Hi folks -
Ih8mud has been a super valuable resource for me, so I’m using a rainy day to make a small attempt to give back to the community with this build thread. I hope this ends up being helpful for someone down the line.
Background:
Phase I work (Nov ’16-Jan '17):
Phase II work (Feb-Mar ’17):
Phase III work (Apr ’17):
'18:
Ih8mud has been a super valuable resource for me, so I’m using a rainy day to make a small attempt to give back to the community with this build thread. I hope this ends up being helpful for someone down the line.
Background:
- I was born into a Toyota LandCruiser family - my father grew up with FJ40s on his farm in Zimbabwe and after moving to the States briefly experimented with one american car (~1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer) before going back to Toyota. Since then we collectively owned a 1992 LandCruiser (my first car), 1998 LandCruiser (which my younger sister still drives), 2008 LandCruiser (my mother’s current car), 1991 4Runner, 1996 4runner (which my brother still drives), 2004 4Runner (my other car), and 2005 4Runner (my dad still drives)
- Given this history, it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that I dove into fixing up a FJ60. i generally enjoy projects (have always built my bikes from the ground up, etc). and have never been adverse to figuring mechanical things out. which probably comes from my dad making me do all the basic maintenance (brake jobs, oil changes, etc) on my FJ80
- I purchased my 1986 FJ60 (July build date) from a friend in El Paso, TX in Nov ’16. He owned it for ~1 year (during which it sat in a warehouse, as he never got started on the project besides replacing the battery). CarFax indicates it was originally purchased in Sante Fe, NM and had a single owner for ~28 years during which it also spent time in Eastern WA and ID
- At purchase, it was drivable, BUT needed a fair amount of work (see below). I drove it from TX through NM and CO to UT where it made it up and down Little Cottonwood Canyon all ski season. I just drove it from UT to northern CA where it will mostly live this summer
- She’s now officially named “Falsely Accused"
Phase I work (Nov ’16-Jan '17):
- Replace (dry rotted) tires with new 32x11.5x15 BFG AT2s
- Replace front and rear shocks with OEM
- Remove / reinstall / tune carb due to sticking linkage (Colorado Toyota Specialists, Conifer, CO)
- Replace rotor cap, spark plugs, spark plug wires with new OEM
- Replace fuel filter with OEM
- Replace front and rear wipers with OEM
- Replace front driver window regulator with OEM
- Replace engine mounts with aftermarket (Cruiser Outfitters)
- Replace starter with remanufactured OEM
- Replace fusible link with OEM
- Adjust valves / tune carb (State Automotive, Midvale, UT)
Phase II work (Feb-Mar ’17):
- Replace headlamps / harness with Hella H4 / Slee aftermarket
- Eliminate electrical issues resulting from melted ground connector behind dash (see thread here)
- Replace (totally destroyed) dash with (minimally cracked) used OEM
- Replace damaged rear bumper with used OEM
- Flush and replace transmission, transfer case, and front and rear differential fluid (State Automotive, Midvale, UT)
- Replace oil pan gasket / change oil (State Automotive, Midvale, UT)
- Replace suspension with Old Man Emu “ultimate” light / medium kit from Cruiser Outfitters
- Replace tie rod ends with aftermarket from Cruiser Outfitters
- Rebuild front axle knuckles with Cruiser Outfitters kit with Koyo bearings (State Automotive, Midvale, UT)
Phase III work (Apr ’17):
- (Finally!) diagnose exhaust leak - weld, machine, and replace manifold w/new gasket (Mudrack Custom Cruisers, Sonoma, CA) (will elaborate on this one later)
- Replace emergency brake cables and rear brake shoes (Mudrack Custom Cruisers, Sonoma, CA)
'18:
- Replaced cracked windshield and weatherstripping
- Installed new stereo / speakers
- Switched AC over to R142 and recharged
- Smog pump replaced with Jim C pulley (otherwise factory smog system is still in tact)
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