Driving this rig has been a dream of mine since childhood. As long as I can remember, it's just sat there behind the shop. I used to play in it as a kid, imagining the fun I would have with it up in the woods or cruising around in the summertime. Well to make a long story short, It's taken me longer than I thought it would.
This is actually the 2nd attempt at a resurrection of this fine machine. The first was an aborted teenage plot, foiled by a lack of skill and money. Here I am 8 years later, I now have much more of the first, and a little bit more of the latter.
Here's her history-
She was bought used in the mid 60's by my Grandfather from a local farmer, said farmers wife wanted something more "car" like than the agricultural Toyota, so it was traded off for a bronco. My grandfather, unhappy with his small, uncomfortable(cold!, no heater) and slow, '49 jeep, found it at the local dealership and was impressed by it's advanced design and much larger size. He proceed to drive it continuously until the late 80's. It spent it's entire life with him running around the cascade Mountains here in Washington. My grandfather was a serious outdoors man and they lived in the mountains most of the year, this was his favorite runabout.
My Father got it in the early 90's as part of a trade, he used it for a few years on the farm and as a runabout. One spring day after being parked for the winter, it decided it did not want to continue going on. Not really needing it, he just towed it home and parked it.
That's brings us to today. Again, she finds herself foisted upon a new owner though a trade. I gave my dad a Honda Elsinore 125 I restored, he gave me the old 'yota. I think I got the better deal. Let the work begin!
The good-
Everything is there. I have all the factory equipment,tools,tire padlock,hubcaps. It's mostly in usable shape, Grandpa was a stickler for reliability and kept up on maintenance, he was an incredibly relaxed and careful driver. He used them hard but did not abuse them.
The Bad-
The motor's stuck. I've periodically filled the cylinders with penetrating oil for the last few years. Hopefully it's done some good.
The Ugly-
Only minor rust- Drivers floor pan is gone, the fronts of the rear inner fenders are trash, and the rear cowl under the tail gates in bad shape. Everywhere else still has factory paint on it?! life's mysteries.
Also, the Interior is complete trash.
The Plan-
Change all fluids(Done), battery,etc. I put on some old car tires for the time being, at least it rolls.
Unstick motor and get it running again.
Rebuild brake system once it's running.
Once that's done, new shocks and tires. Going with retread 235/75/15 M/T's unless I get some kinda screaming deal on a set of nearly new 31's M/T's. This is not going to be a daily driver or interstate cruiser, so they should be fine.
Drive it.
After that-
Fix rust
Paint, I'm thinking ultra flat Desert Tan. Stock paint is ruined.
Reupholster the seats, add 3 point safety belts I already bought. I do not like the ancient lap belts.
Roll Bar
Lastly,Fun stuff like the stereo, winch and what not.
Also need to set up multiple ways of keeping it from getting stolen before I ever park it away from home. I'm thinking hidden kill switches and fuel cut offs. My home town of Yaki-ganistan,WA is a hotbed of car thefts.
I'm so exited.
This is actually the 2nd attempt at a resurrection of this fine machine. The first was an aborted teenage plot, foiled by a lack of skill and money. Here I am 8 years later, I now have much more of the first, and a little bit more of the latter.
Here's her history-
She was bought used in the mid 60's by my Grandfather from a local farmer, said farmers wife wanted something more "car" like than the agricultural Toyota, so it was traded off for a bronco. My grandfather, unhappy with his small, uncomfortable(cold!, no heater) and slow, '49 jeep, found it at the local dealership and was impressed by it's advanced design and much larger size. He proceed to drive it continuously until the late 80's. It spent it's entire life with him running around the cascade Mountains here in Washington. My grandfather was a serious outdoors man and they lived in the mountains most of the year, this was his favorite runabout.
My Father got it in the early 90's as part of a trade, he used it for a few years on the farm and as a runabout. One spring day after being parked for the winter, it decided it did not want to continue going on. Not really needing it, he just towed it home and parked it.
That's brings us to today. Again, she finds herself foisted upon a new owner though a trade. I gave my dad a Honda Elsinore 125 I restored, he gave me the old 'yota. I think I got the better deal.
Let the work begin!
The good-
Everything is there. I have all the factory equipment,tools,tire padlock,hubcaps. It's mostly in usable shape, Grandpa was a stickler for reliability and kept up on maintenance, he was an incredibly relaxed and careful driver. He used them hard but did not abuse them.
The Bad-
The motor's stuck. I've periodically filled the cylinders with penetrating oil for the last few years. Hopefully it's done some good.
The Ugly-
Only minor rust- Drivers floor pan is gone, the fronts of the rear inner fenders are trash, and the rear cowl under the tail gates in bad shape. Everywhere else still has factory paint on it?! life's mysteries.
Also, the Interior is complete trash.
The Plan-
Change all fluids(Done), battery,etc. I put on some old car tires for the time being, at least it rolls.
Unstick motor and get it running again.
Rebuild brake system once it's running.
Once that's done, new shocks and tires. Going with retread 235/75/15 M/T's unless I get some kinda screaming deal on a set of nearly new 31's M/T's. This is not going to be a daily driver or interstate cruiser, so they should be fine.
Drive it.
After that-
Fix rust
Paint, I'm thinking ultra flat Desert Tan. Stock paint is ruined.
Reupholster the seats, add 3 point safety belts I already bought. I do not like the ancient lap belts.
Roll Bar
Lastly,Fun stuff like the stereo, winch and what not.
Also need to set up multiple ways of keeping it from getting stolen before I ever park it away from home. I'm thinking hidden kill switches and fuel cut offs. My home town of Yaki-ganistan,WA is a hotbed of car thefts.
I'm so exited.
