BritKLR's "Working Pig"

[AdventureToolCompany]

Greetings -

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.

Also, thanks for all your future help!!!

 

[xtiaan2000]

Where's a pic of that 60? That thing sounds pretty sick too! Are you gonna make Working Pig to be just as badass as that? Seems like the right thing to do.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Welcome Britklr,

Ok, We want to know, did you buy the place because it had the 55. We wouldn't tell your wife . It does look like a nice one. Good luck with it and keep posting the pictures.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Where's a pic of that 60? That thing sounds pretty sick too! Are you gonna make Working Pig to be just as badass as that? Seems like the right thing to do.

Here's a couple of pics of my 87 FJ60 - Rhino Ride.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

I got started replacing the interior panels due to age, condition and the mouse population using them for bedding material. Once removing the vinyl I used the pressboard as templates onto the ABS plastic. Used a jigsaw to cut the panels out and will install them on our next trip out.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Welcome Britklr,

Ok, We want to know, did you buy the place because it had the 55. We wouldn't tell your wife . It does look like a nice one. Good luck with it and keep posting the pictures.

LMAO!!

The absolutely funny part about it was that we both fell in love with the house and property the minute we saw it and the 55 was the cherry on top. My wife is the absolute best and kids me about the very same thing!

 

[bogus one]

Strong work, there.

Love the early caps on the 60, as well

 

[Pighead]

and add a mild lift with HD front springs to better support the plow,

Perhaps talk to your localest blacksmith/spring shop...probably easier than buying springs from far away. Order some spring bushings now.

 

[PabloCruise]

Too cool!

Where is your property?
I found my 40 when I moved outside of Golden. The original owner was still using it to plow snow.

The ABS panels look great! As does your 60. Did you add the H55? x2 on liking the 40/55 hubcaps on widened wheels. Who widened the wheels?

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Perhaps talk to your localest blacksmith/spring shop...probably easier than buying springs from far away. Order some spring bushings now.

Pighead-

Thanks for the suggestion on the springs. I'll look into local resources for re-doing the springs. BTW, what is the best source for the spring bushings?

-Thanks

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Too cool!

Where is your property?
I found my 40 when I moved outside of Golden. The original owner was still using it to plow snow.

The ABS panels look great! As does your 60. Did you add the H55? x2 on liking the 40/55 hubcaps on widened wheels. Who widened the wheels?

Pablo -

Very nice on your 40. The Working Pig has had 2 previous owners , making me the third.

Thanks for the kind words on my 60. It's been a lot of fun building and driving. I'm the third owner of the this 60 as well and it also started it's life out in California before it made it's way to Kansas City, Mo. where I found it.
I put the H55 in a couple of years ago and purchased it new from my local Toyota parts counter. As luck had it, we have a local Toyota parts distribution center/hub in Kansas City and they had a H55, hub caps and all the parts I needed sitting on the shelf.
The wheels were widened by Stockton Wheel out of California. I've heard they went out of business, but not sure.

Here's the mudlink to the 60 build with additional info:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/292104-summer-beautification-arb-style.html

- Thanks

 

[nuclearlemon]

Thanks for the suggestion on the springs. I'll look into local resources for re-doing the springs.

denver spring and suspension
(303) 295-7638
3510 Brighton Blvd.

midwest truck parts
(303) 296-1515
5075 Cook Street.

both in north denver area

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

denver spring and suspension
(303) 295-7638
3510 Brighton Blvd.

midwest truck parts
(303) 296-1515
5075 Cook Street.

both in north denver area

Your the best!

Thanks!

 

[Pighead]

BTW, what is the best source for the spring bushings?

55 spring bushings are a little harder to find than 40 bushings...I would start with the usual suspects. Kurt might be my first call. Ige got me some rear spring bushings for my B-day, think she called Mark A. for them. If all else fails, I bet $OR has them.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

55 spring bushings are a little harder to find than 40 bushings...I would start with the usual suspects. Kurt might be my first call. Ige got me some rear spring bushings for my B-day, think she called Mark A. for them. If all else fails, I bet $OR has them.

We've got the FJ55 bushings here


Congrats on the pig

 

[romegadave]

Gotta say that I love the pic of the 60 next to the roaring fire!!! Badass 55....what a workhorse she must be

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Thanks -

That was a good night in Moab!

I got my bench seat re-done and ready to re-install. It was a smelly mess when I took it out, but now it's good as new.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

We've got the FJ55 bushings here


Congrats on the pig

Thanks Kurt!

Looks like I'll be ordering new stuff from you...BTW, the ARB lockers are still running strong!

 

[PabloCruise]

Dig that pimpy ash tray on the back of the front bench - that is

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Update

Just got back from being out at the house and spent sometime working on the WP.

It's amazing what mice can do to an old rig. Not only did they destroy the front and back seats (I've since recovered the front seat), but I found that they set-up an upstairs condo in the headliner! They apparent commute via the front two "A" pillars and have spent an extensive amount of time removing the felt that was attached to the roof. They apparently get into the vehicle through several different firewall holes and via some openings in the front fenders.

Another exciting moment was when I fired up the heater and it started puking antifreeze out of the bottom of the heater housing! I pulled the heater housing and fan assembly and found that the core was shot and mice had built a lovely little house in the middle of the fan cage!

I'll be cleaning the housing and fan assembly and replacing the core this week to install it the next time we're out at the house.

I'm still learning my iphone and will try to post up some pix in the near future...BTW, does anyone have any tips on how to keep mice out of cruisers in the mountains??

Thanks.