Builds FitzJ60 1983 FJ60 Build

[NookShneer]

Lesson learned. I'm sure there will be more to come.

Started in on the body work right away. Figuring it out as I go.

 

[NookShneer]

One of the most interesting Cruiser Nights so far was the Seattle Cruiserhead September meeting. With @Kleatus and @Boy86fj60

There was a lot going on but the 60's in the photo were really impressive.

From left to right

4bt, 3FE, 5.3 V8, R2.8, and #FitzJ60 rockin a 2F

After driving them all I appreciated the R2.8 a lot for the smoothness.

I still think that the 2F will do everything I need it to, until that changes, it stays.

 

[roma042987]

that's some beautiful country looks very similar to some areas of the san juans in southwestern Colorado.

 

[NookShneer]

I picked up some flack on the eclipse trip with @lovetoski @xtiaan2000 and @Kleatus for my moveable terminal attachments while chasing a bad ground connection to the center console.

Picked up some stuff to fix that. The 1/0 welding cable is going to replace the ground cables, for nap time the other day I chopped the terminal ends and replaced them. I'll get to the whole cables over the winter. If I had thought about it more the best time to do that job is when you are changing out the passengers side motor mount which I did this spring. Hindsight right?

 

[NookShneer]

that's some beautiful country looks very similar to some areas of the san juans in southwestern Colorado.

I hear your supposed to be in my neck of the woods soon. Would be cool to connect if it could work out with your timeline.

 

[roma042987]

I hear your supposed to be in my neck of the woods soon. Would be cool to connect if it could work out with your timeline.

And boy am I looking forward to it! Mountains and the smell of diesel fuel...doesn't get much better than that. It's mid 80s here in Alabama today with about 110% humidity. Can't walk outside without breaking a sweat.

 

[NookShneer]

Bringing this up to this last weekend. Took a trip with a bunch of 60's guys in the Seattle area. We have been talking about doing a "Wagon Run" (@Kleatus brain child) for 6 months. The initial plan to hit up Gallagher Head Lake was kaput due to the area still being closed due to fires from a month back. I suggested an alternative and the weather stunk but we managed to get 4 rigs together and make a fun day/night out of it.

@red66toy with #BlueGuy and I headed up on a Friday night. We raced against time to get up to Twin Lakes/Winchester Peak trail head before dark...

This was the first time for Chase to take #blueguy on a 100+ mile trip and over 70 mph on I-5. Gold star ️ for bolting that suspension on right Chase!

7 miles of dirt road and 3k elevation gain brought us to the lake. With pounding rain and winds and 50ft of visibility we were in for a party.

"Thanks for inviting me Dave" @red66toy

At least we could only laugh about our circumstances.

This picture describes our night perfectly.

30mph winds with gusts up to 60 we cobbled together some makeshift shelter with a small tarp Chase had and 2 tent poles from his tent. I think we both thought about purchasing awnings with extensions from that experience. #jingusoverland

 

[NookShneer]

And boy am I looking forward to it! Mountains and the smell of diesel fuel...doesn't get much better than that. It's mid 80s here in Alabama today with about 110% humidity. Can't walk outside without breaking a sweat.

It will be bit of a change from that. If you might bring with you some good wiper arms and blades if you guys have a set from another truck.

 

[NookShneer]

The night passed slowly for us as we both crawled into our cruisers to sleep in a mostly dry place by 9:30. I hunkered down and got comfortable for a long night of sleep only to be woken by chase at 11:00 as he was out of #BlueGuy and moving stuff around in he back.

"What are you doing?"

"Somehow there is a mouse in my truck and it's running around." @red66toy

"Oh... okay." And like that I went right back to bed

By 4am that mouse had made its way into #FitzJ60 and woke me up by crawling over my sleeping bag.

I got up and moved stuff around looking for the guy to make sure he wasn't burrowing into the seats.

Chase wakes up and asks

"Did you get a mouse in your car? I finally got to sleep because he has been running around my car all night."

I pull all the fire wood out of the back (hoping not to give the little punk to much familiarity) and see the mouse run from the bottom of my car back over to Chase's.

"Sorry man, I think he just ran back under your car."

Back in bed!

 

[NookShneer]

Good news for us. Temps dropped overnight and by 8am this was the view. @red66toy in #BlueGuy taking in the view.

 

[NookShneer]

Slow morning for us in the cold but we made some breakfast burritos and chatted with a guy who had hiked down from the Winchester Peak fire lookout that morning.

We pulled it together and started hiking up the trail running into another set of hikers headed slowly up the hill. Just shy of 2 miles and 1500ft elevation gain later we arrived at the fire lookout.

 

[NookShneer]

When @red66toy and I made it down we had the 4 rigs together for about 45 mins before Chase had to split for Seattle. First collection of #3x60's with a guest.

@Kleatus

Due to the temps being what they were we took in the atmosphere and decided that a fire would be best.

We hung out while @Boy86fj60 did the hike to the look out with his wife. What better way to pass he time than to multi task as a new father. We stepped back and tried to capture the moment for @Kleatus

 

[NookShneer]

I need to do the 4 runner wipers.

And figure out why the defrost/AC sucks.

Wiping the windscreen off with a Sham Wow sucks and can be distracting to your maintaining the center of the road.

Rocked it back and forth in 4 low to get out of the ditch and hustled out to an Italian spot to discuss the AC button and its use to defrost windows over dinner with @Boy86fj60.

If you are out in the Mt. Baker area you owe it to your self to stop at Rifugio's Country Italian spot.

 

[Kleatus]

I need to do the 4 runner wipers.

And figure out why the defrost/AC sucks.

Wiping the windscreen off with a Sham Wow sucks and can be distracting to your maintaining the center of the road.


View attachment 1552047 View attachment 1552048

Rocked it back and forth in 4 low to get out of the ditch and hustled out to an Italian spot to discuss the AC button and its use to defrost windows over dinner with @Boy86fj60.

If you are out in the Mt. Baker area you owe it to your self to stop at Rifugio's Country Italian spot.

View attachment 1552049

Kinda wish I woulda came up Friday night instead of Saturday with you guys! Nice write up Dave!

 

[red66toy]

Definitely a fun trip. It crossed the crazy line but you just had to laugh at it all. Fun times, cant wait for another wagon run.... maybe with less mice.
Camp in the morning:

Dave or Sasquatch...

 

[Kleatus]

Definitely a fun trip. It crossed the crazy line but you just had to laugh at it all. Fun times, cant wait for another wagon run.... maybe with less mice.
Camp in the morning:

Dave or Sasquatch...

I Believe!!
That is the most Sasquatchy sasquatch pose I've ever seen.

 

[NookShneer]

Christmas Tree Run!!!

 

[red66toy]

Christmas Tree Run!!!

Lets get this going!

 

[ProwlerDriver]

This is the exact trip i take everyone when they come to visit, can't beat the views for the work involved. That italian place is a hidden gem as well!

@NookShneer my defrost sucks too, it is always a fight for my life when i drive down from skiing mount baker with all the moisture. Im really hoping the Webasto i got addresses the situation.
What is the 4runner wiper upgrade... can't say I've heard of that!

 

[NookShneer]

This is the exact trip i take everyone when they come to visit, can't beat the views for the work involved. That italian place is a hidden gem as well!

@NookShneer my defrost sucks too, it is always a fight for my life when i drive down from skiing mount baker with all the moisture. Im really hoping the Webasto i got addresses the situation.
What is the 4runner wiper upgrade... can't say I've heard of that!

Sent you a text with the parts list. I want to hear feedback on the webasto. I have to rewire the rear centered heater and plumb the coolant lines . I'm hoping that will help with over-all warmth.
There is something going on with the AC that isn't working and also last time I had the dash apart I might not have gotten the Hester box back together correctly because air flow is pretty meek out of any vents.
My rear defrost is also pretty sad only 2 lines seem to work. I'll check the ground is good and see if that helps.