Getting a clean 87 FJ60 SOA

[USMCracing]

Well I've decided to part my 91 4Runner out and get a less hardcore 4wd. So I started looking at a some 40's but I wanted more room so my choice was a 60. I found this 87 Fj60 in FL that's super clean and has a SOA. I should be picking it up sometime this week, he's going to meet me around Brunswick, Ga. Here is his ad link.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/407969-fl-87-fj60-7-500-a.html

Here's some more pics from the guy he bought it from, http://picasaweb.google.com/ssmith.fj60/FJ60Pics02?authkey=Gv1sRgCP225deix8qzhgE&feat=directlink#


The first thing I plan on doing to it is a set of rock sliders and will be followed by a front bumper (ARB or 4+), then a rear bumper (more then likely wil be 4+). I haven't found any good priced sliders for the 60 yet but I don't know much about the land cruiser as I do the 4Runner/pickups. 4+ has some but I'm not paying $750 for a set of sliders, that's Man-A-Fre price on them.

After it's protected I'd like to have it regeared with 4.88's and locked. ARB's are my first choice but I'd settle for just an ARB up front and a detriot in the rear.

Does the 3rd members from a 4Runner/pickup fit in either the front or rear axle on a 60? I don't think they will.

 

[dbenke]

Nice truck!!!

The mini-truck and L/C axles are different, however, most (if not all) l/c thirds are interchangeable

 

[USMCracing]

I didn't think the 3rds were interchangeable but I was hopping I'd be able to keep the built 4Runner 3rds that I already have.

Does anyone know if/when Marlin Crawler will have the land cruiser dual adapter ready? Something that I loved about my 4Runner was beable to crawl over anything with using a lot of gas. Giving this FJ60 is almost too clean to take on the trails or atleast the trails/lines I'd take with my 4Runner. Maybe I should just keep the 4Runner for when I get an itch for some hardcore wheeling.

 

[BELMONT148]

I think Marlin sells out about as quick as he gets them. He is limited on the amount of output shafts he can get so he can't keep up with demand.

I would put an Orion in, it's all you would ever need, and it's bolt-in with no other mods.

Nice looking truck, and it looks likes you got a fair deal.

The only thing I would check out is the travel on those shocks. They look rather short and may be limiting your full travel. I would disconnect the shocks and sway bars and twist it up to make sure your drivelines don't bind before I got too far ahead on the mods. Just to double check the PO's SOA job. It is pretty easy to mess those up, however it looks like he cut/turned the front and has a nice high steer setup.

Congrats, nice rust-free 60.

Jeremy

 

[BELMONT148]

Toyota, Suzuki Samurai, and Jeep Off Road Parts

67" version will fit. $140, you couldn't build them any cheaper than that.

Jeremy

 

[USMCracing]

Toyota, Suzuki Samurai, and Jeep Off Road Parts

67" version will fit. $140, you couldn't build them any cheaper than that.

Jeremy

Thanks for that info on the orion, I total forgot about those. I found the ad that guy he bought from had here on mud and it sounds like it was done right. The PO said it has a custom front drive shaft but I'll check them out before I hit any trails. I have a few things that I'm going to keep off of my 4Runner to use on the FJ60. I think my sliders are too short but I have a set of alpro sliders that I can cut off of greenseamans old pickup. We weren't going to use them for anything and they will some work cause he torched the kick outs off of them, they look rough but I'm sure I can fix them. I think my shocks on my 4Runner will be too long with them being 12" travel bills 5125's.

Thanks

 

[BELMONT148]

Hell no, run'em. I have 14" 5125 billy's on my SOA 40. I had to run extended Ford towers up front, but they only cost about $40, and for the rear I just moved them inward for more angle to get plenty of droop.

12" might be just right. I am not familiar with the 60 shock setup, but I am sure people run atleast 12" travel shocks on a SOA 60, anything less would limit your travel too much IMHO.

And it wasn't done completely "right" as I don't see any anti-wrap bar in the rear. You better plan on one, as the axle wrap is crazy in any SOA FJ series. Your pinion will move every time you hit the gas and brake until you install one. Once it moves enough to bind the u-joint, say bye to a third.

It says that he has a custom double cardon, (CV) shaft up front, but it looks like it needs one in the rear. I can't tell from the pics as it is cut-off, but if the rear pinion is pointed at the transfer output it must have a CV shaft or else you would get serious vibrations. And if the front is a CV shaft you should have the pinion pointing at the output as well, or else in 4wd under higher speeds it will vibrate as well.

Jeremy

 

[USMCracing]

I don't plan on going that fast when in 4wd, shot I ran a square front drive shaft for over a year on my 4Runner. The guy says that it rides smooth on the road at highway speeds. I know there's going to be some work to do but I don't think the SOA was done badly. I don't have a anti wrap bar on my 4Runner and I only get axle on the front axle while climbing hills. To be truthful I don't see this getting wheeled as hard as my 4Runner, I wanted a 4wd that my wife could drive and feel comfortble in. If I decided to get back into hard core wheeling I'll look into building a buggy/F-Toy. Right now I want a sharp looking classic cruiser that can still hit the trail when needed.

I was looking at the orion and advance doesn't list it for the 60. I'd rather get a H55 and regear to 4.88's.

Thanks

 

[BELMONT148]

That would definitely be better, but 3 times the cost of just addressing the case for offroad. However overdrive, and 4.88's would make the DD nice.

The anti-wrap should be done on a SOA cruiser even just on pavement. Literally, every time you hit the gas the axle will move. A cruiser is a lot heavier and has more torque than your 4runner.

Oh, and you are getting wrap in the rear of the 4runner, you just haven't seen it.

Jeremy

 

[USMCracing]

I'll be leaving tomorrow to pick up the FJ60 in Jacksonville, FL. If anyone would like to ride along and help drive it back would be great. I'm going to be renting a trailer from the auto hobby shop on base if no one can help. I know it's short notice but I was planing on my wife riding down with me but she can't. I will be leaving Beaufort around noon. Call if you want to go along for the ride/drive, 843-833-1107

 

[USMCracing]

I got a PM from the guy last night and he says that while driving the FJ60 yesterday it stalled out and has a idling issue. This is his PM, Does anyone know what's wrong, to cuase this? Should I still get it for $500 less as he offered or should I be aware of something major wrong?

I PM'd him back and asked him to have it fixxed and I'd get it after everything was fixxed.

Something bizarre happened today. As I was exiting the highway in the FJ it stalled out. It still starts idles and drives fine, but for some reason something has broken and caused it to stall after putting it in neutral after extended periods of being on the gas. I talked to one of my mechanic friends and he said it sounds like a minor vacuum problem, but I really don't know. Since it will probably cost a little money and it's an inconvenience for you I'll take $500 off our agreed $6,000. There's no way it will cost $500 to have what is assuredly a small problem but I feel bad that something like this happened just before you driving down here to pick her up. Like I said, she still drives just fine and will start every time, it's just the bizarre idling post-gas problem. If your brake with the gears it doesn't happen, it's only when putting it in neutral. Again, I apologize for this, but I'm glad it happened to me rather than you so I could take care of the repair costs. Thanks Steven, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Thanks

Steven

 

[BELMONT148]

He said he spent $3k at his local dealer with OEM intake and carb installed. I would say take it back and let them fix what they screwed up. Sounds fishy to me. I was a little skeptical about someone buying a rig for $5500 and then 4 months later after spending $3k on it selling it for $5500 just to find out it now has issues. I would offer him $4500 in it's current state or let him fix it.

Don't get over excited. However it is your call as you could probably figure it out on your own. I just would hate to spend that kind of money on something that wouldn't get me home.

Jeremy

 

[USMCracing]

Jeremy,

Thanks all the advice on this and I've given it lots of thought. I've been on the fence about parting out my 4Runner and as I get PM's about some of the parts I'm starting to change my mind. I really like how my 4Runner works on the trail. I think this was a sign for me not to get this FJ60. I was also wondering why he was selling it so soon after buying it. So as of right now I'm going to keep my 91 4Runner and hold off on getting a cruiser (again). Thanks again for all your help and advice.

Steven

 

[BenMara]

What made you decide the 4runner is hardcore? Not DDable? Has to be towed?

If your happy wit the way the 4runner performs, just keep it and wheel it.....

 

[BELMONT148]

I agree, I can't see how this 60 would have been any less hardcore than the runner. If anything, it might actually drive rougher.

Jeremy

 

[USMCracing]

As in "hardcore" I mean the 4Runner has lots of dents, dual t-cases, locked F&R, and can handle 38" tires. It actual rides nice for a SAS'd Toyota, handling takes some getting use too and the brakes aren't the greatest. I daily drove before the engine died and enjoyed driving it. I like the looks of the FJ60 and the body on that one was too nice to take on the trials that I wouldn't think twice about with the 4Runner. Yes I trail my 4Runner to the trail but for a few years I drove it to Ocala to wheel. I like that with the 4Runner it didn't matter when I rolled it or dented it on a rock/tree. With the FJ60 I wanted something that look nice/classic, my wife liked and would drive, and had more room then the 4Runner.


Thanks