A Cheap Ass Rescues a 62

[Prairie Swamp]

Hello all. Been reading here a lot learning a ton. What an amazing resource and great bunch of people.

So I pretty much rescued this 1990 62 from being parted out and crushed. The kid I bought it from was getting all kinds of calls regarding the condition of the seats, is the radio original, how is the upper hatch, etc. He actually received it from a roommate as payment for back rent. Poor Land Cruiser.

My cost was essentially nothing. The body is rusty, 361,000 miles. I drove it 110 miles home with no exhaust and virtually no brakes. Was warned of an overheating problem but was just the flaky voltage regulator for the gauges. Rear end whines like crazy. The interior is actually very good, although the radio has been replaced (which means nothing to me.) Came with hitch, FSM, tool kit. Mirrors are both broken and I have a couple of repros to put on from Cruiser Corps.

My plans are simply to work on it. Get it legal. Get it safe. Give every system a downtown going through. Get the body cleaned up and go from there. Never will be rock climbing or even mudding so I'm a poseur in that regard. I do a lot of camping and outdoor activities however. I have started some stuff and will update here as much as I can. I am a professional that often works far more than 40 hours a week, I have a farm, and I'm a single dad of an 11 year old girl. Plus I have a lot of dumb sh!t hobbies like old vehicles. This is an activity of last resort - just my way of relaxing and getting something meaningful accomplished once in a while. So patience will be required.

I look forward to sharing the journey and hopefully my ADD will allow me to stick with this one. I also hope to be able to give back to this community.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[D21FJ60]

Need to find me a freebie like that, great find! Not sure if it is original or not but I am diggin the two tone and those mirrors. This your only cruiser?

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Thanks! The paint and mirrors are original as far as I know. Not a real FJ but I also have a 2008 FJ Cruiser.

Eric

 

[Ramblindrifter]

I have an '89 with that same paint there is a badge under the hood that states the original paint code. If I remember I'll check mine and let you know what it says.

 

[gregnash]

Glad you rescued and welcome to MUD <--- Official MUD welcome!

Looks like you have a good space to start with and some background to work on it. Good luck with what you are doing and just take your time going through her. You will find that these trucks are VERY forgiving. As you have already found there is plenty of resources here to help you out and get acquainted with your local clubs so you can grab some extra cruiser knowledge when needed!

If you don't have all the FSMs, look in my signature line for them.

 

[SteveH]

Nice find!

I would immediately inspect the frame to see where rust fixes and prevention efforts might best be taken. I can't believe it has fared all that well in Ohio after that many miles and years.

 

[Hornd]

Where at in OH?
I'm in Toledo,
I'd fluid film is as soon as possible.
$36 gallon on Ebay thru Zoro, Electric sprayer from HF.

Nice to see you bring one back from the dead.

You think motor needs rebuilt with 361K on it?

What do I have to do to be a professional?

Welcome to the Obsession.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

great looking rig. Mine was slated for part out too, before I rescued it. stick a 5 speed in there and have Georg redo the rear third and drive on.

 

[pistonpete]

Looks good from here

 

[MOCO62]

that two-tone is classic. congrats

 

[jwh2m]

That's awesome. Lots of fun projects the MUDders on here will get you into. You have been on enough, I imagine, to see the FAQ section in the 60 forum. Every time I crack that section open, I find another nugget of info I didn't have before. Knowledge, as they say, is power. If that's true, MUD is a Top Fuel Dragster. Give her a name and get your daughter to help out. Enjoy, and welcome.

 

[olija]

Looks better than mine when I started! Have fun with that one!

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

I have an '89 with that same paint there is a badge under the hood that states the original paint code. If I remember I'll check mine and let you know what it says.

Thanks for the offer. I spent some time and found the codes somewhere on here or linked here. I really like the colors, especially the blue-grey. I'd like to repaint the same paint scheme but just the materials are going to be big $.

Glad you rescued and welcome to MUD <--- Official MUD welcome!

That's a welcome I can appreciate! Thanks.

I would immediately inspect the frame to see where rust fixes and prevention efforts might best be taken. I can't believe it has fared all that well in Ohio after that many miles and years.

The frame is very solid. The only issues are the crossover tube in the back will have to be replaced and the C-channels are basically delaminating so they will have to be replaced. I'll probably hot oil it for now as a little preventative. If I stick with it the frame will get POR15 outside and FluidFilm or similar inside.

Where at in OH?
I'm in Toledo,
I'd fluid film is as soon as possible.
$36 gallon on Ebay thru Zoro, Electric sprayer from HF.

Nice to see you bring one back from the dead.

You think motor needs rebuilt with 361K on it?

Howdy neighbor. I'm just east of Fremont. I've started work and I'll post up later. Don't have my notes with me but compression was like 138 to 154 or close to it so I think it's good for now. By looking at the rocker box I'm fairly certain it's never been apart. The valve cover bolt gaskets pulled silver paint off the valve cover so those were original, maybe the VC gasket as well since it was as hard as my liver.

great looking rig. Mine was slated for part out too, before I rescued it. stick a 5 speed in there and have Georg redo the rear third and drive on.

Hey thanks. I think I'll take a shot at the rear axle myself. Hopefully the gears are OK but I suppose used stock gears are common enough. The only question is do I just put the ARB in while I have it apart. We'll see.

And just to clarify - I gave the kid some cash for this heap, but I had enough rebate points on my Drivers Edge credit card that there was no net effect on the bank account.

Once I get my pictures organized I'll post up some recent work.

 

[studawg]

Cool Cruiser. 361k? Wow, thats awesome. Maybe the highest mileage 62 Ive seen. The two-tone color would be 27G, which is a combination of 4G8 on top and 153 on bottom.

 

[mongoose2231]

Great truck, one more gets rescued.

 

[Heckraiser]

Glad to see you saved it from being parted/scrapped.

I was about to say, I don't think a cheap ass purchasing a land cruiser qualifies as a rescue. But in this case, I think it does. I am a self-proclaimed cheap ass on my third land cruiser, it is a tough life

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Glad to see you saved it from being parted/scrapped.

I was about to say, I don't think a cheap ass purchasing a land cruiser qualifies as a rescue. But in this case, I think it does. I am a self-proclaimed cheap ass on my third land cruiser, it is a tough life

Thanks. Yes - it's a money pit to be sure. No way around it but it's a little luxury I allow myself.

Eric

 

[Prairie Swamp]

First mod is to remove the disgusting Mossy Oak steering wheel cover.

Revealing a pretty decent steering wheel.

Also replaced the absolutely non-existent gas cap. Sorry no pic. I mean - PO couldn't spend $3 on a gas cap? Looking at the right rear quarter they spilled gallons down the side of the truck.

OK next up is to improve the cold starting on this thing.

Eric

 

[Heckraiser]

dash looks pretty good. Carpet doesn't look half bad from the photos either.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Oh yeah and speaking of gas - this thing has an open recall for the fuel tank replacement. So once I get it safe it's going to the Toyota dealer for a free gas tank.

Eric