Builds FJ62 Landcruiser Daily Driver Build (1 Viewer)

[psuarez00]

Hey Everyone!
This is my build thread of my 2nd 1989 Toyota Landcruiser that I have owned. I had one of the same year and color about 12 years ago that I sold and regretted ever since.

(1st FJ62 I owned)

Fast forward to about a year ago where I was able to find and purchase another one. Found it in Southern California with about 181K miles and in decent shape but with a lot of past due maintenance that had not been done and much needed upgrades that I will take care of.

(2nd FJ62 I plan on keeping)

My plan is to keep it and not sell it, make it reliable so I can take it anywhere. I will be doing all maintenance and making upgrades where necessary without breaking the bank. Since I have owned it already for a little over a year I have already done some things to it that I will go back and document. Don’t think the stuff I have already done will be in chronological order, but I will at least list it and make sure to document it later. I will also keep track of all expenses.

 

[Rodger1957]

I’m right there with you. I had the tan ‘87 back in the 90’s and always wanted another. I got the red one a while back. They aren’t fast, don’t handle well, terrible on gas, but they’re perfect.

 

[Beams37]

Same situation. This is hopefully my long-term keeper. Doing a lot of maintenance and upgrades for reliability and safety. I'm sure you already have a list, but here's a few simple things I would recommend.

LED Lighting: The @torfab LED headlights and replacing all your exterior lighting with LED's. The headlights are a big safety thing for you and the exterior lights are great for making sure people see you.

Brakes: These things aren't going to stop on a dime, as you know, but new pads, shoes, and drums really made a difference. As part of "base lining", flushing your brake fluid is a great idea. Mine was nasty.

Suspension: I'm also in the process of replacing all the shocks and suspension bushings. I've done this on other vehicles and it will make a big difference.

Good luck with your journey!

 

[psuarez00]

Did I not post this as a Build?….why doesn’t the post title have BUILD in front of it?

 

[Beams37]

Did I not post this as a Build?….why doesn’t the post title have BUILD in front of it?

Not sure. Mine doesn't have it either.

 

[Rodger1957]

Same situation. This is hopefully my long-term keeper. Doing a lot of maintenance and upgrades for reliability and safety. I'm sure you already have a list, but here's a few simple things I would recommend.

LED Lighting: The @torfab LED headlights and replacing all your exterior lighting with LED's. The headlights are a big safety thing for you and the exterior lights are great for making sure people see you.

Brakes: These things aren't going to stop on a dime, as you know, but new pads, shoes, and drums really made a difference. As part of "base lining", flushing your brake fluid is a great idea. Mine was nasty.

Suspension: I'm also in the process of replacing all the shocks and suspension bushings. I've done this on other vehicles and it will make a big difference.

Good luck with your journey!

View attachment 3814370

Same situation. This is hopefully my long-term keeper. Doing a lot of maintenance and upgrades for reliability and safety. I'm sure you already have a list, but here's a few simple things I would recommend.

LED Lighting: The @torfab LED headlights and replacing all your exterior lighting with LED's. The headlights are a big safety thing for you and the exterior lights are great for making sure people see you.

Brakes: These things aren't going to stop on a dime, as you know, but new pads, shoes, and drums really made a difference. As part of "base lining", flushing your brake fluid is a great idea. Mine was nasty.

Suspension: I'm also in the process of replacing all the shocks and suspension bushings. I've done this on other vehicles and it will make a big difference.

Good luck with your journey!

View attachment 3814370

 

[Rodger1957]

Same situation. This is hopefully my long-term keeper. Doing a lot of maintenance and upgrades for reliability and safety. I'm sure you already have a list, but here's a few simple things I would recommend.

LED Lighting: The @torfab LED headlights and replacing all your exterior lighting with LED's. The headlights are a big safety thing for you and the exterior lights are great for making sure people see you.

Brakes: These things aren't going to stop on a dime, as you know, but new pads, shoes, and drums really made a difference. As part of "base lining", flushing your brake fluid is a great idea. Mine was nasty.

Suspension: I'm also in the process of replacing all the shocks and suspension bushings. I've done this on other vehicles and it will make a big difference.

Good luck with your journey!

View attachment 3814370

I went with Kioti halogens, everything you need in a nice kit for $100+- Huge improvement over the old Sylvanias… I also put LED’s in the gauges.

 

[Land Shark]

Same situation. This is hopefully my long-term keeper. Doing a lot of maintenance and upgrades for reliability and safety. I'm sure you already have a list, but here's a few simple things I would recommend.

LED Lighting: The @torfab LED headlights and replacing all your exterior lighting with LED's. The headlights are a big safety thing for you and the exterior lights are great for making sure people see you.

Brakes: These things aren't going to stop on a dime, as you know, but new pads, shoes, and drums really made a difference. As part of "base lining", flushing your brake fluid is a great idea. Mine was nasty.

Suspension: I'm also in the process of replacing all the shocks and suspension bushings. I've done this on other vehicles and it will make a big difference.

Good luck with your journey!

View attachment 3814370

Man that is sexy!

 

[diesellibrarian]

Did I not post this as a Build?….why doesn’t the post title have BUILD in front of it?

I think the "Build" badge is normally assigned by a forum moderator. They seem to be more generous with the "Build" badges over in the 40/55 section, so my advice if you want a build badge is to start working on a 40 or 55 series.

 

[yotadude520]

Updated it for ya - but if you don’t start prepping for an LS or H55F swap I’m taking it off!

 

[MWM1]

Wow, that build badge is strict! Is there a "Maintaining Badge" for a daily driver? Maybe something with a busted knuckle? LOL!

 

[Beams37]

Updated it for ya - but if you don’t start prepping for an LS or H55F swap I’m taking it off!

Ya'll got any more of them build tags?

 

[Beams37]

Man that is sexy!

Thanks. Huge fan of the "wood grain" and the 40-series steel wheels with hub caps.

 

[jgallo1]

I have also always regretted selling my 62. I actually made the decision this am to sell my 80 and go back to a 62.
Congrats on the find

 

[Rodger1957]

I’m right there with you. I had the tan ‘87 back in the 90’s and always wanted another. I got the red one a while back. They aren’t fast, don’t handle well, terrible on gas, but they’re perfect.

View attachment 3814039

View attachment 3814040

I couldn’t do the black grille any longer, it was killing the looks. The light gasket has been taken care of btw.

 

[SteveH]

Congrats on finding a nice FJ62 again!

Funny how FJ60/2s come back to us. I owned an '87 FJ60 for years, started to get tired of the lack of power, boned out suspension, total lack of towing ability, etc. I sold it to a buddy, and it was tragically totaled (he lived, but was pretty badly injured). I bought an FZJ80 (for my wife) and never looked back at FJ60s. Until...

Years later, I bugged my neighbor about his rarely driven FJ62 (his wife bought new) and bought it. Can you believe he was going to turn it in to 'Cash for Clunkers' where the Feds paid to have sand put in the engine to destroy it? What a tragedy that would have been.

Anyway, story here: New '62 (new for me, anyway) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/new-62-new-for-me-anyway.759029/#post8709304. This thread is woefully out of date, but gives an idea. I have pretty much restored the truck to DD status and drive it on nice days. It's exceptionally reliable and fun to drive.

 

[jgallo1]

found a photo of the old LC :

 

[DuxTom]

I went with Kioti halogens, everything you need in a nice kit for $100+- Huge improvement over the old Sylvanias… I also put LED’s in the gauges.

Evening,

Got a link to the Kioti halogen kit you referenced? Maybe a pic of them on your 62? Thanks!!!

-Tom

 

[MWM1]

Congrats on finding a nice FJ62 again!

Funny how FJ60/2s come back to us. I owned an '87 FJ60 for years, started to get tired of the lack of power, boned out suspension, total lack of towing ability, etc. I sold it to a buddy, and it was tragically totaled (he lived, but was pretty badly injured). I bought an FZJ80 (for my wife) and never looked back at FJ60s. Until...

Years later, I bugged my neighbor about his rarely driven FJ62 (his wife bought new) and bought it. Can you believe he was going to turn it in to 'Cash for Clunkers' where the Feds paid to have sand put in the engine to destroy it? What a tragedy that would have been.

Anyway, story here: New '62 (new for me, anyway) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/new-62-new-for-me-anyway.759029/#post8709304. This thread is woefully out of date, but gives an idea. I have pretty much restored the truck to DD status and drive it on nice days. It's exceptionally reliable and fun to drive.

View attachment 3836422

Great find! Love the truck and it looks familiar!