zcruiser
Needs monitoring
So here's the slightly-embarrased-to-admit story.... I got my 62 in July of '05 from a guy in VA who had brought it out from Arizona, ending my quest for a RUST-FREE champagne 62 with OME lift. I was in love. It was the coolest truck ever, and I loved driving it... I felt like I could drive over anything (and did a few times just to prove it). Gas mileage sucked, but it wasn't my DD and didn't take premium, so who cares? I've put 6,000 miles on it since then and it's done what I wanted it to do.
Even repairs were fun in a cruiser-head kind of way, rebuilding the starter and replacing the water pump (one-banana stuff, but satisfying). Other than some peeling window tint, Arizona-faded paint, and the obligatory driver's seat foam sag, it has been FLAWLESS.
Well... Here's the view from the rest of the family, including my 16-yo daughter who needs a vehicle... "Ooof! It sure is hard to get up into this thing!" "I don't like the way it steers, it wanders all over the road." "Honey, do you think this thing will roll over if our daughter takes a corner too fast?" "Sheesh, it sure is a bumpy ride back here, I can't even put on my make-up!" (OK, I took some liberties with that last one.) And the final insult.... "I like the rounder cruisers, this thing looks like a station wagon on steroids."
So, my fellow cruisers.... Yesterday I found a stock '94 FZJ80, red pearl, 191K, local owner who picked it up from his mom who bought it new in Raleigh, rust-free, meticulously maintained by the family-owned shop, with (whimper) running boards so the girls can climb in easier and lower to the ground so less chance of rollover. Safety and the whining of my family has won out over the raw cruiser testosterone of the 62. A very sad day (for me).
Here's the new ride, next to my cherry red DD, with the 62 looking puny and rejected in the background.
Please no PM's on the FJ62 just yet... I've already had a few 'mud inquiries which I must honor before it goes in the 'vehicles for sale' section, but I know it will go to a good cruiserhead who will actually get it out and do some real wheelin' with it as opposed to my feeble attempts at manliness. <sigh>
Even repairs were fun in a cruiser-head kind of way, rebuilding the starter and replacing the water pump (one-banana stuff, but satisfying). Other than some peeling window tint, Arizona-faded paint, and the obligatory driver's seat foam sag, it has been FLAWLESS.
Well... Here's the view from the rest of the family, including my 16-yo daughter who needs a vehicle... "Ooof! It sure is hard to get up into this thing!" "I don't like the way it steers, it wanders all over the road." "Honey, do you think this thing will roll over if our daughter takes a corner too fast?" "Sheesh, it sure is a bumpy ride back here, I can't even put on my make-up!" (OK, I took some liberties with that last one.) And the final insult.... "I like the rounder cruisers, this thing looks like a station wagon on steroids."
So, my fellow cruisers.... Yesterday I found a stock '94 FZJ80, red pearl, 191K, local owner who picked it up from his mom who bought it new in Raleigh, rust-free, meticulously maintained by the family-owned shop, with (whimper) running boards so the girls can climb in easier and lower to the ground so less chance of rollover. Safety and the whining of my family has won out over the raw cruiser testosterone of the 62. A very sad day (for me).
Here's the new ride, next to my cherry red DD, with the 62 looking puny and rejected in the background.
Please no PM's on the FJ62 just yet... I've already had a few 'mud inquiries which I must honor before it goes in the 'vehicles for sale' section, but I know it will go to a good cruiserhead who will actually get it out and do some real wheelin' with it as opposed to my feeble attempts at manliness. <sigh>
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