Builds Harumi the Rusty Rescue JDM HJ60 - Build Thread (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Jun 14, 2022
Threads
8
Messages
360
Location
Ojai, Ca
IMG_20240316_105502_2.jpg


Hello Mud People!
This is the story of Harumi the Rusty Rescue, a poor neglected cruiser full of rust holes. I've wanted a Land Cruiser since I was 16, but ended up getting a 1st gen 4Runner when I was 17 (which was a compromise with the folks, who were footing the bill). The 4Runner served me well through college as a commuter and adventuremobile. After graduation I picked up a MK1 MR2 as a commuter to save on gas and keep the miles off of the 4Runner, also allowing down time on the 4Runner for more involved projects. After the 4Runner was 'done', the focus came to restoring the MR2. It's been a few years since that was done, and I am at the point in my life where I would like four doors and a bit more room. Being particular, I wanted a Toyota, smog exempt, somewhat modern, also old... hmm, tough order to fill in California...

I kept checking craigslist for quite awhile. There were a few early Cressidas, some Coronas, and of course a few FJ55 'projects' that were obscenely expensive. There was even a mid 80's diesel Corolla four door hatchback at one point. None seemed right even though they checked off the boxes. Eventually a few 70 series Land Cruiser started showing up, and if they had California tags, they were two door. Doh!

Then this popped up. Full of rust, leaking everywhere, the ugly quad headlights I strongly dislike.
Perfect! Take my money!

And it's a Land Cruiser!

2H Engine with H55F 5 speed
PTO Winch (functional)
Factory Limited Slip Full Float Rear Axle
High Roof
24 Volt
Right hand drive

Once it's mechanically sound, I'll get to work on the rust! Oh the rust! Horror!

My plan is to make it a roadtripper/explorer/camper:
FJ60 grille/headlights
Rooftop tent
Turbo
Selectable rear front locker.
Onboard Air Compressor
Lots of gauges!
Stowage for camping gear and tools
Either an auxillary or larger fuel tank

IMG_20220528_103440_9.jpg


IMG_20220528_105729_5.jpg


IMG_20220528_112646_7.jpg


IMG_20220528_112854_3.jpg
 
Last edited:
After cleaning all the random junk out of the interior, the first thing to do was address the terrifying 'rear heater bypass' and torn intake conduit.

IMG_20220603_182559_5.jpg


IMG_20220601_183025_9.jpg


IMG_20220604_121531_4.jpg


IMG_20220626_140736_0.jpg


IMG_20220626_140745_0.jpg
 
Once the 'rear heater bypass' was plumbed in a manner that wouldn't eject coolant whenever the heater was turned on, I ran a jug of Evapo-rust Thermocure and distilled water through the cooling system, following the instructions on the bottle. I proceeded to flush it 4-5 times with water before putting in Toyota Red coolant with distilled water.

IMG_20220614_183229_1.jpg


IMG_20220614_183232_6.jpg


IMG_20220614_183238_1.jpg


IMG_20220614_183242_3.jpg


IMG_20220614_183246_1.jpg
 
Last edited:
Once I got it drive-able, I soon discovered the clutch was on it's way out...
I used Nathan's Hot Dog buns to remove the pilot bearing and installed the extended pilot bearing as the input shaft on the transmission was worn:

Unfortunatly the new rear main seal still leaks so I'm going to have to pull it again and try a speedy sleeve.

IMG_20220709_151955_2.jpg


IMG_20220709_152008_0.jpg


IMG_20220714_182410_0.jpg


IMG_20220714_184927_3.jpg


IMG_20220716_103808_5.jpg
 
A previous owner had installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge, and I eventually found out why. At some point the voltage gauge and oil pressure gauge shorted together and melted there respective wires (they share a ground). Some rewiring and a new sender and now I have two oil gauges and voltage, huzzah!

IMG_20220728_123858_4.jpg


IMG_20220617_191645_7.jpg


IMG_20220617_191656_7.jpg


IMG_20220619_093902_1.jpg


IMG_20220614_165236_5.jpg
 
A few weeks ago, I did a quick drive up into the hills for a stress test. It got warmer than when cruising on the freeway but stayed just below the middle of the gauge.
Chugged up the highway like an old steam engine! (drove from ~700ft to ~3700ft in 14 miles or an average 4% grade). Checked the valve clearances when I got back, all within spec, and put on a new valve cover gasket.
IMG_20220813_102023_2.jpg
IMG_20220813_102250_5.jpg
IMG_20220813_114923_8.jpg
IMG_20220813_123601_2.jpg
 
My rear view mirror was super wobbly and wouldn't stay put. A previous owner had put rubber cement or something to try and stiffen it up to no avail.
I found an aftermarket wide angle mirror that looked like it might fit onto the OEM mount. The OEM ball is slightly smaller than the aftermarket one, but I stuffed in some pieces of rubber sheet to compensate and it seems to hold position. We shall see after some bumpy roads. It just fits between the sun visors and the view is awesome!
The mirror can be found here.

IMG_20220908_180813_5.jpg


IMG_20220908_180850_5.jpg


IMG_20220908_181137_8.jpg


IMG_20220908_185659_5.jpg


IMG_20220908_185706_0.jpg
 
While researching locker options I stumbled across an axle code decoder. My code is K085: 9.5" 4.111 Limited Slip Full Float. Huzzah!
Please ignore the crazy shackles...

VID_20220913_181713.gif
 
You can still get the OEM rear view mirrors, though I'm sure your aftermarket option was cheaper.
 
I eventually want to get a larger fuel tank, and I don't want the spare tire on the back, so inside the spare tires goes!
I fabricated brackets to attach a ratchet strap. The upper bracket attaches to the back seat upper support. The seat support was held on with tamper proof screws (but not cutoff wheel proof). The lower bracket required a backup plate, as the sheetmetal in the bed is rather thin...

IMG_20220918_124856_3.jpg

IMG_20220918_124901_3.jpg
IMG_20220918_124912_7.jpg
IMG_20220918_125019_6.jpg
 
That's a cool rig. hope to see it up in Ojai some time when I am up there visiting friends.
 
The sound deadening in the bed compressed after sitting for a day with the spare tire brackets clamping down on it. I was planning on pulling this stuff up eventually, so I decided to see how much of a pain in would be to remove, and also check the rust that was bubbling up underneath in on the spot weld seam. It wasn't too hard to remove, chiseling with a large screwdriver, coming up in chunks. The rust was worse than I thought, but not as bad as it could have been. Some wire wheeling, evaporust, welding, grinding, rust encapsulator, and voila!

Welding thin stuff certainly is a challenge!

IMG_20220920_072212_3.jpg
IMG_20220921_181716_9.jpg
IMG_20220921_183110_4.jpg
IMG_20220921_192605_7.jpg
IMG_20220921_203427_6.jpg
 
Nice work catching that rust.

Welding sheet metal is tough enough as is, but welding rust-damaged metal is sooooo annoying since it’s so easy to blow through.
 
Last edited:
Got the spare tire back in with brackets painted and new straps. I have had the old strap since at least 2007...

I also made some brackets to mount a plate for gauges where the radio used to be. Oil pressure, EGT, and Boost will eventually go there.

IMG_20220924_115107_3.jpg

DSCN0863.JPG
IMG_20220925_132951_2.jpg
IMG_20220925_135807_2.jpg
IMG_20220925_144441_9.jpg
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom