Very familiar with the Sulligent area. The 62 popped up in a random post on the Alabama Overland Facebook group on Oct. 15. The guy that posted it had just spotted it on the street at a town festival. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to inquire. I bought it on Oct. 17. My primary offroad rig is a 1988.5 Suzuki Samurai (moderately built, climbs like a goat, loads of fun... but, lacking creature comforts... most notably cabin space and A/C). I had a 1993 Suzuki Sidekick 4-door 4WD 5-speed that I was planning to fix up for my wife as a light duty offroad and dirt road riding rig. However, though she can drive a manual, she wanted an automatic. That, along with several other "gotchas" had held up the build on the Sidekick and it sat for 3 years pretty much untouched. When the FJ62 popped up on the radar, she fell in love with it and we had to have it. The following weekend, a guy came 9+ hours from Florida and got the Sidekick. The plan for it is for a solid, dependable dirt/gravel road rig with occasional "overland" type stuff. I don't plan to put it in the rocks like I do the Samurai. We'd love to get a small, light, retro, Shasta style, color matched camper to pull behind it (we LOVE visiting state/national parks). If that works out, we'll likely sell our motorhome and the 62 + camper will be our primary camping setup.
I've been in the Suzuki game for a few years now, and am intimately familiar with those rigs. I've done rebuilds on engines, transmissions, transfer cases (regeared with lower gear sets), differentials, axles, steering knuckles, etc. on the Samurai. There are LOTS of similarities, drivetrain-wise, between the Suzukis and FJ's. The FJ's are just bigger.
Honestly, if I could find a relatively rust free FJ40 that I can afford, I'd likely sell the Samurai (though, it'd be tough... lots of blood, sweat, tears and loads of FUN tied up in my Samurai).
We're always looking for dirt road routes that we can LEGALLY ride. We call it "dirt road therapy" and try to get a little "therapy" at least once a month. You got any good trails/roads you'd suggest?
Is that 40 in your profile pic yours? Got any leads on 40's for sell in our area? I know where one is in a barn that is immaculate. But, he knows what it's worth and so do his grandsons.
So, I doubt I'll ever have a chance at owning it.
Very cool, I've got a deer lease a little West of you in Sulligent. How long have you had your 62? Any plans for it yet?
