Builds FJ80 "Thing 4" Build

jasonc · Oct 31, 2015

To start off with, this rig was purchased today (10/31/15) as a parts truck. It is pretty beat up with a lot of odd modifications made to it, so I think I'm going to tear it all apart after stripping it. My initial thought was to make it into a Ute setup with a partially enclosed flatbed. Not sure what it will end up like, but hopefully it will work out.

Details: truck was bought for a ridiculous low price. Lots of things need fixed, and it recently threw a rod through the engine block and knocked a few things lose. I bought this truck for the interior panels and a few other things, so everything else was just a bonus.

Immediate plans include getting rid of the carpet, pulling interior panels and dash, and a lot of cleaning. Pictures will come soon.

jasonc · Oct 31, 2015

Background information: this is my 3rd personal 1991 Land Cruiser, and the 4th one in my family. We named the first two "Thing 1 and Thing 2" and have continued to add on to the collection.

I'm 16 and somewhat knowledgeable about mechanics and fabrication, but hopefully being able to tear this truck apart will help me understand everything much better.

Picture from when I purchased it:

Also included in deal were a few spare parts, a set of leather seats, an extra grille off of a '95, and this excellent electrical box in the engine bay:

Not a clue what PO was thinking, but interesting. Let's hope I won't stumble across more of this DIY work.

jasonc · Oct 31, 2015

Here's another picture, of the good side:

Oscar Witte · Oct 31, 2015

How big of an inverter is going to that box?

jasonc · Oct 31, 2015

Oscar Witte said:
How big of an inverter is going to that box?

I have no idea off the top of my head, but it can't be large enough for the amount of power being pulled. That will be one of the first things I'll check out tomorrow. Haven't seen anything like it, especially under a hood.

Oscar Witte · Oct 31, 2015

jasonc said:
I have no idea off the top of my head, but it can't be large enough for the amount of power being pulled. That will be one of the first things I'll check out tomorrow. Haven't seen anything like it, especially under a hood.

Seems like a neat idea, maybe they should have at least considered an outdoor box? :flamingo:

mod5csi · Nov 1, 2015

We had outlet boxes like that under the hood in our trucks in Antarctica. That way we could plug the oil, water, and battery heaters into one source. Only need to plug into one outlet on the power line that way.

Sent from my Nexus 5

CRSHR · Nov 1, 2015

Subscribed! Got a feeling your going to get this one turned around.

Sent from my iPhone

jasonc · Nov 1, 2015

Here's a few more pictures of it after we got it towed back to our house today. Interior is in pretty good condition in comparison to the rest of it.

First thing I did was took off the rear bumper things, and I think tomorrow I'll continue to strip the interior, swap out the tailgate, and maybe wash it. Still feeling like I got a super good deal at only $320. Now all I need is a covered location to store it...

Here's a picture of the four Land Cruisers we have now. They're all 1991s, and three are mine, one's my dad's.

jasonc · Nov 1, 2015

This is how it sits tonight. More to come soon...

jasonc · Nov 1, 2015

mod5csi said:
We had outlet boxes like that under the hood in our trucks in Antarctica. That way we could plug the oil, water, and battery heaters into one source. Only need to plug into one outlet on the power line that way.

Sent from my Nexus 5

After examining the outlets, I think it's something similar to this. There's a male end coming out of the box, so it must be to power some accessories. In my part of Colorado it really doesn't get cold enough to require a heater, especially on a gasoline engine. I'll try to figure it out.

jasonc · Nov 2, 2015

Today I didn't get much done, still trying to find a few tools to do the interior panels.

I switched out the tailgate from this truck onto one of my other trucks

I also got the stock front bumper off, and I noticed the mounts are all twisted up. Guess they'll be coming off, too.

jasonc · Nov 3, 2015

After reading through a few Ute build threads, I've collected these pictures for ideas. I have no need for a full size flatbed, so I think when it comes time I'll cut the rear bits of the frame off to improve departure angle and just build a nice and short bed.

jasonc · Nov 3, 2015

Today I took off the passenger side front quarter panel to start on some bodywork. I'm planning on pounding it roughly into shape, doing some rust treatment, stripping paint, Bondo the low spots, and prime it. I'm thinking about holding off on doing an overcoat with matched paint because I'm going to repaint everything eventually. I also took the fender flare off of this panel as well.

Also removed the front bumper mounts. I'll start on the bodywork stuff tomorrow.

jasonc · Nov 4, 2015

Didn't get much done today due to terrible weather, but I did manage to start pulling the interior panels. Hopefully I'll get that quarter panel looking nice sometime this weekend and then it's on to carpet.

jasonc · Nov 5, 2015

I got the 3rd row seats out and the interior panels. I'll be installing a few things into my dad's rig tonight, which is why I got the panels off first.