Intro + Build/Progress Thread: Original Paint 1984 FJ60 Modernization + OEM Plus (2 Viewers)

[78Mustard]

Backstory:

I come to the 60 forum from the 40 forum (hence the username); loved the look of the FJ40 and was fortunate enough to find a nice, dry 40 with a lot of Patina in August of 2019. I spent a fair bit of time getting this truck back to an OEM look and really enjoyed it, but at the time with twins under the age of 4, it just wasn't a vehicle that the whole family could use, for obvious reasons. So, in May of '24 the 40 went to its new steward in Georgia and I began the search for a 60. Here's the Sale thread of my 40 for anyone interested.

In January of '25 I was fortunate enough to come across a 60 that fit the bill, and that is what you see below (photos are from the previous owner...it just made it's way to me this week and I haven't had the time to take proper photos in it's new locale).

Original paint and I believe original OEM graphics (can any experts chime in/confirm on the graphics??) and spent the majority of its life in Arizona (hence the Arizona flag on the tailgate....which will stay, part of this trucks story), then Colorado for 2 years and now it's made it out to the East Coast. The truck has been well maintained (large binder with service records, most of which are handwritten) and is as rust free as a ~40 year old car can be. The truck has great, original paint and patina showing some of the signs of a well loved vehicle and my goal is to keep that character.

Current Updates:
-Rear seat from a FJ62 with OEM headrests
-All seats have been repaired with OEM fabric and thoroughly cleaned
-New interior carpet
-New Dash Cap
-Aftermarket Amplifier
-New front seat belts
-Con-Ferr roof rack
-Repair/replace roof gutter mouldings and seals

Goal/Plans:
With still having young children, I want this to be a truck that we can take out around town and on moderate trips and make it safe, enjoyable for them, and for the wife and I (in that order, yes). So, this isn't going to be a crazy build with a V8 swap or huge off road goals, but more an "OEM Plus" look, trying as much to keep the original look and design of the FJ60 but adding some creature comforts and some modern necessities that we're used to in vehicles these days and will keep everyone happy while in the car

I'm planning to get going fairly quickly on a few updates to the 60 (some parts already ordered) so will use this thread as a build/progress to keep everyone update and have a record for others to use as a reference. Thanks in advance for any help I request and hope folks enjoy the journey!

 

[onemanarmy]

Let's go!

 

[78Mustard]

Not an update, yet (but that's coming - hopefully parts arrive this week) but hoping for some clarification from some of the experts here.

Can anyone assist in determining if these are original/OEM graphics? Would this be a DIA (Dealer Installed Accessory) or was this something Toyota did at the factory?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Roonie]

My guess is dealer installed as very few had OEM graphics and those were mostly diesel or not American market. My rig was hand painted decals put on right after delivery. There is a place that sells decals found here.

www.tougenation.com.au/products/LAND-CRUISER-60-SERIES-c112039287

 

[BrownFJ6O]

Looks fantastic. I’m not too far down the street from you in Fairfax.

 

[78Mustard]

Looks fantastic. I’m not too far down the street from you in Fairfax.

Appreciate it....I'll keep an eye out for you, although mainly stick around Arlington, Del Ray and Old Town.

 

[DrRock]

Great looking truck! I’d recommend the Euro mirrors if that’s not on your list already. These really help with visibility. Good luck with your updates and welcome to the 60 forum!

 

[78Mustard]

My guess is dealer installed as very few had OEM graphics and those were mostly diesel or not American market. My rig was hand painted decals put on right after delivery. There is a place that sells decals found here.

www.tougenation.com.au/products/LAND-CRUISER-60-SERIES-c112039287

Great info, thanks for posting.

 

[78Mustard]

Great looking truck! I’d recommend the Euro mirrors if that’s not on your list already. These really help with visibility. Good luck with your updates and welcome to the 60 forum!

Yes...the OEM USDM mirrors are definitely a bit small, digging the Euro ones.

 

[78Mustard]

Alright...took a few weeks but was able to knock out a few updates on the modernization front.

I added a Pioneer 9" touchscreen display (DMH-WT3800NEX) and paired it with a Pioneer back up camera....works seamlessly and is pretty nice to have Apple CarPlay in the car as well as the back up camera. Found out during the install that my back up light switch had failed, so one of those is on order so my reverse lights actually turn on. So, project isn't officially done...oh well. Here's a quick video showing how it works

In addition, I replaced the front door speakers with Pioneer 5 1/4" speakers (TS-G1345R) speakers which fit seamlessly behind the stock grilles as the truck still had the original speakers from '84 and those were toast.

I also put in some door lock actuators (cheap ones off of Amazon) for the front doors and then paired it with a keyless remote (also, very basic Avital 2101). Set this up so the vehicle automatically locks once the car is started and then when the car is turned off, the front doors also unlock. I was able to wire up the system so the parking lights flash once when locked and twice when unlocked. Thanks to @ToyotaMatt for the LED front market lights which you can see in the video below (the PO just had reflectors in there that weren't even hooked up). Here's a quick video of the keyless in action -

Trying to keep the vehicle as stock in appearance while having some of the modern day creature comforts that we've all grown accustomed to.

 

[78Mustard]

A few other updates/additions on the nostaglia front.

The truck came with a metal Arizona flag on the back, looks a lot more faded in real life, the iPhone 15 Pro camera worked wonders. Figured since the car spent most of it's life in Arizona and I'm just a custodian of it until it gets passed along to someone else, I should keep it on and let it tell the story.

Additonally, a neighbor also has a 60 and picked up this vintage Coleman cooler for me, he though the tan on the cooler was a good match for my paint color...so, now I have a cooler to complement the truck. Cool how the 60 has introduced me to a new neighbor.

More updates in the coming weeks planned....stay tuned.

 

[Hokie LX]

Nice truck and welcome from a fellow Tan 1984 FJ60 owner. Check out the 70 series mirrors. They are larger and what I run on my truck. You can find them pretty cheap from overseas vendors ($27ish per mirror plus gaskets). Check out the ONSC Relic Run event next month in Uwharrie!

 

[405]

Really sweet truck. I love OG survivors like this.
Graphics likely dealer installed or aftermarket. Same with the door trim.
Following along!

 

[78Mustard]

Really sweet truck. I love OG survivors like this.
Graphics likely dealer installed or aftermarket. Same with the door trim.
Following along!

Thanks. Yeah...the original paint and the retro graphics is a good portion of what sold me on this truck.

In regards to the door trim...thanks for the input, I had a post here about it and initial consensus seems to be aftermarket/dealer installed.

 

[78Mustard]

Was able to get a few hours over the past few days and got my @TRFarmers new dash bezel in as well as my Tuffy box. I followed @AggiePE 's write-up for the Tuffy install which went pretty well....happy with the result.

Went with the Spice 8" box and painted the base RustOleum Dark Brown (241239 color code) which, along with the spice armrest compliments the stock colors well.

Next up some @TRAIL TAILOR Apron Seals, hopefully this weekend and another goodie which is coming from overseas so

 

[78Mustard]

Got a little bit of time today and was able to use @thecadefire write up on using Bushwacker fender trim around the headlights. My old gaskets were non existent and this was a quick and easy update.

Highly recommend.

 

[78Mustard]

A

 

[Beams37]

Got a little bit of time today and was able to use @thecadefire write up on using Bushwacker fender trim around the headlights. My old gaskets were non existent and this was a quick and easy update.

Highly recommend.

View attachment 3877919

I did the same with mine. It's much better than a worn out stock gasket.

 

[78Mustard]

Haven't really had the opportunity to do anything (fun) to the truck, but did end up replacing the Steering Box (leaking) and the outer tie rods as they were in pretty bad shape, followed up with an alignment.. Also replaced the rear transfer case output shaft seal and flushed all the transfer case fluids.

On the fun note, weather finally cooperated and was able to get a quick wash in and a photo in it's new surroundings. No more open spaces and mountains, now confined to cobblestone streets and urban life.

 

[78Mustard]

Got my The Rust Farmers (@TRFarmers) B-pillar replacements in - great product, fit and finish. Thanks for producing these! The first photo shows what the top of my original B-pillars looked like....a definite cut/scratch risk and the next two show driver and passenger side with the replacements in. The replacements are a spot on match and a bit thicker so should hold up for another 40+ years.

Slight note, I have aftermarket seat belts, so I had to cut the bottom of the B-pillar replacements to clear the retractor; took all of 5 minutes and a Sharpie and Exacto knife.