Greetings fellow mudders, this is a thread about a 60 affectionately referred to as Bernie.
Pics from PO.
Pics from PO.
1986 FJ60 "Bernadette"
- Thread starter Whatever
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #2
A few of the inside:
NeverGiveUpYota
Dare me.
Sweet starting point. Enjoy the madness!
- Thread starter
- #4
This 60 is currently my wife's DD and worked on by me. Our ownership has been a positive one (since 08/17) in large part thanks to the contributing members on Mud who share their knowledge and experiences, so in effort to pay back, I got a star and started a thread. Hope you enjoy.
BS or back story:
Mrs.whatever's daily driver, a 1999 Yaris, was totaled by Geico. When asked what she wanted as a replacement, her answer was: "I want stick shift, other than that no preference". Initially I tried to push for something with a warranty, something I would not need to work on myself. Because, although I do like to turn wrenches, I have limited experience, most of the work is in my back yard and I already have a couple project vehicles (my DD is a M1009).
Long story short, she saw a LC on CL and knew what she wanted. I started reading about them and was lucky enough to find Ih8mud and the vast wealth of knowledge found here. Oddly enough there was a thread at the time specifically about that very LC that the Mrs. had liked asking opinions, it became apparent it was not worth the money that was being asked and I learned some things to look for when evaluating an LC.
So, I put a wanted ad up here on Mud and sure enough our needs were met. Wwe rented a car, drove 7 hrs away to northern PA, stayed the night and I drove back the next day in the new to us 60.
It was a pleasure to meet the PO, a good dude. I understand he purchased Bernie via Mud as well, so it's fitting that she have a thread here.
Initial inspection report from Maryland:
BS or back story:
Mrs.whatever's daily driver, a 1999 Yaris, was totaled by Geico. When asked what she wanted as a replacement, her answer was: "I want stick shift, other than that no preference". Initially I tried to push for something with a warranty, something I would not need to work on myself. Because, although I do like to turn wrenches, I have limited experience, most of the work is in my back yard and I already have a couple project vehicles (my DD is a M1009).
Long story short, she saw a LC on CL and knew what she wanted. I started reading about them and was lucky enough to find Ih8mud and the vast wealth of knowledge found here. Oddly enough there was a thread at the time specifically about that very LC that the Mrs. had liked asking opinions, it became apparent it was not worth the money that was being asked and I learned some things to look for when evaluating an LC.
So, I put a wanted ad up here on Mud and sure enough our needs were met. Wwe rented a car, drove 7 hrs away to northern PA, stayed the night and I drove back the next day in the new to us 60.
It was a pleasure to meet the PO, a good dude. I understand he purchased Bernie via Mud as well, so it's fitting that she have a thread here.
Initial inspection report from Maryland:
- Thread starter
- #5
In order to pass MD inspection, I was asked to replace the windshield, fix the leaking PS pump and address the fuel smell coming from the back compartment.
I lucked out with the fuel smell and was able to correct with an OEM gas cap.
PS pump was also easy, I called Matt Hodges at West Texas Off Road and got a rebuilt unit from him.
The windshield was not as easy, I knew from reading here on Mud that getting it right can be difficult, so I sent an image of the FSM where it describes the proper procedure and we still got this:
which led to this
The tech returned and used sealant this time.
Thanks for welcome, keep up the good work in CT, I've enjoyed following project Badass.
I lucked out with the fuel smell and was able to correct with an OEM gas cap.
PS pump was also easy, I called Matt Hodges at West Texas Off Road and got a rebuilt unit from him.
The windshield was not as easy, I knew from reading here on Mud that getting it right can be difficult, so I sent an image of the FSM where it describes the proper procedure and we still got this:
which led to this
The tech returned and used sealant this time.
Thanks for welcome, keep up the good work in CT, I've enjoyed following project Badass.
Nice looking 60.
About the only thing (aside from mechanical) I would do to that is replace the wheels with oem types. That is a very nice clean ride
About the only thing (aside from mechanical) I would do to that is replace the wheels with oem types. That is a very nice clean ride
- Thread starter
- #8
With the help of the FSM's I started the preventive maintenance schedule, changing oils and filters as well as greasing lubrication points. It was a good way to spend some quality time underneath her and figure out what was what.
Lubrication points:
The lower part of the rig was mostly rust free, the worse section I have seen so far are the rear inner fender wells and the inner C channels in the rear which will have to come out and be replaced at some point, it seems that TT is the source for those. Other than that, I was luck enough to only find surface rust on the frame, cross members and skid plates. These had been undercoated at some point but was wearing thin. Skid plates and tow hitch came off to paint, for the rest of the frame I did the best I could and did not paint anything that I did not prep first.
So, I took the surface rust off the frame and put it in me... I used an angle grinder with a wire brush disc or cup, then a grinding wheel. To avoid inhaling to much bad stuff I did use a half face respirator and P100 cartridges.
Bare metal was then rinsed with phosphoric acid, a sacrificial coating of zinc primer, a coat of Rusto's rusty metal primer and then 2 coats of Rusto's gloss black mixed with Majic's catalyst hardener.
Thank you and I couldn't agree more, those chrome MT's don't do it for me either. I'm patiently looking.
That was her initial filter, after a I picked a few options and put them on the table, such as: an older diesel Mercedes station wagon, 90's 4runner, newer Corolla or the LC, she ultimately chose.
I consider myself very lucky to be able to share my life with her, that's for sure.
Lubrication points:
The lower part of the rig was mostly rust free, the worse section I have seen so far are the rear inner fender wells and the inner C channels in the rear which will have to come out and be replaced at some point, it seems that TT is the source for those. Other than that, I was luck enough to only find surface rust on the frame, cross members and skid plates. These had been undercoated at some point but was wearing thin. Skid plates and tow hitch came off to paint, for the rest of the frame I did the best I could and did not paint anything that I did not prep first.
So, I took the surface rust off the frame and put it in me... I used an angle grinder with a wire brush disc or cup, then a grinding wheel. To avoid inhaling to much bad stuff I did use a half face respirator and P100 cartridges.
Bare metal was then rinsed with phosphoric acid, a sacrificial coating of zinc primer, a coat of Rusto's rusty metal primer and then 2 coats of Rusto's gloss black mixed with Majic's catalyst hardener.
Thank you and I couldn't agree more, those chrome MT's don't do it for me either. I'm patiently looking.
That was her initial filter, after a I picked a few options and put them on the table, such as: an older diesel Mercedes station wagon, 90's 4runner, newer Corolla or the LC, she ultimately chose.
I consider myself very lucky to be able to share my life with her, that's for sure.
This is going to be great. Can't wait to see how Bernie progresses. Now on to other pressing matters....the M1009 pictures.
Now where are my manners....Welcome to MUD!
(Official Salute)
Now where are my manners....Welcome to MUD!
(Official Salute)- Thread starter
- #10
I hope not disappoint, the POs for the most part have done a good job preserving Bernie and I'd like to continue this trait, so if someone sees something that is wack by all means call me out.
My pleasure, I love me some CUCV. The TM's made it possible for a neophyte like me to learn, similar to the FSM's.
This is what I bought in 2013 in Raleigh, NC. It was winter with holes in the floor board and no heat, made for a cold drive home.
And how she sits currently on 33x10.5x15 Bfg AT, it's mostly stock otherwise, I've followed the whole "if it's electrical its been cleaned, if it's rubber it's been replaced" mantra. My first project vehicle, she's taught me a lot.
For some reason I don't have glamour shots of the rig without the trailer, hmmm.
Be careful with green animals, they like to herd. Here's a project I had just started when Mrs.whatever's DD bit the bullet. It's moving along at a snails pace. M1010, 3" lift on 37"s, crossover steering... it'll get there.
Now where are my manners....Welcome to MUD!
Thank you, sir!
Spectacular. I like the fact that Mrs Whatever is on board. Mine, not so much. I will get her into a 100 series and that will change............
The comms truck looks like a great way to continue learning. 6.2 or 6.5?
The comms truck looks like a great way to continue learning. 6.2 or 6.5?
- Thread starter
- #12
Best of luck getting her onboard, a 100 series sounds like a great start. I'm really thankful Mrs.W understands that I function better when I have a project to think about and work on and is supportive of that fact. In return, I don't spend household money on toys and try to limit my time outside so as to include a decent amount of partner time or something like that...
The last one was considered an ambulance, although some units removed markings and used it as a command and control truck, good catch. Link to the description of a M1010. Both are powered by 6.2 NA/TH400/ NP208.
In a race of slow pokes, the '09 with 3.08 gears and 33"s is a rocket compared to Bernie. Ok, not a rocket but less slow. Both tend to put a huge smile on the drivers face.
The last one was considered an ambulance, although some units removed markings and used it as a command and control truck, good catch. Link to the description of a M1010. Both are powered by 6.2 NA/TH400/ NP208.
In a race of slow pokes, the '09 with 3.08 gears and 33"s is a rocket compared to Bernie. Ok, not a rocket but less slow. Both tend to put a huge smile on the drivers face.
Whats the plan for the former ambulance? Camper?
Per the link you posted its a pretty heavy sucker to begin with
I had an '84 GMC C1500 1/2 ton pick up with the C intake 6.2 with a 700R behind it. Really tall gears made it a fast sucker after I was over 60 miles per hour. ANything under that, it was a gutless pile. That truck was my first experience at turning wrenches. Upgraded to the J intake, re did everything that was electrical or rubber too. Upgraded that Statedyne fuel filter to a Racor with clear bowl and priming pump. Made a huge difference in priming and driving that beast. Plus, the priming pump was great to get diesel out to start the camp fires. Fun truck that was super simple. Looking forward to seeing how you keep up with these three money pits. 
- Thread starter
- #15
Yep, redneck RV.
Back to Bernie, when purchased she came with a couple totes of spare parts. Including a bag of cables from Urban Land Cruisers (RIP) in the bag was letter from 2009 saying sorry for the delay and explaining why. No worries, they got installed in 2017.
Way overkill, in a good way. List of materials.
On account of the oil leaks in the engine bay (working on them), I chose to run the cables through heater hose, used heat shrink for the ends. Pictured also is a ground cable that was replaced for reference.
Switched out battery terminals to military style. The new battery required a hold down, version 1.0 fit, so haven't changed it.
