'93 FZJ Getting a New Look Interior

[Traakon]

Well I have hinted to this in a couple of other threads but now I have enough shots to start teasing the final product.

This may be a direction not as common with 'cruiser owners that exploit the vehicles off road prowess but our 1993 FZJ80 was never meant to be our off-roader. We have a 1976 Bronco and a Jeep Renegade for that. No, our 'Cruiser is meant to take over duties as our travel vehicle last held by our 2012 Acura ZDX. To this end, durability, reliability and comfort are more the goals. Of this trio the comfort has included full sound deadening, new carpet, new sound system w/ back-up camera and now new interior.

Some of the "Teasers" are starting:

Full suede headliner deleting the aft cabin speakers and third row accessories i.e. handles, belts and brackets. The sunroof was a concern but Brian is a pro.

Teaser 1

• Traakon
• Oct 11, 2015

Sun roof cover

The new scheme is Titanium suede and black leather, so all the accouterments must match:

Once you go black...

• Traakon
• Oct 11, 2015

All the grab handles get a complete recoloring with SEM Satin Black

...Even looking back. "Back in Black" you might say.

• Traakon
• Oct 11, 2015

The rear view I thought was going to be a problem but once the glass was out it came apart nicely.

Overhead console

• Traakon
• Oct 11, 2015

The overhead console for the map light and sun roof controls gets some love with fresh black and...

All of the plastic is getting the full cover treatment:

Teaser 2

• Traakon
• Oct 11, 2015

Drivers side rear panel

Color change

• Traakon
• Oct 15, 2015

Replaced the grey tailgate carpet that came in the stockinteriors.com kit with black to match...

Deleting the "Black Hole" pockets on the doors for a cleaner look:

Teaser 3

• Traakon
• Oct 11, 2015

The suede areas of seats get the same snappy diamond texture stitching as the door panels:

Teaser 6

• Traakon
• Oct 14, 2015

Teaser 5

• Traakon
• Oct 14, 2015

Teaser 4

• Traakon
• Oct 14, 2015

We are hoping to get the 'cruiser back next week and I can add a full series on the new look.

 

[mechanist]

That looks sharp. Who's doing the work? My '93 is due for an interior overhaul.

 

[Traakon]

That looks sharp. Who's doing the work? My '93 is due for an interior overhaul.

A local we found through the car show circuit we frequent. Brian Willingham, he operates as B and W Upholstery doing hot rods and customs.
He is one of those "Word of mouth" guys that prosper by just letting their work speak for itself.

While we were gathering ideas for this interior we would just ask the owners of cars we liked "Hey, who did your interior work" and after a time Brian's name started rising to the top. We had to wait 4 months for a slot to open in his schedule but we think the wait was well worth it..

 

[dogfishlake]

That is very cool. Considering the price tag on a new luxury touring SUV, I think your approach makes perfect sense. Now bolt a big turbo on it for passing and on-ramps!

 

[Traakon]

That is very cool. Considering the price tag on a new luxury touring SUV, I think your approach makes perfect sense. Now bolt a big turbo on it for passing and on-ramps!

In truth, I was looking for a 2010-12 Range Rover before we purchased the 'cruiser. The wife and I both appreciate the build quality of Toyota's we have and have had in the past and started looking for a Land Cruiser of the same time frame as a "More reliable" option. That lead to running across this particular 1993 (I know it it is not from the 2010-12 range but when you search "Land Cruiser" the scope broadens) locally and it was in such great condition it spawned the plan of taking an 80 series into the 21st century luxury realm.

Long term, if/when we have engine issues, I plan for an LS3 transplant. But that is for the hopefully distant future.

 

[Traakon]

A couple more teaser pics

Teaser 7

• Traakon
• Oct 16, 2015

Teaser 8

• Traakon
• Oct 16, 2015

 

[Traakon]

Latest tease.

Teaser 9

• Traakon
• Oct 23, 2015

 

[surfpig]

Definitely not my thing, but man that is freaking beautiful.

 

[LS1FJ40]

This is blasphemy. Beautiful work but blasphemy. Just please tell me you aren't putting 20" rims on it...

 

[Traakon]

This is blasphemy. Beautiful work but blasphemy. Just please tell me you aren't putting 20" rims on it...

Yea, when many 80 owners are doing/thinking of doing a full gut on their rigs and coating the interior in hose friendly bedliner we walk a different path.

As for the wheels...that's in another thread

 

[Traakon]

Definitely not my thing, but man that is freaking beautiful.

There a couple details I am not fully on board with but my wife had to get some things her way.

 

[DOCBG]

Can you repost the pictures, they are not coming up in the thread

 

[Traakon]

You can find them all in my gallery

Media for user: Traakon | IH8MUD Forum

When we actually get the 'cruiser back I plan on shooting the full interior with more than a cell phone.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

But how are you supposed to go brush busting or rock jumping or river fjording? I don't get it! It's like you're trying to domesticate a wild water buffalo...it's not meant to be! stop! I can't take it!

That is pretty seriously luxury/comfy looking though. Not for my purposes, but nice work and well done for your intended use. I could never do this to mine...asking me to get rid of 22 years of other peoples stank and abuse would be like asking me to buy a new Prius.

 

[Traakon]

But how are you supposed to go brush busting or rock jumping or river fjording? I don't get it! It's like you're trying to domesticate a wild water buffalo...it's not meant to be! stop! I can't take it!

That is pretty seriously luxury/comfy looking though. Not for my purposes, but nice work and well done for your intended use. I could never do this to mine...asking me to get rid of 22 years of other peoples stank and abuse would be like asking me to buy a new Prius.

LOL...Yea, I know this is a different direction than 99.9% of the 'Cruisers on here but the Land Cruiser is the flagship of the Toyota truck line We figures that just because she is old doesn't mean she can't dress nice like the new kids.

As for the stank...Yea, it really did take gutting the interior, cleaning with TSP, sealing with sound deadening and a bank vault worth of new leather and suede to get that smell out.

 

[scottryana]

Looks great! Nice work by Brian.

 

[Traakon]

Well we got the call this morning...OZO is ready to come home.

The wife is so excited she is truly ...

 

[Buckru]

Truly outstanding. Kudos to anyone willing to put good money into an old truck no matter their intended purpose. I look forward to pics of the finished interior.

What sound deadening products did you use and what is your overall opinion on the performance of said product?

 

[Traakon]

There are times I wonder about the sanity of putting this kind of coin into a 22+ year old vehicle but if you look at what a set of high end front and rear bumpers cost...It comes down to where the money is best spent for the intended use.

I used the Fat Mat

FatMat

• Traakon
• Apr 12, 2015

I did the entire shell when I had it gutted to install the carpeting before taking it to the upholster

FatMat

• Traakon
• May 2, 2015
• 4

As long as your doing it, might as well Fat Mat it.

The final result is pretty significant. I am very pleased.

 

[Traakon]

OK, guess it's time to tie this up. Only thing left is to replace the dash pad but I need a donor to have Brian cover in the leather before I start. Want to tear the dash down just once more and do a quick swap out with the old and in with the new.

Finished 1

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finished 2

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finished 3

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finished 4

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finished 5

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finished 6

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finished 7

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finished 8

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

The original headliner was made in several sections stitched together. To assure the "nap" of...

Finished 9

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Finish 10

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Covering these panels made all the difference to the look.

Finish 11

• Traakon
• Nov 6, 2015

Covering these panels made all the difference to the look.

The things I like the best is that ALL the plastic in it are all now leather wrapped. No more plastic that's embossed to "look like". Also deleting the pockets on the doors and seat backs. The door pockets just collect crap and the seat back pockets are "black holes" for stuff... "I know I had that in the 'Cruiser but I don't know where it went".