I guess it is time for me to start a build thread here.
I got into Cruisers quite by accident. I have been a Jeep, Samurai, and 4x4 guy for about 15 years. I had dabbled in Toyota mini trucks with a clean 82 Longbed and a few parts trucks but that was about it. Well, almost three years ago now I became part of a "blended" family of sorts. Between my girlfriend and I we have six kids to tote around. Early in our relationship I introduced her and her kiddos to wheeling, and all were fans. This led to a several month search for some sort of rig we could pack eight people in. All U.S. build SUV's of eight passenger variety were just too big, and the "smaller" rigs that could have a third row added like Wagoneers had too low of a roof for the third row kiddos to sit comfortably.
One day while driving down the road I spotted an old FJ60 for sale. I was only vaguely familiar with them. Growing up only 40 miles from the motor city, Toyotas are not a common sight. Well anyways, this thing was dented, rusty, and just big enough! Add to that it was a manual, so it was perfect! It had a Weber carb conversion with a header and was desmogged already. It also had a supposed 4 inch Old Man Emu lift kit (I think it might be less than 4 inches). I drove it home for $775 and almost immediately recouped half my money by selling the All-terrains it was wearing.
Here it was the day we got it, almost two years ago.
The interior was almost spotless with only a small rip in the drivers seat.
Completely ignorant to the value of a restorable FJ60 we slapped on a used roof rack from another project and a set of mostly worn out 35 inch pro-comps. An 80's suburban rear seat fit in perfectly. A friend that owned a 4x4 shop got me a decent deal on a set of 5.29 Yukon gears and I picked up a used lock-right locker for the front. I set up the gears, and welded the rear, and we were good to go! We wheeled the old girl hard for a year in this form, and the Cruiser bug was now in full infestation!
Here is where the passenger side received a good 3 inch crush in.
Our crew doing best not to freeze on a winter run.
This rig was basically a budget build out of necessity and to see if the kids liked wheeling. In between off times at work I was able to do some bartering for a set of 37 inch Swamper Boggers. I also took an old rusty chunk of 6x6 tubing and started forming it into a bumper for the front.
I went through an old 8274 from my first wheeling rig. Instead of having a bumper that stuck way out front I chose to cut the bottom of the grille and valance out to push it almost to the radiator.
The power steering pump gave up, so I cut off the old brackets from the 2F and molded mid 80's Chevy truck Saginaw brackets into it. This new pump made one finger steering with the Boggers a breeze.
Our last wheeling trip late last winter it did great, but had room for improvement. Twice over the last two years I have busted the welded rear diff, and the last time took out everything including the 5.29 gears. In the meantime I pulled the 4.10s from my FJ62 parts rig to drive it, but I have big plans!
Lastly, speaking of the bug, I now have 3 parts rigs, two FJ60's and one FJ62. The 62 Gave up its mirrors and dash grab handle as well. And when our daily driver Ford Excursion started to get a bit too worn out we bought a 3xlocked Lexus LX450. We are quickly becoming Cruiser addicts!
I got into Cruisers quite by accident. I have been a Jeep, Samurai, and 4x4 guy for about 15 years. I had dabbled in Toyota mini trucks with a clean 82 Longbed and a few parts trucks but that was about it. Well, almost three years ago now I became part of a "blended" family of sorts. Between my girlfriend and I we have six kids to tote around. Early in our relationship I introduced her and her kiddos to wheeling, and all were fans. This led to a several month search for some sort of rig we could pack eight people in. All U.S. build SUV's of eight passenger variety were just too big, and the "smaller" rigs that could have a third row added like Wagoneers had too low of a roof for the third row kiddos to sit comfortably.
One day while driving down the road I spotted an old FJ60 for sale. I was only vaguely familiar with them. Growing up only 40 miles from the motor city, Toyotas are not a common sight. Well anyways, this thing was dented, rusty, and just big enough! Add to that it was a manual, so it was perfect! It had a Weber carb conversion with a header and was desmogged already. It also had a supposed 4 inch Old Man Emu lift kit (I think it might be less than 4 inches). I drove it home for $775 and almost immediately recouped half my money by selling the All-terrains it was wearing.
Here it was the day we got it, almost two years ago.
The interior was almost spotless with only a small rip in the drivers seat.
Completely ignorant to the value of a restorable FJ60 we slapped on a used roof rack from another project and a set of mostly worn out 35 inch pro-comps. An 80's suburban rear seat fit in perfectly. A friend that owned a 4x4 shop got me a decent deal on a set of 5.29 Yukon gears and I picked up a used lock-right locker for the front. I set up the gears, and welded the rear, and we were good to go! We wheeled the old girl hard for a year in this form, and the Cruiser bug was now in full infestation!
Here is where the passenger side received a good 3 inch crush in.
Our crew doing best not to freeze on a winter run.
This rig was basically a budget build out of necessity and to see if the kids liked wheeling. In between off times at work I was able to do some bartering for a set of 37 inch Swamper Boggers. I also took an old rusty chunk of 6x6 tubing and started forming it into a bumper for the front.
I went through an old 8274 from my first wheeling rig. Instead of having a bumper that stuck way out front I chose to cut the bottom of the grille and valance out to push it almost to the radiator.
The power steering pump gave up, so I cut off the old brackets from the 2F and molded mid 80's Chevy truck Saginaw brackets into it. This new pump made one finger steering with the Boggers a breeze.
Our last wheeling trip late last winter it did great, but had room for improvement. Twice over the last two years I have busted the welded rear diff, and the last time took out everything including the 5.29 gears. In the meantime I pulled the 4.10s from my FJ62 parts rig to drive it, but I have big plans!
Lastly, speaking of the bug, I now have 3 parts rigs, two FJ60's and one FJ62. The 62 Gave up its mirrors and dash grab handle as well. And when our daily driver Ford Excursion started to get a bit too worn out we bought a 3xlocked Lexus LX450. We are quickly becoming Cruiser addicts!
