Incredible work!
Builds 1987 FJ60 Expedition build thread
- Thread starter upperblack
- Start date
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upperblack
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- Thread starter
- #62
@Rusto - great looking truck and agree, very similar to mine. I really like those seat covers (SOR?) and my wife wants me to install that type but I just love the look of the OEM ones. The vinyl is way more practical IMO - especially with a dog and 3 kids. I'm sure the ones you have are in our future.
upperblack
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- #63
upperblack
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- #64
Installed an oh crap bar I picked up from a mud member following this install thread
Dash Grab Bar Install in a 60
The only other recommendation I would make from that thread, is once you make your marks of where you are going to drill into the dash, hold the oh crap bar screws up to the markings to triple check the hole location is accurate.
My marks needed to be narrowed an eighth of an inch inward on both sides. Nothing scarier than drilling into your dash
.
And yes I need to figure out the stereo thing next.
Love the results and looks as if it should have come with this. Really helps my wife get into the truck.
Dash Grab Bar Install in a 60
The only other recommendation I would make from that thread, is once you make your marks of where you are going to drill into the dash, hold the oh crap bar screws up to the markings to triple check the hole location is accurate.
My marks needed to be narrowed an eighth of an inch inward on both sides. Nothing scarier than drilling into your dash
.And yes I need to figure out the stereo thing next.
Love the results and looks as if it should have come with this. Really helps my wife get into the truck.
upperblack
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- Thread starter
- #65
Well, it's getting time to pick a roof rack
I'm settled on the winch we are going to install but still not settled on the roof rack. Not sure if we will ever have an RTT but I need to carry mountain bikes and some other generic storage stuff including hauling our kayaks around when we are somewhere where we are using them a bunch - those will be the main uses. I've been researching racks since I bought this truck and it's a difficult decision but I've narrowed it down between 2 racks.
I've ruled out all other racks for on reason or another - love the Gobi but man the reviews are terrible on lead time.
Gamiviti expo +++ mounted up. I love the look, the customization (would do a basket and mesh), durability, mud member owned, and we are going through Colorado this summer so I can pick it up and save on shipping.
Front Runner slim line 2. Love that it's aluminum (for weight reduction and rust prevention), the modularity, accessories, really like that the cross slats are flat making it easier to walk on and the quick lead time.
Opinions welcomed
I'm settled on the winch we are going to install but still not settled on the roof rack. Not sure if we will ever have an RTT but I need to carry mountain bikes and some other generic storage stuff including hauling our kayaks around when we are somewhere where we are using them a bunch - those will be the main uses. I've been researching racks since I bought this truck and it's a difficult decision but I've narrowed it down between 2 racks.
I've ruled out all other racks for on reason or another - love the Gobi but man the reviews are terrible on lead time.
Gamiviti expo +++ mounted up. I love the look, the customization (would do a basket and mesh), durability, mud member owned, and we are going through Colorado this summer so I can pick it up and save on shipping.
Front Runner slim line 2. Love that it's aluminum (for weight reduction and rust prevention), the modularity, accessories, really like that the cross slats are flat making it easier to walk on and the quick lead time.
Opinions welcomed
upperblack
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- Thread starter
- #66
Since we all like pics
Random pic from the other day
Random pic from the other day
upperblack
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- Thread starter
- #67
Took it on a 300 mile trip this past weekend into the north GA mountains. It did great!!
Nostradamus
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what seat covers are those? They look awesome.
Rusto
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Thanks @Nostradamus
I'll pm you. This thread is all about @upperblack and his awesome build.
Love the grab bar, by the way. That takes cohones drilling into the dash.
I'll pm you. This thread is all about @upperblack and his awesome build.
Love the grab bar, by the way. That takes cohones drilling into the dash.
Rusto
SILVER Star
The seat covers were actually made by a local upholstery shop. Not $OR. They used the existing covers to make patterns then put it all together for me. I provided the material, which I found a bunch for a decent price online.
@upperblack I like the stock look too, but my front driver's seat was all blown out and torn and the passenger seat had a giant oil stain right in the middle. add in the fact that my back seat was was from a pre-86 model with the different pattern and I didn't really have a chance to stay stock.
The vinyl is almost a perfect match though, and with the original stitch pattern, I do like the look of it. Price ended up being about the same as ordering from $OR, once you includet he labor. However, I had the additional benefit of having pros put the covers on, which would not have been the case had I ordered stuff from SOR
@upperblack I like the stock look too, but my front driver's seat was all blown out and torn and the passenger seat had a giant oil stain right in the middle. add in the fact that my back seat was was from a pre-86 model with the different pattern and I didn't really have a chance to stay stock.
The vinyl is almost a perfect match though, and with the original stitch pattern, I do like the look of it. Price ended up being about the same as ordering from $OR, once you includet he labor. However, I had the additional benefit of having pros put the covers on, which would not have been the case had I ordered stuff from SOR
upperblack
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- #72
It was listed on mud
upperblack
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- #73
It's been a little while since my last update as we prepared to take off on our latest trip.
We left 6 days ago from Atlanta headed to San Diego area for work. So far I've towed the 60 about 1800 miles behind the rv without any issues. If anyone is interested in our towing set up, let me know and I'm happy to post the details.
We took a couple day break near the Grande Canyon. It was a blast driving the 60 around the park and the truck did well - about 100 miles over the 2 days.
We left 6 days ago from Atlanta headed to San Diego area for work. So far I've towed the 60 about 1800 miles behind the rv without any issues. If anyone is interested in our towing set up, let me know and I'm happy to post the details.
We took a couple day break near the Grande Canyon. It was a blast driving the 60 around the park and the truck did well - about 100 miles over the 2 days.
upperblack
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- Thread starter
- #74
After a good couple of days at the Grand Canyon it was time to make our way towards San Diego. We stopped and camped a little more that halfway, just outside Joshua Tree NP. We explored the park over multiple days during the winter, so we won't go this time. Plus it's way too hot. When we set up camp it was right at 100 degrees - this is at 7pm.
But we had a good time taking the 60 around on some national forest roads that buts right up against the park.
But we had a good time taking the 60 around on some national forest roads that buts right up against the park.
Let’s see it!
upperblack
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- Thread starter
- #76
Towing set up:
For the past 4 years we have been towing a mini van behind our rv.
I've gone with a completely different set up (other than the actual tow bar) for the 60 for different reasons that I'll try and explain.
First, because the 60 is much taller than the van I needed to raise the level of the tow bar. I added an 8" tow master hi low hitch with a 10k rating. Our rv is rated to tow 10k so I kept everything consistent. I also added a hitch tightener which I really like.
For the past 4 years we have been towing a mini van behind our rv.
I've gone with a completely different set up (other than the actual tow bar) for the 60 for different reasons that I'll try and explain.
First, because the 60 is much taller than the van I needed to raise the level of the tow bar. I added an 8" tow master hi low hitch with a 10k rating. Our rv is rated to tow 10k so I kept everything consistent. I also added a hitch tightener which I really like.
upperblack
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- Thread starter
- #77
We use a Roadmaster tow bar which you can see here. You can also see how the angle is level with the hi lo hitch.
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upperblack
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- #78
We use these attachment points (also from Roadmaster) that connect right onto the bumper.
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upperblack
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- #79
When I decided to go with the 4 plus bumper, I ask Dave if he could add recovery point below the bumper for safety cables which came out nice.
upperblack
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- #80
Instead of messing with the wiring harness and to keep the option of changing vehicles in the future a possibility, I went with this wireless light bar from Tow mate. Magnets hold it to the top and battery last 10 hours or more. It wirelessly connects to a receiver that plugs into the 7 pin on the rv. On the van we were directly wired from rv to van, but I like the portability option of this set up.
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