas tank (before installing) fuel sender, underside of filler neck, etc. Eventually will spray the entire vehicle with something else.

Waiting for some tires and soon a complete front axle overhaul before working on the Lexus

 

[dr_dobro]

After 4 weeks and 1100 miles, chasing a common hesitation issue at low idle. After timing and adjusting fuel/air mixture numerous times makes me believe I have a crack on the intake ? I also need to delete the stock Catalytic converter, as it might be clogged …..

While waiting for the Toyo’s to arrive (back order for 6 weeks) Preparing a spare 62 front axle (with 4.11) I will be swapping soon. Working on all steering components changing all hardware and studs.
After tapping all the openings, these new steering studs are so much nicer to install and remove as they have a driver on top of them !

Oh, I can finally say I went wheeling just for the shot. Lucky to be working on a large Long Island private property even though it was a few seconds ….

Edit: Additional Added info

4runner Re manufactured Calipers:
RH - 47750-35090-84
LH - 47730-35090-84
PADS 04465-35061

 

[OGBeno]

. Great job!!

 

[dr_dobro]

Front Axle is ready to be swapped, now siting for the right time to do so.
Bought the 4runner Toyota re manufactured calipers since the 40/60/62 are NLA.
Trimmed back the dust backing plates (about) 1/2” to 0 on a 1 1/4” trajectory. Hard to tell the difference from stock with these calipers.

Also ended up buying the stock Toyota steering dampener since all aftermarket ones don’t fit snug …

 

[dr_dobro]

Front axle has been swapped this Sunday at the driveway….. what a pain this was.
PO installed the OME springs backwards, while I was taking it down, notice the military wrap was at the shackle end ? Didn’t measure the distance of the pins, but reversing one next to each other, they seem to be exactly drilled at the center, an easy way to make such a mistake !

Second hiccup was the driveshaft. Totally forgot the different bolt patterns since I swapped a 62 differential, with some extra parts, swapped the slip yoke out of the front and preparing to swap the rear as soon as I am ready for it.

She’s cruising a little smoother than before taking me to work without issues.

Still waiting on those damn tires (current ones are 10 years old and out of balance at 55 mph).
Lastly, looking for longer front shocks as there’s only about an 1.5” of down travel.

 

[dr_dobro]

Before swapping the 4.11 on the rear, I have noticed the GPS wasn’t synchronised with the odometer, there was a variation of 5-6 miles over (GPS) at 55 MPH in the cluster
Now with 4.11 GPS and Odometer are in synch ! This readings are with 31” rubber.

Unfortunately, cannot travel at 65 mph as the poor 2F is around 3k RPM. Toyos are supposed to arrive by end of the year ….

60 is now completely undercoated and received a new 21100-61012 Carburetor, she’s finally running fantastic !

 

[bcolvin]

looks great!!! What under coating did you use?

 

[dr_dobro]

looks great!!! What under coating did you use?

Thanks!
I apply used recycled diesel oil to all my cars for decades. Works great !

 

[bcolvin]

Thanks!
I apply used recycled diesel oil to all my cars for decades. Works great !

Thats awesome. I need to do something. That may be the ticket