Brown Sugar aka Brown Truck fka The Yak

[BigHighBlue]

FINALLY! After owning this truck for about two years I am finally now getting around to creating a thread for it

A little history: First let me say this is all Jimmy's fault @CenTXFJ60 . This whole journey began when I bought my '85 from Steve Cooper @samc2447 with the intention of continuing my passion for old Toyotas.

I soon realized that I need to off road this thing after attending my first LSLC round up. Well actually I let AJ @aljollano guide me on some trails then discovered that I needed new bumpers

which led to solid axle prep which led to building the blue truck to extreme status

At this point you're going wtf does this have to do with a brown truck???

 

[BigHighBlue]

So, after wheeling in the San Juans with the SAS crew for a week, which is and was one of the most incredible experiences of my life I asked Jimmy if I could drive his 12HT swapped 60 to see the difference between that and a 12HT. Damn....I was hooked. On the return trip I was casually browsing (frantically searching) for a 12HT that I could throw into ole blue when I found an ad on Mud:

SOLD - 1987 FJ60 with 12ht/h55f powertrain - RUST FREE 12V

Rust free west coast straight body now located in Northern Virginia, 12v, 1987 Fj60 with 12ht h55f powertrain conversion. Second rebuilt 12ht long block, cable lockers with many useful parts (see below) -- $38k for all the above/below. If there are specific photos or questions I’ll update as...

forum.ih8mud.com

Much to my wife's chagrin I spent the rest of the trip home working between Jimmy and the PO discussing and negotiating the purchase of the whole package. We somewhat agreed to a price and the planning phases began. Within a few weeks we were on the road, with great thanks again to Enabler Jimmy. I use the term Enabler in the most endearing way, I know Jimmy just wants me to be happy

 

[BigHighBlue]

I don't remember exactly the timing but we drove from Central Texas to DC straight crashed for a few hours and met the PO early in the morning cash in hand...literally.

Loaded up as quickly as one can pack a fully built cruiser, spare motor, locking axles and a container full of parts and headed back to the safety of Texas

 

[BigHighBlue]

Our return to Texas and the Barn was blessed and the next steps of the journey began...

 

[fl4031003]

I was the enabler of Jimmy, glad the torch has been passed

 

[CenTXFJ60]

This is going to be epic. Subscribed.

 

[kirvesmies]

I don't remember exactly the timing but we drove from Central Texas to DC straight crashed for a few hours and met the PO early in the morning cash in hand...literally.

View attachment 3680196

non sequential bills, correct??

 

[CenTXFJ60]

I was the enabler of Jimmy, glad the torch has been passed

Monroy…you’ve cost me a lot of Jack over the years

Would not change a thing tho. You’ve got mad skills at fining cruisers.

 

[onemanarmy]

already liking this!

 

[BigHighBlue]

When I was discussing with the PO the build of the truck he let me know that he hadn't built it but bought it from a guy in the Pacific Northwest. I figured that guy must have been on mud considering all the cool s*** he did to the truck. Come to find out his name was Chris Hardwick aka @Mountain Goat. I had no idea that I had bought a former porn stars truck but who am I to judge...It took me a while and some creative searching but I found him on here:

ROTW: The Yak

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Yak. Second only to my girls, she's my baby. This truck started life as a California spec 1987 FJ-60. It's had many owners since. I found it in AutoTrader. It was listed by a broker who was selling it for a private party. I was unemployed. My...

forum.ih8mud.com

My bumper build

Yep. Here's another one. I didn't want to spend $1500 - $3500 on a custom bumper with swing-outs. I couldn't find one that was quite what I want anyway. I like the Four Plus and 4 X 4 Labs products, but I want a bumper to stick out a little more. Their bumpers fit "high and tight" for...

forum.ih8mud.com

Goat Transplant #1

So I had this huge post typed up that detailed a whole bunch of stuff about my project. Then the server decided I wasn't logged in anymore and I lost it all. I'm not going to retype the whole thing so here is the summary. 12H-T swap into '87 USA spec FJ-60, California model. Donor vehicle was...

forum.ih8mud.com

Seems like a curious and talented guy I thought it would be great to chat with him. Fortunately for me the for sale sign that was originally posted on the window was still in the truck. One a whim I texted and sure enough the number was still working. We had a nice chat and he let me know that once he figured out what was going on the sadness of selling this rig came rushing back. I tried to convince him that I know a guy named Enabler Jimmy that can help get him back in the mix but it sounded like it would have been too painful and he had moved on. Maybe one day he will reconsider...

 

[CruiserTrash]

Hell yeah! I've seen the *mostly* finished product (camped right behind you at SAS last year, other side of the fence), but I want to hear the whole story.

 

[BigHighBlue]

Hell yeah! I've seen the *mostly* finished product (camped right behind you at SAS last year, other side of the fence), but I want to hear the whole story.

I have 2 years of posts built up LOL but we'll get there eventually. I have some of your parts on this truck already so you're part of the journey!

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

That’s so cool!
Always great to talk to you the last two Solid axle summits.
I’m subscribed!

 

[Hokie LX]

Took me a few days to connect this truck with your username! Great wheeling with you at SAS this year. Subscribed and excited to follow along with this truck.

 

[BigHighBlue]

Took me a few days to connect this truck with your username! Great wheeling with you at SAS this year. Subscribed and excited to foll

Same, great to meet you. I have lots more to add to this thread just need to find the time and discipline to do it. Stay tuned…

 

[BigHighBlue]

First big project was installing the full float cable locking axles. Fortunately the previous owner had rebuilt the knuckles, installed new brakes and painted everything. This job was A LOT of work. Super grateful to have the guidance and assistance of a pro!

 

[BigHighBlue]

Replaced the u joints while I had the drive shafts out

 

[BigHighBlue]

Mad credit to the man himself!

 

[BigHighBlue]

Was hearing a chirping noise that wasn't solved by replacing the idler bullies so we decided to pull the tranny and see if it was anything throwout or pilot bearing related. Swapped in a heavy duty 12HT clutch kit from @cruiseroutfit while we were in there. The noise went away then returned. Hopefully there's not something about this trans or motor that chews up pilot bearings. I guess we'll see what happens next time I'm in there.

 

[BigHighBlue]

Since owning this rig I've noticed quite a bit of wandering in the steering. Decided to start by putting some Dobinson's IMS shocks and bushings from @samc2447 , and 4* castor shims from @orangefj45.