Starting off a build thread to document / journal my work on this truck. Currently at 311k miles, I've put 10k of those on myself. I bought this truck as a distraction project. It's named after my fiancee and best friend who shared the same name; she passed away in front of me in a tragic biking accident. I had been talking to the previous of this cruiser just 2 hrs before the accident. Kel was never a fan of my Toyotas (3rd gen 4runner, 80 series) and thought they were sh*tboxes, but she really liked the style and vibe of the 62. I got the thumbs up earlier that morning.
This vehicle kept me alive in the darkest periods after her death. It was the only thing I looked forward to and as silly as it sounds, the only "joy" I felt for many months. My plan is to keep this forever.
[done work]
New CSF radiator & hoses (1/24/25)
OME medium leaf springs & shocks, 2.5" lift (2/13/25)
Replaced thermostat bypass hoses with OEM hoses & clamps (4/18/25)
Replaced 4 rear heater hoses under the truck with gates aftermarket hoses (4/21/25)
Replaced leaking axle third member seal (4/21/25)
Replaced rear taillight lenses (4/25/25)
Had rear upper hatch professionally repainted & rust repair done on two passenger side doors (6/03/25)
Replace front & rear bumpers with new OEM parts (6/13/25)
Replace broken rear window spray nozzle with Honda part (6/22/25)
Sandblast & repaint tow hitch (6/23/25)
[in progress]
Replace driver's door & ignition with keyed match to rest of vehicle
Repair broken rear hatch lock
Design 2 relay window motor mod PCB to replace loose wiring & relays, post for sale too
Replace cracked rear window fluid line
[planned]
Get all windows ceramic tinted with something clear-ish (70-80% VLT)
Fix incorrectly installed front & rear shackles that a shop did (reversed & upside down lol)
Replace dead oil pressure gauge
Re-chrome wheels
Install vapor barrier in each door
Repaint grille
Replace broken dash center trim piece with Rust Farmers repro kit
Replace broken seatbelt stiffeners with Rust Farmers repro kit
Replace cracked D pillar vents with Rust Farmers repro kit
4Runner wiper upgrade
Replace the auto with an H55 once it blows up
Replace interior door cards with custom reproduction ones..perhaps changing the top material to gray leather
This vehicle kept me alive in the darkest periods after her death. It was the only thing I looked forward to and as silly as it sounds, the only "joy" I felt for many months. My plan is to keep this forever.
[done work]
New CSF radiator & hoses (1/24/25)
OME medium leaf springs & shocks, 2.5" lift (2/13/25)
Replaced thermostat bypass hoses with OEM hoses & clamps (4/18/25)
Replaced 4 rear heater hoses under the truck with gates aftermarket hoses (4/21/25)
Replaced leaking axle third member seal (4/21/25)
Replaced rear taillight lenses (4/25/25)
Had rear upper hatch professionally repainted & rust repair done on two passenger side doors (6/03/25)
Replace front & rear bumpers with new OEM parts (6/13/25)
Replace broken rear window spray nozzle with Honda part (6/22/25)
Sandblast & repaint tow hitch (6/23/25)
[in progress]
Replace driver's door & ignition with keyed match to rest of vehicle
Repair broken rear hatch lock
Design 2 relay window motor mod PCB to replace loose wiring & relays, post for sale too
Replace cracked rear window fluid line
[planned]
Get all windows ceramic tinted with something clear-ish (70-80% VLT)
Fix incorrectly installed front & rear shackles that a shop did (reversed & upside down lol)
Replace dead oil pressure gauge
Re-chrome wheels
Install vapor barrier in each door
Repaint grille
Replace broken dash center trim piece with Rust Farmers repro kit
Replace broken seatbelt stiffeners with Rust Farmers repro kit
Replace cracked D pillar vents with Rust Farmers repro kit
4Runner wiper upgrade
Replace the auto with an H55 once it blows up
Replace interior door cards with custom reproduction ones..perhaps changing the top material to gray leather
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