Finally creating a Build Thread after 6 years of owning my 62. This thread will likely become pretty long so why not start it off with a few long-winded posts to give some background/context.
I purchased my truck about 6 years ago here in the mid-Atlantic. I spent months looking for something within driving distance that wasn't completely rusted through, a hard task on the east coast. I previously had a 1989 4runner that I barely did anything with because I finally realized the body and frame were too far gone, I ended up selling it for about $700 more than I bought it for, then I set my sights on a 60 series. I wanted a Fj60 for the round headlights and manual transmission, but I wanted a FJ62 for fuel injection and creature comforts. I ended up finding a 1989 Fj62 with a H55 manual swap only 2.5 hours from me, it was originally a California truck for the first 15 years of it's life so the frame was solid, the body had a few rust areas in the typical spots and a few dings and dents which the PO referred to as "Patina."
The truck had a fairly significant amount of upgrades/mods, most of which (at the time) I viewed favorably.
For the first couple years I used the truck mostly to drive to mountain bike trails, a couple of camping trips and the occasional day I would drive it to one of my Jobsites.
Items I've done since ownership:
Known Issues/Items that need to be addressed:
Some of my plans/goals with this Build:
I'm determined to do as much of the work myself, some stuff, like bodywork, I've never done so I will likely annoy a few people with the number of questions I come up with.
I purchased my truck about 6 years ago here in the mid-Atlantic. I spent months looking for something within driving distance that wasn't completely rusted through, a hard task on the east coast. I previously had a 1989 4runner that I barely did anything with because I finally realized the body and frame were too far gone, I ended up selling it for about $700 more than I bought it for, then I set my sights on a 60 series. I wanted a Fj60 for the round headlights and manual transmission, but I wanted a FJ62 for fuel injection and creature comforts. I ended up finding a 1989 Fj62 with a H55 manual swap only 2.5 hours from me, it was originally a California truck for the first 15 years of it's life so the frame was solid, the body had a few rust areas in the typical spots and a few dings and dents which the PO referred to as "Patina."
The truck had a fairly significant amount of upgrades/mods, most of which (at the time) I viewed favorably.
- H55 5 speed transmission
- Welded on Shackle Reversal
- OME lift with man-a-fre shackles
- 2" body lift
- ARB front Bumper
- Homebrew 40 Gallon Fuel Tank
- Aftermarket front Shock mounts
- Homebrew Rear Bumper with Swing Away tire carrier with Air Tank Built into the bumper
- Auto -locker in rear
- Welded on Sliders
- 2nd battery tray (no second battery)
- Electric Fan
- 4.56 gears
- The truck had 35's but they were Mud Terrains which I wasn't crazy about, the PO swapped them out for 33x10.5 KO's from another cruiser he had
For the first couple years I used the truck mostly to drive to mountain bike trails, a couple of camping trips and the occasional day I would drive it to one of my Jobsites.
Items I've done since ownership:
- New Alternator
- Modern Bluetooth headunit
- New Liftgate struts
- Rebuilt the leaky Power Steering Box
- New 555 Tie rod ends
- New Starter (that ended up not "meshing" with the flywheel so I ended up reinstalling the original)
- Cruisercrap Center Console
Known Issues/Items that need to be addressed:
- Leak in the Radiator (I already have a replacement along with a new Thermostat and hoses)
- Speedometer isn't working, it just bounces around 30mph no matter how fast I'm going
- Fuel Gauge has never worked, I suspect it has something to do with the homebrew gas tank
- Suspension needs an entire refresh, Leaves are saggy, shocks are blown etc.
- New sliders. One of the slider mounts broke so I cut the whole thing off, they weren't worth saving
- Oil Pan leak
- Frame/axles/undercarriage needs to be cleaned, treated, and painted
- Body lift needs to be removed and all new body mounts
- Wiring - It's a mess, there are a lot of extra wires, accessory wires that are half-assed, and wires that are disconnected
- Knuckles/axles need to be rebuilt - I view this as a right of passage for a land cruiser owner
- Along with the wiring I need to figure out the ignition. I was chasing an electrical issue when I swapped the Alternator and starter. I ended up bypassing the ignition and currently start the truck with a push-button starter hooked up to a relay.
- Body Work - Needs some patch panels and various rust abatement
- Various new Lines and hoses - most of the brake lines are fairly rusted, rear heater lines are toast (rear heater was bypassed by a PO)
- AC doesn't work - I haven't dug into this yet to know what the issue is
Some of my plans/goals with this Build:
- Full Suspension refresh
- C-Channel Kit
- Clean/paint frame, axles, basically everything from the frame down
- Rebuild Both Axles
- Possibly add Air Lockers front and rear
- Overhaul/upgrade front brakes
- Rear brake overhaul/rebuild
- Bodywork/paint - might try painting it myself
- Overhaul and flush cooling system
- General Engine maintenance - hoses, filters, gaskets etc
- Figure out if I'm keeping the DIY fuel tank or replacing it with something...well, Not DIY
- Gut the entire interior - remove old sound deadening and do a new (better) job
- New Carpet
- New Front seats (mine are currently from an 18-wheeler I think)
- Completely new sound system, speakers, wiring, amp etc.
- New Door and cargo cards - most likely Australian Door Cards in ABS
- Modify the existing rear bumper to have a 2nd swing out for jerry cans/ladder and add some wrap around protection
- Possibly Replace the older style ARB bumper with the newer style or a different front bumper
- Add Winch
- Frontrunner Roof Rack
- 17" wheels with 35's, either 10.5 or 11.5 width
- Install Huracan Tailgate storage which I've had lying in the garage for 2 years
- Add a bunch of Aux lighting
- Possibly make a drawer system/sleeping platform
I'm determined to do as much of the work myself, some stuff, like bodywork, I've never done so I will likely annoy a few people with the number of questions I come up with.