Builds ATC Fleet Ops: RhinoRide60, RMR60, PlowPig55

[AdventureToolCompany]

New Mirror Review

So I found some large mirrors from Cruiser Corps at a reasonable price so I ordered them since I've always liked the large mirror look.

Here's my review:

Packaging: Good. No damage.
Instructions: None.
Ordering: On-line, no problems and showed up in a couple of days.
Fit/Finish: Cast aluminum base with hard plastic gasket. The base paint is semi-gloss and doesn't match the mirror housing. The mirror housing is a high gloss plastic. The mirrors themselves seem ok, no flaws in the glass. You can tell they're Chinese copies of the LC mirrors so it'll be interesting to see how long they stand-up up to the elements and environment.
Installation: Easy. Simply remove the old mirrors and install the new ones. There's a small plastic part on the bottom of the mirror base that gets attached with a small screw that holds the gasket in place...not sure why they went to the trouble of manufacturing it separately, but not big deal.

Overall: I like the look of the mirrors on the truck. They make a huge difference over the smaller OEM mirrors. They adjust easily and stay where set. They will fold in when your off-road or going somewhere tight. The mirror does vibrate a bit when traveling at highway speeds, but no different then the small OEM mirrors. Fit and finish looks marginal and typical of a low price part. I look forward to see how they hold up long term.

Vender: FJ40 Parts | Land Cruiser Parts and Restoration Services | http://www.cruisercorps.com/

Good luck!

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Mirror Review - cont

Additional pix-

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Third Brake Light Mount

Here's some close-up pics of the third brake light with camp light set up. The camp light is wired into a fuse block housed in the rear quarter panel. The TBL is directed wired into the driver side brake light. The post is 11/4 welded directly to the spare tire hoop on the swing arm and the platform the camp light is mounted to is drilled for SWB/CB antenna.

Good luck.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Hi-Lift Mount

After my fender bender there was some Q's about how well the Hi-Lift mount held-up after t-boning a minivan, so I thought I'd post some pics of the mount. The mount worked out great. Nothing came off and the ARB tabs kept it in place. So, once I replaced the ARB I rebuilt the Hi-Lift mount.

I went to "Metal by the Foot" and purchase an 8 inch 11/2 solid aluminum rod from their surplus bin for $3.00. I cut the rod in half and drilled out the center with an 1/2 drill and then painted them black. Took (2) 1/2 bolts, welded small rods to the head to help with holding the bolt when tightening the nut. Took (2) 1/2 bolts and welded tabs so that I can tighten/remove the bolts without tools. Also drilled the thread end of the bolt to hold a small clip pin so as to capture the bolt if it vibrates loose. I also included rubber insulators and lock washers to keep everything in place and absorb road vibrations.

The entire system is locked to the ARB with a SS cable and combo lock.

It now gives me a safe and secure location for my jack that is easy to retrieve when I need it.

Good luck

 

[Cabrito]

Your Land Cruiser continues to be a thing of pure awesomeness!

 

[2 E L O]

That's got to be one of the best looking and best set up Land Cruisers of any generation that I've ever seen.

Nice work!!!!

 

[NQCruiser]

BritKLR, one thing I did with my mirrors was to pack a bit of foam inside the mirror housing at the bottom to stop the glass vibrating at idle. Might be different for you gasoline guys, but with the 2H, there's a bit to deal with!!!

Rig is looking awesome mate!!

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

BritKLR, one thing I did with my mirrors was to pack a bit of foam inside the mirror housing at the bottom to stop the glass vibrating at idle. Might be different for you gasoline guys, but with the 2H, there's a bit to deal with!!!

Rig is looking awesome mate!!

NQCruiser -

Great suggestions. I'll give it a shot. Thx!

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

I haven't done a lot of driving with the 60 this year so most of my driving is around town, but I've noticed a "chirping/squealing" noise coming from the area of the throwout bearing/transmission so I'm looking for some advice.

The weird thing about the noise is it only happens when the outside temperature is above 90 degrees and the truck is up to temp. If the weather is in the 70's or 80's no chirp. When the truck is started and idles no chirping.

The noise occurs when sitting at a stoplight, out of gear and my is foot off the clutch. Depress the clutch slightly and the chirping disappears....but once you drive for a short distance you can hear a faint chirping/squealing from the same area...

The whole driveline is new within the last 4000 miles: H55, Clutch assembly, OEM throw out bearing, re-built transfercase, balanced DS, New u-joints, etc...

No water crossings, but a lot of dust in Moab a year ago, so the only thing I can think of is the throwout bearing is going out. The only problem I have with that is that I hear the chirp/squeak when driving when the T/O shouldn't be touching the pressure plate...Right?....Thanks for your advice.

Update-

Not sure what happened, but the chirping has disappeared. I haven't had much time to tinker with 60 since it started, so I just kept driving it and it went away....

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[ashack2004]

Nice Rig man, you have done a lot of work on this thing, keep up the great work.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Was looking through some old files and found these pix from when I started building up my rig in 2006. They're from a "back roads of America" road trip my son and I did during Spring break....incredible time! I've forgotten how much the rig has grown in the last 6 years.

It was nice, clean and simple back then...I seem to recall it also got better gas mileage aswell!!

 

[chuckirons]

Thought I'd let you know I followed you on 291 south today until I-70, i was coming back from the bike swap - first time I've ever seen your truck in person and it was very impressive. Like seeing a movie star in public!

I've really got to get my truck working...

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Chuck-

Thanks! I heard about the swap meet and would have liked to have gone to the meet, but I was picking up some stuff at Costco.

Good luck on your build.

 

[Cruzer_89]

Very nice, i like the clean look...

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

New Addition

BritKLR's "Working Pig" New addition to the BritKLR coral....

I'm new to the FJ55 world, but the Cruiser Gods blessed me with a 1970 FJ55. It came with a piece of property we purchased in Colorado for clearing the driveway in the winter (long up hill driveway!). Therefore, he's been given the name of "Working Pig".

From the packet of receipts that came with it, it started it's life in in Crestline, California. It received a great deal of attention over the years and seemed to be very well taken care of. In the mid-70's it was given a snowplow and for the next 35+ years it was given the job of moving snow on several different properties around the front range from Golden to Boulder, Co.

It was orginally red and white, but was painted the current green many years ago. It is amazing, it'll start on the first crank, runs smooth, has very little rust and seems to structurally solid. The interior unfortunately has suffered from being a mouse condo for years and the weather stripping has seen it's fair share of Rocky mountain sun and winters. I've already pulled the interior and had the front bench seat recovered, cleaned the carpets and made new interior panels. I hope to re-install these items in the next couple of weeks.

The 3spd tranny needs some work due to popping out of first gear, but seems to run ok in the 2nd and 3rd. The transfer case seems to work very well in low, but I haven't done a lot of driving with it yet. Needless to say the snow plow works well, but is also over 30 + years old and could use some attention.

My plans for WP is to restore him to a solid, reliable truck and add a mild lift with HD front springs to better support the plow, but otherwise just take care of him and keep him working on the property and running around the mountains for another 40 years.

Anyway, I wanted to introduce Working Pig and begin my new adventure in the 55 world, but still stay true to the 60 world...

 

[klinetime574]

So cool. A lot of options for supporting the plow. HD springs, AAL, air bags.

I know you'll make a good choice

 

[inv3ctiv3]

Just went through the entire thread and wow! Such a great looking/functional cruiser. Makes me feel better seeing how many miles yours has, I was concerned mine has too many miles to take out on the trail. I really want to upgrade all my hoses in my engine bay from the original ones, where'd you get the silicone tubing and where'd you find the sizes for all of them?
Thanks!

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

So cool. A lot of options for supporting the plow. HD springs, AAL, air bags.

I know you'll make a good choice

Thanks!

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Just went through the entire thread and wow! Such a great looking/functional cruiser. Makes me feel better seeing how many miles yours has, I was concerned mine has too many miles to take out on the trail. I really want to upgrade all my hoses in my engine bay from the original ones, where'd you get the silicone tubing and where'd you find the sizes for all of them?
Thanks!

Thanks.

These things never have to many miles on them! LOL

Sorry, but I don't remember the specific source other than I googled silicone/vacuum hoses and found a source on the internet. To be honest, I don't really like the new hoses due to the outer diameter being larger then the OEM hoses and causing them not to fit into really tight areas or brackets...so I've resorted to locating "newer" used OEM hoses off "Pick and Pull" cars and cut them to the correct length.

Good luck.

 

[inv3ctiv3]

Thanks.

These things never have to many miles on them! LOL

Sorry, but I don't remember the specific source other than I googled silicone/vacuum hoses and found a source on the internet. To be honest, I don't really like the new hoses due to the outer diameter being larger then the OEM hoses and causing them not to fit into really tight areas or brackets...so I've resorted to locating "newer" used OEM hoses off "Pick and Pull" cars and cut them to the correct length.

Good luck.

Yea I kinda figured that would happen, maybe I'll just order all new hoses from Dan.