Intro and initial questions

[the watson]

FJ62

• the watson
• Jan 19, 2017

Hello from Zirconia NC

Just purchased a pretty nice '88 FJ62 to be my fiancés daily driver once updated. Here are the basics if my plan. I appreciate any thoughts or recommended parts or vendors:

Currently:
Lifted 2-3 inches, not sure what kit
15" wheels with 33x10.5 tires
Chevy 350 swap, carbureted. Runs well

Plan:
New wheels and tires, perhaps a little more street friendly tread. Currently pretty nobby.
4Plus classic front and rear bumpers
Sliders with step by HFS (Hardline Fabrication) which is nearby
Full size roof rack (ARB?)
New upholstery. Currently faded purple! Seat heaters ?!?!
New stereo/navy system to fit original location (need help)
Add third row bench seat by Little Passengers
Paint and Body work to fix some rust
Better headlights (and relay I suppose)
Better brakes (currently pretty slow to stop)


She likes the rugged look but she'll be happiest if it drives well to pick up kids, run errands, etc. I'd appreciate your comments.

 

[Spike Strip]

Congrats. Welcome.

Might consider front axle service and/or brake service if the condition is unknown.

And I'd change all fluids. Particularly the Tranny flush, if you still have the LC tranny.

 

[gregnash]

Nice looking truck! Congrats and welcome to MUD.. <---Official MUD Welcome

So just to clarify... does she want these changes or do you?! Use the search function as there are plenty of how to's on the stuff you guys are looking at doing. For the Roof Rack look at Jason's @reevesci stuff as it is top notch and he is an avid member here and supporter.
Upholstery, I would suggest looking at the PT Cruiser seat upgrade or BMW 3 series upgrade for the fronts. You can get new foam for the stock seats but you are looking at $200 for the lower foam alone, and hog rings are an absolute bitch if you don't have the proper tools.

Other than that... look at the FSMs in my sig and download so you can do the necessary troubleshooting when the time comes. For other vendors look in the Vendor section or the "Small Businesses" under the classifieds for lots and lots of other stuff. The stuff you do take off an ddont plan to keep, post up in the classifieds here as there may be some users that will want it!!

 

[the watson]

Nice looking truck! Congrats and welcome to MUD.. <---Official MUD Welcome

So just to clarify... does she want these changes or do you?! Use the search function as there are plenty of how to's on the stuff you guys are looking at doing. For the Roof Rack look at Jason's @reevesci stuff as it is top notch and he is an avid member here and supporter.
Upholstery, I would suggest looking at the PT Cruiser seat upgrade or BMW 3 series upgrade for the fronts. You can get new foam for the stock seats but you are looking at $200 for the lower foam alone, and hog rings are an absolute bitch if you don't have the proper tools.

Other than that... look at the FSMs in my sig and download so you can do the necessary troubleshooting when the time comes. For other vendors look in the Vendor section or the "Small Businesses" under the classifieds for lots and lots of other stuff. The stuff you do take off an ddont plan to keep, post up in the classifieds here as there may be some users that will want it!!

Thanks! This is the fiancée and yes I am the instigator in the changes We appreciate your help!

 

[rrv333]

Welcome to the madness Download the FSM or buy one. Absolute must for long term care for or vehicle's. Lastly become friends with the search feature and have fun. Post lots of pics and have fun!

 

[umpqua]

You appear to be young and there's still hope that you can walk away from this before the point of no turning back. Seriously.

Otherwise, welcome to mud.

 

[CarolinaFJ]

Based on where you are located I would suspect Hardline Fabrication or Trollhole are going to be the best places to start with most things.

I just put on a Gamiviti roof rack which I rally like if you want something lower profile than an ARB.

Also, search the forum for the things you want to do, most of those topics have good threads on them.

 

[the watson]

Thanks everyone. I've had the car tuned and checked out and the mechanics were pretty impressed, which was a nice surprise. They gushed over the FJ looks in general too. I am working with HFS which is only 25 minutes down the road. Stan at HFS got us up to speed on a lot of things. A few more decisions we've made lately are:

- gramiviti rack with LED bar
- Pioneer stereo/navigation system for original dash location

Trying to decide on reupholstery vs new seats currently. It's a shame that no one offers the stock fabric covers. But some of the alternatives look nice.

All for now....

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Same color scheme as my 1990 though in much better shape. Enjoy!

Eric

 

[crikeymike]

Trying to decide on reupholstery vs new seats currently. It's a shame that no one offers the stock fabric covers. But some of the alternatives look nice.

All for now....

Welcome!!

It's possible that someone on here has a lead to new seat covers. I've seen some made in South America and shipped up this way, and I know they're for 40 and 80 series, but not sure about 60 series. You're right though, the original upholstery was really cool. I had a 60 series years ago but never got too far with it before I sold it.