This is my first build thread so bear with me. I've built a few Cruisers but never documented the build. Some fellow mud members have asked me to do a build thread on the next Cruiser I build. So here goes:
Since we can't get really get the newer 70 series here in the USA, I decided to build my own. Newer ones do exist here in the US but I won't get into specific details about that in this thread
For those unfamiliar with what Proffitt's Cruisers has come across, please check out this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/360764-land-cruiser-pickup-project.html
We still have a few of these bodies available so if you are wanting to do one for yourself or have us build you one, please contact the shop or PM me.
This is not a shameless plug for sales. I was able to finagle one of these bodies for my own personal project. I am building this after hours and on weekends with some help from the shop.
The body: I started with a 2010 HZJ79 body. This is a Middle Eastern spec unit that originally came with the 1HZ/R151 drive train. It also came with dual fuel tanks.
The chassis: 1989 FJ62. It's funny how things tend to come full circle. A few years ago, I owned this FJ62. I pulled it out of the weeds with 279K miles on it. It was pretty hammered and I mostly bought it for parts. The owner told me that it probably ran but he did not know. Well, I replaced the fuel pump with a used one just to see if it would run and it ran like a champ. I drove the 62 for about 2 years as my "beater". I loaned it to my mother-in-law for about 2 months when her 100 series tranny blew up.
After 2 years, I decided to sell the 62 as it was not getting much use after awhile. I sold it with 292K miles to a local guy. I would see the 62 running around and the owner was using it as a ranch truck. I would see it with bales of hay in the back and I saw it pulling a small horse trailer once. Well, it showed up at the shop a few months ago. It seems like the rancher did not check the oil regularly. He ran it low on oil and it developed a rod knock. Bummer too, as it only had 307K miles. The shop bought the 62 as a parts rig and I acquired it for my little project.
Progress: 62 body is pulled and down to the frame. We have made some new body mounts for the 79 body and the body is now sitting on the frame. Body mounts are just tack welded so we can get a general idea of how the body is going to sit. We have plenty of room for the radiator and the 1HZ diesel. It fits rather nicely.
Suspension: 2" OME FJ60 front springs. Rear springs are factory HZJ79 springs that have 3 (YES 3) overload springs removed. There is still a 7 leaf main pack and one overload. I am going to try this setup for awhile and adjust if I need to. The 79 springs are VERY LONG. I used the factory 62 spring hanger in the factory location. I had to move the rear shackle hanger back 8.5" which moved the rear axle back 8.5" The rear still sits high.
I still need 10" of extra wheelbase in order to run the full size 79 bed. I could cut the front of the bed and have a 6' bed instead of a 7' bed. But....I want the full size bed. I will be extending the frame 10" here in a few days.
I slapped on a set of worn out 33's and they fit pretty good. Ultimately, I want to run 35's so I might put a set on to see how they fit.
I also borrowed an FJ60 ARB bullbar; Thanks Gary! to see how it looked. It fits nicely and looks the part. I might try a 79 bull bar just to see if it looks any better. Luckily, I have access to all these as we have them in stock.
So far, the 79 body is fitting VERY WELL on the 62 frame. It's like it was meant to be on there. We are developing a body mount kit for those people that might want to tackle this project on their own. Details to come.
Anyways, here are some pictures of progress so far. More to come.
Let me know what you think.
Since we can't get really get the newer 70 series here in the USA, I decided to build my own. Newer ones do exist here in the US but I won't get into specific details about that in this thread
For those unfamiliar with what Proffitt's Cruisers has come across, please check out this thread:https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/360764-land-cruiser-pickup-project.html
We still have a few of these bodies available so if you are wanting to do one for yourself or have us build you one, please contact the shop or PM me.
This is not a shameless plug for sales. I was able to finagle one of these bodies for my own personal project. I am building this after hours and on weekends with some help from the shop.
The body: I started with a 2010 HZJ79 body. This is a Middle Eastern spec unit that originally came with the 1HZ/R151 drive train. It also came with dual fuel tanks.
The chassis: 1989 FJ62. It's funny how things tend to come full circle. A few years ago, I owned this FJ62. I pulled it out of the weeds with 279K miles on it. It was pretty hammered and I mostly bought it for parts. The owner told me that it probably ran but he did not know. Well, I replaced the fuel pump with a used one just to see if it would run and it ran like a champ. I drove the 62 for about 2 years as my "beater". I loaned it to my mother-in-law for about 2 months when her 100 series tranny blew up.
After 2 years, I decided to sell the 62 as it was not getting much use after awhile. I sold it with 292K miles to a local guy. I would see the 62 running around and the owner was using it as a ranch truck. I would see it with bales of hay in the back and I saw it pulling a small horse trailer once. Well, it showed up at the shop a few months ago. It seems like the rancher did not check the oil regularly. He ran it low on oil and it developed a rod knock. Bummer too, as it only had 307K miles. The shop bought the 62 as a parts rig and I acquired it for my little project.
Progress: 62 body is pulled and down to the frame. We have made some new body mounts for the 79 body and the body is now sitting on the frame. Body mounts are just tack welded so we can get a general idea of how the body is going to sit. We have plenty of room for the radiator and the 1HZ diesel. It fits rather nicely.
Suspension: 2" OME FJ60 front springs. Rear springs are factory HZJ79 springs that have 3 (YES 3) overload springs removed. There is still a 7 leaf main pack and one overload. I am going to try this setup for awhile and adjust if I need to. The 79 springs are VERY LONG. I used the factory 62 spring hanger in the factory location. I had to move the rear shackle hanger back 8.5" which moved the rear axle back 8.5" The rear still sits high.
I still need 10" of extra wheelbase in order to run the full size 79 bed. I could cut the front of the bed and have a 6' bed instead of a 7' bed. But....I want the full size bed. I will be extending the frame 10" here in a few days.
I slapped on a set of worn out 33's and they fit pretty good. Ultimately, I want to run 35's so I might put a set on to see how they fit.
I also borrowed an FJ60 ARB bullbar; Thanks Gary! to see how it looked. It fits nicely and looks the part. I might try a 79 bull bar just to see if it looks any better. Luckily, I have access to all these as we have them in stock.
So far, the 79 body is fitting VERY WELL on the 62 frame. It's like it was meant to be on there. We are developing a body mount kit for those people that might want to tackle this project on their own. Details to come.
Anyways, here are some pictures of progress so far. More to come.
Let me know what you think.
