I've Joined the 60 Community! My New To Me 1988 HJ61 VX (1 Viewer)

[WildSouth]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker and poster on Mud, but normally in the 70 Series section (and some ownership of 80's and 100's), but never a 60.

Well, that has just changed, and I am the proud new owner of a 1988 HJ61, 12HT mated to a manual box. I'm very lucky, it's been with it's owner for 26 years, and garaged for the that entire time. So rust-wise it's pretty much immaculate.

Here are a few photos sent by the seller. I pick her up tomorrow!

 

[red66toy]

Congratulations and welcome! What a beauty.

 

[cps432]

That things sweet! Love the hi-roof.

 

[WildSouth]

Pick up day, off I go! The 60 is based up in the North Island, so I’ll have a couple of days driving to bring it home to the South Island

 

[FJ404345]

My 62 is off the same age with the same rear and front bumpers,winch and striping and color.

Have a good and save trip. It woukd be nice to document it here

 

[WildSouth]

Oh wow….

 

[kevin in okinawa]

hj61s are the best!

 

[WildSouth]

The 60 is going flawlessly on the trip back home down to the South Island.

Having never owned a 12HT, I’m more than happy with its performance (even up hills!).

The previous owner did inform me that the aircon stopped working about 10 years ago, and they hadn’t touched it since.

I foolishly turned it on to experiment, not thinking about the consequences: within the minute or two the bearing in the AC pulley must have collapsed. I was slowing in traffic when I smelt a burning rubber smell, followed quickly by smoke escaping the engine bay. I pulled over and quickly observed some serious belt slippage and a stuck/slow pulley. I decided the easiest solution was to cut the old belt, as it was in need of replacement anyway.

All good now

 

[diesellibrarian]

A high-roof 60-series with 12H-T, 5 speed and full float rear axles is the dream setup.

You didn't say if it had front/rear cable lockers, but given the rest of the kit, I'm guessing it does?

Sweet rig - enjoy!

 

[georgebj60]

…. solution was to cut the old belt, as it was in need of replacement anyway.

All good now

I hope that belt wasn’t turning the water pump!

 

[WildSouth]

I hope that belt wasn’t turning the water pump!

Haha - no, I made sure to triple check that

 

[dmjay]

Nice one bro, she is a carbon copy of mine, even the same wheels.
It is a ripper, enjoy.

 

[relaxedcruiser]

Hi mate,
have fun with your new truck !
Maybe we can meet up sometime, sit beside our trucks while enjoying a cold one and just be pleased by our rides. My 60 is the best vehicle I have owned so far. By overall driving experience and the near perfect match of comfort, reliability and ruggedness.
See you sometime !

 

[WildSouth]

Thanks guys!

 

[WildSouth]

A few more photos on the trip home. Ran into some buddies coincidentally in the lower part of the North Island. So convoyed with them for the rest of the way home.

 

[WildSouth]

And more…

 

[cps432]

Looks like fun!